The Camera as a Storytelling Tool: Resolution and Pixels

Vocabulary flashcards covering pixels, lines of resolution, scanning formats, display sizes, and resolution standards.

Pixel

The smallest unit of an image, consisting of the little squares that make up the picture.

Resolution

The property of an image determined by its amount of rows of pixels (lines of resolution).

"p" (Progressive)

The letter designation in resolution names (such as 1080p) that stands for progressive.

"i" (Interlaced)

The letter designation in resolution names (such as 480i or 1080i) that stands for interlaced.

Standard Definition (SD)

The video format of older square televisions, having a resolution of $640 \times 480$ and primarily noted as 480i.

720p

An early high definition format that recorded a resolution of $1280 \times 720$.

1080i

A high definition format recording a resolution of $1440 \times 1080$.

1080p

A common high-definition format comprising $1920$ vertical lines of resolution and $1080$ horizontal lines of resolution.

4K

A high-resolution camera format manufactured with resolutions of $4096 \times 2160$ or $3840 \times 2160$.

8K

An ultra-high-resolution camera format manufactured with resolutions of $8192 \times 4320$ or $7680 \times 4320$.

Pixilation

The breaking apart or visual degradation of an image that occurs when it is stretched beyond its resolution limits on a screen.

Resolution Chart (FIG. 4.22)

A visual diagram showing relative size proportions for SD, HD ($1920 \times 1080$), 4K ($3840 \times 2160$), and 8K ($7680 \times 4320$) UHDTV resolutions.