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    Screen Aspect Ratio

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by xxsprint, Sep 15, 2008.

  1. xxsprint

    xxsprint Notebook Geek

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    How do you determine what your laptop's screen aspect ratio is?
    Specifically i ask because I don't know whether to buy a dvd's widescreen version (1.85:1) or fullscreen version (1.33:1). I have a Sony VAIO SR, the resolution is 1280x800.
     
    xxsprint, Sep 15, 2008
    #1
  2. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    1280x800 is 16:10 widescreen.
     
    Hep!, Sep 15, 2008
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  3. SmoothTofu

    SmoothTofu Inspiron 1420 Owner

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    It's 1.6:1 (16:10). It's the standard on all widescreen laptops.
     
    SmoothTofu, Sep 15, 2008
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  4. royk50

    royk50 times being what they are

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    1280x800 1.6:1

    its simple math

    go for the ws, fs sux
     
    royk50, Sep 15, 2008
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  5. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    The standard, but not the only option - some notebooks are being released at 1.78:1 (16:9), such as my own.
    And since most movies are released in theatres as widescreen, you should ALWAYS get that so you don't miss anything. Just expect black bars - movies can be 1.85:1 or even 2.35:1.
     
    TehSuigi, Sep 15, 2008
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  6. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    you devide X by Y .. or in other words 1280/800 = 1.6 or 1.6:1 :)
     
    miro_gt, Sep 15, 2008
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  7. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Well everyone seems correct on this and TehSuigi brings up a good point. I will only add to OP between the two ratio's you mention the question is do you want it letter boxed horizontally or vertically (assuming you have wide screen)?

    I would pick 1.85:1 for two reasons. I prefer letter boxing horizontally not on the vertical and as TehSuigi said likely not clipped. I don't think there is a guarantee that either are not clipped but I think they do generally clip more on the horizontal.
     
    powerpack, Sep 15, 2008
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  8. Mr._Kubelwagen

    Mr._Kubelwagen More machine now than man

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    Well, it always has been. But a bunch of companies are gradually switching to 16:9, to keep up with TVs. That's why we get weird 16.x & 18 inch laptops.
     
    Mr._Kubelwagen, Sep 16, 2008
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  9. wackydude1234

    wackydude1234 Notebook Evangelist

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    if you hate clipping you can always watch in on VLC player and change the aspect ratio..
     
    wackydude1234, Sep 16, 2008
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