This is a rhetorical question.

First, what is the difference between 16×9 video and 4×3 video?
These numbers describe Aspect Ratio, the horizontal length of your video (or television) in relation to its vertical hight. The TV you grew up watching Sesame Street on was 4×3. The new monolith you probably shelled out for just before Circuit City went out of business (you, meaning you and I) is 16×9. You may have noticed that YouTube is now streaming all its videos in 16×9. Why did they make this change?

Probably due to all the new films, videos, games, DVDs, and such which are now being released widescreen. The simple answer is that consumers are quickly thinking 16×9 is what looks cool. Why should hip new videomakers be constrained to 4×3 aspect ratio when it could cut off the sides of their image OR worse, squish the image so that it looks “tall”? YouTube has accommodated those who know what is current, else users decide to jump ship to other video hosting sites.

Check out Spunkeez YouTube Widescreen Tutorial. He’s a surly fellow who discusses how to update your videos so they look correct on today’s YouTube. And he uses rock n roll background music. Clever stuff.

If you have a consumer camcorder, look for the 16×9 setting and give it a whirl. Your actors reels and family videos will better fit on tomorrow’s televisions, iPods and computer screens.