PC Maintenance: PC Maintenance: Preparing for A+ Preparing for A+

CertificationCertificationChapter 16: MonitorsChapter 16: Monitors

Chapter 16 ObjectivesChapter 16 Objectives

Identify types of monitorsIdentify types of monitors Explain how CRTs and LCDs workExplain how CRTs and LCDs work Describe measurements of monitor qualityDescribe measurements of monitor quality Configure multiple monitors in WindowsConfigure multiple monitors in Windows Adjust refresh rate in WindowsAdjust refresh rate in Windows Adjust a monitor using its onscreen Adjust a monitor using its onscreen

controlscontrols

Types of MonitorsTypes of Monitors

CRTCRT Shadow MaskShadow Mask Aperture GrilleAperture Grille Slot MaskSlot Mask

LCDLCD Passive MatrixPassive Matrix Active MatrixActive Matrix TFTTFT

How CRTs WorkHow CRTs Work

Electron gun makes phosphors glowElectron gun makes phosphors glow Phosphors must be continually refreshedPhosphors must be continually refreshed

TriadsTriads

A set of red, green, and blue dotsA set of red, green, and blue dots Separate electron guns for each colorSeparate electron guns for each color

Dot PitchDot Pitch

Measurement of monitor qualityMeasurement of monitor quality Distance between two phosphors of the Distance between two phosphors of the

same color in adjacent triadssame color in adjacent triads

Shadow MaskShadow Mask

Screen that keeps the electron beams Screen that keeps the electron beams aligned to focus on the correct phosphorsaligned to focus on the correct phosphors

Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD)Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD)

Two polarized filters with liquid crystal Two polarized filters with liquid crystal between thembetween them

Light must pass through all three items to Light must pass through all three items to make it to the displaymake it to the display

How LCDs WorkHow LCDs Work

One filter is at an angle so by default light One filter is at an angle so by default light cannot pass through itcannot pass through it

How LCDs WorkHow LCDs Work

When electricity is applied to the crystal, it When electricity is applied to the crystal, it twiststwists

Light refracts through twisted crystal and Light refracts through twisted crystal and passes through second filterpasses through second filter

Color LCDColor LCD

Additional filter splits the light into separate Additional filter splits the light into separate cells for red, green, and bluecells for red, green, and blue

No need for a mask (no electrons)No need for a mask (no electrons)

Passive MatrixPassive Matrix

One transistor for each row and each One transistor for each row and each column in the displaycolumn in the display

Double-Scan Passive MatrixDouble-Scan Passive Matrix

Extra row of transistors Extra row of transistors

Active MatrixActive Matrix

One transistor for each pixel at the One transistor for each pixel at the maximum resolutionmaximum resolution

Thin Film Transistor (TFT)Thin Film Transistor (TFT)

Multiple transistors per pixelMultiple transistors per pixel Found on all modern LCD screensFound on all modern LCD screens

Measurements of Monitor QualityMeasurements of Monitor Quality

Maximum ResolutionMaximum Resolution Dot PitchDot Pitch Viewable Image SizeViewable Image Size Maximum Refresh Rate (at a certain Maximum Refresh Rate (at a certain

resolution)resolution) Adjustment capabilitiesAdjustment capabilities Interface (VGA, DV-I, BNC)Interface (VGA, DV-I, BNC)

Connecting Multiple MonitorsConnecting Multiple Monitors

Two video cards, or single card with Two video cards, or single card with multiple outputsmultiple outputs

Windows should recognize both video Windows should recognize both video cardscards

Display Properties show the multiple Display Properties show the multiple monitors in Windowsmonitors in Windows

Configuring Multiple Monitors in Configuring Multiple Monitors in WindowsWindows

Choose to extend Choose to extend desktop onto desktop onto secondary monitor secondary monitor if desiredif desired

Otherwise both Otherwise both monitors will show monitors will show same imagesame image

Installing a Monitor DriverInstalling a Monitor Driver

Not really a driver: INF file onlyNot really a driver: INF file only Tells Windows maximum refresh rate and Tells Windows maximum refresh rate and

resolution of monitorresolution of monitor Install from Device Manager or with Install from Device Manager or with

Add/Remove Hardware WizardAdd/Remove Hardware Wizard

Refresh RateRefresh Rate

Important to have monitor correctly Important to have monitor correctly identified in Windows firstidentified in Windows first Too-high setting can damage monitorToo-high setting can damage monitor Windows hides resolutions not supported by Windows hides resolutions not supported by

monitor (monitor (as identifiedas identified)) Use Optimal setting if availableUse Optimal setting if available If not, use any setting 85hz or aboveIf not, use any setting 85hz or above Higher setting means less flickerHigher setting means less flicker

Set the Refresh RateSet the Refresh Rate

From Display From Display Properties, find Properties, find screen refresh rate screen refresh rate setting for monitorsetting for monitor

Windows 2000/XP:Windows 2000/XP: Settings tab, Settings tab, Advanced button, Advanced button, Monitor tabMonitor tab

Set the Refresh RateSet the Refresh Rate

Windows 9x/Me:Windows 9x/Me: Settings tab, Settings tab, Advanced button, Advanced button, Adapter tabAdapter tab

Adjusting a MonitorAdjusting a Monitor

On-screen controls provided in monitor On-screen controls provided in monitor itselfitself

No relationship to PC or operating systemNo relationship to PC or operating system

Adjusting a MonitorAdjusting a Monitor

Brightness:Brightness: light in the display light in the display Contrast:Contrast: difference between light and dark difference between light and dark Geometry:Geometry: tilt and shape of picture onscreen tilt and shape of picture onscreen Size:Size: overall taller or shorter, wider or overall taller or shorter, wider or

narrowernarrower Centering:Centering: picture’s position within monitor picture’s position within monitor Convergence:Convergence: relationship of red, green, blue relationship of red, green, blue

phosphors in the triads to one anotherphosphors in the triads to one another Color:Color: overall tint and saturation of picture overall tint and saturation of picture

Servicing a CRT MonitorServicing a CRT Monitor

Not usually done by regular PC Not usually done by regular PC technicianstechnicians

Risk of electrocution, 30,000 voltsRisk of electrocution, 30,000 volts High-voltage capacitor retains charge for High-voltage capacitor retains charge for

many months after unpluggedmany months after unplugged Before working on a monitor, technician Before working on a monitor, technician

must discharge the capacitormust discharge the capacitor