TV & Monitor Glossary L-Z

Liquid Crystal Display - a display solution based on a matrix of liquid crystal pixel elements. There are 3 sub-pixels and an RGB color filter in each pixel element. By applying backlighting and different voltages to each sub-pixel, a pixel can display different colors.

(Low Voltage Differential Signalling) A transmission method for sending digital information to a flat panel display. LVDS has been widely used in laptops because it enables fewer wires to be used between the motherboard and the panel. The technology is also used between the image scaler and the panel in many stand-alone flat panel displays.

The ability to offer at least one preset mode that will synchronize with a Macintosh computer.

For LCD Monitors designed in compliance with VESA Standard Physical Mounting Interface Standard (FPMPM), users may choose mounting solutions from professional arm manufacturers. For example,

Provides reduced electrostatic and electromagnetic emissions. MPR 1990, or MPR-II, is a standard defined to measure emissions from devices such as monitors.

Automatically adjusts the monitor to the display card’s scanning frequency, thus displaying the resolution required.

On an LCD TV, the native resolution is the number of physical pixel units on the LCD panel. For example, if an LCD monitor’s native resolution is 1280x1024, it means there are 1280 horizontal pixel rows and 1024 vertical pixel columns for a total of 1,310,720 total physical pixels. An LCD TV provides its best performance when displaying pictures in its native resolution

(National Electrical Manufacturers Association) develops standards for the electrical manufacturing industry.

See the table in the end for the explanation of the different types of NEMA seals-Enclosures For Non-Hazardous Locations.

(The Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation). This council produces specifications for automatic power-down and power consumption during normal operation.

(On-Screen Display) An on-screen control panel for adjusting monitors and TVs. The OSD is used for contrast, brightness, horizontal and vertical positioning and other monitor adjustments.

Monitors that allow users to swivel the display 90 degrees and place the screen image in portrait orientation.

The pixel is the smallest indivisible unit of a digital image and the smallest visible display element of the LCD TV. It is a word created from “picture element”. All computer images are made up of pixels.

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.

Pixel pitch is the distance between LCD cells of the same color on an LCD panel. For LCD monitors of the same screen size and native resolution, their pixel pitch specifications are the same. For example, the pixel pitch of all 17" LCD monitors with the native resolution of 1280x1024 is 0.264mm.

Monitors that allow users to swivel the display 90 degrees and place the screen image in portrait orientation.

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. The refresh rate is measured in Hz (Hertz).

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.

This figure indicates how quickly an LCD panel can display a change in the brightness of the screen image. It is calculated as the sum of the times needed for the image to change from 10% to 90% of its maximum brightness, and from 90% to 10%. Faster response times allow a smoother display of rapidly-changing screen images, such as real-time video.

Swiveling the display 90 degrees and place the screen image in portrait/ landscape orientation.

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.

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.

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.

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) The term typically refers to active matrix screens on laptop computers. Active matrix LCD provides a sharper screen display and broader viewing angle than does passive matrix.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.

The ability for the monitor head to either move up and down (tilt) or side to side (swivel).

A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a finger or stylus. Touch screens are very resistant to harsh environments where keyboards might eventually fail. They are often used with custom-designed applications so that the on-screen buttons are large enough to be pressed with the finger. Applications are typically very specialized and greatly simplified so they can be used by anyone. However, touch screens are also very popular on PDAs and full-size computers with standard applications, where a stylus is required for precise interaction with screen objects.
There are two primary technologies used for touch screens and both use a clear glass panel overlaid onto the CRT or LCD screen. The resistive method is completely pressure sensitive. It uses a plastic layer on top of a metallic-coated glass layer, separated by spacers. When pressed, it shunts the current in the glass panel, and the x-y coordinates pick up the location on the screen.The capacitive method uses a metallic coated glass panel, but without the plastic overlay. It senses the change in current from the charge in the your finger or a stylus. The stylus used with this technique must emit a charge and is thus wired to the computer.

(Underwriters Laboratory). A non-profit safety organization in the U.S. that inspects and certifies the products sold in the U.S. and Canada for their safety standards.

Also called "refresh rate," it is the number of times an entire display screen is refreshed, or redrawn, per second. Measured in Hertz, display systems typically range from 56Hz to well over 100Hz. A minimum of 70Hz is recommended to help prevent eye strain.

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.

(VESA Display Power Management Signaling) A VESA standard for signaling the monitor to switch into energy conservation modes. It provides for two low energy modes: standby and suspend.

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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TV & Monitor Glossary L-Z