Widescreen
Widescreen images are images that are displayed within a set of aspect ratios (relationship of image width to height) used in film, television and computer screens. In film, a widescreen film is any film image with a width-to-height aspect ratio greater than the standard 1.37:1 Academy aspect ratio provided by 35 mm film.
For television, the original screen ratio for broadcasts was in fullscreen 4:3 (1.33:1). Largely between the 1990s and early 2000s, at varying paces in different nations, 16:9 (1.78:1) widescreen TV displays came into increasingly common use. They are typically used in conjunction with high-definition television (HDTV) receivers, or Standard-Definition (SD) DVD players and other digital television sources.
With computer displays, aspect ratios wider than 4:3 are also referred to as widescreen. Widescreen computer displays were previously made in a 16:10 aspect ratio (e.g. 1680×1050), but now are usually 16:9 (e.g. 1600×900).
Letterbox (adjective)
Transferred to home video formats while preserving the original aspect ratio, having black bars above and below the picture area.
Letterbox (noun)
A collection point for mail intended for onward delivery, a secure box or receptacle for this purpose.
Letterbox (noun)
A delivery point for mail, a box, compartment or slot for this purpose.
Letterbox (noun)
A hidden container that holds a logbook and rubber stamp, found by following clues.
Letterbox (verb)
To transfer a widescreen motion picture to home video formats while preserving the original aspect ratio, with the placing of black bars above and below the picture area.
Letterbox (verb)
To hunt for letterboxes (containers with logbook and rubber stamp) by following clues.
Widescreen (noun)
A screen with a wider aspect ratio than the ordinary 35-millimeter frame, making more effective use of the human field of view and producing a more immersive view experience.
Widescreen (adjective)
Filmed in a greater aspect ratio than the 1.33:1 or 1.37:1 aspect ratio.
Widescreen (adjective)
Presented in the original aspect ratio; presented in letterbox orientation.