All About LCD Monitor
LCD MONITORS
About LCD Monitors
First discovered in 1888, liquid crystals are liquid chemicals whose molecules can be aligned precisely when subjected to electrical fields--much in the way metal shavings line up in the field of a magnet. When properly aligned, the liquid crystals allow light to pass through. 'LCD' stands for Liquid Crystal Display, referring to the technology behind these popular flat panel monitors. LCD displays were used on laptop computers before the technology improved enough to make the jump to desktop monitors.
An LCD monitor consists of five layers: a back light, a sheet of polarized glass, a 'mask' of colored pixels, a layer of liquid crystal solution responsive to a wired grid of x, y coordinates, and a second polarized sheet of glass. By manipulating the orientations of crystals through precise electrical charges of varying degrees and voltages, the crystals act like tiny shutters, opening or closing in response to the stimulus, thereby allowing degrees of light that have passed through specific colored pixels to illuminate the screen, creating a picture. As LCD technology evolves, different techniques for producing color emerge. Active-matrix or TFT (thin film transistor) technology produces color and images as sharp as any CRTs (cathode ray tubes) and is generally considered superior to passive-matrix technologies.
Previous LCD technologies were slower, less efficient, and provided lower contrast. The oldest of the matrix technologies, passive-matrix, offers sharp text but leaves ghost images on the screen when the display changes rapidly, making it less than optimal for motion video. Today, most black-and-white palmtops, pagers, and mobile phones use passive-matrix LCDs.
Distinguishing between LCD & CRT Monitors
LCD monitors has certainly opened up the PC monitor market. LCD monitors offer bigger sizes, better resolutions and affordable price points at certain sizes compared to the old clunky CRT monitors. LCD monitors are also more environmentally friendly compared to CRT monitors that contain many harmful chemicals or substances. LCD monitors also have one significant advantage over CRT monitors; they emit less heat compared to CRTs.
below shows the main factors differentiating 'LCD' and 'CRT' displays:
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Compact
Lightweight
Low power (c.20W)
Perfectly sharp
Perfect image geome
Consistent' tonal scale
Excellent text contrast
Do not normally flicker
Contrast/Color change with viewing angle
Poor black on dark images
May cause motion-blur
Peak brightness limited by back-light
Photos/videos can appear 'flat'
May have or develop 'stuck' pixels
Fixed inherent resolution
Maturing technology; cost falling
Native interface would be digital
Image can be sub-optimal with analog interface
(CRT) Cathode-Ray Tube display
Bulky
Heavy
High power (c.150W)
Limited sharpness; tend to blur more at high brightness, and with age
Tend to suffer from geometric distortions, which may be picture (brightness) dependent, and worsen with age brightness, and with age
Strong bright areas can cause other regions of the picture to dim
Poor text contrast (bandwidth limited)
Inherently flicker (although peoples sensitivity varies)
Consistent image irrespective of viewing angle
Good blacks (quality monitor, properly adjusted)
Usually portray motion well
Very high (small area) peak brightness possible
Gives 'sparkle' and 'life' to movies/video/photos
Not pixel-based, no problem
Support multiple resolutions equally well
Mature technology; cheap
Naturally suited to analog interface
About Viewing Angles of LCD Monitors
LCD's produce their image by having a film that when a current runs through the pixel, it turns on that shade of color. The problem with the LCD film is that this color can only be accurately represented when viewed straight on. The further away from a perpendicular viewing angle, the color will tend to wash out. The LCD monitors are generally rated for their visible viewing angle for both horizontal and vertical. This is rated in degrees and is the arc of a semicircle whose center is at the perpendicular to the screen. A theoretical viewing angle of 180 degrees would mean that it is fully visible from any angle in front of the screen. A higher viewing angle is preferred over a lower angle unless you happen to want some security with your screen. Note that the viewing angles still may not translate fully to a good quality image but one that is viewable.
Contrast Ratio
Contrast ratios are a big marketing tool by the manufacturers and one that is not easy for consumers to grasp. Essentially, this is the measurement of the difference in brightness from the darkest to brightest portion on the screen. The problem is that this measurement will vary throughout the screen. This is due to the slight variations in the lighting behind the panel. Manufacturers will use the highest contrast ratio they can find on a screen, so it is very deceptive. Basically a higher contrast ratio will mean that the screen will tend to have deeper blacks and brighter whites.
Most LCD panels have an analog and a digital connector on them. The analog connector is the VGA (Video Graphics Array) or DSUB-15. HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) is now becoming the most common digital connector thanks to its adoption in HDTVs. DVI (digital video/visual interface) was previously most popular computer digital interface. Display Port and its mini version are now becoming more popular for high end graphics displays. Thunderbolt is Apple and Intel's new connector that is fully compatible with the Display Port standards.
Stands
Many people don't consider the stand when purchasing a monitor but it can make a huge difference. There are typically four different types of adjustment: height, tilt, swivel and pivot. Many less expensive monitors only feature the tilt adjustment. Height, tilt and swivel are generally the critical types of adjustments allowing for the greatest flexibility when using the monitor in the most ergonomic fashion.
Tips for Cleaning LCD Monitor
The surface of LCD monitor, unlike the CRTs that is made of glass, is made of plastic-like material. Cleaning your flat-screens will only take you a few minutes, but will require special care to avoid any damage.
First, we have to unplug the monitor before attending to it.
Use dry soft cloth, the ones used in cleaning eyeglasses to clean the surface.
Gently wipe the surface from left to right. Do this very gently.
Do not apply any pressure to the screen.
If the dirt doesn't come off, you can dampen the cloth but not too much (Use distilled water or a solution of equal ratio of white vinegar and distilled water).
LCD Monitors has found a large number of users who have appreciated the quality of this product. We hope the information provided by us about LCD Monitors help you choose a better one to your home or your work place. The Market Giant website is the industry's most reliable and economical online source for qualitative products and thus been a known name for offering products. Do mail us to know more or contact us at;
The Market Giant
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Suite 26 G,
Chicago, IL 60610,
USA.
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