What does aspect ratio describe in digital media?

Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of a digital media display or image. It is typically expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (for example, 16:9 or 4:3). This ratio determines how the media is presented on the screen, affecting its dimensions and overall appearance.

Understanding aspect ratio is essential for ensuring that images and videos display correctly across various devices and platforms. If the aspect ratio is not maintained, it can lead to distortion or cropping of the media. This principle is important in various applications, including filmmaking, graphic design, and web development, where maintaining visual integrity is key.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different characteristics of digital media. Brightness levels relate to image quality rather than its dimensions, the total size of a media file refers to its storage requirements, and the format of a video file involves file types rather than the dimensions of the media itself.