There are two ways (Random scan and Raster scan) by which we can display an object on the

screen.

Raster-Scan Displays

Raster Scan Displays are most common type of graphics monitor which employs CRT. It is
based on television technology. In raster scan system electron beam sweeps across the screen,
from top to bottom covering one row at a time .A pattern of illuminated pattern of spots is
created by turning beam intensity on and off as it moves across each row. A memory area called
refresh buffer or frame buffer stores picture definition. This memory area holds intensity values
for all screen points. Stored intensity values are restored from frame buffer and painted on screen
taking one row at a time.Each screen point is referred to as pixels.

In raster scan systems refreshing is done at done at a rate of 60-80 frames per second. Refresh
rates are also sometimes described in units of cycles per second / Hertz (Hz). At the end of each
scan line, electron beam begins to display next scan line after returning to left side of screen. The
return to the left of screen after refresh of each scan line is known as horizontal retrace of
electron beam. At the end of each frame electron beam returns to top left corner and begins the
next frame.

In a raster scan system, the electron beam is swept across the screen, one row at a time from top
to bottom. As the electron beam moves across each row, the beam intensity is turned on and off
to create a pattern of illuminated spots.

Picture definition is stored in memory area called the Refresh Buffer or Frame Buffer. This
memory area holds the set of intensity values for all the screen points. Stored intensity values are
then retrieved from the refresh buffer and “painted” on the screen one row (scan line) at a time as
shown in the following illustration.

Each screen point is referred to as a pixel (picture element) or pel. At the end of each scan line,
the electron beam returns to the left side of the screen to begin displaying the next scan line.

Raster-Scan Display Processor:

Display processors can perform various other tasks like: creating different line styles, displaying
color areas, etc. Typically display processors are utilized to interface input devices, such as
mouse, joysticks.

ADVANTAGES:

 Real life images with different shades can be displayed.

 Color range available is bigger than random scan display.

 Resolution is lower than random scan display.

 More memory is required.

 Data about the intensities of all pixel has to be stored.

Random Scan(Vector Scan)

In Random-Scan Display electron beam is directed only to the areas of screen where a picture
has to be drawn. It is also called vector display, as it draws picture one line at time. It can draw
and refresh component lines of a picture in any specified sequence. Pen plotter is an example of
random-scan displays.

The number of lines regulates refresh rate on random-scan displays. An area of memory
called refresh display files stores picture definition as a set of line drawing commands. The
system returns back to first-line command in the list, after all the drawing commands have been
processed. High-quality vector systems can handle around 100, 00 short lines at this refresh rate.
Faster refreshing can burn phosphor. To avoid this every refresh cycle is delayed to prevent
refresh rate greater than 60 frames per second.

Suppose we want to display a square ABCD on the screen. The commands will be:

 Draw a line from A to B

 Draw a line from B to C

 Draw a line from C to D

In this technique, the electron beam is directed only to the part of the screen where the picture is
to be drawn rather than scanning from left to right and top to bottom as in raster scan. It is also
called vector display, stroke-writing display, or calligraphic display.

Picture definition is stored as a set of line-drawing commands in an area of memory referred to

After all the line drawing commands are processed, the system cycles back to the first line
command in the list. Random-scan displays are designed to draw all the component lines of a
picture 30 to 60 times each second.
Random-Scan Display Processors:
Input in the form of an application program is stored in the system memory along with graphics
package. Graphics package translates the graphic commands in application program into a
display file stored in system memory. This display file is then accessed by the display processor
to refresh the screen. The display processor cycles through each command in the display file
program. Sometimes the display processor in a random-scan is referred as Display Processing
Unit / Graphics Controller.

The structure of a simple random scan is shown below:

The structure of a simple random scan is shown below:

ADVANTAGES:

 Higher resolution as compared to raster scan display.

 Produces smooth line drawing.

 Less Memory required.

DISADVANTAGES:

 Realistic images with different shades cannot be drawn.

 Color limitations.

Difference between random scan and raster scan

Electron Beam The electron beam is swept across the The electron beam is directed only to the

screen, one row at a time, from top to parts of screen where a picture is to be

bottom. drawn.

Resolution Its resolution is poor because raster Its resolution is good because this system

system in contrast produces zigzag produces smooth lines drawings because

lines that are plotted as discrete point CRT beam directly follows the line path.

sets.

Picture Definition Picture definition is stored as a set of Picture definition is stored as a set of line

intensity values for all screen points, drawing instructions in a display file.

called pixels in a refresh buffer area.

Realistic Display The capability of this system to store These systems are designed for line-

intensity values for pixel makes it well drawing and can’t display realistic shaded

suited for the realistic display of scenes scenes.

contain shadow and color pattern.

Draw an Image Screen points/pixels are used to draw Mathematical functions are used to draw

an image. an image.