diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/components/media_gallery.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/components/media_gallery.js
index 2cb1ce51c80..fe462d24534 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/components/media_gallery.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/components/media_gallery.js
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ class Item extends React.PureComponent {
     attachment: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
     index: PropTypes.number.isRequired,
     size: PropTypes.number.isRequired,
+    letterbox: PropTypes.bool,
     onClick: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     autoPlayGif: PropTypes.bool.isRequired,
   };
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ class Item extends React.PureComponent {
   }
 
   render () {
-    const { attachment, index, size } = this.props;
+    const { attachment, index, size, letterbox } = this.props;
 
     let width  = 50;
     let height = 100;
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ class Item extends React.PureComponent {
           onClick={this.handleClick}
           target='_blank'
         >
-          <img src={previewUrl} srcSet={srcSet} sizes={sizes} alt='' />
+          <img className={letterbox ? 'letterbox' : ''} src={previewUrl} srcSet={srcSet} sizes={sizes} alt='' />
         </a>
       );
     } else if (attachment.get('type') === 'gifv') {
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@ class Item extends React.PureComponent {
       thumbnail = (
         <div className={`media-gallery__gifv ${autoPlay ? 'autoplay' : ''}`}>
           <video
-            className='media-gallery__item-gifv-thumbnail'
+            className={`media-gallery__item-gifv-thumbnail${letterbox ? ' letterbox' : ''}`}
             role='application'
             src={attachment.get('url')}
             onClick={this.handleClick}
@@ -139,6 +140,7 @@ export default class MediaGallery extends React.PureComponent {
   static propTypes = {
     sensitive: PropTypes.bool,
     media: ImmutablePropTypes.list.isRequired,
+    letterbox: PropTypes.bool,
     height: PropTypes.number.isRequired,
     onOpenMedia: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     intl: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
@@ -158,7 +160,7 @@ export default class MediaGallery extends React.PureComponent {
   }
 
   render () {
-    const { media, intl, sensitive } = this.props;
+    const { media, intl, sensitive, letterbox } = this.props;
 
     let children;
 
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@ export default class MediaGallery extends React.PureComponent {
       );
     } else {
       const size = media.take(4).size;
-      children = media.take(4).map((attachment, i) => <Item key={attachment.get('id')} onClick={this.handleClick} attachment={attachment} autoPlayGif={this.props.autoPlayGif} index={i} size={size} />);
+      children = media.take(4).map((attachment, i) => <Item key={attachment.get('id')} onClick={this.handleClick} attachment={attachment} autoPlayGif={this.props.autoPlayGif} index={i} size={size} letterbox={letterbox} />);
     }
 
     return (
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/components/status.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/components/status.js
index a200570a15f..28f89a78368 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/components/status.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/components/status.js
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ class Status extends ImmutablePureComponent {
 
     if (collapse !== undefined) this.collapse(collapse);
     else if (settings.getIn(['collapsed', 'auto', 'all'])) this.collapse();
-    else if (settings.getIn(['collapsed', 'auto', 'lengthy']) && node.clientHeight > 400) this.collapse();
+    else if (settings.getIn(['collapsed', 'auto', 'lengthy']) && node.clientHeight > (status.get('media_attachments').size > 0 && !this.props.muted ? 650 : 400)) this.collapse();
     else if (settings.getIn(['collapsed', 'auto', 'replies']) && status.get('in_reply_to_id', null) !== null) this.collapse();
     else if (settings.getIn(['collapsed', 'auto', 'media']) && !(status.get('spoiler_text').length > 0) && status.get('media_attachments').size > 0) this.collapse();
 
@@ -296,10 +296,27 @@ class Status extends ImmutablePureComponent {
       if (status.get('media_attachments').some(item => item.get('type') === 'unknown')) {
 
       } else if (status.getIn(['media_attachments', 0, 'type']) === 'video') {
-        media = <VideoPlayer media={status.getIn(['media_attachments', 0])} sensitive={status.get('sensitive')} onOpenVideo={this.props.onOpenVideo} />;
+        media = (
+          <VideoPlayer
+            media={status.getIn(['media_attachments', 0])}
+            sensitive={status.get('sensitive')}
+            letterbox={settings.getIn(['media', 'letterbox'])}
+            height={250}
+            onOpenVideo={this.props.onOpenVideo}
+          />
+        );
         mediaIcon = 'video-camera';
       } else {
-        media = <MediaGallery media={status.get('media_attachments')} sensitive={status.get('sensitive')} height={110} onOpenMedia={this.props.onOpenMedia} autoPlayGif={this.props.autoPlayGif} />;
+        media = (
+          <MediaGallery
+            media={status.get('media_attachments')}
+            sensitive={status.get('sensitive')}
+            letterbox={settings.getIn(['media', 'letterbox'])}
+            height={250}
+            onOpenMedia={this.props.onOpenMedia}
+            autoPlayGif={this.props.autoPlayGif}
+          />
+        );
         mediaIcon = 'picture-o';
       }
 
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/components/video_player.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/components/video_player.js
index 452a843196e..55e2d09e351 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/components/video_player.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/components/video_player.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ export default class VideoPlayer extends React.PureComponent {
 
   static propTypes = {
     media: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
-    width: PropTypes.number,
+    letterbox: PropTypes.bool,
     height: PropTypes.number,
     sensitive: PropTypes.bool,
     intl: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ export default class VideoPlayer extends React.PureComponent {
   };
 
   static defaultProps = {
-    width: 239,
     height: 110,
   };
 
@@ -111,7 +110,7 @@ export default class VideoPlayer extends React.PureComponent {
   }
 
   render () {
-    const { media, intl, width, height, sensitive, autoplay } = this.props;
+    const { media, intl, letterbox, height, sensitive, autoplay } = this.props;
 
     let spoilerButton = (
       <div className={`status__video-player-spoiler ${this.state.visible ? 'status__video-player-spoiler--visible' : ''}`}>
@@ -138,7 +137,7 @@ export default class VideoPlayer extends React.PureComponent {
     if (!this.state.visible) {
       if (sensitive) {
         return (
-          <div role='button' tabIndex='0' style={{ width: `${width}px`, height: `${height}px` }} className='media-spoiler' onClick={this.handleVisibility}>
+          <div role='button' tabIndex='0' style={{ height: `${height}px` }} className='media-spoiler' onClick={this.handleVisibility}>
             {spoilerButton}
             <span className='media-spoiler__warning'><FormattedMessage id='status.sensitive_warning' defaultMessage='Sensitive content' /></span>
             <span className='media-spoiler__trigger'><FormattedMessage id='status.sensitive_toggle' defaultMessage='Click to view' /></span>
@@ -146,7 +145,7 @@ export default class VideoPlayer extends React.PureComponent {
         );
       } else {
         return (
-          <div role='button' tabIndex='0' style={{ width: `${width}px`, height: `${height}px` }} className='media-spoiler' onClick={this.handleVisibility}>
+          <div role='button' tabIndex='0' style={{ height: `${height}px` }} className='media-spoiler' onClick={this.handleVisibility}>
             {spoilerButton}
             <span className='media-spoiler__warning'><FormattedMessage id='status.media_hidden' defaultMessage='Media hidden' /></span>
             <span className='media-spoiler__trigger'><FormattedMessage id='status.sensitive_toggle' defaultMessage='Click to view' /></span>
@@ -157,7 +156,7 @@ export default class VideoPlayer extends React.PureComponent {
 
     if (this.state.preview && !autoplay) {
       return (
-        <div role='button' tabIndex='0' className='media-spoiler-video' style={{ width: `${width}px`, height: `${height}px`, backgroundImage: `url(${media.get('preview_url')})` }} onClick={this.handleOpen}>
+        <div role='button' tabIndex='0' className='media-spoiler-video' style={{ height: `${height}px`, backgroundImage: `url(${media.get('preview_url')})` }} onClick={this.handleOpen}>
           {spoilerButton}
           <div className='media-spoiler-video-play-icon'><i className='fa fa-play' /></div>
         </div>
@@ -166,20 +165,20 @@ export default class VideoPlayer extends React.PureComponent {
 
     if (this.state.videoError) {
       return (
-        <div style={{ width: `${width}px`, height: `${height}px` }} className='video-error-cover' >
+        <div style={{ height: `${height}px` }} className='video-error-cover' >
           <span className='media-spoiler__warning'><FormattedMessage id='video_player.video_error' defaultMessage='Video could not be played' /></span>
         </div>
       );
     }
 
     return (
-      <div className='status__video-player' style={{ width: `${width}px`, height: `${height}px` }}>
+      <div className='status__video-player' style={{ height: `${height}px` }}>
         {spoilerButton}
         {muteButton}
         {expandButton}
 
         <video
-          className='status__video-player-video'
+          className={`status__video-player-video${letterbox ? ' letterbox' : ''}`}
           role='button'
           tabIndex='0'
           ref={this.setRef}
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/components/detailed_status.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/components/detailed_status.js
index e6bbcf6a08a..6c358548920 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/components/detailed_status.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/components/detailed_status.js
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ export default class DetailedStatus extends ImmutablePureComponent {
 
   static propTypes = {
     status: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
+    settings: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
     onOpenMedia: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     onOpenVideo: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     autoPlayGif: PropTypes.bool,
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ export default class DetailedStatus extends ImmutablePureComponent {
 
   render () {
     const status = this.props.status.get('reblog') ? this.props.status.get('reblog') : this.props.status;
+    const { settings } = this.props;
 
     let media           = '';
     let mediaIcon       = null;
@@ -45,10 +47,28 @@ export default class DetailedStatus extends ImmutablePureComponent {
       if (status.get('media_attachments').some(item => item.get('type') === 'unknown')) {
         media = <AttachmentList media={status.get('media_attachments')} />;
       } else if (status.getIn(['media_attachments', 0, 'type']) === 'video') {
-        media = <VideoPlayer sensitive={status.get('sensitive')} media={status.getIn(['media_attachments', 0])} width={300} height={150} onOpenVideo={this.props.onOpenVideo} autoplay />;
+        media = (
+          <VideoPlayer
+            sensitive={status.get('sensitive')}
+            media={status.getIn(['media_attachments', 0])}
+            letterbox={settings.getIn(['media', 'letterbox'])}
+            height={250}
+            onOpenVideo={this.props.onOpenVideo}
+            autoplay
+          />
+        );
         mediaIcon = 'video-camera';
       } else {
-        media = <MediaGallery sensitive={status.get('sensitive')} media={status.get('media_attachments')} height={300} onOpenMedia={this.props.onOpenMedia} autoPlayGif={this.props.autoPlayGif} />;
+        media = (
+          <MediaGallery
+            sensitive={status.get('sensitive')}
+            media={status.get('media_attachments')}
+            letterbox={settings.getIn(['media', 'letterbox'])}
+            height={250}
+            onOpenMedia={this.props.onOpenMedia}
+            autoPlayGif={this.props.autoPlayGif}
+          />
+        );
         mediaIcon = 'picture-o';
       }
     } else media = <CardContainer statusId={status.get('id')} />;
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/index.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/index.js
index cbabdd5bc7d..5ec26c2d5fb 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/index.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/status/index.js
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ const makeMapStateToProps = () => {
 
   const mapStateToProps = (state, props) => ({
     status: getStatus(state, Number(props.params.statusId)),
+    settings: state.get('local_settings'),
     ancestorsIds: state.getIn(['contexts', 'ancestors', Number(props.params.statusId)]),
     descendantsIds: state.getIn(['contexts', 'descendants', Number(props.params.statusId)]),
     me: state.getIn(['meta', 'me']),
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ export default class Status extends ImmutablePureComponent {
     params: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
     dispatch: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     status: ImmutablePropTypes.map,
+    settings: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
     ancestorsIds: ImmutablePropTypes.list,
     descendantsIds: ImmutablePropTypes.list,
     me: PropTypes.number,
@@ -143,7 +145,7 @@ export default class Status extends ImmutablePureComponent {
 
   render () {
     let ancestors, descendants;
-    const { status, ancestorsIds, descendantsIds, me, autoPlayGif } = this.props;
+    const { status, settings, ancestorsIds, descendantsIds, me, autoPlayGif } = this.props;
 
     if (status === null) {
       return (
@@ -172,6 +174,7 @@ export default class Status extends ImmutablePureComponent {
 
             <DetailedStatus
               status={status}
+              settings={settings}
               autoPlayGif={autoPlayGif}
               me={me}
               onOpenVideo={this.handleOpenVideo}
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/settings_modal.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/settings_modal.js
index 4fc059ac23c..70c004a637c 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/settings_modal.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/features/ui/components/settings_modal.js
@@ -168,12 +168,28 @@ export default class SettingsModal extends React.PureComponent {
     );
   }
 
+  Media = () => {
+    return (
+      <div>
+        <h1><FormattedMessage id='settings.media' defaultMessage='Media' /></h1>
+        <SettingsItem
+          settings={this.props.settings}
+          item={['media', 'letterbox']}
+          id='mastodon-settings--media-letterbox'
+          onChange={this.props.toggleSetting}
+        >
+          <FormattedMessage id='settings.media_letterbox' defaultMessage='Letterbox media' />
+        </SettingsItem>
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
   navigateTo = (e) =>
     this.setState({ currentIndex: +e.currentTarget.getAttribute('data-mastodon-navigation_index') });
 
   render () {
 
-    const { General, CollapsedStatuses, navigateTo } = this;
+    const { General, CollapsedStatuses, Media, navigateTo } = this;
     const { onClose } = this.props;
     const { currentIndex } = this.state;
 
@@ -187,8 +203,11 @@ export default class SettingsModal extends React.PureComponent {
           <a onClick={navigateTo} role='button' data-mastodon-navigation_index='1' tabIndex='0' className={`settings-modal__navigation-item${currentIndex === 1 ? ' active' : ''}`}>
             <FormattedMessage id='settings.collapsed_statuses' defaultMessage='Collapsed toots' />
           </a>
+          <a onClick={navigateTo} role='button' data-mastodon-navigation_index='2' tabIndex='0' className={`settings-modal__navigation-item${currentIndex === 2 ? ' active' : ''}`}>
+            <FormattedMessage id='settings.media' defaultMessage='Media' />
+          </a>
           <a href='/settings/preferences' className='settings-modal__navigation-item'>
-            <i className='fa fa-fw fa-cogs' /> <FormattedMessage id='settings.preferences' defaultMessage='User preferences' />
+            <i className='fa fa-fw fa-cog' /> <FormattedMessage id='settings.preferences' defaultMessage='User preferences' />
           </a>
           <a onClick={onClose} role='button' tabIndex='0' className='settings-modal__navigation-close'>
             <FormattedMessage id='settings.close' defaultMessage='Close' />
@@ -201,6 +220,7 @@ export default class SettingsModal extends React.PureComponent {
             [
               <General />,
               <CollapsedStatuses />,
+              <Media />,
             ][currentIndex] || <General />
           }
         </div>
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/defaultMessages.json b/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/defaultMessages.json
index 147f6a9718f..a5ff686a09c 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/defaultMessages.json
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/defaultMessages.json
@@ -1226,9 +1226,17 @@
         "defaultMessage": "Preview collapsed toot media",
         "id": "settings.image_backgrounds_media"
       },
+      {
+        "defaultMessage": "Media",
+        "id": "settings.media"
+      },
+      {
+        "defaultMessage": "Letterbox media",
+        "id": "settings.media_letterbox"
+      },
       {
         "defaultMessage": "User preferences",
-        "id": "settings.global_settings"
+        "id": "settings.preferences"
       },
       {
         "defaultMessage": "Close",
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json b/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json
index fb81aba4ac5..20bbb24db90 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/locales/en.json
@@ -157,10 +157,12 @@
   "settings.collapsed_statuses": "Collapsed toots",
   "settings.enable_collapsed": "Enable collapsed toots",
   "settings.general": "General",
-  "settings.global_settings": "User preferences",
   "settings.image_backgrounds": "Image backgrounds",
   "settings.image_backgrounds_media": "Preview collapsed toot media",
   "settings.image_backgrounds_users": "Give collapsed toots an image background",
+  "settings.media": "Media",
+  "settings.media_letterbox": "Letterbox media",
+  "settings.preferences": "User preferences",
   "settings.wide_view": "Wide view (Desktop mode only)",
   "status.cannot_reblog": "This post cannot be boosted",
   "status.collapse": "Collapse",
diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/reducers/local_settings.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/reducers/local_settings.js
index 4f00c20d4fa..0e08f8e2a1c 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/reducers/local_settings.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/reducers/local_settings.js
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ const initialState = Immutable.fromJS({
       preview_images   : false,
     },
   },
+  media     : {
+    letterbox   : true,
+  },
 });
 
 const hydrate = (state, localSettings) => state.mergeDeep(localSettings);
diff --git a/app/javascript/styles/components.scss b/app/javascript/styles/components.scss
index 14585469733..304a056b35f 100644
--- a/app/javascript/styles/components.scss
+++ b/app/javascript/styles/components.scss
@@ -3640,10 +3640,17 @@ button.icon-button.active i.fa-retweet {
 /* Media Gallery */
 .media-gallery {
   box-sizing: border-box;
-  margin-top: 8px;
+  margin-top: 15px;
+  margin-left: -68px;
   overflow: hidden;
   position: relative;
-  width: 100%;
+  width: calc(100% + 80px);
+  background: $base-shadow-color;
+
+  .detailed-status & {
+    margin-left:-10px;
+    width: calc(100% + 22px);
+  }
 }
 
 .media-gallery__item {
@@ -3655,18 +3662,20 @@ button.icon-button.active i.fa-retweet {
 }
 
 .media-gallery__item-thumbnail {
-  background-position: center;
-  background-repeat: no-repeat;
-  background-size: cover;
   cursor: zoom-in;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
   text-decoration: none;
+  width: 100%;
   height: 100%;
 
-  &,
   img {
     width: 100%;
+
+    &:not(.letterbox) {
+      height: 100%;
+      object-fit: cover;
+    }
   }
 }
 
@@ -3680,12 +3689,13 @@ button.icon-button.active i.fa-retweet {
 .media-gallery__item-gifv-thumbnail {
   cursor: zoom-in;
   height: 100%;
-  object-fit: cover;
   position: relative;
-  top: 50%;
-  transform: translateY(-50%);
-  width: 100%;
   z-index: 1;
+
+  &:not(.letterbox) {
+    height: 100%;
+    object-fit: cover;
+  }
 }
 
 .media-gallery__item-thumbnail-label {
@@ -3698,22 +3708,27 @@ button.icon-button.active i.fa-retweet {
 
 /* Status Video Player */
 .status__video-player {
-  background: $base-overlay-background;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  background: $base-shadow-color;
   box-sizing: border-box;
   cursor: default; /* May not be needed */
-  margin-top: 8px;
+  margin-top: 15px;
+  margin-left:-68px;
+  width: calc(100% + 80px);
   overflow: hidden;
   position: relative;
 }
 
 .status__video-player-video {
-  height: 100%;
-  object-fit: cover;
   position: relative;
-  top: 50%;
-  transform: translateY(-50%);
   width: 100%;
   z-index: 1;
+
+  &:not(.letterbox) {
+    height: 100%;
+    object-fit: cover;
+  }
 }
 
 .status__video-player-expand,
@@ -3754,7 +3769,9 @@ button.icon-button.active i.fa-retweet {
   background-repeat: no-repeat;
   background-position: center;
   cursor: pointer;
-  margin-top: 8px;
+  margin-top: 15px;
+  margin-left:-68px;
+  width: calc(100% + 80px);
   position: relative;
 }
 
diff --git a/app/javascript/styles/custom.scss b/app/javascript/styles/custom.scss
index 6a18fd6289a..97a98124398 100644
--- a/app/javascript/styles/custom.scss
+++ b/app/javascript/styles/custom.scss
@@ -1,104 +1 @@
 @import 'application';
-
-.muted {
-  .status__content p, .status__content a {
-    color: lighten($ui-base-color, 35%);
-  }
-
-  .status__display-name strong {
-    color: lighten($ui-base-color, 35%);
-  }
-}
-
-.status time:after,
-.detailed-status__datetime span:after {
-  font: normal normal normal 14px/1 FontAwesome;
-  content: "\00a0\00a0\f08e";
-}
-
-.compose-form__buttons button.active:last-child {
-  color:$ui-secondary-color;
-  background-color: $ui-highlight-color;
-  border-radius:3px;
-}
-
-.about-body .mascot {
-  display:none;
-}
-
-.screenshot-with-signup {
-  min-height:300px;
-}
-
-.screenshot-with-signup .closed-registrations-message,
-.screenshot-with-signup form {
-  background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.7);
-  margin:auto;
-}
-
-.screenshot-with-signup .closed-registrations-message .clock {
-  font-size:150%;
-}
-
-.drawer .drawer__inner {
-  overflow: visible;
-}
-
-.column {
-  // trying to fix @mdhughes safari problem
-  max-height:100vh;
-}
-
-
-
-.media-gallery {
-  height:auto !important;
-  max-height:250px;
-  position:relative;
-  margin-top:20px;
-  margin-left:-68px;
-  width: calc(100% + 80px);
-}
-
-.media-gallery:before{
-  content: "";
-  display: block;
-  padding-top: 100%;
-}
-
-.media-gallery__item,
-.media-gallery .media-spoiler{
-  left: 0;
-  right: 0;
-  top: 0;
-  bottom: 0 !important;
-  position:absolute;
-}
-
-.media-spoiler-video:before {
-  content:"";
-  display:block;
-  padding-top:100%;
-}
-
-.media-spoiler-video,
-.status__video-player,
-.detailed-status > .media-spoiler,
-.status > .media-spoiler {
-  height:auto !important;
-  max-height:250px;
-  position:relative;
-  margin-top:20px;
-  margin-left:-68px;
-  width: calc(100% + 80px) !important;
-}
-
-.status__video-player-video {
-  transform:unset;
-}
-
-.detailed-status > .media-spoiler,
-.status > .media-spoiler {
-  height:250px !important;
-  vertical-align:middle;
-}