How to find out if a video file is 16:9 or 4:3

[newmacuser23]

I need to find out which one of the above screen types a certain video is.

The info tab does not have that information.

 

[r.j.s]

Is it wide screen or almost square?

 

[Matthew Yohe]

No, but it has the resolution.

Divide them, compare to 16/9 and 4/3.

 

[sammich]

By inspection of said video.

4:3 is very 'square'. 16:9 is quite wide in comparison. You understand how the ratios work right?

 

[Peace]

Select the file and click on get info. It will tell you the dimensions.

 

[wonderspark]

Depends on format, but aspect ratio will tell you.
For example, in DV, 0.9 is 4:3 standard, 1.2 is widescreen 16:9.

 

[SidBala]

You can't always tell without playing the video and looking at the output.

You could consider the ratio as someone said, but then you could also have non-square pixels.

 

[arnop]

I need to find out which one of the above screen types a certain video is.

The info tab does not have that information.

What software are you using ? Final Cut (Studio or Express) ? iMovie ?

 

[zblaxberg]

Is it wide screen or almost square?

Like they said, it will be pretty obvious when you play the file. If it's a rectangle, it's 16:9 if it's almost a square, it's 4:3.

 

[Leddy]

Hi Newmacuser23,

This may be relevant or not:

When I worked in broadcast, occasionally we'd get a file which appeared to be what it wasn't ... ie. 4x3 masquerading as 16x9 or vice versa.

Try playing the video and looking for something circular in it - like a wheel etc.- and looking to see if it appears stretched vertically (16x9 playing as 4x3), stretched horizontally (4x3 playing as 16x9), or just right.

Alternatively, people are often a good measure - look to see if they appear elongated or excessively fat ... (Though sometimes it can be difficult to tell!)

Hope this helps,

Cheers.