Lesson 3: A Monitor
The computer monitor is an output device that displays input on a screen and is very similar to a television monitor. When the computer wants to display something, it calculates how it needs to change the color and brightness of the different pixels, and changes the values in the video memory.
▪ Controls for the monitor are located on the monitor itself. The monitor has an ON/OFF Button/Switch (which powers only the monitor) and an indicator light (green or amber).
▪ A green indicator light denotes that the monitor is on.
▪ An amber light indicates that the computer is in “sleep” mode. Software in newer computers automatically shuts the monitor down when the computer is shut down--the monitor is put in a “sleep” mode and the indicator light turns amber. When the monitor light is amber, if the computer is booted up, the monitor will automatically come on when you move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.
▪ No indicator light indicates that the monitor is off. If you turn your monitor off with the switch, there will be no indicator light. When you boot up your computer, you will have to turn the monitor on by pressing the ON/OFF switch.
Monitor Resolution refers to the number of dots on the screen or pixels. It is expressed as a pair of numbers that give the number of dots on a line (horizontal) and the number of lines (vertical). Four resolutions commonly used today:
▪ 640 x 480 PIXELS (VGA) (SVGA) -- images are larger for visually impaired students.
▪ 800 x 600 PIXELS (SVGA) – most web sites are designed to be viewed at this setting.
▪ 1024 x 768 PIXELS (SVGA)
▪ 1280 x 1024 PIXELS (SVGA)-- images are smaller, but more information can be displayed.
The smaller the pixels, the clearer and sharper the picture appears on the monitor. Most monitors come with a .28 dot pitch. This is the standard for monitors. Do not buy a monitor if the dot pitch is more than .28. The smaller the dot pitch, the better the monitor.
▪ Controls for the monitor are located on the monitor itself. The monitor has an ON/OFF Button/Switch (which powers only the monitor) and an indicator light (green or amber).
▪ A green indicator light denotes that the monitor is on.
▪ An amber light indicates that the computer is in “sleep” mode. Software in newer computers automatically shuts the monitor down when the computer is shut down--the monitor is put in a “sleep” mode and the indicator light turns amber. When the monitor light is amber, if the computer is booted up, the monitor will automatically come on when you move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.
▪ No indicator light indicates that the monitor is off. If you turn your monitor off with the switch, there will be no indicator light. When you boot up your computer, you will have to turn the monitor on by pressing the ON/OFF switch.
Monitor Resolution refers to the number of dots on the screen or pixels. It is expressed as a pair of numbers that give the number of dots on a line (horizontal) and the number of lines (vertical). Four resolutions commonly used today:
▪ 640 x 480 PIXELS (VGA) (SVGA) -- images are larger for visually impaired students.
▪ 800 x 600 PIXELS (SVGA) – most web sites are designed to be viewed at this setting.
▪ 1024 x 768 PIXELS (SVGA)
▪ 1280 x 1024 PIXELS (SVGA)-- images are smaller, but more information can be displayed.
The smaller the pixels, the clearer and sharper the picture appears on the monitor. Most monitors come with a .28 dot pitch. This is the standard for monitors. Do not buy a monitor if the dot pitch is more than .28. The smaller the dot pitch, the better the monitor.
Posted by SENG CHANRA.
Edited by NY Sun.
Information Quoted by:
Edited by NY Sun.
Information Quoted by:
- Lafayette Parish School System Instructional Technology Department (www.lft.k12.la.us/handouts)
- Dell (www.dell.com)
- Intel (www.intel.com)
- MaranGraphics (http://www.maran.com/dictionary/)
- PCGuide (http://www.pcguide.com)