letterboxing

/ ˈlɛtəˌbɒksɪŋ /

noun

1. a method of formatting film that enables all of a wide-screen film to be transmitted on a television screen, resulting in a blank strip of screen above and below the picture
2. a type of treasure hunt in which a box, known as a letterbox , is hidden in a remote rural location and clues are provided as to its whereabouts

Example Sentences

Before letterboxing was introduced into home video — with initial resistance from studios, retailers and viewers — and flat screens took over, widescreen films on television were seen literally only in part: “Panned and scanned,” the picture cut back and forth to whoever was speaking in a scene, negating cinematographic intent.

From Los Angeles Times

If you are seeing a Nolan film in IMAX, you might notice how the image toggles between filling up the whole screen and letterboxing to fill just the middle.

From New York Times

That’s great for productivity, but not every game supports this resolution, and since most modern TV shows and movies are shot in 16:9, you’ll encounter letterboxing at some point.

From The Verge

Some games and movies will display letterboxing since the 16-inch display has a tall 16:10 aspect ratio.

From The Verge

Creator Genndy Tartakovsky plays with framing, using split-screen effects and letterboxing the image for “cinematic” effects that also suggest the way a graphic novelist carves up a page.

From Los Angeles Times