All iPads Which iPad is best for movie watching?

[MrMister111]

Which iPad, the 10.9” Air 4 or pro 11” is best for movie watching in respect to aspect ratios to have minimum black bars, on movies and Netflix, Prime etc.

I know some movies have different aspect ratios, not sure which is best for black bars though.

I have the Pro 10.5” at moment and some movies to see it all without zooming have large black bars. I’m wondering if either of the above are any better now, or just be the same.

Thanks

 

[mystery hill]

iPad Air 4th gen and the 11” iPad Pro have the same aspect ratio.

They are a little better than the 10.5” iPad Pro as they have a wider aspect ratio.

 

[TBoneMac]

this is not true, they are very close but not the same

The iPad Pro has more pixels in its aspect ratio but it's not as "wide" as the Air 4 it seems, so the Air would have less black bars overall for a 16:9 video but you'd have larger bezels as well.

Apple iPad Air 2020 screen has a 10.9-inch size with resolution 2360 × 1640 pixels. The Aspect ratio of a screen is 23:16. The pixel density is equal to 264 pixels per inch (PPI) -- Pro 11 is 2388 × 1668 pixels

Another way to put it is like this


12.9 Pro: 1.333:1 (4:3)
11 Pro: 1.4316546763:1 (199/139)
Air 4: 1.4375:1 (23:16)


The best for viewing though is still still 12.9 pro as even though it will have more black bars it will have the largest overall video.

 

[mystery hill]

I should have written ‘almost the same’

There is no noticeable difference between the aspect ratio of the Air and 11” Pro.

 

[ejin222]

Pro because it has two more speakers - unless you're wearing headphones haha

 

[MrMister111]

Found this website with aspect ratios https://28b.co.uk/ios-device-dimensions-reference-table/

Says my 10.5” is 4:3, the 11” pro 4:3, the Air 4 is 23:16 (whatever that means!?!)

I thought movies were mainly 16:9 so my Pro and the 11” pro are probably worst? The Air 4 being better?

 

[sparksd]

Found this website with aspect ratios https://28b.co.uk/ios-device-dimensions-reference-table/

Says my 10.5” is 4:3, the 11” pro 4:3, the Air 4 is 23:16 (whatever that means!?!)

I thought movies were mainly 16:9 so my Pro and the 11” pro are probably worst? The Air 4 being better?

They are so close that with with widescreen movies you would barely notice, if at all. I use the 12.9 as I like the larger screen for video (previously had the 10.5).

 

[mystery hill]

If you only want to use it for movies then consider an Android tablet as you can easily find one that has a 16:9 aspect ratio.

 

[loybond]

Which iPad, the 10.9” Air 4 or pro 11” is best for movie watching in respect to aspect ratios to have minimum black bars, on movies and Netflix, Prime etc.

I know some movies have different aspect ratios, not sure which is best for black bars though.

I have the Pro 10.5” at moment and some movies to see it all without zooming have large black bars. I’m wondering if either of the above are any better now, or just be the same.

Thanks

The best iPad for movie watching is an LG or Sony 2021 OLED TV, with a proper surround setup.

 

[mystery hill]

The best iPad for movie watching is an LG or Sony 2021 OLED TV, with a proper surround setup.

That’s not very portable. Try carrying an 83” TV in your bag everyday.

 

[rui no onna]

Found this website with aspect ratios https://28b.co.uk/ios-device-dimensions-reference-table/

Says my 10.5” is 4:3, the 11” pro 4:3, the Air 4 is 23:16 (whatever that means!?!)

I thought movies were mainly 16:9 so my Pro and the 11” pro are probably worst? The Air 4 being better?

Cinema is actually typically 2.3-2.4:1 unless it's IMAX.

The aspect ratio difference between 11" Pro and 10.9" Air 4 isn't going to be noticeable.

 

[MrMister111]

It’s just for when I upgrade from my 10.5” I didn’t k ow which would be better.

I don’t use loads for movies etc, but when away I do, and wanted best as black bars on my 10.5” seem too big.

So they all seem to be the same, 10.5, 11, 10.9 anyway.

Don’t want an Android tablet as it’s not exclusively for movies and prefer iPads, also have an iPhone.

Don’t want to lug around an 83” TV for when I’m on a plane and at a pool!?!

 

[AutomaticApple]

I should have written ‘almost the same’

There is no noticeable difference between the aspect ratio of the Air and 11” Pro.

Well, unless you have good eyes.

You're right though. Most people won't even notice.

 

[Akela_A]

I would imagine that regardless of any (minor) differences in aspect ratio, the 12.9" is almost certainly going to be the best simply because the screen is larger with a higher resolution. And since all the devices are around 4:3 there's always going to be black bars not matter what (unless you're watching something that preserves artistic integrity™ like Zack Snyder's Justice League).

But really, anything but the Mini is probably a great movie watching device.

 

[SkiHound2]

Which iPad, the 10.9” Air 4 or pro 11” is best for movie watching in respect to aspect ratios to have minimum black bars, on movies and Netflix, Prime etc.

I know some movies have different aspect ratios, not sure which is best for black bars though.

I have the Pro 10.5” at moment and some movies to see it all without zooming have large black bars. I’m wondering if either of the above are any better now, or just be the same.

Thanks

Unless I'm missing something the differences in aspect ratio are of no consequence. If the movie is in a specific aspect (say 16:9) ratio that's narrower than the narrowest dimension of the iPad, there will be black bars above and below the movie. How wide or narrow those bars are really doesn't matter. It's only the length that will really have any impact on the actual viewing area. If the 11" Pro is 2388 and the Air is 2360 I'd say there is going to be virtually no difference in viewable area. Obviously the 12.9 will afford the largest viewing area.

 

[marty1980]

Most people will be good with the Air. But if you want the best sound, the iPad Pro has the better sound setup. If you’re using headphones, then it doesn’t really matter.

ProMotion won’t play a role in most video content, but if you know you’re watching 120Hz compatible content, the iPad Pro supports it where the Air does not.

 

[firedept]

I use my iPad Pro 12.9 for movie watching. Great screen and sound.

 

[Tsepz]

Any iPad with a ProMotion display will be ideal for moving watching
The displays can go right down to 24hz which is the correct frequency for a lot of cinema content.
Give this a read:

Understanding the ProMotion display on the new Apple iPad Pro

It's like Retina display all over again. Yesterday, Apple announced the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd generation. Among the many new...

www.gsmarena.com

 

[SkiHound2]

Most people will be good with the Air. But if you want the best sound, the iPad Pro has the better sound setup. If you’re using headphones, then it doesn’t really matter.

ProMotion won’t play a role in most video content, but if you know you’re watching 120Hz compatible content, the iPad Pro supports it where the Air does not.

Do you know if the pro motion handles 24 fps movies more gracefully?

 

[Tsepz]

Do you know if the pro motion handles 24 fps movies more gracefully?

It’s the best for it as it goes between 120hz, 48hz and 24hz, it automatically adjusts according to content, so it can adjust to a movie shot in 24FPS incredibly well.

 

[TBoneMac]

Found this website with aspect ratios https://28b.co.uk/ios-device-dimensions-reference-table/

Says my 10.5” is 4:3, the 11” pro 4:3, the Air 4 is 23:16 (whatever that means!?!)

I thought movies were mainly 16:9 so my Pro and the 11” pro are probably worst? The Air 4 being better?

that website is definitely wrong the ipad pro 11 inch screen is not 4:3 and yes the air 4 is 23:16 which is VERY close to 10:7 just like the ipad pro 11 is VERY close to 10:7

 

[TBoneMac]

Do you know if the pro motion handles 24 fps movies more gracefully?

No matter which ipad you choose, the frame rate for movies will be the right amount because they can all go to 24FPS which is what movies are filmed at typically and many shows are 30FPS which, again, any ipad will be able to play this perfectly.

Pro motion will not improve the fps in the films unless the film went above 60FPS which as far as I know, no film that is a "feature film" has yet to do this

If this is incorrect please let me know?? I thought all ipads were capable of "going lower" than 60FPS to reach
"24 FPS" for films and the like.

 

[TBoneMac]

It’s just for when I upgrade from my 10.5” I didn’t k ow which would be better.

I don’t use loads for movies etc, but when away I do, and wanted best as black bars on my 10.5” seem too big.

So they all seem to be the same, 10.5, 11, 10.9 anyway.

Don’t want an Android tablet as it’s not exclusively for movies and prefer iPads, also have an iPhone.

Don’t want to lug around an 83” TV for when I’m on a plane and at a pool!?!

here's what I would say.. If you want a larger device (that will still pretty much weigh the same as your current one) pick the 12.9 inch (especially the new one that's coming out)

If you want the same size device but with a slightly wider screen pick the 11 inch.


To be real though I would wait for the new m1 ipad 12.9 and get that one since it's NO QUESTION the best for movie watching out of potentially any tablet in the world with the amazing new screen technology. (To be honest it's likely to be the best or one of the best screen displays in the world not just tablets)

-- Congratulations in advance on being one of the first to own an M1 iPad pro with Pro XDR display!

 

[rui no onna]

No matter which ipad you choose, the frame rate for movies will be the right amount because they can all go to 24FPS which is what movies are filmed at typically and many shows are 30FPS which, again, any ipad will be able to play this perfectly.

Pro motion will not improve the fps in the films unless the film went above 60FPS which as far as I know, no film that is a "feature film" has yet to do this

If this is incorrect please let me know?? I thought all ipads were capable of "going lower" than 60FPS to reach
"24 FPS" for films and the like.

120 is a perfect multiple of 24, 30 and 60 so it can display all those content smoothly, plus I think ProMotion actually allows for adaptive refresh rate.

I believe the 60 Hz is fixed on non-ProMotion displays. 60 / 24 = 2.5 so it's possible you might notice some judder due to 3:2 pulldown.

 

[RaceTripper]

If you only want to use it for movies then consider an Android tablet as you can easily find one that has a 16:9 aspect ratio.

16:9 is a contrived aspect ratio developed for HD television, and has little to do with movies, which are more commonly shot in other ratios like 1.85:1, 2.30:1, 2.40:1 and so on. If a movie fills a 16:9 screen it has most likely been cropped for television and you aren't viewing the complete frames as filmed originally.