ISO 1223:2003

Cinematography — Picture areas for motion-picture films for television — Position and dimensions

ISO 1223:2003 defines the position and dimensions of maximum safe areas of the images on 16 mm and 35 mm motion-picture film, which are transmitted or transferred by television. It applies to all formats which are intended for use with either or both of 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.

Cinématographie — Champs d'image pour films destinés à la télévision — Emplacements et dimensions

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 04-Feb-2003
• ICS: 37.060.20 - Motion picture films. Cartridges
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 36 - Cinematography
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 36 - Cinematography
• Current Stage: 9060 - Close of review
• Completion Date: 02-Sep-2029

Relations

• Revises: ISO 1223:1993 - Cinematography — Picture areas for motion-picture films and slides for television — Position and dimensions
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 1223
Fourth edition
2003-02-15
Cinematography — Picture areas for
motion-picture films for television —
Position and dimensions
Cinématographie — Champs d'image pour films destinés à la
télévision — Emplacements et dimensions

Reference number
©
ISO 2003
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©  ISO 2003
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ii © ISO 2003 — All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references. 1
3 Scanning requirements. 1
3.1 Images for optical projection. 1
3.2 Images for television . 1
3.3 Non-standard areas. 1
4 Requirements for scanned areas . 2
4.1 Projection film intended for 4:3 television . 2
4.2 Projection film intended for 16:9 television . 2
4.3 Film specially prepared for 4:3 television . 2
4.4 Film specially prepared for 16:9 television . 2
Annex A (informative) Basic principles applied in developing Tables 1 to 4. 7
Bibliography . 11

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
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established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
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The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 1223 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 36, Cinematography.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 1223:1993), which has been technically revised.
iv © ISO 2003 — All rights reserved

Introduction
The use of film in television has evolved over many years, from being a source of programmes for
transmission to becoming an integral part of the programme production. Thus, there is a need for a complete
review of all existing standards and recommendations to ensure that they conform with how film is used today
in television. The International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R), The European
Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) have worked
independently, each endeavouring to harmonize all known recommendations on this subject and aiming at
International Standards that will be references for worldwide performance and production practice. The results
of these independent programmes demonstrate a remarkable consensus of opinion and it has therefore been
possible to combine the products of all of these bodies of work in this International Standard.
This International Standard specifies the dimensions of area to be scanned from 16 mm and 35 mm motion-
picture films. Its purpose is to be a reference document for harmonizing the areas used in film cameras, film
projectors, telecines and test films for television purposes. The dimensions of the recommended areas are
based on how film material and film technology are actually used for television production and reproduction.
The technical properties of film and television techniques are taken into account, as well as the artistic criteria
for format harmonization from shooting to presentation. The listed dimensions are based on key values taken
from film-industry standards and practices for exposure, printing and projection as well as past and present
technology of television reproduction.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1223:2003(E)

Cinematography — Picture areas for motion-picture films for
television — Position and dimensions
1 Scope
This International Standard defines the position and dimensions of maximum safe areas of the images on
16 mm and 35 mm motion-picture film, which are transmitted or transferred by television. It applies to all
formats which are intended for use with either or both of 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 359:1983, Cinematography — Projectable image area on 16 mm motion-picture prints — Dimensions and
location
ISO 2906:2002, Cinematography — Image area produced by camera aperture on 35 mm motion-picture
film — Position and dimensions
ISO 2907:2002, Cinematography — Maximum projectable image area on 35 mm motion-picture film —
Position and dimensions
ISO 5768:1998, Cinematography — Image produced by camera aperture Type W on 16 mm motion-picture
film — Position and dimensions
3 Scanning requirements
3.1 Images for optical projection
Images on film which have been shot and framed for optical projection shall be scanned, based on the
requirements of ISO 359 and of ISO 2907 as appropriate.
3.2 Images for television
Images on film which have been shot and framed for television shall be scanned, based on the requirements
of ISO 2906 and ISO 5768 as appropriate.
3.3 Non-standard areas
Where image areas other than those specified in ISO 2906 and ISO 2907 for 35 mm film and ISO 359 and
ISO 5768 for 16 mm film are used with the active support of the industry, these shall be specified in
documentation available at the time of transmission transfer.
4 Requirements for scanned areas
4.1 Projection film intended for 4:3 television
For film originally shot and framed for projection but required for transmission/transfer via 4:3 television, the
1)
scanned areas shall be as defined in Table 1 .
4.2 Projection film intended for 16:9 television
For film originally shot and framed for projection but required for transmission/transfer via 16:9 television, the
scanned areas shall be as defined in Table 2.
4.3 Film specially prepared for 4:3 television
For film specially shot and framed for 4:3 television, the scanned areas shall be as defined in Table 3.
4.4 Film specially prepared for 16:9 television
For film specially shot and framed for 16:9 television, the scanned areas shall be as defined in Table 4.
NOTE Annex A provides illustrations of the application of those scanned areas.

1) Texts including Tables 1 to 4 and Annex A, including Figures A.1 to A.4, extracted from Recommendation
ITU-R BR.1374 have been reproduced with the prior authorization of the International Telecommunication Union as the
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Table 1 — Film shot and framed for projection — Scanned for 4:3 television
(Scanned area dimensions from images on film intended for contact printing and projection.
The film material may be a print, an intermediate or camera original.)
a
Image aspect ratio Display  Scanned area dimension Notes
Reference
mm
number
framed for displayed on TV width height centre
1.1 16 mm: Standard aperture
1.1.1 1,33:1 4:3 full screen 9,65 7,24 7,98 1

1.1.2 1,33:1 4:3 full screen 9,35 7,01 7,98 2

1.2 35 mm: Academy aperture
1.2.1 1,37:1 4:3 full screen 20,39 15,29 18,75 3,4

1.2.2 1,37:1 4:3 full screen 20,12 15,09 18,75 2,4

1.2.3 1,66:1 4:3 full screen 16,83 12,62 18,75 3,4

1.2.4 1,66:1 1,66:1 letter-box 20,95 12,62 18,75 3,5

1.2.5 16:9 4:3 full screen 15,71 11,78 18,75 3,4

1.2.6 16:9 16:9 letter-box 20,95 11,78 18,75 3,5

1.2.7 1,85:1 4:3 full screen 15,09 11,32 18,75 3,4

1.2.8 1,85:1 1,85:1 letter-box 20,95 11,32 18,75 3,5

1.2.9 2,39:1 4:3 full screen 11,69 17,53 18,75 3,4

1.2.10 2,39:1 2,39:1 letter-box 20,95 17,53 18,75 3,5

NOTE 1 These dimensions are based on the “projected area” dimensions given in ISO 35.
NOTE 2 These dimensions are related to the historic concept of scanning film for television specified as “transmitted area”
dimensions in ISO 1223:1993, Annex A.
NOTE 3 These dimensions are based on the “projected area” dimensions in ISO 2907.
NOTE 4 The television display will show the film image with areas on each side cropped (see Figure A.1).
NOTE 5 The television display will show
...