Monitor Definition (computing)

1. In hardware, a monitor is an output peripheral that displays information graphically from a computer. Monitors connect to the computer through a graphics card (or adapter or video card).

A monitor can be classified, according to the technology used to form the images: LCD, CRT, plasma or TFT.

Meanwhile, according to the standard, a monitor can be classified as: Numerical monitor, MDA, CGA, EGA, analog, VGA, SVGA, among others.

As for the colors used by monitors, they can be monochrome or polychromatic.

There are some quantifiable concepts related to monitors and they serve to measure their quality, these are: pixel, dot pitch, resolution, refresh rate, tube size, dot size, useful area.

History of the computer monitor

The first computers used small lights that turned on and off, these acted as «monitors» for the operators. This allowed monitoring of the internal state of the machine (hence the name «monitor»).

CRT technology was replacing light bulbs since it allowed the equivalent of dozens of lights to be displayed more reliably.

In the late 1960s, CRT technology was used in so-called VDTs (video display terminals), which integrated the keyboard and other system components into a single chassis.

It was only in the 70s that one could say that the first CRT monitors that we could compare with current monitors appeared and were affordable.

In 1981 IBM develops the CGA adapter that allows color, being the first graphics card for the IBM PC. Then, in 1984, the EGA (Enhanced Graphics Adapter) monitor appeared, also from IBM. This monitor accepted more than 16 colors and better resolution.

In 1987 VGA (Video Graphics Array) appeared and later improved with SVGA (Super VGA), both very popular.

In the 1990s, LCDs (liquid crystal displays) were commercialized, especially used in notebooks due to their low energy consumption, low weight and smaller size. We currently use the TFT-LCD, which is a variant of the LCD.

OLED technology is also being marketed, a likely replacement for LCDs.

For more information read: History of the monitor

2. In software, a program monitor is any tool that comes with a program that is used to control some situation. For example, the monitor of an antivirus, in charge of continuously monitoring the computer to verify that no virus is running.

Related:
Screen standards.

Related Notes:
How to clean an LCD monitor.
How to clean a CRT monitor.

Quote the definition:
Alegsa.com.ar (2014). Monitor Definition – ALEGSA 2014-08-12 url: https:///Dec/monitor.php

Doubts? needs more information? Write and we will respond to your email: click here