Monitors
Monitors
are one of the most important components of a computer system. A sharp,
bright, well-focused image can make working pleasurable. The main component
of a monitor is the cathode ray tube (CRT). Images are created by passing
an electron beam over colored phosphors on the front of the tube.
Characteristics of monitors
Resolution
Resolution is expressed in terms of the number of pixels appearing on the
monitor. The higher the number of pixels/area the sharper the image. The
number of colors the computer and monitor can display also affect the quality
of the image. Colors ranges from 16 to 256 to thousands or millions of
colors and is determined by the computer's graphics card.
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Video Graphics Array (VGA) - 640 x 480 resolution
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Extended Graphics Array (XGA) - 1024 x 768 resolution
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Super VGA (SVGA) - 1280 x 1024 resolution
Dot Pitch
Dot pitch expresses the distance between the pixels on a monitors screen.
Closer dots represented by a lower dot pitch number generates a sharper
image i.e. 0.28 dot pitch provides sharper image than 0.31 dot pitch.
Refresh Rate
Rate at which the screen image is redrawn. Higher refresh rates eliminate
flickering on the screen.
Size
Size of the monitor is measured diagonally from one corner of the screen
to another (14,15,17,19 etc.) . Larger monitors have some advantages even
though they are more expensive. The images displayed are larger and easier
to see. There is more on-screen desktop space for more windows and documents.
Energy efficiency
Monitors should comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's "Energy
Star" guidelines. They use less than 30 watts of electricity when the monitor
is idle.
MPR II
A Swedish government standard for devices emitting low levels of radiation.