Laajakuvasuoja

Laajakuvasuoja is a Finnish term that translates to "widescreen protection" or "aspect ratio protection." It refers to a visual element that appears on a screen, typically a television or computer monitor, to indicate that the displayed content is in a widescreen format. This protection is often implemented as black bars or a shaded area that appears on the sides of the screen.

The purpose of laajakuvasuoja is to prevent image retention, also known as burn-in, on certain types of displays. Older display technologies, such as cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions, were susceptible to permanent ghosting of static images. If a static widescreen indicator was displayed for an extended period, it could leave a visible mark on the screen. Therefore, manufacturers incorporated these protective bars.

Modern display technologies like LCD and OLED are far less prone to image retention than CRTs. Consequently, the necessity for a physical laajakuvasuoja has diminished. However, the concept persists in some media players or broadcasting systems as a subtle visual cue to the viewer about the content's aspect ratio. It can also be a design choice to frame the viewing area. In some contexts, it might be a user-selectable option.