A monitor is a piece of computer hardware that is used to display information. It is an output device that shows visuals on a screen. The first monitors were created in the late 1800s, and they have come a long way since then. Today, monitors come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be used for a variety of purposes. Here, we will take a look at how monitors work and how they have evolved over time.
Monitors work by using a technology called ‘raster scanning’. This is where an electron beam is used to draw images on a screen. The beam is moved across the screen in a series of horizontal lines. As it does so, it lights up pixels on the screen to create an image. The number of pixels that are lit up per second is known as the ‘refresh rate’, and this is measured in ‘hertz’ (Hz).
The first monitors were monochrome, which means they could only display images in one color. These monitors used a phosphor-coated screen, which would glow when hit by an electron beam. The color of the phosphor would determine the color of the image that was displayed.
Monochrome monitors were eventually replaced by color monitors. These monitors use a technology called ‘shadow mask’. This is where each pixel on the screen is made up of three subpixels, each of which is a different color (red, green, and blue). By varying the intensity of each subpixel, different colors can be displayed on the screen. The first color monitors were able to display up to 16 colors.
Nowadays, monitors can display millions of different colors. This is thanks to a technology called ‘active matrix’. This is where each pixel on the screen is made up of three subpixels, each of which is a different color (red, green, and blue). By varying the intensity of each subpixel, different colors can be displayed on the screen. Active matrix monitors are also able to display images at a much higher refresh rate than shadow mask monitors.
Monitors have come a long way since they were first invented. Today, they are an essential piece of computer hardware, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you need a monitor for your home computer or for your office, there is sure to be a monitor out there that meets your needs.