What is a Pixel?

Our Electronic World site isn’t just a place to benefit from our extensive bargains – such as if you’re looking to buy graded TVs online without breaking the bank – we like to keep you informed. As dutiful patrons of our blog we assume you spend a fair amount of your time in front of a screen, bingeing, catching up or playing your console, that it struck us that the word pixel is thrown around so frivolously on here that we should probably give you its back story.  So, ‘Pixels’… this is your life.

Pix-El

Pixel is derived from compounding the words picture and element and is the name given to the unit of programmable colour present in a display. The unit isn’t described as a ‘physical’ unit as the size of the pixel depends on the resolution that has been set for the display screen. Therefore the pixel size is referred to as a logical unit.

If the resolution of a display is set to its maximum, then the pixel will be the same size as the dot pitch. This dot pitch tells you just how sharp the image will be, with a smaller pitch size – measured in millimetres – producing a sharper image. On the other hand, if the resolution is less than maximum, the pixel size will exceed the physical size of the screen’s dot; i.e. a pixel will use more than one dot on the display.

Colour

The colour of a pixel depends on the blending of the three colour components, red, green and blue (RGB). A true colour system, also known as a 24-bit colour system, uses three bytes of data per pixel due to each colour component, which makes up the overall colour blend of the pixel, equalling one byte.

So it’s not just magic fairies floating around inside your screen after all; who’d have thought it? Turns out there’s a whole science-thing going on. We find the science behind the screen fascinating, particularly given that each pixel will be constantly shifting between colours to make up the overall image of the game/movie/show you are watching. So next time you are watching a HD Attenborough show, don’t take the detail of those tree tops for granted! To up the ante in your display’s pixel stakes and boost your viewing platform, contact us on 0121 327 3273 and we can discuss our services and the best option available to you.

Until then, respect the picture element!