2119: Video Orientation

2019-03-04T19:32:49Z

Nutterbutter: /* Explanation */ Tuning up some stuff that's already there.

{{comic
| number = 2119
| date = March 4, 2019
| title = Video Orientation
| image = video_orientation.png
| titletext = CIRCULAR VIDEO - PROS: Solves aspect ratio problem. CONS: Never trust anyone who talks to you from inside a circle.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This was created by a TRUSTWORTHY CIRCULAR VIDEO. Nothing about Bold and Dynamic. Bad dubious template. Better explanation on horizontal and vertical needed. DO NOT DELETE THIS TOO SOON (It already was once.}}

This comic compares different pros and cons of 3 video angles, one of which entirely made-up.

Horizontal angling is:

1. Good for people not used to phones, and has been used for centuries. (True)

2. Not the best at capturing a human's entire body, without also capturing much of their surroundings. (True)

3. Potentially uncomfortable for the one making the recording to maintain over a long period of time, as most phones were designed for vertical holding. (True)

4. A more accurate visualization of the way humans view the world; we view approximately 150 degrees horizontally and only 50 degrees vertically. (Not stated in the comic)

Vertical angling is:

1. The norm for most users capturing video on their smartphone. (True)

2. Not ideal for capturing the background. (True, when not used in panoramic view)

3. Better at capturing the whole body of a human subject. (True)

4. Is less stressful on the hands of the one holding the mobile recording device. (True)

[[Randall]] does love a good [https://explainxkcd.com/690/ compromise], so he suggests "Diagonal Angling" as a third option to satisfy the needs of both types of user.

Diagonal angling is:

1. Not a standard format of video. {{Citation needed}} (True)

2. Equally annoying to all viewers. (Almost certainly true)

3. Flawless, as in perfect in every way. {{Dubious}} (False)

The issue with this is that diagonal angling fails to fully capture the benefits of either horizontal or vertical angling.

The titletext quip about circular video would be a reference to having a demon trapped inside a summoning circle, hence not trusting anything that would be said to you.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Video Orientation
! Pros
! Cons
|-
| Horizontal
| Looks normal to old people
Format used by a century of cinema
| Humans are taller than are wide
I'm not turning my phone sideways
|-
| Vertical
| How most normal people shoot and watch video now so we may as well accept it
| Human world is mostly a horizontal plane
|-
| Diagonal
| Bold and dynamic
Equally annoying to all viewers

Good compromise
| None
|}

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Compromise]]

2073: Kilogram

2018-11-16T16:09:24Z

Nutterbutter: /* Transcript */ Why is the transcript in all caps? Also, just joined, forgive me if I did something wrong.

{{comic
| number = 2073
| date = November 16, 2018
| title = Kilogram
| image = kilogram.png
| titletext = I'm glad to hear they're finally redefining the meter to be exactly three feet.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a BOT. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
This comic pokes fun at attempts to convert people who use the imperial measurement system to a metric system, by redefining it to be imperial. It wouldn't make sense to define the kilogram as a pound because the pound is defined based on a kilogram.
==Transcript==
:[Black Hat talking to Ponytail, Cueball, and Megan while all stand in a row. Megan's hands are raised emphatically.]
:(From top left to bottom right)
:Black Hat: To end many years of confusion, the international committee for weights and measures has just voted to redefine the kilogram.
:Black Hat: As of next May, it will equal exactly one pound.
:Ponytail: Oh, cool.
:Cueball: That does make things simpler.
:Megan: No!!
{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Physics]]

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

2119: Video Orientation

2073: Kilogram