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Monitor terminology
C-1
Appendix C. Monitor terminology
As you read the documentation that came with your monitor and the monitor
information provided in this chapter, you might find a few technical terms. If you
change your monitor settings, refer to the following table to understand some of the
terms used to describe monitor characteristics.
Table 1: Monitor terms and definitions
Term Definition
display mode
A resolution setting associated with a vertical frequency
setting (and sometimes a color setting). For example, 640x480
at 75 Hz, 256 colors.
horizontal frequency
Rate (in kilohertz [kHz]) at which each line on the screen is
drawn.
interlaced
Method of producing an image by drawing only alternating
lines until the entire image is completed.
noninterlaced
Method of producing an image by drawing each line, one after
the other, until the entire image is completed. This method
produces less flicker than the interlaced method.
pel (or pixel)
A picture element. A small rectangle or portion of an image
that together with other pels make up the entire image.
resolution
The number of pels required to display an image horizontally
and vertically. For example, 640x480 means 640 pels
horizontally and 480 pels vertically.
SVGA
Super video graphics array. A video standard that provides
some of the higher text and graphics resolutions.
vertical frequency/
refresh rate
Rate (in hertz [Hz]) at which the entire image is drawn on the
screen. Also called “refresh rate.”