Dot pitch refers to the distance between the centers of two adjacent phosphor dots on a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid-crystal display (LCD) which determines the resolution and perceived sharpness of the displayed image.
In the world of display technology, dot pitch plays a crucial role in determining the resolution and image quality of various screens. This article explores the differences in measuring dot pitch across CRT, Trinitron, LCD, and LED displays.
In Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays, dot pitch is the distance between phosphor dots or stripes on the inside of the screen where the electron beam excites the phosphor to produce light. The physical distance between these phosphor elements is what dot pitch typically refers to, and it is often measured as the shortest distance between like-colored phosphor dots [5].
Trinitron, a type of CRT developed by Sony, differs in that it uses a single continuous phosphor stripe per color instead of dots. Hence, its dot pitch is typically measured as the distance between these stripes rather than dots, often called line pitch or aperture grille pitch. This results in a different visual appearance and sometimes perceived sharper images due to this stripe structure.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) dot pitch, on the other hand, refers to the distance between individual pixels formed by liquid crystal cells, which each contain red, green, and blue subpixels. It is usually measured as the physical distance between centers of two adjacent pixels (groups of subpixels) in millimeters [1][5].
LED displays measure pixel pitch as the distance between LED clusters or individual LEDs, which can be much larger than LCD pixel pitches, depending on the application (e.g., large outdoor screens). Here, pitch relates directly to LED spacing, impacting resolution and viewing distance [1][3].
The dot pitch in CRTs and Trinitrons relates to phosphor physical spacing scanned by electron beams, while in LCDs and LEDs it relates to fixed physical pixel or LED element spacing. This reflects fundamental differences in how images are formed: scanned phosphor dots/stripes vs. fixed pixel arrays.
Common dot pitches in computer displays include .31mm, .28mm, .27mm, .26mm, and .25mm. Traditional televisions often use a larger dot pitch, about .51 mm, and large screen TVs or projection devices can go up to 1 millimeter in pitch. The smaller and closer the dots are to one another, the more realistic and detailed the picture appears.
Dot pitch rating in monitors determines the sharpness of the displayed image, with smaller numbers indicating a sharper image. For instance, at .27mm dot pitch, there are 1,369 pixels per cm and 8,556 pixels per square inch. At .31mm dot pitch, there are 1,024 pixels per cm and 6,400 pixels per square inch, providing a higher resolution compared to .51mm and 1mm. At .25mm dot pitch, there are 1,600 pixels per cm and 10,000 pixels per square inch.
In summary, understanding dot pitch is essential for appreciating the resolution and image quality of various display technologies. By knowing the differences in measuring dot pitch across CRT, Trinitron, LCD, and LED displays, one can make informed decisions when choosing a display for their specific needs.
References: [1] Dot Pitch Explained. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.displaymeister.com/articles/dot-pitch-explained/ [2] Dot Pitch. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/25526/dot-pitch [3] LED Pixel Pitch. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.led-professional.com/technology/led-pixel-pitch/ [4] Trinitron. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinitron [5] What is Dot Pitch? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.displaymeister.com/articles/what-is-dot-pitch/
Electronics and technology are profoundly intertwined, as displayed in the world of electronics, where dot pitch plays a critical role in determining the resolution and image quality of screens such as computers, televisions, and gadgets. The dot pitch in Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays, like Trinitron, measures the distance between phosphor dots or stripes on the inside of the screen or in the case of Trinitron, between the continuous phosphor stripes. In Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), on the other hand, the dot pitch refers to the distance between individual pixels formed by liquid crystal cells, each containing red, green, and blue subpixels.