| A few years ago, 1024x768 was the most common | | | | vertical pixels). Traditional displays built with 4:3 aspect |
| display resolution. Now HD (high definition) resolution of | | | | ratio. New wide-screen monitors may use almost 2:1 |
| 2560x1600 is used in 30" or bigger LCD monitors. | | | | ratio. The best way to find the perfect resolution and |
| Special medical monitors have been designed for | | | | aspect ratio that are optimal for you and your monitor |
| 3280x2048 resolution. The term "display resolution" is | | | | is to try different settings. |
| used to describe simply the physical number of | | | | To change your screen resolution in Windows OS, |
| columns and rows of pixels creating the display, for | | | | open Display in Control Panel. On the Settings tab, |
| example, 1280x1024, in other words, size of the display. | | | | under Screen resolution, drag the slider, and then click |
| However, the meaning of the word "resolution" here is | | | | Apply. When prompted to apply the settings, click OK. |
| misleading. Such using "display resolution" means pixel | | | | Your screen will turn black for a moment. Once your |
| dimensions which does not tell about a real resolution | | | | screen resolution changes, you have 15 seconds to |
| of the display. Technically, display resolution is | | | | confirm the change. Click Yes to confirm the change; |
| measured in pixels per inch. | | | | click No or do nothing to revert to your previous |
| In digital imaging, a pixel (pic's-el, or picture element) is a | | | | setting. Your monitor and graphics card (video adapter) |
| single smallest point or unit of picture which can be | | | | determine how much you can change your screen |
| controlled. Pixels are normally arranged in a | | | | resolution; normally, it is a limited list of standard settings. |
| 2-dimensional grid, and are often represented using | | | | In general, a computer display resolution can be set |
| dots or squares. Dots per inch (DPI) is a measure of | | | | higher or lower than the physical screen resolution. |
| spatial printing or video dot density, in particular the | | | | However, if old CRT monitors provided a variability in |
| number of individual dots that can be placed in a line | | | | resolution, LCD displays are not so easy adjustable |
| within the span of one inch (2.54 cm). As it was | | | | because they have a fixed physical resolution. You |
| mentioned above, DPI is often confused with image | | | | may be unable to increase the resolution of LCD |
| size, leading to expressions such as 1024x768 | | | | display above a certain level (normally better than |
| resolution. | | | | native resolution). The "native" resolution is the same |
| What screen resolution is optimal? A higher screen | | | | as a screen maximum resolution if a correct video |
| resolution reduces the size of items on your screen | | | | driver installed. Be aware that using a non-native low |
| and increases the relative space on your desktop. But | | | | resolution on LCD may result in a poorer image, due to |
| on the other hand, you may feel uncomfortable if fonts | | | | dropping of pixels to make the image fit (if using DVI) |
| are too small to read a text. Another parameter is | | | | or insufficient sampling of the analog signal (if using |
| aspect ratio (the relative numbers of horizontal and | | | | VGA). |