tvOS 18.2 Beta Adds Support for 21:9 Projector Aspect Ratio

Apple today provided developers with the first beta of tvOS 18.2, and the update adds support for the 21:9 aspect ratio that projectors use.

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As noted by Sigmund Judge, the update includes a new option that lets the Apple TV automatically detect the best aspect ratio for a television or projector. Options include 16:9, 21:9, 2.37:1, 2.39:1, 2.40:1, DCI 4K, and 32:9.


Support for the 21:9 aspect ratio was announced as a tvOS 18 feature, but it was not in the initial tvOS 18 release. tvOS 18.2 includes an option to show or hide volume feedback from external devices like sound bars in addition to the aspect ratio change.

We are also waiting on new Snoopy screen savers, but those do not appear to be included in tvOS 18.2.

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Top Rated Comments

TruthAboveAllElse Avatar
21 weeks ago

Like be fr, Apple. How long does it take to make Snoopy screen savers?
In a way, it has taken billions of years.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JimmerJabber Avatar
21 weeks ago

We are also waiting on new Snoopy screen savers, but those do not appear to be included in tvOS 18.2.
** We are also waiting on higher audio sampling rates (ie 192kHz not 48kHz) and audio pass through (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA).
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
21 weeks ago

We are also waiting on new Snoopy screen savers, but those do not appear to be included in tvOS 18.2.


Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Powerbooky Avatar
21 weeks ago

With the M processors being so advanced, I don't understand why this is not a gaming machine already,
what a waste
Maybe a new AppleTV 4K could have a M4 CPU? If Apple does release such an AppleTV, I'll buy it immediately.

Or... the new Mac mini M4 could be transformed into an Apple TV. Anyone remember Front Row ('https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/Front_Row')?
I could imagine the option to install MacOS or tvOS on the same Mac mini M4.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zach-coleman Avatar
21 weeks ago

Why is it called 21:9 and not 7:3?
Easier to compare to 16:9 when the height is in the same terms.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Velli Avatar
21 weeks ago

So what’s up with 3:4?
4:3. That’s the original TV format. 16:9 is exactly one third wider, and I guess 16:9 is easier to market than 5.33:1.

Cinema formats are generally specified as x:1, and easier to compare. 4:3 is 1.33:1. 16:9 is 1.78 but rarely if ever used in cinema, they use the slightly wider 1.85:1, and various ultra wide formats but mostly between 2.35:1 and 2.40:1. There are all sorts of other variations in cinema, such as 2.20:1 (Lawrence of Arabia), and 2.76:1 (Ben Hur).

21:9 is usually (as far as I can tell) typically actually 21.33:1, which is 2.37:1. Close enough. This is again one third wider than 16:9.

In other words, TV has a fairly logical “add one third to width” logic between the three formats, while the cinema movies that will be shown on them are all over the place. The TV formats were chosen to be approximations of typically used cinema formats, but also to be easier to convert between due to the one third logic.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)