When square pixels aren't square
4 months ago
- #aspect-ratio
- #video
- #web-development
- Videos on web pages can have their aspect ratio specified to prevent layout shifts when loading.
- QuickTime Player shows two resolutions: storage aspect ratio (SAR) and display aspect ratio (DAR).
- Pixel aspect ratio (PAR) affects how pixels are displayed, sometimes making square pixels appear rectangular.
- Non-square pixels are common in vertical videos like YouTube Shorts.
- The formula DAR = SAR × PAR links storage, pixel, and display aspect ratios.
- The Mars EDL 2020 Remastered video example shows how PAR affects the displayed image.
- A Python function using ffprobe can accurately calculate the display aspect ratio by considering PAR.
- Using the display aspect ratio ensures correct space allocation for videos on web pages.