Pixel aspect ratio

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For other uses, see Aspect ratio (disambiguation).

The term pixel aspect ratio is used in the context of computer graphics to describe the layout of pixels in a
digitized image. Most digital imaging systems use a square grid of pixels—that is, they sample an image at
the same resolution horizontally and vertically. But there are some devices that do not (most notably some
common standard-definition formats in digital television and DVD-Video) so a digital image scanned at a
vertical resolution twice that of its horizontal resolution (i.e. the pixels are twice as close together vertically
as horizontally) might be described as being sampled at a 2:1 pixel aspect ratio, regardless of the size or
shape of the image as a whole.

Increasing the aspect ratio of an image makes its use of pixels less efficient, and the resulting image will
have lower perceived detail than an image with an equal number of pixels, but arranged with an equal
horizontal and vertical resolution. Beyond about 2:1 pixel aspect ratio, further increases in the already-
sharper direction will have no visible effect, no matter how many more pixels are added. Hence an NTSC
picture (480i) with 1000 lines of horizontal resolution is possible, but would look no sharper than a DVD.
The exception to this is in situations where pixels are used for a purpose other than resolution - for
example, a printer that uses dithering to simulate gray shades from black-or-white pixels, or analog
videotape that loses high frequencies when dubbed.

[edit] Different pixel aspect ratios

 Video Standard Pixel aspect ratio
1.0666:1
PAL CCIR-601/ITU-R 601
(720x576) The correct figure for this is 1.094:1 TV pixels are not square see BBC's
Guide to Picture-Size for an explanation
1:1
PAL Square Pixel (768x576)
the correct aspect here is 788x576. TV pixels are not square see BBC's Guide
to Picture-Size for an explanation
D1/DV NTSC 0.9117:1
D1/DV NTSC 16:9 1.2121:1
1.064:1
D1/DV PAL
The correct figure for this is 1.094:1 TV pixels are not square see BBC's
Guide to Picture-Size for an explanation
D1/DV PAL 16:9 1.4587:1
HD 720 (1280x720) 1:1
HDV (1440x1080) 1.333:1
HD 1080 (1920x1080) 1:1