What does "video scaling" refer to?

Video scaling refers to the process of changing the resolution of a video signal to ensure that it matches the display device's capabilities. When content is produced in a specific resolution—like 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD)—and is then displayed on a screen with a different resolution, such as 3840x2160 pixels (4K), video scaling is necessary. It adjusts the pixel dimensions of the video so that it fits correctly on the display without causing distortion or stretching.

This process can involve either increasing the resolution (upscaling) or decreasing it (downscaling), depending on the source and target resolutions. The importance of video scaling lies in maintaining the quality of the image and delivering a visually engaging experience regardless of the hardware used.

In contrast, altering the brightness or enhancing color quality doesn't directly relate to resolution adjustments, and reducing the frame rate pertains to motion characteristics rather than the size of the image itself. Thus, changing resolution to fit the display accurately is fundamental to video scaling.