The aspect ratios and preferred way to watch most movies filmed after the mid 1950s. The most common widescreen ratios are 1.66, 1.85, 2.35 and 2.40, though there are more. You see more this way than if it's a pan and scan version. It's also the way the sirector and cinematographer wanted the movie to be seen the way the You'll still get small bars on a widescreen TV if you watch some movies because the average aspect ratio of the TV is 1.78 and some movies are wider than that.
Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings looks a lot better in the widescreen versions than the pan and scan versions.
by Steve March 05, 2005
Referrs to the 16:9 aspect ratio that movies and some TV shows are filmed in. Many new high-definition TVs have screens capable of displaying this aspect ratio without vertically compressing the image, as would happen when trying to watch a widescreen-formatted movie or show on a traditional TV.
by MX February 09, 2004
An aspect ratio wider than 1:33:1 (4:3). Some people think that regular TV is "square," when it is actually 4:3. Most movies are shown in either 1.78:1 (16:9), 1.85:1, or 2.35:1. TV shows are usually shown in 1:33:1, but some are shown in 1.78:1, such as The Sopranos and ER. If the aspect ratio of the content you are watching is wider than your TV, the picture is letterboxed. Many people don't like widescreen because they think that you don't see the entire picture, which is not true. If they had a 16:9 TV or were watching it in a movie theater, they would not think so. Those people will buy the "full screen" pan & scan versions of DVDs, which actually cut off 40% of the picture.
by Gangstre April 05, 2005
Widescreen refers to any aspect ration larger than 4:3 or 1.33:1. The most common ratios are 1.66:1 (almost regular TV), 1.85:1 (Acadamey Flat) and 2.35:1 (Anamorphic Scope).
by Inspector Chan September 15, 2004
by Biggie Biggie Biggie October 26, 2005
by Zinian August 19, 2009
Due to the slant of asian eyes, asians see in widescreen. figurativly, not in the litteral sence. If you don't know what i'm talking about, american child, bring your index fingers to your corners of your eye lids and give it a little pull.
by xxxscenexxx October 08, 2005