What is resolution?

Image of a large flatscreen TV mounted to a wall in a living room under three downward facing lights. The TV features an orange supercar on the display.
Credit: ahmaddesignsswl

Image of a large flatscreen TV mounted to a wall in a living room under three downward facing lights. The TV features an orange supercar on the display.
Credit: ahmaddesignsswl

Resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the display. The more pixels, the sharper and clearer the image will appear on the screen. Common TV resolutions range from 720p and 1080p, otherwise known as high definition and full HD respectively, to 4K and 8K Ultra High Definition (UHD), while monitor resolutions also include 1440p, more popularly known as QHD or WQHD.

8K TVs are a thing, even if the content is hard to come by in such high resolution. This standard is not readily available in some of the best gaming monitors right now, but they are on the horizon, with many experts expecting them to arrive in 2024. After all, it takes a lot of horsepowers to run that pixel count natively with any modern game. Currently, 4K is the highest you’ll find in monitors, which still provides greater clarity and detail than most other models on the market, making them ideal for gaming, movies, and home theatres.

A perfect example of a device with high-resolution and high refresh rate is the LG OLED evo C2 at 4K / 120Hz, which is still one of the best TVs in 2023. This makes it perfect for gaming alongside HDR10+ for general movies.

Why does resolution matter?

What is resolution - Someone sat on a black sofa watching a wall-mounted flatscreen TV.
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Credit: freepik

When buying a monitor or television, screen resolution is crucial as it determines the quality of the image displayed. Resolution refers to the number of pixels that are packed into the screen, ultimately affecting the image's sharpness and detail. Higher-resolution monitors and TV screens offer better image quality than lower-resolution options, and there’s less blurriness or distortion as a result.

What else should I consider other than resolution?

Factors to consider when choosing a TV or monitor include screen size, display technology, refresh rate, connectivity, audio, format support, build quality, and price.

Combined with how big your room is, size affects the viewing distance you should sit to experience your shows, while display technology and refresh rate affect the image quality. Connectivity dictates how many devices you can plug in; audio determines whether internal speakers are available. For the best experience, checking the supported formats and quality is essential. Finally, consider how much money you can afford to spend.

What is resolution - Image of a black monitor featuring an image of a forest on the display next to a laptop also with an image of forest on the display.
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Credit: BenQ

Conclusively, the technology has advanced dramatically in terms of the quality and features of TVs and monitors. The market is always full of options, from 4K and OLED displays to smart TVs with built-in streaming services. The sheer scope and variety of features can overwhelm you. That’s why it's important to know what to look for.

Listing them out can be a bit overwhelming, as you’ll need to consider size, image resolution, refresh rate and response time, size, whether speakers are included for sound, brightness, and backlight technology (OLED is considered the gold standard at the moment), contrast, and whether the stand will fit on your media unit or desk. With proper research and knowledge of the specifications, you will find the perfect product for your needs.

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