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Lesson 5: Monitors and Sound Systems

This lesson covers monitors, PC projectors, and sound systems. It discusses the main categories of monitors as CRT and flat-panel, describes how each displays images, and lists four key factors to consider when comparing monitors: size, resolution, refresh rate, and dot pitch. It also explains that PC projectors can display computer images on a large screen and sound systems include sound cards and speakers to output audio.

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Sandhya Ramya P
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37 views27 pages

Lesson 5: Monitors and Sound Systems

This lesson covers monitors, PC projectors, and sound systems. It discusses the main categories of monitors as CRT and flat-panel, describes how each displays images, and lists four key factors to consider when comparing monitors: size, resolution, refresh rate, and dot pitch. It also explains that PC projectors can display computer images on a large screen and sound systems include sound cards and speakers to output audio.

Uploaded by

Sandhya Ramya P
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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lesson 5

Monitors and Sound Systems

This lesson includes the following sections: Monitors

PC Projectors
Sound Systems

Monitors
Categories of Monitors CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitors Flat-Panel Monitors Comparing Monitors Video Controllers

Monitors - Categories of Monitors


Monitors are categorized by the technology they use:

Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors


Flat-panel displays

And by the way they display colors: Monochrome One color on a black background

Grayscale Shades of gray on a white or off-white background


Color From 16 to 16 million unique colors

Monitors - CRT Monitors


In CRT monitors, electrons are fired at phosphor dots on the screen. The dots are grouped into pixels, which glow when struck by electrons. In color CRTs, each pixel contains a red, green, and blue dot. These glow at varying intensities to produce color images.

Monitors - Flat-Panel Monitors


Most flat-panel monitors use liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. Passive matrix LCD uses a transistor for each row and column of pixels: less expensive, narrow viewing angle, submarining (animated graphics blurry) Active matrix LCD uses a transistor for each pixel on the screen: expensive, wider viewing angle, faster refresh Thin-film transistor (TFT) displays use multiple transistors for each pixel.

Flat-panel monitors take up less desk space; less radiation

Monitors - Comparing Monitors


When comparing monitors, consider four features:

Size
Resolution Refresh rate Dot pitch

Comparing Monitors - Size


A monitor's size is the diagonal measurement of its face, in inches. For years, 15" monitors (13"viewing area) were standard.

Today, 17" monitors (15" viewing area) are common.


Larger monitors are available, but can be expensive.

The diagonal size (often 15)

Comparing Monitors - Resolution


Resolution is the number of pixels on the screen, expressed as a matrix (such as 600x800). A 17" monitor offers resolutions from 640x480 up to 1280x1024.

The Video Graphics Array (VGA) standard is 640x480. Super VGA (SVGA) monitors provide resolutions of 800x600, 1024x768 or higher.

Resolution (image sharpness) is important.

(Especially for graphics, page layout, and CAD (Computer Aided Design))

Comparing Monitors - Refresh Rate


Refresh rate is the number of times each second that the electron guns scan the screen's pixels. Refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz), or cycles per second. Look for a refresh rate of 72 Hz or higher. A slower rate may cause eyestrain.

Fast scanning = Quick refresh (less flicker)

Comparing Monitors - Dot Pitch


Dot pitch is the distance between the phosphor dots that make up a single pixel. In color monitors, three dots (red, green, and blue) comprise each pixel. Look for a dot pitch no greater than .28 millimeter.

Fine dot pitch = Crisp displays

B+G

R+B

R+G
R+B+G

Phosphor Dot Color Mixing R: Red, G: Green, B: Blue

Monitors - Video Controllers


The video controller is an interface between the monitor and the CPU (Central Processing Unit). The video controller determines many aspects of a monitor's performance, such as resolution or the number of colors displayed. The video controller contains its own on-board processor and memory, called video RAM (VRAM).

Video Control Board with Monitor Cable

VRAM

Graphic intensive applications such as games require plenty of VRAM.

PC Projectors
A PC projector connects to a PC and is used to project images on a large screen. Many PC projectors provide the same resolutions and color levels as high-quality monitors.

Digital light processing (DLP) projectors use a microchip containing tiny mirrors to produce very sharp, bright images.

Projected Screen

Sound Systems
Multimedia PCs come with a sound card, speakers, and a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read-Only Memory) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive. A sound card translates digital signals into analog ones that drive the speakers. With the right software, you can use your PC to edit sounds and create special sound effects.

lesson 5 - Review
List the two most commonly used types of computer monitors. Explain how a CRT monitor displays images. Identify two types of flat-panel monitors and explain their differences. List four characteristics you should consider when comparing monitors. Explain how a computer outputs sound.

Project due Oct. 14


MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface Use MIDI to edit and play London Bridge or your favorite song. For example: Mary has a little sheep: 3212 333 222 355 3212 333 22321.

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