Monitor terminology C-1Appendix C. Monitor terminologyAs you read the documentation that came with your monitor and the monitorinformation provided in this chapter, you might find a few technical terms. If youchange your monitor settings, refer to the following table to understand some of theterms used to describe monitor characteristics.Table 1: Monitor terms and definitionsTerm Definitiondisplay mode A resolution setting associated with a vertical frequencysetting (and sometimes a color setting). For example, 640x480at 75 Hz, 256 colors.horizontal frequency Rate (in kilohertz [kHz]) at which each line on the screen isdrawn.interlaced Method of producing an image by drawing only alternatinglines until the entire image is completed.noninterlaced Method of producing an image by drawing each line, one afterthe other, until the entire image is completed. This methodproduces less flicker than the interlaced method.pel (or pixel) A picture element. A small rectangle or portion of an imagethat together with other pels make up the entire image.resolution The number of pels required to display an image horizontallyand vertically. For example, 640x480 means 640 pelshorizontally and 480 pels vertically.SVGA Super video graphics array. A video standard that providessome of the higher text and graphics resolutions.vertical frequency/refresh rateRate (in hertz [Hz]) at which the entire image is drawn on thescreen. Also called “refresh rate.”
