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Lesson 5: Monitors and Sound Systems

This document discusses different types of computer monitors, including CRT and flat panel displays, and how to compare monitors based on size, resolution, refresh rate, and dot pitch. It also covers PC projectors for displaying images on a large screen and sound systems, which use a sound card and speakers to output digital audio signals from the computer as analog sound. Video controllers manage the interface between the monitor and CPU to determine display aspects like resolution and color levels.

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Kobina
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32 views

Lesson 5: Monitors and Sound Systems

This document discusses different types of computer monitors, including CRT and flat panel displays, and how to compare monitors based on size, resolution, refresh rate, and dot pitch. It also covers PC projectors for displaying images on a large screen and sound systems, which use a sound card and speakers to output digital audio signals from the computer as analog sound. Video controllers manage the interface between the monitor and CPU to determine display aspects like resolution and color levels.

Uploaded by

Kobina
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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 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.

• Active matrix LCD uses a transistor for each pixel on


the screen.

• Thin-film transistor displays use multiple transistors


for each pixel.
Flat-panel monitors take up less desk space.
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)


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


Monitors - Video Controllers

• The video controller is an interface between the


monitor and the CPU.

• 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 or DVD 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.


 

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