Split screen (computer graphics)
Encyclopedia
Split screen is a display technique in computer graphics
that consists of dividing graphics and/or text into non-movable adjacent parts, typically two or four rectangular
areas. This is done in order to allow the simultaneous presentation of (usually) related graphical and textual information on a computer display
. Split screen differs from windowing system
s in that the latter allows overlapping and freely movable parts of the screen (the "windows
") to present related as well as unrelated application data to the user, while the former more strictly conforms to the description given in the above paragraph.
The split screen technique can also be used to run two aspects of an application, with possibly another user interacting with the other perspective.
video games with multiplayer options.
In its most easily-understood form, a split screen for a two-player video game is an audiovisual output device (usually a standard television
for video game console
s) where the display has been divided into two equally-sized areas so that the players can explore different areas simultaneously without being close to each other. This has historically been particularly popular on consoles, which until the 2000s did not have access to the Internet
or any other network.
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
that consists of dividing graphics and/or text into non-movable adjacent parts, typically two or four rectangular
Rectangle
In Euclidean plane geometry, a rectangle is any quadrilateral with four right angles. The term "oblong" is occasionally used to refer to a non-square rectangle...
areas. This is done in order to allow the simultaneous presentation of (usually) related graphical and textual information on a computer display
Computer display
A monitor or display is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an enclosure...
. Split screen differs from windowing system
Windowing system
A windowing system is a component of a graphical user interface , and more specifically of a desktop environment, which supports the implementation of window managers, and provides basic support for graphics hardware, pointing devices such as mice, and keyboards...
s in that the latter allows overlapping and freely movable parts of the screen (the "windows
Window (computing)
In computing, a window is a visual area containing some kind of user interface. It usually has a rectangular shape that can overlap with the area of other windows...
") to present related as well as unrelated application data to the user, while the former more strictly conforms to the description given in the above paragraph.
The split screen technique can also be used to run two aspects of an application, with possibly another user interacting with the other perspective.
In video games
Split screen feature is commonly used in non-networkedComputer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
video games with multiplayer options.
In its most easily-understood form, a split screen for a two-player video game is an audiovisual output device (usually a standard television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
for video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
s) where the display has been divided into two equally-sized areas so that the players can explore different areas simultaneously without being close to each other. This has historically been particularly popular on consoles, which until the 2000s did not have access to the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
or any other network.