UNIT 6

DISPLAY SCREEN

Task 1 Discuss these questions.

1. What type of display do you have: a cathode ray tube or an LCD?

2. What size is the screen?
3. Can you watch TV programs on your PC monitor?

Task 2 Complete these definitions with words from the box. Then read the
text to check your answers.

Resolution pixel aspect ratio colour depth video adaptor plasma screen

1. ……………. the smallest unit on a display screen or bitmapped image

(usually a coloured dot)
2. ……………. an expansion card that generates the video signal sent to a
computer display.
3. ……………. the width of the screen in proportion to its height.
4. ……………. also called gas discharge display.
5. ……………. the number of pixels contained in a display.
6. …………… the number of bits used to hold a colour pixel; this determines
the maximum number of colours that can be displayed.

How screen displays work

Displays, often called monitors or screens, are the most-used output device on a
computer. They provide instant feedback by showing you text and graphic images as
you work or play.
Most desktop displays use Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Cathode Ray Tube
(CRT) technology, while nearly all portable computing devices, such as laptops,
incorporate LCDs. Because of their slimmer design and lower energy consumption,
LCD monitors (also called flat panel or flat screen displays) are replacing CRTs.

Basic features
Resolution refers to the number of dots of colour, known as pixels (picture
elements), contained in a display. It is expressed by identifying the number of pixels
on the horizontal and vertical axes. A typical resolution is 1024x768.
Two measurements describe the size of your display: the aspect ratio and the
screen size. Historically, computer displays, like most televisions, have had and
aspect ratio of 4:3 – the width of the screen to the height is four to three. For
widescreen LCD display, the aspect ratio is 16:9, very useful for viewing DVD
movies, playing games and displaying multiple windows side by side. High-definition
TV also uses this format. The viewable screen size is measured diagonally, so a 19”
screen measures 19” from the top left to the bottom right.
Inside the computer there is a video adapter, or graphic card, which processes
images and sends signals to the monitor. CRT monitors use a VGA (video graphics
adapter) cable, which converts digital signals into analogue signals. LCD monitors
use a DVI (digital video interface) connection.
Colour depth refers to the number of colours a monitor can display. This depends
on the number of bits used to describe the colour of a single pixel. For example, an
old VGA monitor with an 8-bit depth can generate 256 colours and a Super VGA with
a 24-bit depth can generate 16.7 million colours. Monitors with a 32-bit depth are
used in digital video, animation and video games to get certain effects.

Display technologies
An LCD is made of two glass plates with a liquid crystal material between them.
The crystals block the light in different quantities to create the image. Active-matrix
LCDs use TFT (thin film transistor) technology, in which each pixel has its own
switch. The amount of light the LCD monitor produces is called brightness or
luminance, measured in cd/m 2 (candela per square metre).
A CRT monitor is similar to a traditional TV set. It contains millions of tiny red,
green and blue phosphor dots that glow when struck by an electron beam that travels
across the screen and create a visible image. PCs can be connected to video
projectors, which project the image onto a large screen. They are used for
presentations and home theatre applications.
In a plasma screen, images are created by a plasma discharge which contains
noble (non-harmful) gases. Plasma TVs allow for larger screens and wide viewing
angles, making them ideal for movies.
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are thin-film LED displays that don’t
require a backlight to function. The material emits light when stimulated by an
electrical current, which is known as electroluminescence. They consume less
energy, produce brighter colours and are flexible – i.e. they can be bent and rolled up
when they’re not being used.

Task 3 Read the text again and answer these questions.

1. What do CRT and LCD stand for?

2. How is the screen size measured?
3. What technology is used by active-matrix LCDs?
4. Which unit is used to measure the brightest of a display?
 5. What substance produces light and colour when hit by electrons in a CRT
monitor?
6. What are the three advantages of OLED displays?

Task 4 Complete these health and safety guidelines with should or

shouldn’t.

1. If you type a lot at your computer each day, you ………. buy an ergonomic
keyboard; it can help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury.
2. You ………. place your mouse within easy reach and support your forearm.
3. If you decide to build your own PC, protect yourself from electric shocks. You
………… touch any components unnecessarily.
4. You ……….. always use a copyholder if you are working from documents.
The best position is between the screen and the keyboard, or at the same
height as the screen; this can reduce neck, back and eyestrain.
5. Irresponsible disposal of electronic waste can cause severe environmental
and health problems. You ……………. just throw your old monitor or video
system into the bin.

Task 5 Practise giving advice about how to use a monitor safely, using
should/shouldn’t or It’s a good/bad idea to…. then try to use
forms of strong advice. Look at these guidelines for help.

1. Don’t open the monitor. It’s dangerous.

2. Don’t stare at the screen for long periods of time.
3. Position the monitor at eye level or just below.
4. Leave enough space behind the monitor for unobstructed movement.
5. Don’t sit near the sides or back of CRT monitors. Use LCD screen instead –
they’re free from radiation.
6. Keep the screen clean to prevent distorting shadows.

Task 6 You’re asked to write a list of guidelines for making your school or
office more ergonomic. Write an email to your teacher/manager
explaining your ideas.

1. Physical layout of the work site: desk areas, computer equipment, filing
cabinets ……..
2. Lighting (overhead lights, desk lamps), glare and ventilation.
3. Computer and office furniture: ergonomic chairs and desks.
4. User-friendly and ergonomic devices: keyboards, mice, monitors, wrist rests,
copyholders, etc.
5. Location and feature of telephones.
 6. Layout of cables and switches for a wired network.
7. Wireless internet access and wireless network.
8. Maintenance and technical repairs.

Task 7 What are ergonomics and ergonomic ? List other pairs having the
same formation ?

Task 8 List as many words with prefix inter- as you can.