Framebuffer

A framebuffer is an image buffer used by the graphics system while rendering or presenting an image. It is useful to picture it as the system's representation of the image before considering how that image reaches the monitor. Khronos describes framebuffers as collections of buffers used for rendering

The buffer, cable signal and physical panel are different parts of the path. BetterDisplay's Color Mode interface can report framebuffer depth separately from the selected output mode, so the values need not describe the same format.

For example, a floating-point framebuffer does not mean that the monitor receives that same floating-point format. Keep bit depth, output color mode and panel capability separate when reading the labels.

See Color Mode for the related interface.