What are pixels per inch

Today we will explain what pixels per inch are, how they work and why it is important to choose the best monitor for PC or television. You are ready? Do not miss our fantastic article.

Computing is evolving at a frenetic pace, and with the introduction of new components and devices, we increasingly find numerous acronyms and abbreviations. Now we know a new term that is being mentioned more and more when you want to buy an electronic device: PPI (pixels per inch).

What are pixels per inch

PPI is associated with image reproduction quality. It is used to name the resolution of an image, indicating how many pixels are in an inch, but without specifying the proportions or dimensions.

Everyone who has used a computer, a smartphone or any other electronic section with a screen came into contact with the pixels. Pixel is the smallest visual element on a computer screen.

Among all the various ways in which this quality can be analyzed, the number of pixels is closely related to two: resolution and definition. However, before going into the pixel count effect, it's worth what exactly a pixel is.

The smallest element on the screen

Pixel is the basic element for the emergence of an image on a screen and is made up of at least three light elements.

Each of these elements, called dots, the literal translation of which would be “dots” (this nomenclature, however, can cause confusion with printing dots and is therefore not used) is responsible for the emission of a different color from the light within the RGB spectrum.

In other words, each pixel is made up of three colors (red, green and blue) that when mixed in different proportions, all the millions of colors existing in today's monitors are generated.

Distances that count

Despite the fact that the image quality will depend on the set of points (that is, the entire pixel), the distance between each light source, known as “dot pitch”, also has its share of responsibility in the formation of the images..

The "dot pitch" is the distance between two points of the same color, that is, of different pixels, in the screen assembly. The closer to the points, the higher the resolution of the image, since the unlit space, that which is between the pixels, is less.

If the points of the same color have a distance from each other, it is natural to admit that the same distance exists between full pixels. Despite not being exactly like this, the approximation is valid and allows evaluating the pixel characteristics that most influence image quality.

Resolution and definition

These two terms are always on the tip of the tongue of someone who works with images. Whether it's the megapixel count of a camera or the ability to play Full HD movies from LED TVs, everyone comments on resolution and definition. Unfortunately, however, many times these terms are not understood by those who mention it.

Image size

Resolution of an image is a more versatile way of telling how much detail can be perceived in the file. It is common, despite not being recommended by any industry standard, to refer to images as resolutions of 800 x 600 or 2048 x 1536 pixels, for example.

Although they do not follow the rules, these measures solve the problem of identifying the quantity and quality of the details in an image. Using the two measurements in the previous paragraph, we have a total resolution of 480, 000 pixels for the 800 x 600 image (equivalent to 0.4 megapixels) and 3, 145, 728 pixels, or 3.1 megapixels, for the 2048 x 1536 file.

Obviously, the higher the value of the multiplication, the more details there will be in the image.

It is worth remembering that the resolution is not the same as the physical size of the image. It is possible to have a very high resolution image, even gigapixels, that when it appears on a TV or in print occupies only centimeters, as well as it is possible to obtain images with a lower resolution and many square meters of surface, such as a fence or a screen of movie theater.

WE RECOMMEND YOU How to cancel the sending of messages in Gmail

Quantity in space

This is the classic definition of density. For monitors, mobiles, and televisions, density is a measure of the number of pixels that occupy the visible area of ​​the screen. The higher the pixel density, the higher the image quality. The closer the pixels are, the smoother and more quality the displayed image will be.

Mixing everything

By considering the resolution and pixel density, it is possible to measure the definition of the image.

If the quality of an image can be measured through the number of pixels on the screen (resolution) that displays it, and also by the number of pixels in each unit of area occupied by the monitor (density), it is easy to understand that the highest possible values ​​for these two characteristics offer the best possible image for a technological device.

Keep distance

Depending on the pixel density of a screen, the minimum distance to take full advantage of the image quality may change. That is the reason why some very large TVs (40 inches or more) require a room with dimensions large enough to offer the expected image.

When the viewer gets too close to the screen, the pixel dot pitch becomes clearer and in some cases, such as on very low density screens, it can even generate discontinuity in the image and destroy all the beauty. 1080p. Solving this, however, is very easy: just move away from the screen until you are at a recommended distance.

The iPhone 4 itself mentioned above surpasses the 300 PPI mark, as well as other consumer electronics with less commercial impact. Still, scientists and the market indicate that the experience gained with these displays is far superior to that gained with lower density displays.