17" LCD Flat Panel Monitor Terms and Definitions
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Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of hardware we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to 17" LCD Flat Panel Monitor.
Ratings DisplayWe looked at 17-inch flat panel monitors with a resolution of 1280(H) X 1024(V) and dot pitch of 0.264mm. Generally these monitors have a color range of 16.1 to 16.7 million. Since it is difficult to find out all of the specs of a particular monitor, we compared contrast ratio, response time and brightness. The better monitors have a contrast ratio of over 500:1, a response time of less than 12ms and a brightness of around 300 cd/m2. Ergonomic Adjustments Since people spend hours in front of their monitors, it is a plus if they are adjustable. Most monitors can be tilted, but the best can also pivot, swivel and most importantly be raised or lowered. Features Beyond displaying images, monitors offer different extra features, some include integrated speakers and headphone jacks, and others offer a Kensington lock slot, USB ports or pivot technology. We also looked at power use and power saving features. Product Support Sometimes people are unfamiliar with installing hardware or are unsure what to do if errors occur. So, it is helpful if the manufacture provides good documentation as well as telephone and email support. Input DigitalIf a monitor has a digital interface such as DVI-D, it has digital as well as backwards compatibility to analog. Analog A monitor with only an analog connection is common. However, these monitors are not up to date with top technology that is both digital and analog compatible. Display Contrast RatioThis is a way of measuring dynamic range, expressed as a ratio. The ratio is found by comparing the brightness at the screen center when all the pixels are white to when the pixels are black. The contrast ratio is a good indicator as to how rich the colors will appear, generally the higher the number the better the image-whites whiter, blacks blacker. At the time of this review, an average contrast ratio is around 500:1, whereas the highest is 1400:1. Response Time, Typical (ms) There is some debate over this measurement, some manufactures measure the time it takes to change a pixel color from fully black to fully white, others measure gray-to-gray (color to another color). Sometime in 2006, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) is planning on standardizing the process and procedure used to find the response time. Brightness (cd/m^2) Brightness or luminance is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2). For the purpose of this review, we used 300 cd/m2 as the standard, anything lower is not bright enough and anything higher starts to lower the side viewing angle. Ergonomic Adjustments TiltThe monitor's ability to be tipped forward or back to change the viewing angle. Swivel The ability to turn side to side, or twist to the left or right. Height This is an especially helpful feature that allows the viewer to move the monitor up or down to the most comfortable height. Features SpeakersOften to save desk space monitors have integrated 1W or 2W speakers. Headphone Jack A headphone jack on the monitor is a convenient feature, since often the jack on the computer may be under the desk. USB 2.0 Ports These are high-speed ports that can be used to connect peripheral devices such as a video camera or burner. Only Dell offers this feature with their monitors. Kensington Lock Slot This is used to lock computer devices to help prevent theft. A monitor that has this slot is ready for a Kensington Lock, which is an extra purchase. User (OSM, OSD) Controls These are on-screen user controls, usually from the front of the monitor a menu can be accessed to adjust language, brightness, color and so on. Wall Mount Optional The monitors in this review have either a VESA 75mm or 100mm wall mount connections so an arm or wall mount bracket can be added safely. Power Power (Watts)It is always nice to save a little money on the power bill, so we looked at the wattage use of each monitor and power saving features such as stand-by. Low watt monitors are especially prudent for companies that use many monitors. Integrated Power Supply A monitor that has this still has a power cord, but does not have the large adapter. Dimensions Width (in)This is the measurement in inches across the screen. Usually a thin bezel (the plastic part around the screen) is desired, so a smaller width has a thinner bezel. Depth w/stand (in) This is the depth with the stand-the footprint so to speak. This is how much space the monitor needs on the desk. Without the stand, most flat panel monitors measure 2.5 inches or less in depth. PC PC compatible monitors work with many types of computers such as Dell, HPs, Lenovo or eMachines. MAC These monitors are compatible with Macintosh systems. Product Support Manual/ User GuideAlmost all of the manufactures we reviewed include downloadable user manuals online or include them with the product. FAQs/ Knowledge Base These are online sources of information like FAQs, which answer commonly asked questions or through a searchable knowledge base. Email/ Online Form It is helpful if users can contact technical support by email, if they have questions that their website information does not address. Telephone A manufacture that offers telephone support, offers technical support through either toll-free or other phone number. Chat/ Instant Messaging Instant help is convenient, some services offer help through online chat or an instant messaging service. Other Common Monitor Terms Active Matrix DisplayCommon in newer LCD monitors, this refers to a flat panel display in which the screen is refreshed frequently. Often it is referred to as TFT or Thin Film Transistor. Aspect Ratio This is a ratio that compares horizontal and vertical sizes, for example, a monitor that has an aspect ratio of 4:3 has a wider width than height. Bezel The plastic area around the monitor display. Display Colors or Color Depth The color variety capability, usually between 16.1 and 16.7 million colors. Dot Pitch This is a measurement that indicates the diagonal distance between like colored dots on a display screen in millimeters. Commonly this measurement is 0.264 mm, generally the lower the number the crisper the image. DVI Digital Visual Interface Flat Screen Monitor This is not the same as flat panel, this means the front of the monitor is flat, compared to older CRTs that are convex. Flat Panel Monitors These types of monitors are designed to be thin, usually less than 2.5 inches without the stand. ICM This is a type of technology that helps communicate monitor colors with other devices like printers and scanners. This technology helps maintain color consistency between various devices Native Resolution This is the optimum resolution of an LCD monitor. Plug and Play A monitor with plug and play support can be plugged in and ready to go with few installation steps. This means that the monitor can notify the operating system of it's capabilities and the operating system will automatically configure the video card to work at the best setting for the top performance. RGB Analog Red, Green, Blue analog interface. sRGB A recommended default color setting. SVGA Super Video Graphic Adapter SXGA Super Extended Graphics Array VESA Hole Configuration Usually in mm, such as 75mm or commonly 100mm, this relates the type of brackets the monitor needs to be wall or arm mounted. VGA Video Graphics Array Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) "A non-profit member organization dedicated to facilitating and promoting personal computer graphics through improved graphics standards for the benefit of the end user." Viewing Angle This attribute is related in degrees and indicates the maximum angle a monitor can be viewed without quality loss. Several people can view a monitor with a viewing angle of 160 degrees, whereas a monitor with a viewing angle of 110 degrees is adequate for one viewer. ©2003 – 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc. |
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