Dimensions & Quality

Aspect Ratio

The term aspect ratio refers to the ratio of a video’s width to its height, and this is usually stated through numbers separated by a colon, such as 16:9.
The aspect ratios commonly used on today’s digital platforms are 16:9, 9:16 and 4:5.

Video Quality

The term video quality refers to a set of standardized resolutions commonly used within the production industry. The quality of the video also affects the file size of the video — the higher the quality, the bigger the file size.

Standard Definition (SD)

Anything below 1080p. Used when file size limitations are a consideration. E.g. of use cases: As attachments in lecture slides, recordings of long webinar sessions, may sometimes be used by production teams when previewing drafts of videos that are still work in progress.

High Definition (HD)

Refers to any video of at least 1920 x 1080 dimension. The most commonly used quality when delivering videos for average consumer viewing today.
E.g. of use cases: Anything web-related or for public viewing such as on advertisement spaces.

4k / Cinema 4K

Refers to any video of at least 4096 x 2160 dimension. Usually reserved for projection on cinema-type screenings.
E.g. of use cases: Ad-rolls before movie screenings.

Video Format / Codec

Video Codec

The video codec - through encoding/decoding of the video file — compresses video files to make them smaller in size, through carefully choosing which data gets saved to the final file instead of keeping every single bit of information.

Use H.264 for video codec.

Video Container

The video container is what bundles video and audio streams, subtitles, video metadata and codec into one package, making the video file playable on computer systems and media viewers.

Use .MP4 as video container.

Common Delivery Dimensions

All videos should be delivered in 16:9 aspect ratio, Full HD quality and in .MP4 format.

If delivering specifically to social media platforms such as for TikTok or Instagram Feed, it would be best to deliver the video in the 9:16 and 4:5 aspect ratio respectively.

Post-production may help crop widescreen content into these ratios through editing, but framings can often be compromised as shooting and setting up for widescreen viewing is different than framing for a vertical viewing experience.