What was the aspect ratio of the first video on YouTube?

The aspect ratio of the first video on YouTube, "Me at the zoo," is 4:3 (also known as 1.33:1). This aspect ratio was the standard for many early CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) televisions and computer monitors. The video was most likely shot using a standard-definition digital camera or a camcorder, which typically captured video in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

As technology has advanced, widescreen aspect ratios such as 16:9 (1.78:1) have become more common in both film and video production, as well as in consumer displays. This shift towards widescreen formats has been driven by various factors, including the desire to provide a more cinematic experience and the increasing popularity of flat-panel displays.

YouTube, like many other video platforms, now supports various aspect ratios, including both 4:3 and 16:9. However, the first video on YouTube remains in its original 4:3 aspect ratio, serving as a reminder of the platform's early days and the technology that was available at the time.

The aspect ratio of the first video on YouTube, "Me at the zoo", is 4:3 (also known as 1.33:1). This aspect ratio was standard for many consumer video cameras at the time, including the one used to record the video. The video shows Jawed Karim, one of the YouTube co-founders, standing in front of an elephant enclosure at the San Diego Zoo, talking about the elephant's trunk. The aspect ratio of 4:3 is visible in the video, with black bars on the sides if viewed on a widescreen display.