Frame aspect ratio

Learn more about the various frame aspect ratios in Premiere Pro.

Frame aspect ratio describes the ratio of width to height in the dimensions of an image. A typical widescreen frame has a frame aspect ratio of 16:9. Cameras with a widescreen mode can record using the 16:9 aspect ratio, and many films have been shot using even wider aspect ratios.

In Premiere Pro, you can implement the letterboxing or the pan and scan technique by using the Motion effect properties such as Position and Scale available in the Effect Controls panel.

Letterboxing

When you import clips shot in one frame aspect ratio into a project that uses another frame aspect ratio, you decide how to reconcile the different values. This placement leaves black bands above and below the movie frame, called letterboxing.

For example, two common techniques are used for showing a 16:9 movie on a 4:3 standard television. You can fit the entire width of the 16:9 movie frame within the 4:3 television frame.

Pan and scan

Pan and scan is an alternative method to use a project with another frame aspect ratio. Only a part of the frame is retained, while the rest is lost.

For example, another technique to show a 16:9 movie on a 4:3 standard television is to fill the 4:3 frame vertically with the entire height of the 16:9 frame. Then, you pan the horizontal position of the 16:9 frame within the narrower 4:3 frame so that important action always remains inside the 4:3 frame.