Parameters and characteristics of monitors. Computer monitors - types, technologies, characteristics, pros and cons What characteristics does the monitor have

Life flows, and everything changes with it, but in recent years, in all spheres of human life, the computer has taken a key place and does not intend to give the palm. Since the creation of the first computing device, its computing power, shape, size and key technologies have changed for the better. Today, almost everything is computerized: medicine, education, production, mining, and even human leisure. Now one in two people in high- and medium-development countries owns portable computers - smartphones or tablets. At the same time, most of the inhabitants of the Earth use desktops, which are separate system units, information output devices, peripheral devices for data input - a mouse and keyboard. It is worth paying special attention to the monitor, as this is the part of the computer in front of which a person spends a very long time. The monitor is an important component of the development of human society, so the ability to choose the right model and the availability of the necessary knowledge about it will not be superfluous for anyone.

Areas of application for monitors

In order to find out where monitors are used and for what purpose, you first need to understand what monitors are for a computer. There are a number of their definitions, but if you choose the most basic, then it sounds like this. A monitor is a special device for displaying information from a computer's computing unit by using a special screen equipped with either a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal matrix (LCD, used in modern monitor models). The output of information is carried out by highlighting the smallest individual elements of the screen - pixels, which together form a complete picture of text, tables, pictures, photos or videos.

It's safe to say that monitors are used everywhere. In government agencies and enterprises to perform current functions and responsibilities, including:

Conducting core activities (production, assembly, mining, etc.).
Accounting and warehouse management.
Logistics.
Accounting and control of the activities of institutions.
Other areas of activity.

The same applies to educational, medical and other institutions in various fields of human activity. All this happens because any activity has long been transferred to computer accounting with the help of specially developed software products.

There is a long range of uses for a device such as a monitor. This leads to the need to design and create devices for specific needs. Therefore, manufacturers offer a wide range of monitors for computers from home to professional with special features.

LCD or CRT?

The key feature of any monitor is its screen. The first such devices were cathode ray tube displays. They had a lot of weight, huge dimensions and a small screen size, but at the same time a clear, good picture, regardless of the viewing angle. The screen of the CRT monitor was updated at a frequency of up to 85 Hz, which had a positive effect on the user's eyes, reducing the load. However, it is believed that a beam of light from a CRT, attacking the screen, also attacked the eyesight of many people, which led to a rapid deterioration in their health indicators. Due to bulkiness, high power consumption, a negative impact on the eyesight of users, and also because of the small size of the screen, liquid crystal matrices (LCDs) were developed to replace them. LCD displays reduced power consumption by 60 percent compared to CRTs, had significantly less weight and dimensions, as well as the correct backlight, which scattered around the sides of the screen, and did not hit directly into the eyes. Modern models of such monitors have a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and viewing angles of up to 178 degrees. However, here everything depends on the type of matrix.

Matrix TN or IPS?

Whether it's a laptop monitor, computer or portable device, it uses a special matrix of liquid crystals. There are only three main technologies for their production (not counting subspecies):

TN+Film - Twisted Nematic + film.
IPS - Image Packaging System.
VA - vertical alignment.

Considering that a monitor is a device for displaying the result of work, it is important to understand that different types of work will look and be perceived differently on monitors with different matrices.

TN+Film technology has ubiquitous use and is leading the way for years to come. Its main advantage is the low cost of production, which is a very important factor in the competitive struggle of manufacturers. However, it has small viewing angles and sharply loses color when viewed from the side. The response speed of such matrices can be in the range of 2-8 ms.

IPS technology appeared later and was intended to become a professional matrix for the most accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles. No sooner said than done. The matrix really turned out to be excellent: the colors are juicy, conveying reality as much as possible, and the angles are almost up to 180 degrees, and the high speed of the matrix. But the cost of monitors with this technology is much higher than that of the competitor TN + Film. Therefore, not every buyer will spend extra money just to watch movies of dubious quality and flip pages on the Internet. IPS is really for enthusiasts who want to get the most accurate correspondence to reality. They are commonly used by designers, engineers and gamers.

Key monitor manufacturers: Dell, LG, Samsung and Acer - install both TN and IPS matrices on their devices. There is plenty to choose from a decent monitor. Their price usually ranges from 4 to 120 thousand rubles.

VA matrix

The Samsung monitor is made in the best traditions of the Korean manufacturer, using its development - the VA matrix. It outperforms TN technology in delivering deep blacks, but loses in response speed. This monitor has won a lot of fans. Its price is 20-30 percent lower than that of IPS, so for cinephiles it will be an excellent option with good color reproduction.

Why you need a matrix response speed

Another characteristic of the monitor is the response speed of the display matrix. It shows how quickly a single pixel can change its brightness after a user input. Modern models of monitors from any manufacturer cope with this task in 2-15 milliseconds. The fastest matrices are usually used on gaming monitors and devices for displaying video editing results. Slow ones, in turn, are usually professional artistic, design or engineering devices. For them, the maximum image quality is important, not the output speed.

The monitor driver can also play an important role in the response speed of the matrix, so the developers try to optimize the software component of the devices as much as possible.

Resolution is constantly increasing

From year to year, one can observe how the computing power of computers is increasing. This leads to the development and creation of better content materials with better clarity and higher resolution. To reproduce them, new monitor matrices with a higher resolution are being created. The new improved monitor is selling like hot cakes. Inches may not be added there, but the pixel density and image clarity are for sure. At the moment, the main permission standards are:

HD Ready.
FullHD.
UltraHD.

Does size matter?

When choosing a monitor, the question always arises of how it will be used. If it’s just like a machine for the Internet, then the screen can be small, and if it’s for playing movies or computer games, then it’s advisable to take a larger device. Will it be a Samsung, Dell, LG or Acer monitor - it does not matter at all when you choose it according to its characteristics. Therefore, here it is only important what function it will perform, based on this, and the size is selected. Yes, he is important.

Why is the monitor no longer square?

One often hears from conservative users that the monitor should be square, as before, since new monitors stretch the image. Indeed, before they were almost square and had an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 5:4. But in the photo, video and computer game industry, all developers agreed that such a format is not capable of showing a wide picture close to the view of the human eye. Therefore, a wide format was created with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 16:10. Now these formats are widely used in the production of monitors, televisions, as well as in digital quality television broadcasts. So if the monitor driver is installed correctly, then there will definitely be no problems with stretching the picture.

What are the designs of the monitor case

Based on the tasks set, monitors can have different cases and mounts, which allows you to equip both individual workstations with one image output device, and entire stands with dozens of them.

It often happens that it is difficult to decide how to connect the monitor in one place or another, since, for example, at a plant or factory there are specially designated places where a new one is installed to replace the old equipment. In these cases, manufacturer-specific enclosures or special mountings are suitable. If the proposed options are not suitable, you can always conclude a contract for the manufacture of the case and monitor mounting according to your own standards.

Monitor Care Guidelines

It is important for a CRT monitor to be dust-free and not exposed to high/low temperatures and moisture.

Liquid crystal displays need more "gentle" care, since even careless strong pressure on the display can lead to its unusability. Therefore, for wiping dust, it is advisable to use special sprays and microfiber cloths or wet wipes designed specifically for these types of screens. As in the case of CRT screens, it is necessary to eliminate the influence of negative external factors.

Essay

In the discipline "Computer technology and programming"

topic “Types of monitors. Their main characteristics.”

Monitor Specifications

Screen working area size

CRT screen curvature radius

mask type

Screen coating

Weight and dimensions

Rotation angles

Power consumption

Dot pitch

Permissible viewing angles

Dead spots

Supported Permissions

Main types of monitors. Their main characteristics

What is a monitor

A monitor is a device for displaying textual and graphical information. The monitor is monochrome (i.e. two-color) and color. The monitor can work in two modes: text and graphic.

In text mode, the monitor (ego screen) is conditionally divided into separate sections - familiarity, most often into twenty-five lines of eighty positions. One of two hundred and fifty six predefined characters can be displayed in each familiarity - uppercase and lowercase Latin letters or Cyrillic, numbers, special characters and pseudographics. If the monitor is color, then each familiarity can be assigned a specific background color and symbol. Graphics mode - designed to display graphs, drawings, etc. on the monitor. In addition, you can display any inscriptions with an arbitrary font and letter size. In graphics mode, the monitor, its screen consists of dots (called pixels), each of which can have its own color. The maximum number of dots vertically and horizontally is called the resolution that the monitor has in this mode. Also important is the number of colors that you can work with at the same time. Depending on the technical features that the monitor has and the video card, there are currently three main graphics modes:

In order for the monitor to work in the specified mode, the computer must have a video card with sufficient video memory. In addition, not all programs can work in modern SVGA mode, and then only if special drivers are available.

The monitor has different screen sizes. There are 14-inch, 17-inch, 19-inch and 21-inch monitors. This number indicates the diagonal size of the screen. The second important characteristic that the monitor has is the pixel (grain) size: 0.25, 0.26, 0.28 and 0.31 mm. The smaller the size, the better. The optimal size in terms of price / quality is 0.26 - 0.28 mm. It is better not to use a monitor with larger grain sizes, because. eyes are very tired during work. The monitor can be flat (liquid crystal or plasma technology) or in the form of a box. The flat monitor is becoming more and more popular due to its compactness.

Monitor Specifications

The monitor is an integral part of computer hardware. As a rule, monitors, as a segment of the computer market, do not fall in price as quickly as other equipment. Therefore, users update monitors much less often. Therefore, choosing a quality product is of great importance when buying a new monitor. Next, we will look at the most important characteristics and quality indicators of monitors.

Physical characteristics of monitors

Screen working area size

Screen size is the diagonal size from one corner of the screen to the other. For LCD monitors, the nominal size of the screen diagonal is equal to the apparent size, but for CRT monitors, the visible size is always smaller.

Monitor manufacturers, in addition to providing information about the physical dimensions of the kinescopes, also provide information about the dimensions of the visible part of the screen. The physical size of a kinescope is the outer size of the tube. Since the kinescope is enclosed in a plastic case, the visible size of the screen is slightly smaller than its physical size. So, for example, for a 14-inch model (theoretical diagonal length is 35.56 cm), the useful diagonal size is 33.3-33.8 cm, depending on the specific model, and the actual diagonal length of 21-inch devices (53.34 cm) ranges from 49.7 to 51 cm (see Table 1).

Table 1. Typical values of the apparent diagonal size and screen area of the monitor.

Table 2 shows the change in screen area with a change in diagonal size. The rows show how much smaller the screen area of a given type size is compared to larger screens, and the columns show how much more screen area a given type size is compared to smaller screens. For example, the screen area of a 20-inch monitor is 85.7% larger than that of a 15-inch model, but 9.8% smaller than the screen area of a 21-inch monitor.

Spherical screens have a convex surface and all pixels (dots) are at an equal distance from the electron gun. Such CRTs are not expensive, the image displayed on them is not of very high quality. Currently used only in the cheapest monitors.

The cylindrical screen is a sector of a cylinder: flat vertically and rounded horizontally. The advantage of such a screen is greater brightness compared to conventional flat screen monitors and less glare. The main trademarks are Trinitron and Diamondtron. Flat screens (Flat Square Tube) are the most promising. Installed in the most advanced models of monitors. Some kinescopes of this type are not actually flat, but due to the very large radius of curvature (80 m vertically, 50 m horizontally) they look really flat (this is, for example, Sony's FD Trinitron kinescope).

There are three types of mask: a) shadow mask; b) aperture grille; c) slit mask. Read more on the next page.

Important parameters of the kinescope are the reflective and protective properties of its surface. If the screen surface is not processed in any way, then it will reflect all objects behind the user's back, as well as himself. This does not contribute to the comfort of work. In addition, the flux of secondary radiation that occurs when electrons hit the phosphor can adversely affect human health.

Figure 2 shows the structure of the kinescope coating (using the DiamondTron kinescope manufactured by Mitsubishi as an example). The uneven top layer is designed to combat reflections. The datasheet for a monitor usually states what percentage of the incident light is reflected (for example, 40%). A layer with different refractive properties further reduces reflection from the screen glass. The most common and affordable type of anti-reflective screen treatment is silicon dioxide coating. This chemical compound is embedded into the screen surface in a thin layer. If you place a silica-treated screen under a microscope, you can see a rough, uneven surface that reflects light rays off the surface at various angles, eliminating glare on the screen. Anti-reflective coating helps to perceive information from the screen without strain, facilitating this process even in good lighting conditions. Most of the patented protective coatings against reflections and glare are based on the use of silicon dioxide. Some manufacturers of kinescopes also add chemical compounds to the coating that act as antistatic agents. The most advanced screen processing methods use multi-layer coatings of various types of chemical compounds to improve image quality. The coating should reflect only external light from the screen. It should not affect the brightness of the screen and the clarity of the image, which is achieved with the optimal amount of silicon dioxide used to process the screen.

Anti-static coating prevents dust from entering the screen. It is provided by spraying a special chemical composition to prevent the accumulation of electrostatic charge. Anti-static coating is required by a number of safety and ergonomic standards, including MPR II and TCO.

It should also be noted that in order to protect the user from frontal radiation, the kinescope screen is made not just of glass, but of a composite vitreous material with additives of lead and other metals.

The average weight of 15-inch CRT monitors is 12-15 kg, 17-inch monitors are 15-20 kg, 19-inch monitors are 21-28 kg, 21-inch monitors are 25-34 kg. LCD monitors are much lighter - their average weight ranges from 4 to 10 kg. The large weight of plasma monitors is due to their large size, the weight of 40-42-inch panels reaches 30 kg and more. Typical dimensions of CRT monitors are shown in Table 3. The main difference between LCD monitors is their shallower depth (up to 60% reduction).

Typical dimensions of CRT monitors

Rotation angles

The position of the monitor relative to the stand must be adjustable. As a rule, tilt up and down and turn right and left are available. Sometimes the ability to lift vertically or rotate the base of the stand is also added.

CRT monitors, depending on the screen size, consume from 65 to 140 watts. In energy-saving modes, modern monitors consume on average: in sleep mode - 8.3 W, in off mode - 4.5 W (generalized data for 1260 monitors certified according to the Energy Star standard).

LCD monitors are the most economical - they consume from 25 to 70 watts, with an average of 35-40 watts.

When choosing a monitor for work in the office or for home use, one cannot help but pay attention to such a critical moment as the diagonal. Monitor resolution, manufacturer and other characteristics, of course, are no less important, but in this article we will build on this indicator.

The computer market, without exaggeration, is oversaturated with displays of various types and sizes. Therefore, it is sometimes very difficult for an ordinary user to make the right and balanced choice. Let's try to figure out how the diagonal affects the rest of the characteristics of the device, and discuss which models are better to pay attention to.

What are we looking for?

To begin with, consider the state of affairs in the modern computer market. Very often, when choosing this kind of device, the question of where exactly the monitor will be used (what diagonal we need - more on that below) does not arise with an edge. In the understanding of most users, a good device simply must be universal: you can work with it around the clock, play until late at night, comfortably surf the Internet, and watch your favorite TV shows and movies.

These desires are quite understandable, but then why on the market, instead of several universal monitors, we see a whole bunch of devices that differ from each other, well, quite a bit? The answer is quite simple - to increase sales. Agree that you will choose devices and the same diagonal monitors from a manufacturer that represents its brand with dozens of models, and not from a company whose assortment is limited to three devices, even if they are very good ones. In addition, almost any more or less significant brand is not averse to creating the illusion of choice for its future consumer.

But among all this variety, there is definitely that device and that diagonal of the monitor screen, which is considered the best in its segment. We will talk about exactly how to find them among all this heap in this article. It’s worth mentioning right away that the diagonal of the monitor is measured in inches. Some manufacturers, for some of their own, not fully understood reasons, try to measure sizes in feet, centimeters, or something else, but the international computer market stands unwaveringly on inches, as well as our article.

Monitor diagonals

The screen diagonal is one of the critical characteristics that helps to distinguish one device from another and significantly affects the price tag. In principle, it is possible and by eye. Judging by the reviews of most owners, 18.5-inch devices are considered small devices, ordinary - 19-21.5", large - 23-24", huge - 27", well, more than 30" - this is something from the area " Wow!"

Diagonal monitors (dimensions)

Let's try to somehow systematize these general data into a more or less attractive picture, where everyone can choose their own best option. We are talking about ordinary monitors that you can buy in a store, that is, they do not claim to perform any specific or super-complex tasks.

18.5-20 inches

This niche can be called budget or office. Due to the low cost, this kind of equipment is sold like hot cakes in organizations, as well as to buyers who, for some of their own, fundamental reasons, prefer small diagonal monitors (a child will do this, I just look at the photo on it, etc.) or are simply limited in resources.

21.5-24 inches

Judging by bare statistics, about a little more than half of all monitors bought this year are in this category. Of course, all creators of games, websites, videos and other content for a personal computer know about this, so most developers test their products before release on this particular group. The universal type of device in this case is an IPS / * VA monitor (diagonal 24 ").

27 inches

This is a fairly promising segment with its own nuances. If you buy an inexpensive model with such a diagonal, then at a standard working distance, which is about 70 cm from the eyes, you can see individual pixels in the image, and the overall picture will seem a bit rough. Therefore, if you are limited in funds, it is better to take a more intelligent matrix, but with a smaller size, that is, a high-quality IPS monitor (diagonal 17-24 ").

30 inches or more

This is for the most part an exclusive niche with very biting prices. The maximum diagonal of the monitor in this segment was seen in the device "Sharp" - 43 inches. Devices with such dimensions are not popular, and they cannot be called mass consumption products due to their high cost and large width. That is, the opposite edges of the monitor are out of the user's field of vision, and in order to cover the entire usable area of the device, he has to rotate his head.

Monitors are even rarer, you can even say systems where several devices are installed. They have their undeniable advantages (for example, excellent realism in games), but for the correct operation of such a far from cheap set, you just need a monster, not a computer. High technologies do not stand still, and virtual glasses and other devices come to replace such systems, allowing you to immerse yourself in virtual reality as much as possible. But nevertheless, they are not able to displace ordinary monitors (at least for now).

Best Options

Why stop at 24-27” monitors:

on a screen with a larger diagonal, much more data is available and there is no need to actively use scrolling;
massive objects (maps, complex tables, drawings, etc.) are very poorly visualized on small screens;
modern games on a large monitor have more realistic notes, because the entire visual space is occupied by the screen;
The average "life" of today's monitors is about 10-12 years, and buying an inexpensive and small device is not very practical in terms of practicality.

There are many myths that devices with a diagonal of 24 inches or more tire the nervous retina and spoil vision (the “eyes run up” effect). In fact, this is nothing more than a strange legend, because you get used to a good and large screen pretty quickly, but on the contrary - it's a horror what discomfort.

Diagonal, resolution and aspect ratio

In order to find the optimal ratio of the diagonal of the monitor to its resolution, it is necessary to take into account a number of certain factors. Most media content for personal computers, such as games, Internet resources, videos, etc., are developed for standard aspect ratios, that is, 16:9.

In addition, the developer also designs different resolutions for his products, where for a complete balance it is necessary to clearly know: what, where and how.

Monitor resolutions and video stream rate:

HD - 1368 by 768 pixels.
Full HD - 1920 by 1080 pixels.
WQ HD - 2560 by 1440 pixels.
Ultra HD - 3840 by 2160 pixels.

That is, for each diagonal you like, you need to choose your maximum screen resolution. For small devices (see the “Monitor diagonals” section), HD resolution is enough, for medium and large screens you need at least Full HD, and noble and expensive models cannot do without WQ HD resolution.

Ultra high resolution features

In general, the Ultra HD format will not become relevant for the mass consumer soon, because not so much media content is written for it. Many shoppers fall for smart marketing moves in stores, where they are presented with an ultra-detailed and vivid picture on one or another monitor in Ultra HD format. It is worth remembering that in front of you is a specially designed promotional trailer, and in everyday life (at work or in games) you will not find such Ultra-material. Therefore, the only place where you can fully appreciate all the charms of "Ultra" technologies is working with photographs, moreover, taken on high-level equipment.

And by the way, about non-standard permissions. On sale you can still find square "old men" with proportions of 5:4. Due to their distinctive features, as well as low prices, they are very convenient for working in the office with documents and text editors such as Word or Excel. But, for the reasons indicated above, they cannot be called universal.

Diagonal and grain

A grain is a unit of an image, that is, the smallest dot on a monitor. This unit directly affects the quality of the picture: the larger the grain, the more convenient it is to read small text, which is especially important for people with poor eyesight. However, the flip side of a coarse grain is a crude display of all other information. That is, smooth lines or high-resolution photographs show pixels.

The lower the graininess, the more realistic the picture looks on the monitor screen, but the small font suffers. And although this moment can be called a double-edged sword, many media content developers are trying to find a certain balance, that is, to correctly display all the information in fine grain. But in our everyday life there is still a sufficient number of programs where the work of a non-fine-grained monitor causes discomfort.

Optimal graininess relative to the screen diagonal:

0.27-0.30mm for 18.5-20 inches;
0.24-0.25mm for 21-22 inches;
0.265 mm for 23 inches;
0.27-0.28mm for 24 inches;
0.31-0.32mm for 27-28 inches;
0.14-0.18 mm for "ultra" monitors.

Many experts, along with buyers, believe that the optimal ratio of diagonal, grain and cost of the monitor is in 24-inch representatives of devices with Full HD-scan. If you wear glasses or have other vision problems, then you should not buy devices with fine or even medium grain, because you will look at system fonts or other small details of content to the point of pain in your eyes. Of course, you can change the display scale to a larger one, but then the clarity of the picture will suffer greatly and its proportions will be distorted.

Diagonal and matrix

The second most important characteristic of the monitor after the diagonal can be called a matrix. The complexity of choosing the best option is added by the variety of which more than a dozen have accumulated: TN, IPS, PLS, MVA, PVA, etc. Moreover, each of the types has some of its own distinctive characteristics and remarkable properties.

If we try to simplify this entire range, we get the following picture. TN-scans are the cheapest and fastest, but with poor viewing angles and mediocre color reproduction. Models with IPS-matrices have the most comfortable viewing angles, deep color gamut, but are distinguished by a high price tag and slow display. MVA and PVA scans best convey the depth of black and white colors, but there are certain difficulties with midtones and color balance with a slight change in viewing angle.

By and large, with all the diversity that we see in the computer market, the ideal matrix simply does not exist: each has its own fly in the ointment, as well as its own advantages.

Do not get hung up on studying and choosing the ideal type of matrix. The main attention should be paid, in addition to the screen diagonal, to viewing angles, maximum contrast and brightness, as well as color saturation. All these parameters, as a rule, are indicated in large print on the box of the device or are written in the price tag on the store counter.

The main "disease" of all modern monitors is insufficient viewing angles, that is, image distortion when the screen is rotated or tilted. This moment is especially critical for devices with a large diagonal and working on TN-matrices. Sometimes, even if you look at the screen at a right angle, the picture in the corners seems blurry, which is typical for cheap models. If you want to protect yourself from such discomfort, then it is better to stay on devices with viewing angles of at least 160 degrees vertically and 170 horizontally.

The monitor is an electronic visual display for computers. Monitor includes:

display device.
Wiring diagrams.
Frame.

The display device in modern monitors is typically a thin film transistor with a liquid crystal display, while older monitors use a cathode ray tube about the size of the screen deep.

Initially, computer monitors were used for data processing, while television receivers were used for entertainment purposes.

Since the 1980s, computers (and their monitors) have been used for both information processing and entertainment, while televisions have implemented some computer functionality. The general proportions of televisions, and then computer monitors, also changed from 4:3 to 16:9.

The first computer monitors used cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Until the early 1980s, they were known as "video terminals" and were physically connected to a computer and keyboard. The monitors were monochrome, flickering, and the image quality was poor. In 1981, IBM introduced a color graphics adapter that could display four colors at 320 by 200 pixels. In 1984, IBM introduced an advanced graphics adapter that was capable of displaying 16 colors and had a resolution of 640 x 350.

CRT are still the standard for computer monitors. CRT technology remains dominant in the PC monitor market into the new millennium, in part because it is cheaper to manufacture and offers viewing angles close to 180 degrees.

There are several technologies that have been used to implement liquid crystal displays ( LCD). Throughout the 1990s, the main use of LCD technology as computer monitors was in laptops, where the low power consumption, light weight, and small physical size of LCDs justified the higher price compared to CRTs. Typically, the same laptop was offered with an assortment of display options, at higher prices: monochrome, passive color, active-matrix color (TFT). With the growth in volume and production capacity, monochrome and passive color technologies have been eliminated from the production lines.

TFT is a variant of liquid crystal display (LCD), which is currently the dominant technology for computer monitors. The first LCDs appeared in the mid-1990s and sold at high prices. As prices have come down over the years, they have become more popular. In the 2000s, TFT LCDs gradually replaced CRTs, becoming the main technology used for computer monitors. The main advantages of LCD over CRT monitors are that LCD displays consume less power, take up much less space, and are significantly lighter. Now active matrix TFT-LCD technology also flickers less than CRT flicker, which reduces eye strain. On the other hand, CRT monitors have higher contrast, have excellent response times, have the ability to use multiple native screen resolutions, and have no noticeable flickering if the refresh rate is set high enough.

Monitor performance

Monitor performance is measured by the following parameters:

Luminance is measured in candela per square meter.
The aspect ratio is the ratio of the horizontal length to the vertical length. Monitors typically have aspect ratios of 4:3, 5:4, 16:10, and 16:9.
Image size is usually measured diagonally, but the actual width and height are more informative as they are independent of the aspect ratio.
Display resolution is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. The maximum resolution is limited by the dot pitch.
Dot pitch is the distance between subpixels of the same color in millimeters. In general, the smaller the dot size, the sharper the picture.
Frame refresh rate - how many times per second the display is refreshed (illuminated). The maximum refresh rate is limited by the response time.
Response time - the time it takes for a monitor pixel to go from active (white) to inactive (black) and back to active (white), measured in milliseconds. Lower values mean faster transitions and less visible distortion in the image.
Contrast is the ratio of the brightness of the brightest color (white) a monitor can produce to the darkest color (black).
Power consumption - measured in watts.
Color accuracy is measured in delta-E; the lower the delta-E, the more accurate the color reproduction. Delta-E less than 1 is invisible to the human eye. Delta-E of 2 to 4 is considered good and requires sensitive eyes to tell the difference.
Viewing angle is the maximum angle at which images on the monitor can be viewed without excessive image degradation. It is measured in degrees horizontally and vertically.

CRT technology

A CRT uses a vacuum glass envelope that is large (i.e., in length from the front of the screen to the back), fairly heavy, and relatively fragile. For safety's sake, the front of the screen is usually made of thick glass so as to be highly impact resistant and block most x-rays, which is very important if the CRT is being used in consumer products.

Pros:

Excellent color, wide color gamut and deep black levels. With the color gamut of a CRT, no other display can compare, except for OLED.
No native resolution; the only display technology capable of true multisyncing (displaying different resolutions at different refresh rates without the need for scaling).
There is no input delay.
No ghosting and blur when moving fast due to lack of response time, and pulse-based operation.
Allows you to use laser pointers.
Excellent viewing angle.

Minuses:

Large size and weight, especially for large screens (20-inch (51 cm), weighs about 50 pounds (23 kg)).
Relatively high power consumption with high brightness, contrast, refresh rate.
It generates a significant amount of heat during operation.
There is geometric distortion caused by variable beam travel distance, but fortunately there is almost no distortion in modern and/or high end CRT monitors.
Produces noticeable flicker at low refresh rates.
Apart from televisions, CRT monitors are generally only made in 4:3 aspect ratio (although some widescreen CRT monitors, notably Sony's GDM-FW900, do exist).
Repair maintenance presents some danger.
Color displays cannot be made smaller than 17.78 centimeters. The maximum direct display size is limited to approximately 101.60 cm due to practical and manufacturing limitations (a CRT of this size would weigh approximately 135.9 kg).

LCD technology

A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a flat screen display, electrical visual display, or video display that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals (LC). LCDs do not emit light directly.

They are widely used, including computer monitors, televisions, instrument panels, aircraft cockpit displays, signage, and more. . They are often found in consumer devices such as video players, gaming devices, watches, calculators, and phones. LCDs have replaced CRTs in most applications. They are available in a wider range of screen sizes than CRTs and plasmas, and because they do not use phosphors, they do not suffer from color fading. LCDs, however, are subject to "afterglow" effect.

LCD displays are more energy efficient and safer to recycle than CRT displays. Their low power consumption allows them to be used in battery-powered electronic equipment. This is an electronically modulated optical device of any number of segments filled with liquid crystals and lined up in front of a light source or reflector to produce images - color or monochrome. An early discovery leading to the development of LCD technology is the discovery of liquid crystals dating back to 1888. By 2008, worldwide sales of LCD televisions surpassed sales of CRT televisions.

Pros:

Very compact and lightweight.
Low energy consumption. On average, 50-70% less power than CRT monitors consume.
There are no geometric distortions.
Little or no flicker from the backlight, depending on the technology.
Not affected by screen burn-in (although a similar but less dangerous phenomenon known as "afterglow effect" is possible).
Can be made in almost any size or shape.
Theoretically, there is no limit to resolution.

Minuses:

Limited viewing angle, causing color, saturation, contrast, and brightness to change, even within the intended viewing angle, such as changes in posture.
Uneven backlighting in some monitors, resulting in a distorted brightness, especially towards the edges.
Blurring and ghosting of the image during fast movement, caused by a slow response (2-8 ms).
Only one native resolution. Displaying other resolutions either requires scaling, reduced visual quality, or 1:1 pixel display, in which the image is physically too large or does not fill the entire screen.
Constant bit depth. 8-bit S-IPS panels can display 16 million colors and have significantly better black levels, but are expensive and have slower response times.
input delay.
Dead pixels can occur either during production or during use.
Thermalization can sometimes occur where only part of the screen has warmed up and therefore appears discolored compared to the rest of the screen.
Unacceptably long response times at low temperatures.
Not all LCD displays allow you to easily replace the backlights.

Plasma monitors

Plasma monitors and screens deserve special mention, which are a type of flat-panel display used in large screens - 30 inches (76 cm) or larger. They are called "plasma" because the technology uses small cells containing electrically-charged ionized gas, also known as fluorescent lamps.

Pros:

High contrast, excellent colors and deep black levels.
Sub-millisecond (0.001ms) response time.
Minimal distortion of color, saturation, contrast and brightness.
Excellent viewing angle.
There are no geometric distortions.
Softer and less angular appearance than LCD.
High scalability.

Minuses:

A large pixel pitch, that is, either a low resolution or a large screen. Therefore, color displays are only produced in sizes over 32 inches (81 cm).
The image flickers due to the phosphor base.
The glass screen may cause glare and reflections.
High operating temperature and power consumption. LCD displays consume less power.
input delay.
Relatively large weight.
Only one native resolution. Displaying other resolutions requires video scaling, which reduces image quality at lower resolutions.
Constant bit depth. Plasma cells can only be turned on or off, resulting in a more limited color range than LCD or CRT.
May suffer from screen burn. This was a significant problem on early plasma displays, but newer models have begun to include techniques to reduce the chance of accidental burn-in.
Relatively fragile; should be transported, stored, and operated in an upright position, as the glass screen may break under its own weight if not properly supported.
During production, dead pixels may appear.

OLED technology

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is a light-emitting diode (LED) in which the emission electroluminescent film layer consists of organic compounds that emit light in response to an electric current. This layer of organic semiconductor is between two electrodes, and usually at least one of these electrodes is transparent.

Pros:

Excellent viewing angle.
Very light weight.
Excellent black level. No ghosting or blurring when moving fast due to sub-millisecond response time.
Wide gamut and vibrant colors due to lack of backlight.

Minuses:

May suffer from screen burn.
Complicated and expensive to manufacture at the present time.
Organic materials (as of 2011) decay over time, making the display unusable after a while.

Conclusion

Organic is not yet an option for businesses due to its price ($6,000 per monitor). In a conference room where you need a large screen, it is better to take a plasma one, or put a projector in general. For a manager or even a director, an LCD monitor is perfect, due to its affordable price and low harm to health. A designer who needs perfect color reproduction better not regret and put an expensive CRT. Naturally, the prices for monitors in general, for the average salary of our compatriot, are too high, so the pricing policy of a company that needs monitors is generally a very big question.

1. Monitor screen size In monitors and TVs, screen size is measured in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) diagonally. If a couple of years ago 17.19-inch monitors were in demand, now the vast majority of sales are for monitors with a diagonal of 22-24 inches. This is due to a significant reduction in prices for these monitors: in particular, prices for 19-inch LCD monitors start at $125, for 22-24-inch LCD monitors - from $175 and $225, respectively.
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2. Widescreen monitors

Monitor 4:3.................................. Monitor 16:10

Recently, almost all monitors on store shelves are sold in widescreen (horizontal and vertical aspect ratio 16:10) performance, and monitors in the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio have almost disappeared. But this has its advantages: in applications there will be no need to “hide” toolbars (thus narrowing usable space), several windows will easily fit on your display, and watching movies at home will resemble going to the cinema.
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3. Monitor matrix
In order to enjoy the achievements of civilization, it is not at all necessary to understand how this or that device works. Therefore, we will not go into technical details. Here it should be written that the type of matrix is a set of features of the impact on the liquid crystals of the monitor to obtain an image. To date, LCD monitors with three types of matrices are on sale: S-IPS, TN-film and PVA / MVA. If you are a professional photographer or designer, then we recommend that you choose a monitor with S-IPS - a matrix that provides better color reproduction and better viewing angles, but you won’t be able to buy a monitor with such a matrix for less than $ 400-550. Matrices PVA / MVA, in turn, have better contrast, and you can buy a monitor with such a matrix for at least $ 200 (20-inch LCD monitor). But do not be upset, because only a good specialist who probably knows in advance which monitor he wants to buy can feel and, therefore, evaluate these not cheap advantages. It is better for an ordinary consumer to choose a monitor with a TN-film matrix, because. this will be the most optimal in terms of price-quality ratio. In addition, many global monitor manufacturers have invested heavily in the last few years to improve the performance of monitors with this most popular matrix (90% of monitor sales) and significant results have been achieved so far.
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4. Screen resolution. What are dead pixels?
The entire LCD screen is divided into small dots (called pixels or grains) that make up the image. Naturally, the smaller the size of each dot, the better the image will be. Resolution is the number of pixels that a monitor displays vertically and horizontally. For 19-inch monitors, it should not be less than 1280x960 dots, for 22-inch monitors, no less than 1600x1050 dots, the dot size should be no more than 0.3mm, and the dot size less than 0.278 is a very good indicator.
Due to the technical characteristics of the LCD monitor, some pixels may not change color, i.e. be permanently black, white or colored. Such pixels are called "broken". The presence of three “broken” pixels is not a warranty case, therefore, before buying a monitor, ask the seller if he checks for such “broken” pixels before selling. In order to avoid misunderstandings after purchase, we strongly recommend that you check the monitor for dead pixels, because. it is not very convenient to look at 1, 2 or 3 constantly glowing dots while working or watching a movie. And remember that this is your legal right!
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5. Matrix response time
The response time of the matrix is the minimum time for which one frame can be replaced by another. The lower the response time, the better (and, accordingly, the monitor is more expensive). If this time is too long, the image will be blurred (since the monitor will not have time to change pictures). In order to choose a monitor with the necessary and sufficient response time, let's think logically: if the rate of change of pictures in a movie is 25 frames per second, then the longest acceptable response time of your monitor can be 40ms (1sec/25 frames=1000ms/25=40ms). For modern monitors with a TN-film matrix, this indicator is usually no more than 8ms (on average 5ms - and this is a very good indicator). For PVA/MVA matrices, this figure is usually no more than 25ms (this is also enough). There is also a statement that for a gaming computer, it is preferable to choose a monitor with a response time of 2ms. Of course, fast monitor response is important, but the difference between using monitors with 2ms and 5ms is quite difficult to feel.
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6. Monitor connectors

VGA DVI..........................................HDMI

The monitor can be connected to a computer via a digital (DVI) or analog (VGA input, D-Sub) input. In the second case, the conversion of the analog signal occurs due to special circuits. In the case of a digital input, a direct connection is made between the computer and the monitor without the need for conversion, which is undoubtedly better and the picture is clearer. There is another connector very rare in monitors, HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) - allows you to transmit high-definition video data and multi-channel digital audio signals. With this connector, you can easily connect any modern video device to the monitor, for example: a game console, a disc player.
The conclusion is simple: we recommend choosing a monitor with a digital DVI input.
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7. Brightness and contrast
Monitor brightness indicates the amount of light emitted from a completely white monitor screen. Contrast is defined as the ratio of the brightness of the lightest to the darkest areas. Without going into technical details, it should be said that the monitor will be as contrasting as how deep blacks can be displayed on it. We recommend that you select a monitor with a brightness between 250 and 400 cd/m2 (candell per square meter) and a contrast ratio of at least 500:1. The optimal contrast ratio lies in the range of 700:1 to 1000:1.
Almost all manufacturers and sellers also offer to buy a monitor with a declared contrast ratio of 5000:1, 8000:1 and so on. These figures are achieved artificially and have almost no effect on the quality of color reproduction. Therefore, this figure can be missed.
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8. Monitor viewing angles
Everyone knows that LCD monitors have a limited viewing angle. Depending on our position to the monitor, the image may change colors and become difficult to distinguish. If you plan to use the computer alone, then you can always adjust the position of the monitor for yourself. However, for example, viewing photos or a movie with friends may be difficult on monitors with a narrow viewing angle, so we recommend choosing a monitor with a viewing angle of at least 160 degrees vertically and horizontally.
Pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the monitor vertically and horizontally. Otherwise, even in monitors with a good viewing angle, the image will be slightly distorted. In addition, most modern LCD monitors have the ability to mount on the wall, which allows you to significantly free up your workspace. Sometimes a wall mount is included in the original package. Before buying a monitor, we recommend that you consider whether you will hang the monitor on the wall (less than 5 percent of users do this), or it is better to choose a monitor without this option and you should not overpay for this add-on (especially since you can always buy a wall mount separately)?
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9. Appearance of the monitor
As for the color of the display, we will not give any recommendations about which monitor to choose, because the design itself is a matter of taste for each of us. It should be written that most often on sale you can find LCD monitors in black and silver colors. Some models are available in white.
Sometimes also monitor buyers are interested in what is the difference between a glossy and matte surface of the monitor, and which one is better. Gloss has a brighter picture, however, any light will be reflected from such a monitor, which will not be very convenient when working, so it is preferable for working in a dark room (for example, in a computer club). But LCD monitors with a matte surface (with anti-reflective coating) have a less juicy picture, but they do not create discomfort during operation. Here is a matter of taste for everyone.
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10. Additional monitor options
Before paying attention to the presence of various add-ons in the monitor, you should carefully consider whether you are ready to overpay for it, or it is better to buy a monitor without frills. Among the additions, manufacturers usually offer USB and FireWire ports, a built-in TV tuner and speakers. The presence of USB and FireWire ports is convenient for connecting external devices (players, cameras, external drives, webcams, etc.) directly to the monitor.
Built-in TV tuner and speakers turn your monitor into a full-fledged TV. However, monitors with such an addition have drawbacks: if the acoustics break down, you will have to carry the entire monitor for repair, and it is no longer possible to update such built-in speakers. Of course, it is not a problem to carry out urgent repairs of computers and monitors today, but it is the monitor that is the part of the computer that is least subject to updating.
When buying a monitor, we recommend that you also pay attention to the warranty period provided by the manufacturer, as well as check with the seller where this monitor will be serviced (since no one is immune from monitor failure).

Monitor types

TO main types of monitors relate:

Monitors with a cathode ray tube (Cathode Ray Tube).
Liquid Crystal Display (Liquid Cristal Display)
Plasma displays
Organic LED monitors (Organic LEDs
Electroluminescent monitors (Electroluminescent displays)
Vacuum fluorescent displays.
Electrostatic emission monitors (Field emission display).

5.1)CRT monitors
The most common monitor models that have the same technology as TVs. The inner surface of the screen is coated with a phosphor. A beam of electrons from a cathode ray tube falls on a drop of phosphor, which begins to glow because of this. Standard monitors have three such drops: red, green and blue at each point of the screen. That is, in a CRT there are three electron guns for each color that can produce a beam with different intensities, and the brightness of a particular color depends on this. For beam correction electrons, a shadow mask is used. Because electron beams in a CRT are at a distance from each other, the angles of incidence of electron beams are slightly different, which gave impetus to the creation of a shadow mask in such a way that the desired beam hits the desired drop of the phosphor, and the other two are covered by the mask, i.e. the drop, as it were, is “in the shade”. It is worth noting that other types of masks are also used (aperture slit).
Screens for cathode ray tube monitors are convex And flat. The standard monitor is convex. Some models use Trinitron technology, in which the screen surface has a slight horizontal curvature, while the screen is absolutely flat vertically. On such a screen, there is less glare and improved image quality. The only downside is the high price.

5.2) LCD monitors
Thin plates, containing complex matrices of the so-called. liquid crystals. These cells are controlled on an “on-off” basis. low energy currents, which eliminates the electromagnetic radiation inherent in a CRT. The first residential complexes- Notebook PC displays were monochrome reflective, the images on their silvery screens were formed by reflected external light. Therefore, in order to read something on the screen in low light, sufficiently powerful lamps were required. Modern color screens are equipped with light filters - thin films consisting of red, green and blue blocks, which are laid between the backlight system and the LCD panel.
In liquid crystal displays glare-free flat screen and low power consumption of electrical energy (5W compared to a CRT monitor consumes 100W).
Exists three kinds liquid crystal displays:

monochrome with a passive matrix;
color with a passive matrix;
color with an active matrix.

In liquid crystal displays, a polarizing filter creates two different light waves. A light wave passes through a liquid crystal cell. Each cell has its own color. Liquid crystals are molecules that can flow like a liquid. This substance transmits light, but under the influence of an electric charge, the molecules change their orientation.
In displays on liquid crystals With passive matrix each cell is controlled by an electrical charge (voltage), which is transmitted through a transistor circuit in accordance with the arrangement of cells in the rows and columns of the screen matrix. The cell responds to an incoming voltage pulse.
On displays with active matrix each cell is equipped with a separate transistor switch. This provides a higher image brightness than passive matrix displays, since each cell is subjected to a constant, rather than a pulsed electric field. Accordingly, the active matrix consumes more energy. In addition, having a separate transistor switch for each cell complicates production, which in turn increases their price.

5.3)plasma monitors

At the moment, the most advanced technology is plasma panels ( PDP - Plasma Display Panels) , in which the effect of a gas discharge is used to obtain an image. The main manufacturers of plasma panels: Fujitsu, JVC, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Sony, Thomson.
As the advantages of plasma panels, experts call:

exclusion of the influence of external magnetic and electric fields;
no flicker. This is due to the fact that the discharge at the luminous point passes continuously, so the flickering of the image created by the plasma panel is excluded;
the largest sizes of the visible area of the screen among all other types of displays;
lower cost compared to LCD panels, especially when it comes to diagonals of the order of 40 inches and above. With a decrease in the size of displays, the situation changes - plasma panels are economically unprofitable to make a small size. The cost of a 19-inch panel will not be much cheaper than a 60-inch panel.

The operation of plasma monitors is very similar to the operation of neon lamps, which are made in the form of a tube filled with an inert gas (argon, neon, helium or xenon) of low pressure, reduced to a plasma state. On the surface of the inner side of the tube walls, microscopic electrodes are placed, forming two symmetrical matrices, to which a high-frequency voltage is applied, and on the outside this structure is covered with a phosphor layer. Under the action of this voltage, an electrical discharge occurs in the gas region adjacent to the electrode, the ultraviolet light from which illuminates the phosphor on the back wall of the panel in the range visible to a person.
In fact, each pixel, consisting of three dots of different colors, on the screen works like a regular fluorescent lamp (fluorescent lamp). Alternating columns of red, green and blue phosphors emit light directed towards the viewer through the front screen. The response time of plasma panels is sufficient for showing TV shows and movies. Panels can measure up to 50 inches diagonally while being relatively thin and light. The viewing angle range is close to that of a CRT.
In the figure, the numbers 1 and 5 indicate the electrodes, 2 and 6 - glass plates (front and back of the panel), the gap between them is approximately 0.1 mm, 3 - the discharge area, 4 - the phosphor.
IN plasma panels there is no electron gun that needs a place to control the electrons. The working gas is enclosed between two thin panels, the gap between which is 0.1 mm, and this is quite enough. Thus, the plasma panel itself is quite thin. But this does not mean that the entire monitor based on it will be very thin. The electronic part can bring the thickness of the entire device up to 10-15 centimeters. Panels can be up to 50 inches diagonal. The viewing angle range is close to that of a CRT.

5.4)LED monitors
IN organic LED monitors uses organic thin-film materials that emit light (as opposed to LEDs that absorb backlight), resulting in a wider spectrum of color vibrancy and more energy efficiency than LCD monitors. There are already prototypes of such monitors the size of a cell phone screen. Significant drawback LED technologies One problem that designers need to overcome is the chemical vulnerability of LED polymers, which limits screen life to 200 hours.
5.5)OLED monitors
EL technology (Electroluminescent, electroluminescent displays). Electroluminescent materials, such as OLEDs, emit light when an electric current is passed through them. In the past, they were used for backlighting and low density displays. But in recent years, some companies have attempted to design high-density panels for use in entertainment and computing devices. As a rule, these structures are very simple and use layers of materials that are quite thick by the standards of LCDs and semiconductor devices.
Thick layers have important advantages. Contamination does not seriously affect image quality, so display costs are significantly lower than with technologies that require clean rooms. Therefore, this technology is mainly used for the production of segmented displays and television screens.
In the near future, the likely scope of EL displays will be limited to television. If the cost of production can be achieved, this technology will successfully compete with large LCD monitors and plasma displays in the flat-panel TV market.

6. 3D monitors

7. Touch monitors

Sensor technologies, today, find their application in many different fields of activity. Most often - touch monitors are convenient where the requirements for cleanliness are increased, or when there are special working conditions, for example: high humidity. Such technologies are rapidly gaining momentum.
The touch monitor is a specially coated device that replaces the keyboard and mouse. The screen responds to touch, this allows you to work by touching the location of the necessary words and pictures. In other words, touching the touchpad is equivalent to bringing the mouse to the icon and pressing its left key. A double tap on the same place is a double click of the mouse. If you need to highlight a word, you just need to swipe your finger.
In most cases, these monitors are used for work in offices and public places. The touch interface is easy to use, so the operation of such a monitor is simple, understandable, in addition, time is saved and the probability of error is greatly reduced. With no other input device, the intuitive interface keeps the system secure from unauthorized access. The touch screen provides ease of operation with any program even for an inexperienced user.
A distinctive feature of this technique from other types of monitors is a high degree of color reproduction, a wide viewing angle and resistance to damage. The tightly sealed surface prevents dust or liquids from entering the equipment. The advantages of the touch screen are accuracy, smooth operation, easy handling and reliable response.
Touch monitors are manufactured using various technologies.