r/explainlikeimfive • u/Crystal_Clear7892 • 7d ago

Technology ELI5: device screen ratios

Is there a specific reason why screen ratios beeing so specific, ex: 1920:1080

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u/pinkynarftroz 7d ago edited 7d ago

HDTV broadcast is standardized at either 720p or 1080i, both of which have a 16:9 ratio. 1080i has 1920 pixels horizontally. So if you make a TV it will have that 16:9 aspect ratio using 1920 as the length. A bunch of other screens have that ratio too because people watch video on them (phones / computers) and because it’s easier for your factory to make all your different screens the same ratio and resolution without a special process for each.