Why Is My Video Camera Displaying a 4:3 Aspect Ratio Instead of 16:9 When Publishing in HD OR FHD resolution (1280x720)?

Symptom

When attempting to publish a stream with an HD resolution of 1280x720 (16:9), the stream unexpectedly displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio instead of the desired widescreen format.

Applies To

• Vonage Video API

Explanation and Cause

When publishing a specific resolution, such as HD (1280x720), it is considered the ideal "resolution". However, if the video capturer does not support the requested resolution, the system will automatically fall back to a lower resolution, typically 640x480 (4:3 aspect ratio).

var publisher = OT.initPublisher('publisherElement', {
  resolution: '1280x720'
});

In such cases, the fallback occurs because the camera cannot deliver HD or FHD (1080p) resolution. The system defaults to the next supported resolution, which often results in a 4:3 aspect ratio. To avoid this, you can verify if your camera supports the desired resolution.

How to Verify Camera Resolution Support

To ensure your camera supports HD or FHD resolutions, you can check for overconstrained errors at the browser level. Use utilities like the following to scan your camera capabilities:

• WebRTC Camera Resolution Test Tool

For additional support, refer to the official Vonage Video API documentation.