Yes, lowering the resolution of a display or a video stream can decrease latency in several contexts. Here’s how it works:
-
Reduced Data to Process: Lowering the resolution means there are fewer pixels to process, which can reduce the amount of data that the system, whether it be a GPU, CPU, or network, needs to handle. This can lead to faster rendering times and reduced lag.
-
Less Bandwidth Required: For video streams, lower resolution requires less bandwidth. This can reduce buffering and improve the responsiveness of media playback, which decreases perceived latency.
-
Faster Frame Rates: Lowering resolution can often allow a system to achieve higher frame rates since rendering fewer pixels is less demanding. Higher frame rates can reduce motion blur and improve the responsiveness of interactions, effectively decreasing latency.
However, it's important to note that the actual impact on latency can depend on other factors such as the specific hardware being used, the optimization of the software involved, and the overall system configuration.