One of the Most Important Factors in a Projector is its Resolution. In this article, we will explain all about Projector Screen Resolutions. We will explain what Resolution means, and about the types of Resolutions like SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, WXGA, WXGA+, WUXGA, SD, HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K, and 8K.
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What is Resolution:
The Resolution is the number of Pixels on a Screen. You will only get a perfect picture when you use the correct resolution on the correct screen size.
Example:
An HD video has 1280 x 720 pixels horizontally & vertically. So, the total number of pixels in an HD Video is 921600.
Some of the important factors while buying a Projector are Projecting Resolution, Lumens, Screen Size, and Contrast Ratio. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the Types of Resolutions before choosing a Projector.
Firstly, you need to understand that videos are recorded in different Resolutions. And different Projectors throw the image in different resolutions.
Example: Suppose the Projector has a resolution of 800 x 600 (SVGA). Now, if you play a video of Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), the Projector will still project the image in 800 x 600 resolution.
Therefore, you should understand what are the Projector Screen Resolutions.
Resolution Vs Screen Size:
The Screen Size is the physical measurement of the Screen. However, Resolution indicates the number of Pixels on the Screen. So, even if you buy a larger size television, you will get a pixelated image if the resolution of the TV or Video is less.
Check out How to Measure the Screen Size.
Types of Resolutions:
SVGA:
SVGA is the oldest Resolution, which stands for Super Video Graphics Array. The resolution of SVGA is 800 x 600. Also, the Aspect Ratio for this resolution is 4:3.
It is suitable for watching old movies, playing old games, and presenting old presentations. It was the standard resolution in the early days.
XGA:
XGA stands for Extended Graphics Array, which is an improvement to the SVGA resolution. XGA provides a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. However, the Aspect Ratio is the same as SVGA (i.e. 4:3)
SXGA:
Super Extended Graphics Array (or Super XGA) is an improvement of XGA.
There are sub-categories in SXGA with minor changes in the Resolution.
SXGA has a Resolution of 1280 x 1024, with an Aspect Ratio of 5:4.
SXGA- has a Resolution of 1280 x 960, with an Aspect Ratio of 4:3.
SXGA+ has a Resolution of 1400 x 1050, with an Aspect Ratio of 4:3.
UXGA:
UXGA Stands for Ultra Extended Graphics Array. It has a resolution of 1600 x 1200. Besides the resolution is high, the Aspect Ratio is still 4:3.
WXGA & WXGA+
WXGA stands for Wide XGA. While XGA has a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, the Wide XGA has a little wide resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.
WXGA+ has an extended resolution of 1440 x 900. Both have an Aspect Ratio of 16:10.
WUXGA
The WUXGA is an advanced improvement to the previous resolutions. It has a resolution of 1920 x 1200, with an Aspect Ratio of 16:10.
More Resolutions:
These are the common Resolutions you will find in other Electonic devices like TV, Digital Camera, etc.
We usually see the acronyms SD, HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K, etc. However, we also define them as 144p, 240p, 720p, 1080p, etc.
We name them after the lowest end of the resolution.
Example:
720p x 480p is not called 720p. The lowest number is 480, so it will be called 480p or SD.
Simialrly, 1920 x 1080 resolution is called 1080p.
SD
SD is the Standard Definition that was popular in the modern era. It has a Resolution of 720 x 480 with an Aspect Ratio of 4:3.
HD
HD Stands for High Definition Resolution. It has horizontal and vertical pixels of 1280 x 720. Hence it is also called 720p. It is the most used Resolution with a 16:9 Aspect Ratio.
Full HD
The Full High Definition (also known as 1080p) is 1920 x 1080 pixels. The Aspect Ratio is 16:9.
2K
2560 pixels horizontally and 1440 pixels vertically.
4K
Some devices use the Resolution of 3840×2160 as 4K. But the true 4K Resolution has 4096×2160 pixels with a 16:9 Aspect Ratio.
8K
8K has a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels with a 16:9 Aspect Ratio.
Projector Resolution Chart:
The following chart will help you identify and understand the Screen Resolutions better.
| Resolution | Acronym | Pixels Horizontally | Pixels Vertically | Total Pixels | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Video Graphics Array | SVGA | 800 | 600 | 480,000 | 4:3 |
| Extended Graphics Array | XGA | 1024 | 768 | 786,000 | 4:3 |
| Super Extended Graphics Array | SXGA | 1280 | 1024 | 1,470,000 | 5:4 |
| Super Extended Graphics Array – | SXGA – | 1280 | 960 | 1228800 | 4:3 |
| Super Extended Graphics Array + | SXGA+ | 1400 | 1050 | 1470000 | 4:3 |
| Ultra Extended Graphics Array | UXGA | 1600 | 1200 | 1,920,000 | 4:3 |
| Wide Extended Graphics Array | WXGA | 1280 | 800 | 1,024,000 | 16:10 |
| Wide Extended Graphics Array + | WXGA+ | 1440 | 900 | 1,296,000 | 16:10 |
| Wide Ultra Extended Graphics Array | WUXGA | 1920 | 1200 | 2,304,000 | 16:10 |
| Resolution | Acronym | Pixels Horizontally | Pixels Vertically | Total Pixels | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Definition | SD (480p) | 720 | 480 | 345600 | 4:3 |
| High Definition | HD (720p) | 1280 | 720 | 921600 | 16:9 |
| Full High Definition | Full HD (1080p) | 1920 | 1080 | 2073600 | 16:9 |
| 2K | 2K | 2560 | 1440 | 3686400 | 16:9 |
| 4K | 4K | 4096 | 2160 | 8847360 | 16:9 |
| 8K | 8K | 7680 | 4320 | 33177600 | 16:9 |
Final Words:
It is necessary to understand screen resolutions, whether you are purchasing a TV or a Projector. Understanding Projector Screen Resolutions and Types of Resolutions like SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, WXGA, WXGA+, WUXGA, SD, HD, Full HD, 2K, 4K, and 8K.