This week, Apple unveiled the newest developer beta of tvOS 18.2, the platform that drives the Apple TV 4K streaming devices. As highlighted during the WWDC 2024 keynote, this updated software introduces support for a wider range of aspect ratios, including 21:9, in addition to several options surpassing the standard 16:9 that dominates today’s TVs.
Why is this significant?
Many viewers have encountered letterboxing or pillarboxing — those annoying black bars that appear around the video content on our screens. This situation arises when the aspect ratio of a film or TV show does not match that of the display, leading to a less-than-ideal viewing experience.
Most contemporary content, particularly from streaming platforms like Netflix, Max, Paramount+, and Apple TV+, is typically presented in the 16:9 aspect ratio. Thus, letterboxing this content on devices with the same ratio is often unnecessary. The user interface on the Apple TV 4K is also designed for this aspect, ensuring a visually pleasing experience across the board.
However, some users opt for projectors or wide monitors that follow different aspect ratios. In these cases, content played on the Apple TV 4K can often display those frustrating black bars, as the device outputs a 16:9 signal. With the rollout of tvOS 18.2 in December, the system is designed to automatically detect the aspect ratio of the connected display and adjust its output accordingly.
If the automatic detection does not function as intended, there will be a new Aspect Ratio settings menu, allowing users to manually select the appropriate configuration for their setup. The options will include ratios such as 16:9, 21:9, 2.37:1, 2.39:1, 2.40:1, DCI 4K, and 32:9.
This marks the first instance where users with a 21:9 projector or those employing an anamorphic lens for a 2.39:1 ratio can enjoy perfectly proportioned, fullscreen images from their Apple TV 4K.
But how many users can expect to benefit from these new features? According to Jeff Gosselin, chief experience officer at Cloud 9 AV, a home theater installation company based in Toronto, “It really won’t affect very many. Most new theaters we’ve installed in the last 15 years have all been built around 16:9 screens. For any ultra-wide projection systems, this will certainly enhance the viewing experience.”
Pillarboxing may still occur when viewing 16:9 content on these setups. However, users can look forward to a fullscreen experience when 21:9 content becomes available, minus those annoying black bars.
Developers of apps, including the streaming services mentioned earlier, will need to update their platforms to ensure compatibility with the new aspect ratio settings. Ultimately, such adjustments should lead to a smoother viewing experience across a variety of devices.