What is scan lines?

Scan lines refer to the electrical signals that travel across a screen from top to bottom to create an image. They are a vital component of cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, which were widely used in televisions and computer monitors for many decades. Each scan line consists of a series of pixels or points of light that are illuminated in a specific pattern to create the image. In modern flat-screen displays, scan lines are less visible because the screens are created differently using LED, LCD, or OLED technologies that do not require such lines. However, some video games still use scan lines as a stylistic choice to mimic the retro look of older displays.