Resolution & Aspect Ratio

Resolution

The maximum number of points that can be displayed without overlap on a CRT is referred to as the resolution. A more precise definition of resolution is the number of points per centimeter that can be plotted horizontally and vertically, although it is often simply stated as the total number of points in each direction. This depends on the type of phosphor used and the focusing and deflection system.

Aspect Ratio

Another property of video monitors is aspect ratio. This number gives the ratio of vertical points to horizontal points necessary to produce equal-length lines in both directions on the screen. (Sometimes aspect ratio is stated in terms of the ratio of horizontal to vertical points.) An aspect ratio of 3/4 means that a vertical line plotted with three points has the same length as a horizontal line plotted with four points.