The Significance of Resolution

Last year, when I started designing and creating our light show, it didn’t take me long to learn about a popular display element called a Matrix. Google defines a matrix in our context as “a rectangular array of quantities or expressions in rows and columns that is treated as a single entity and manipulated according to particular rules”; 🥴 or my simple definition – lights that are spaced evenly apart in a rectangle or square to display images, videos, or designs. 🤔

Last year, I had one matrix in our show, and it was the center of the display and my favorite element (see pic). This year, however, the plan is to have five different matrices in the show. Yes, I am pumped about that improvement (see table at the end), but what I am really excited about is the addition of a P10 Matrix. The reason I am so excited about this matrix is due to the improvement in resolution. And this improvement in resolution will be significant.

Bear with me with one more quick technical lesson. Resolution is all about how you distribute pixels in a defined space. Some people call it pixel density and it’s measured in a unit called “PPI” or “pixels per inch” (see figure).

Our matrix last year was 4 ft x 8 ft in size and contained 1200 pixels spaced 2” apart – which means it’s PPI was approximately 0.5. Up close, it was hard to make out specific images; but from the road, the pixels blended to provide a decent display. However, a P10 matrix has pixels that are space 10 mm (or 0.39”) apart. And the P10 Matrix that we built to use in this year’s show is approximately 3.5 ft x 6.5 ft in size but contains 21,504 pixels – which means it’s PPI is approximately 2.5 or 5x better in resolution than the one last year. That is significant because it is going to provide so many possibilities for our show – and I. 👏 Can’t. 👏 Wait. 👏 for you to see how I plan to use it this year.

Closing Thoughts

Paul talks a little about “resolution” and the significance of being able to see clearer in 1 Corinthians 13:12. He says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

The key question to me in this text is, “when will ‘then’ happen so we can see things clearer?” He gave us the answer in verse 10 – “when the perfect comes”. I realize there are many beliefs concerning what is being referred to here as “the perfect.”

But my studies have led me to the conclusion that “the perfect” is the Bible, God’s complete, “perfect” word for us today. You see, at the time of Paul’s writings – they didn’t have the Bible – so they had special gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues, and knowledge (vs. 8); but that meant they were limited in what they could see and understand (vs. 12).

Now, however, we can all see clearly because God’s word has provided the resolution needed to know exactly what is necessary to glorify Him. So the next key question to me – are you spending enough time with God’s word so you see clearly? There is significance in resolution, but you must take time reading it for you find what God wants you to see.

Thanks as always for taking a moment to read this blog and supporting us as we continue Fostering the Holidays.

Fostering the Holidays – 2021 Matrix Summary