12/17/2022
Although Pixel per inch and Resolution are related to each other, they are not the same thing. I am going to talk about the differences here briefly.
Pixel count, also known as pixel density, refers to the number of pixels on a screen or display. It is usually expressed in pixels per inch (PPI) or pixels per centimeter (PPCM). The higher the pixel density, the more pixels there are per unit of area, and the sharper and more detailed the image will be if the higher count happens on the same sized display as the lower count. This is because each pixel is smaller and closer together, which allows for more detail to be displayed.
Pixel density is important because it determines the clarity and sharpness of the image on a display. For example, a display with a high pixel density will be able to display small text and fine details more clearly than a display with a low pixel density. This can be especially important for tasks that require high levels of detail, such as graphic design, photo editing, and video editing.
An important thing to note is that pixels are the tiny dots that make up an image on a screen, and they are typically uniform in size. However, the size of pixels can vary from display to display. Two different 24-inch monitors can have different sized pixels based on their PPI. One monitor with 200 PPI would have smaller pixels then the second monitor with only 100 PPI.
Now let us talk about resolution. Resolution refers to the total number of pixels in an image or display, typically expressed as the width and height of the image in pixels. For example, a display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 has a width of 1920 pixels and a height of 1080 pixels, for a total of 2,073,600 pixels. The higher the resolution, the more pixels there are in the image and the more detailed it will be.
As previously mentioned, pixel count and resolution of a display are related, as the pixel count determines the resolution that a display can support. For example, a display with a pixel count of 100 PPI will have a lower resolution than a display with a pixel count of 200 PPI, even if they have the same physical size. However, the pixel count and resolution of a display can be affected by other factors, such as the technology used to make the display and the distance at which the display is viewed. For example, displays that use organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology tend to have higher pixel densities than displays that use liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, because OLED pixels are self-emitting and can be placed closer together. Additionally, the distance at which a display is viewed can affect the perceived resolution and pixel density, as a display that is viewed from a closer distance will appear more detailed than a display that is viewed from a farther distance.
It’s worth noting that the ideal viewing distance for a display depends on the size of the display and the resolution. Generally, the recommended viewing distance for a display is about 1.5 to 2 times the diagonal size of the display. For example, a 24-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 should be viewed from about 36 to 48 inches. This will allow the viewer to see the full detail of the display without straining their eyes.
So the correct size of display matters for how far away you plan to view the monitor from. However, the resolution of that monitor also really matters. A theater room with a larger display (let us say 75 inches) should be viewed from 150 inches away. However, if that 75-inch TV is only 1920 x 1080 then the individual pixels will be larger than a 24-inch screen that is 1920 x 1080. This will lead to your 75-inch TV seeming to have “bad” resolution. So your resolution needs to be appropriate for your screen size and viewing distance to have optimal clarity.
It’s important to note that pixel count and resolution are not the only factors to consider when choosing a display. Other important factors include the size of the display, the refresh rate, the response time, and the type of panel used. It’s also worth considering the intended use of the display, as different displays may be better suited for different tasks. For example, a display with a high refresh rate and low response time may be better for gaming, while a display with wide color gamut coverage and high color accuracy may be better for graphic design and photo editing.