zoomstretch: any market research?

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

My colleague and I are engaged in a “spirited” debate surrounding scale = “zoomStretch”

Is there any market research out there that indicates one way or another what consumers are saying on a whole about whether they mind black borders (ie letterbox display) on their apps/games?

A purist graphic person would be inclined to vote that stretching graphics to fit the different aspect ratio is not ideal.

Opposing point of view is that it’s better to utilize the entire screen real-estate if the stretch is minimal.

Anyone have any data to support the argument one way or another please? Does Apple take a position on this??? Thanks for well thought out arguments and/or links! [import]uid: 74844 topic_id: 17562 reply_id: 317562[/import]

#2

That’s an interesting question, which I’d like to know as well. Personally, I’d rather deal with scaling than with black bars.

This is far from any official research… but if you simply google the phrase “black bars aspect ratio” it looks like a majority of the results are focused around eliminating the black bars, even at the cost of scaling the content. Of course most of that has to deal with HDTVs and video, but I’d assume that the same person that doesn’t want black bars on their TV, would feel the same about their phone/tablet.

Looking forward to any other info that’s discovered. [import]uid: 49447 topic_id: 17562 reply_id: 66769[/import]

#3

@Producerism: do you see any specific articles in your google search that states just that: “focused around eliminating the black bars”.

Coming from the film world, the intent of maintaining the aspect ratio so that content is not lost to emphasize storytelling (or rather not compromise storytelling) - is sensible in my mind. I like to watch movies in widescreen mode for this reason as I detest pan & scan. However, for the purposes of going from an aspect ratio of iPhone to iPad, we do end up with a resulting vertical stretch… but does it warrant enough concern that graphic purists would rather see horizontal bars and maintain the aspect ratio.

That’s the debate I guess.

I am indeed looking for articles that argue one way or another; do consumers feel strongly they want their displays to be “filled”. Or do they not care? [import]uid: 74844 topic_id: 17562 reply_id: 66771[/import]

#4

another assumption: but I’m guessing that “graphic purists” make up a very small minority of app users.

do you see any specific articles in your google search that states just that: “focused around eliminating the black bars”

Well when searching for that phrase, these are the results on the very first page:

  • High-Def FAQ: Why Don’t the Black Bars Go Away? | High-Def Digest

  • Resolution, Aspect Ratio & Black Bars! How to stretch screen?

  • How To Fix Aspect Ratio On Youtube Videos - Remove Black Bars

  • Learn How to Get Rid of Black Bars! -How to Crop Video - YouTube

  • How to Get Rid of Black Bars in Windows Live Movie Maker Videos …

Just on a very superficial level, it seems most people are trying to eliminate the black bars. Again, I’d love to see some actual research on this. If I find anything I will be sure to post it. [import]uid: 49447 topic_id: 17562 reply_id: 66775[/import]

#5

As a “graphical purist” myself it always drives me crazy when a widescreen TV is set to display something intended to be viewed at a 4:3 aspect ratio streeetched to fill the wider aspect screen. But usually I seem to be the only one in the room who cares. I use that as anecdotal evidence that most people are more distracted by black bars than by distorted images.

Given that, you can design your app around letterbox mode so there is a “safe” area where all the important stuff happens and use extended background images to cover the areas where the black bars would normally be. Voila, no stretched images and no black bars. [import]uid: 9422 topic_id: 17562 reply_id: 66810[/import]

#6

I haven’t seen any kind of studies or widespread research about this either but as someone who agrees with XenonBL about watching a 4:3 movie full screen (HATE it, really bothers me) - and with apps I’d also prefer bars and a nice image than something too stretched out.

The suggestion RE the “safe” area is a good one, IMHO :slight_smile:

Peach

PS - No, I’ve never heard of Apple saying anything official about it one way or the other. It doesn’t mean they haven’t but I’ve never heard of it and have submitted apps both with and without bars, with no issue :slight_smile: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 17562 reply_id: 66888[/import]