Scaling GUI without reducing resolution on 1080p tv

[Rotaxus]

Hi

I run a M1 mac mini on a 50” 1080p tv as a media pc. I recently suffered some sight loss and am struggling to see GUI / read text.

Am I correct that using the magnification slider instead of the resolution slider will increase the gui size without reducing the resolution so video will still display in full 1080?

Thank you

[waydabber]

Both the magnification and resolution slider will change the scaled resolution - it won't affect the output resolution. If you have a 1080p TV and set the resolution/magnification slider to 720p HiDPI for example which just rescales the content but does not involve a mode-change, the video will still be outputted in 1080p (it will be internally upscaled to 1440p - double the resolution of 720p - and then downscaled to 1080p).

[Rotaxus]

Thank you. Using VLC as an example, does that mean even when I scale the slider to 720p I am actually still seeing the video in the full 1080p? Sorry I am finding this super confusing!

[waydabber]

Almost. The image might be a bit smoother due to the upscaling to 1440p and then the downscaling again to 1080p. But partically it's still in 1080p, yes.

[Rotaxus]

Thank you!