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Ambient Light Sensor
A light sensor at the top of the monitor gauges ambient light in the work environment and automatically adjusts the brightness of the monitor for optimum viewing. This takes away the frequent and tedious task of manually adjusting brightness on the screen; it is particularly beneficial in environments where light in the office is subject to change throughout the day.
Analog
Use dials or twist-turn knobs to alter settings, such as brightness or contrast. These settings cannot be saved for future recall but are ideal for quick access to certain functions that users like to change frequently.
Aperture Grille
Delivers increased screen clarity and sharpness with technology that employs a series of thin, closely-spaced vertical wires to isolate pixels horizontally. The pixels are separated vertically by the nature of the scan lines used to compose the image. An entire page describes the difference between aperture grille and shadow mask.
Aspect Ratio
The ratio of the width of the picture to the height. For most current monitors, this ratio is 4:3. For HDTV, the ratio will be 16:9 or 16:10.
Asset Control
Saves the time of manually tracking monitors across the network. Allows the retrieval of key asset-tracking information, such as monitor make, model, and serial number, when the monitor is used with a Compaq PC supporting Intelligent Manageability and appropriate network software. This information is especially useful for network administrators.
Auto Adjust
A special one-touch Auto Adjust button allows users to quickly set the display panel to match their preferences and provides users with excellent front-of-screen performance and minimal set up.
Auto Sync
Same as Auto Adjust.
Bandwidth
The speed, measured in megahertz, at which the data can be accepted from the CPU/graphics adapter to the monitor. A greater speed means that higher resolutions can be shown with more brightness and clarity.
Barrel Distortion
See Pincushion.
Color Convergence
Refers to how well the three (red, green, and blue) color guns intersect at each pixel. The better the guns converge, the more closely the red, green, and blue colors fall directly on top of each other, creating a sharper image. An analogy for poor convergence would be the printed colors of a comic strip page, which, when not converged, show a color "shadow" outside the lines of the drawing.
Color Temperature
Defines the whiteness of the white on the screen. Variations are measured in degrees Kelvin. Natural colors used in life-like images, such as people or landscapes, look more true to life when displayed at a color temperature of 6500K. Black text on a white page is better represented by a color temperature of 9300K.
Concealed Cable Management
Compaq monitors feature a new ergonomic design with a vertical insertion of power and signal cables into a recessed section behind the monitor, which is also neatly enclosed behind a panel. This allows the monitor to be pushed more closely up against a wall, as well as providing a tidy look to the back of the monitor. This delivers a professional appearance when the back of the monitor is in view.
Conventional Tube
This was the most popular picture tube used in monitors in the past and could be described as showing the front section of a sphere. Monitors that use a tube 15 inches in diameter or larger have now moved to flat square or other types of tubes.
DDC2B, DDC (Display Data Channel)
A technology standard defined by the VESA committee to describe communications between the host computer and the display. This channel communicates basic configuration information as well as providing a standard way of communicating advanced functionality. Several levels are defined. DDC1 is a uni-directional data channel from the monitor to the CPU, which continuously transmits certain monitor data, such as the model number, serial number and resolution. DDC2B goes a step further to allow for bi-directional communication between the CPU and the monitor. This allows the CPU to send a specific request for information to the monitor for on-demand transmission of the information. Asset Control is the feature of Compaq monitors that provides this function.
Degauss
Adjusts the monitor for changes in the surrounding magnetic field. Most monitors automatically degauss at power on. A degauss button or control provides degauss without powering down. An indication of the need to degauss is the appearance of color irregularities on the screen, which can be caused by interference from other magnetic devices placed near the monitor.
Diamondtron
A picture tube using aperture grille technology for generating the pixels on the CRT. This tube is also shaped differently from a flat square tube, in that it is flat, rather than spherical, which aids in reduction of glare from overhead lighting.
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.
Energy Star
A program established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a partnership with the computer industry to promote the introduction of energy-efficient personal computers which help reduce air pollution caused by power generation. This program was formally launched on June 17, 1993. To comply with the Energy Star guidelines, a computer system or monitor must consume less than 30 watts of power in its lowest power state.
Flat-Screen Color CRT Monitor
Color monitor which features flat screen display, rather than curved glass display. A flat screen display offers truer, more accurate and realistic images than a curved screen display and significantly reduces reflection and glare.
Flat Square
Describes the viewing surface of a cathode ray tube that is nearly flat. Flatter screens give the appearance of straighter lines, and they can aid in the reduction of glare, compared to conventional tubes. Also called full square.
Front-of-Screen Performance
Ensures outstanding image quality. Compaq establishes strict criteria for the design and manufacture of monitors. These include color convergence, focus, screen geometry and tilt (alignment of the tube with the bezel).
Full Square
See Flat Square.
Horizontal Frequency
See Scan Rate.
Invar
Type of metal used in the shadow mask that provides more consistent images over time, by reducing warping of the shadow mask when bright images are displayed.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
An LCD contains two grooved plates which are sandwiched together with liquid crystals along the top plate lining up in one direction, and those along the bottom line up in another direction. The entire panel is then "backlit" so that when light travels through the panel, it shows through the spaces between the crystals.
Mac Compatibility
The ability to offer at least one preset mode that will synchronize with a Macintosh computer.
Modes
Specific frequencies at which the monitor (and/or computer) can display text or graphical information. Most monitors today support several frequencies. This is called multifrequency or multi-scanning, and it ensures that the monitor will perform with a variety of computers and applications.
Moiré Cancellation
The cancellation or removal of an undesired optical illusion called a moiré pattern. Often perceived as flickering, a moiré pattern sometimes occurs when high-contrast line patterns (such as cross-hatching in pie graphs) are placed too close to one another.
MPR-II
Provides reduced electrostatic and electromagnetic emissions. MPR 1990, or MPR-II, is a standard defined to measure emissions from devices such as monitors.
Multiscan
The ability of a monitor to use various frequencies produced by the CPU to display the information. Most monitors today are multiscanning monitors.
Overscan
A condition that exists when a created image is larger than the visible portion of the display. Overscan helps relegate the relatively fuzzy perimeter of a CRT image to portions of the screen that are out of sight, and the overscan may disappear over time anyway. On the other hand, monitors with excessive overscan can lose icons and text at the edges of the display.
Parallelogram
Describes a shape where lines are parallel but not perpendicular.
Pincushion
Defines the straightness of the sides of the image area; also called barrel, for the convex or concave appearance of the image area.
Pincushion Balance
Describes concave and convex lines on opposite sides of the screen.
Phosphor
The material on the screen that glows in response to the signal generated by the monitor's electron guns.
Pixel
A contraction of the words "picture element," these are the basic dots on the display screen that make up the image you see.
Pixel Clock Speed
The frequency or speed at which individual pixels (picture elements) in an image are written to the screen. The higher the pixel clock speed, the less likely there will be flicker.
Refresh Rate
Measures the speed that the entire screen is rescanned. Higher frequencies reduce flicker, because they light the pixels more frequently, reducing the dimming that causes flicker; also called vertical frequency.
Resolution
In common usage, this refers to the number of pixels displayed on screen horizontally and vertically. Higher resolution means that you can see more of your image on the screen without scrolling or panning.
Rotation
Determines how well the image area lines up to the bezel; also called tilt.
Scaling
The ability of the monitor to display or scale a variety of different resolution signals to the screen while also maintaining the aspect ratio of the image.
Scan Rate
Indicates the speed, measured in kilohertz, at which a single horizontal line is drawn on the screen. Higher scan rates are needed to provide sharper, crisper images at higher resolutions; also called horizontal frequency.
Screen Parameters
Describes the appearance of the image area. More advanced monitors provide more controls to adjust the various elements of screen geometry. Elements may include Parallelogram, Pincushion distortion, Rotation, Trapezoid, and Unbalanced Pin.
Shadow Mask
Metal plate with holes through which electron gun passes beams of electrons to generate the pixels on the screen. Compaq offers a special page which explains the difference between aperture grille and shadow mask.
Stripe Pitch
A measurement of distance between the centers of two same-color stripes that make up a screen image. The closer the stripes, the smaller the stripe pitch, and the sharper the image.
TCO-95
The labeling scheme was developed as a joint effort by the TCO (The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees), Natursikyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation) and NUTEK (The National Board for Industry and Technical Development in Sweden). The requirements cover a wide range of issues: environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electrical and magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire safety.
The environmental demands concern, among other things, restrictions on the presence and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, CFCs (freons), and chlorinated solvents. The product must be prepared for recycling and the manufacturer is obliged to have an environmental plan, which must be adhered to in each country where the company implements its operational policy.
The energy requirements include a demand that the computer and/or display shall reduce its power consumption to a lower level after a certain period of inactivity, in one or more stages. The length of time to reactivate the computer shall be reasonable for the user.
Labeled products must meet strict environmental demands, for example in respect of the reduction of electric and magnetic fields, along with physical and visual ergonomics and good usability.
Thin Film Transistor (TFT)
Each pixel on the TFT screen is either "on" or "off" because the transistor for that pixel is on or off. This creates a crisp, steady display without the flicker seen in CRTs.
Tilt
See Rotation.
Tilt and Swivel
The ability for the monitor head to either move up and down (tilt) or side to side (swivel).
Trinitron™ Tube
A tube employing aperture grille technology for generating the pixels on the CRT. This tube is also shaped differently from a flat square tube, in that it is cylindrical, rather than spherical, which can aid in reduction of glare from overhead lighting.
Trapezoid
Controls parallel appearance of the sides of the image area. Improperly adjusted trapezoid appears as a pyramid shape.
USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a new connectivity standard currently being developed by Intel and all PC manufacturers. The goal is to improve Plug and Play PC expansion by providing end users optimal flexibility. Peripherals will be automatically detected and configured immediately after physical attachment. Hot attach/detach allows adding and removing peripherals at anytime without rebooting the system.
USB offers a single connector type for many uses, including devices that in the past used serial ports, parallel ports, the keyboard/mouse port, and game ports, as well as new kinds of devices. Multiple peripherals can be connected to the PC through the same connector simultaneously - modems, printers, mice, joysticks, monitors, scanners, keyboards, etc. This will reduce the requirement for PC slots, which will allow the footprint of the desktop system to eventually be reduced.
USB Hub includes a USB chipset from either Intel or Philips. The Hub allows the user to connect up to 3 or 4 USB devices to the monitor itself, such as a USB keyboard, mouse or scanner. These USB devices also obtain their power via the USB Hub. The USB Hub allows the user to 'daisy chain' up to 127 different USB devices, so you can add and delete devices without having to constantly load drivers or open the desktop.
USB is not intended to support video signals, so the user will still need to connect the monitor cable to the video port on the desktop to obtain a video connection.
Vertical Frequency
See Refresh Rate.
VESA
Video Electronic Standards Association. A group made up from the video electronics industry to review proposals and develop standards to promote uniformity and economies of scale in the video electronics industry.
Viewing Angles
The horizontal or vertical angle at which the user can view the screen image with no loss of color fidelity or image clarity.
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