Don Davidson Computer |
Concerning Monitors/Displays
LCD Flat Panel Monitor
Viewing Angle
Though LCDs do not suffer from the same glare problems as curved CRTs, they become
washed-out when you shift your viewing angle. Some of the cheapest panels have less than
100-degree angles, making it difficult to gather people around your screen or even shift
your head as you reach for the phone without losing the image. Look for 160 or 180 degrees—on
19-inch or larger displays so the screen quality doesn't suffer at the edges when you are up close.
800 to 1 (or better) contrast ratio is preferred. Contrast Ratio is the difference between the whitest white and the darkest black colors the display can show. The greater the contrast, the better the screen and the subtlety of colors it can display.
Monitor Examples
Mid Range
22″ - Samsung T220
The Samsung T220 is a nice panel that not only displays a really sweet image, it also looks good in any setting.
* Display Type: Widescreen LCD
* Pixel Pitch: 0.258 mm
* Input Video Signal: DVI-D/VGA
* Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 20000:1
* Brightness: 300 cd/m²
* Response Time: 2 ms
* Horizontal Viewing Angle: 170 degrees
* Vertical Viewing Angle: 160 degrees
* Maximum Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Money to burn?
30″ - Dell UltraSharp 3008WFP - New!
Monitors don’t come much better (or more expensive) than the Dell UltraSharp
* 2560 x 1600 Native Resolution
* 3000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
* TrueHD 1080 with an integrated HDMI connection
* Seven connection options: VGA, DVI-D with HDCP, HDMI, S-Video, Component, Composite and DisplayPort
If you don’t have the desk space for a dual-panel setup then this might be the solution for you.
How to move an
off-screen window back to your main monitor
If you turn off or unplug a secondary monitor while XP is running and there's an
application window that was displayed on the secondary monitor, you may wonder
how to get it back to the main screen. Here's the secret:
Pitch / Type
Pitch, as measured in millimeters, and pitch type are specified for each model.
Pitch
Pitch refers to distance between pixels, also referred to as dots, or vertical wires on
the screen, depending on type of pitch used as a basis for measurement. For models
featuring Shadow Mask (SM) technology, dot pitch or horizontal dot pitch (where
applicable), was used as a basis for measurement. For models featuring Aperture Grille
Pitch (AG) technology, aperture grille pitch was used as a basis of measurement.
Dot Pitch (also referred to as Trio Dot Pitch or "True" Dot Pitch)
A measurement of distance between the centers of two same-color phosphor dots on the
screen. The closer the dots, the smaller the dot pitch, and the sharper the image.
Horizontal Dot Pitch
Horizontal Dot Pitch is the least amount of distance between the centers of two same-color
phosphor dots on the screen. Dots used in this measurement do not exist on the same plane,
but are in closest proximity to one another on the screen. Horizontal Dot Pitch equates to
less distance between dots as compared to Trio Dot Pitch or true dot pitch. The closer the
dots, the smaller the dot pitch, and the sharper the image.
Aperture Grille Pitch
Pitch as a measurement between two same-color phosphor vertical wires, rather than dots on
the screen. The closer the vertical wires, the smaller the aperture grille pitch, and the
sharper the image.
Shadow Mask (SM)
Shadow Mask is traditional dot pitch technology, which uses a metal plate with holes
through which an electron gun passes beams of electrons to generate the pixels or dots on
the screen to create the image you see.
Aperture Grille Pitch (AG)
Aperture Grille Pitch technology delivers more screen clarity and brightness than CRTs
featuring traditional dot pitch technology, by using a series of thin, closely-spaced
vertical wires to isolate pixels or dots, horizontally and vertically, on the screen to
create the image you see.
Brightness (typical) / Contrast (typical)
Brightness (typical) and Contrast (typical) are specified for each Flat Panel monitor,
which features a Liquid Crystal Display ( LCD) and uses a backlight to provide varying
levels of brightness and contrast.
Brightness (typical)
Brightness is quality of the amount of radiating light emitted from the screen. The
brightness rating is measured in candelas per square meter, commonly known as 'nits'. The
greater the number of nits, the brighter the display.
Brightness may be adjusted to improve image quality and increase viewing comfort. This
feature is particularly useful in computing environments, which maintain very high or very
low levels of lighting or where light levels vary.
Contrast (typical)
Contrast is the magnitude of the brightness differences viewed on screen. The contrast
measurement is provided as a ratio. High contrast ratios are needed to offset bright
displays to ensure color fidelity and superior gray scaling.
Contrast may be customized to improve image clarity and focus, as the lighter and darker
areas become more apparent.
Viewing Angle (Horizontal / Vertical)
Horizontal and vertical viewing angles, as measured in degrees, are specified for each
Flat Panel monitor.
Viewing angles contribute to full-screen readability. Wide viewing angles prevent users
from having to move their head from left to right or up and down to see all information
displayed on screen. Wide viewing angles are especially important for big (greater than 15
inches) Flat Panel monitors featuring LCD displays.
Max Resolution
Refers to the number of pixels displayed on the screen horizontally and vertically
respectively. Higher resolution means you can see more of the image on the screen without
scrolling or panning.
Max Refresh Rate
Measures the speed at which the entire screen is rescanned. Higher frequencies reduce
flicker, because they light the pixels more frequently, thereby reducing the dimming that
causes flicker. Flicker-free images reduce eyestrain to enhance comfort and productivity.
