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Display Specifications Overview

Jun 6, 2025

Overview

This lecture explains the key technical specifications of displays, including pixel density, refresh rate, resolution, aspect ratio, and color gamut, to help select the right display for different uses.

Display Usage Considerations

  • The intended use (gaming, video, presentations) determines the best display specifications.
  • Displays can be for personal use, public display, or professional graphics work.

Pixel Density

  • Pixel density measures how many pixels are in one inch (PPI) or one centimeter of display area.
  • Higher pixel density results in clearer and crisper images.
  • Pixel density is calculated by dividing the number of horizontal pixels by the screen width in inches.
  • Example: A 27-inch 4K display has about 160 PPI, while a 65-inch 4K display has about 67 PPI.

Refresh Rate and Frame Rate

  • Refresh rate (measured in Hertz, Hz) is the number of times a display updates its image per second.
  • Frame rate (frames per second, FPS) often matches refresh rate if using vertical sync (VSYNC).
  • Movies in the US use 24 FPS, TV/video is often 30 FPS, and fast content (games/sports) benefits from 60 FPS or higher.
  • Low FPS appears choppy, high FPS appears smooth.
  • Both the video card and connection must support the desired refresh rate (e.g., HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 144 Hz).

Resolution and Aspect Ratio

  • Resolution is the number of horizontal and vertical pixels (e.g., 4K: 3840x2160; HD: 1920x1080).
  • Higher resolution provides sharper images if comparing displays of the same size.
  • Aspect ratio (width:height, e.g., 16:9) varies between monitors; choose according to need.

Color Gamut

  • Color gamut describes the range of colors a display can show, compared to what the human eye can see.
  • Standards like sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 define which parts of the color spectrum a monitor can display.
  • Technical specs often show the percentage of a color standard the display covers (e.g., 100% sRGB).
  • OLEDs generally offer a wider color gamut than traditional LCDs.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Pixel Density (PPI) — The number of pixels per inch on a display.
  • Refresh Rate (Hz) — How many times per second a display updates its image.
  • Frame Rate (FPS) — The number of frames shown per second.
  • Resolution — The count of horizontal and vertical pixels on a display.
  • Aspect Ratio — The proportional relationship of width to height of a display.
  • Color Gamut — The range of colors a monitor can display.
  • VSYNC — Synchronizes the frame rate to the monitor's refresh rate.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Check the intended use of your display before comparing technical specs.
  • Look up your display's color gamut specifications if precise color reproduction is important.
  • Ensure your computer's video card and connection support your display's maximum resolution and refresh rate.

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