One project we have going here at HarrisonFarm is to begin doing some “How To” videos. We try lots of crazy stuff and would like to share our knowledge with the world.

So today I’ve been weighing the fine points of web video uploads. What size should I target? What viewing ratio? Here are my thoughts as they unfold:

The coolest ratio is, of course, 16:9. That’s 16 units of width per every nine units of height. This is known as “widescreen”. It’s the ratio used in movie theaters, I think.

But we’re considering making much of the content from still pictures off of our digital camera, which shoots a 4:3 ratio, slightly wider than a square.

I did, however, notice that my camera has a setting which allows shooting in a 3:2 ratio. Hmmmm. That might be a good compromise.

Youtube’s defualt screen has a 4:3 ratio, for what it’s worth. I don’t think I would use Youtube because of the low-professionalism issues and their cross-presentation of other (not family friendly) videos. (Interesting tidbit: Youtube’s own instructional videos are shot in a 3:2 ratio, so on their own player there is an unfilled zone above and below the picture. I’d say they’re in favor of a 3:2 but are temporarily making accomodations for all of us 4:3 Luddites.)

The typical amatuer video on the web seems to be shot at 4:3, whereas the more professional vids are at 16:9.

However, if you’re talking about professional instructional video, like at FreeIQ or at the help section of a software provider, the screen ratios generally tend to be more square. Text elements like a bullet list would not do well in widescreen.

So, since were more on the instruction track, I think I’ll go with the “slightly cool” 3:2 ratio. If I change my mind and want to go to one of the extremes, it hopefully will still look okay since this ratio is about in the middle of the range.