Cool Computer Monitor Facts For Your Next Major Monitor Purchase

The technology and sizes of computer monitors vary depending on manufacturer and model.

As LCD monitors have small sizes, high quality, and low prices, it has left the CRT monitors behind. OLED monitors, however, are more expensive.

As an output device, a computer monitor displays information either in text or pictorial form. Generally, a monitor has a power supply, a visual display, a casing, and some circuitry.

A modern monitor's display device is usually a TFT-LCD, or thin-film transistor liquid crystal display, containing LED backlighting that replaced the backlighting of CCFL, or cold cathode fluorescent lamp. Previous versions of the monitor made use of plasma displays and a CRT or cathode ray tube.

Monitors and computers are connected through DVI or digital visual interface, VGA or video graphics, DisplayPort, HDMI, or other holding signals and connectors. Computer monitors were first used for data processing whereas TV sets were used for the purpose of entertainment.

Since the '80s, computers, and monitors have been used for entertainment and data processing. TV sets also have been equipped with computer functionality.

General Monitor Description

The general monitor - computer monitors - are hardware components of a computer that display graphics and video information on the monitor screen through the video card of the connected computer.

Computer monitors are quite identical to televisions, but the display information has a higher resolution. Also, computer monitors sits on top of a desk, unlike wall-mounted televisions.

The usual aspect ratio of computer monitors and television has been updated from 4:3 to 16:10, and to 16:9. Sometimes a computer monitor is referred to as a display, screen, video display terminal, video display, video screen, or video display unit.

Desktop computer monitors are connected to the motherboard or video card of the computer. Although a monitor sits outside the primary computer housing, it is a vital part of the system.

It is also essential to distinguish between the actual computer and monitor, particularly on a desktop system.

Shutting off the actual computer is not the same as switching off the computer's monitor. The components of the computer like video cards and hard drives are located within the computer case.

However, it is different for new technologies like netbooks, tablets, laptops, and all-in-one desktop computers. You can also buy a separate monitor to upgrade your current monitor or build a multi-monitor setup.

There are two main CRT monitors and LCD monitors. Cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors are similar to old-fashioned televisions and are deep in size.

CRT monitors use an electron gun inside a vacuum tube that forces electrons towards the fluorescent screen. Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors have improved graphics, are thinner and use less amount of energy.

OLED is another kind of monitor and an improvised version of the LCD monitor that provides better viewing angles and color, using more power. These new types of display are a lot more energy-efficient and do not occupy as much space.

Signs Of A Malfunctioning Monitor

Signs of malfunctioning monitors are dim mages, blinking images, flickering images, image distortion, image jitter, and monitor noise.

The major measurements for display devices like monitors are the diagonal, height, width, and total area. The display size is given by diagonal length by manufacturers, which is the distance from one corner of the screen to the other.

This measurement method was inherited from the approach used for the first generation of cathode-ray tube television when circular-faced picture tubes were used. The external diameter of this circular glass envelope described the size.

As rectangular images were displayed on circular tubes, the diagonal length of this image was smaller compared to the diameter of the face of the tube.

So, when CRTs were manufactured in the shape of rounded rectangles, this method continued. The advantage was that the size was specified in a single number and did not confuse anyone with a universal aspect ratio of 4:3.

Flickering occurs when the monitor displays pictures by flashing them on the screen several times per second. However, this typically occurs so fast that our eyes do not notice.

If you are able to notice the flicker then it could be due to a bad refresh rate built on the operating system. You can adjust the refresh rate setting on the system to rule out any graphic card or configuration issues.

One more way to confirm that your monitor is indeed flickering is by connecting it to any other computer. After many years, both LCD monitor and CRT monitor displays become dim. LCD monitor illuminated the screen using a blacklight panel.

CRTs shoot electrons onto the CRT computer monitor. If your monitor has a dim display, it means that the blacklight panel or CRT is burned or you may have forgotten to increase the brightness.

Pixel is a tiny dot that changes its color on the monitor screen and pixels provide the colors to the display. Dead pixels appear only on LCD technology monitors and are either stuck in one color or do not light up.

For a particular percentage of dead pixels, monitor warranties cover the cost. Many dead pixels are either due to bad manufacturing or failing hardware. Internal circuits of old monitors are starting to fail and display different colors.

Usually, you can turn off the monitor and turn it back on and it will be solved. If circuits are completely burned then the problem will persist. Black screen, no power, and image distortion are also signs of failing hardware.

The CRT technology experiences an issue called screen burn. When an image is left for too long on your CRT display, it gets burnt onto the monitor.

Proper Care For Your Computer Monitor

Proper care for your computer monitor is cleaning the display screen, using screen savers, not touching the screen, reading the manual, and avoiding high humidity and temperatures.

Some parameters measure the performance of your monitor. Display geometry consists of parameters like aspect ratio, the radius of curvature, and viewable image size.

Display resolution is impacted by pixel density and dot pitch. Some color characteristics that define your monitor's performance are contrast ratio, luminance, color accuracy, color depth, gamut, and viewing angle. There are also other features of the monitor's performance like input latency, refresh rate, response time, and power consumption.

Monitors have air vents on the sides or top parts. Make sure to keep the vents always open. Either use a vacuum cleaner or brush to get rid of grime, dust, or dirt.

Make sure to use a good surge protector. Switching your monitor on and off frequently will impact its functionality.

Make sure to place your monitor in a safe place. The monitor desk must be stable and keep all the cables out of the way. Also, never place a glass of water or food close to the monitor.

The Modern Computer Monitor

Modern computer monitors are mainly based on liquid crystal displays. The display devices in the modern computer monitors are usually LCD that has LED backlight.

In the '90s, the LCD monitors got cheaper, faster to refresh, and more vibrant colors. This display technology became a favorite for laptop computers, eventually making its way into desktops and televisions.

The LCD monitors have outsold the CRT monitors since 2007 and continue to do so. Currently, an improvement underway includes 3D support. Well, most 3D screens require 3D glasses, but developers are working on glass and stereoscopic alternatives.

There are disadvantages to CRT monitors. Although in small amounts, the CRT monitors emit X-ray radiation. CRT monitors store electric charge even when it has no power input.

So, dismantling it or breaking the CRT monitor without training can produce severe electric shocks. If the vacuum tube is punctured, it produces an implosion, spraying glass shards all over the place. CRT monitors have toxic elements, like mercury that will leak if your monitor breaks.

The usual usage range of LCD monitors is around 30,000-60,000 hours. LCDs will display some wearing off as powerful lamps generate them. LCD flat-panel monitors were developed around the '60s.

LED monitors have the latest screen technology. LED is similar to LCD but has a different kind of technology. LCD monitors use low voltage and require low power. The construction of LCD is also simple.

The LCD material is placed in between two glass plates. In some new LCD monitor designs, a glossy finish has replaced the anti-glare matte screens. This feature increases the sharpness and color saturation, however, reflects a lot of light from windows and light sources.