Computer monitor

A CRT monitor

A computer monitor is an electronic device that shows pictures. A monitor is usually used to see programs on a computer. The main difference between a monitor and a television is that a monitor does not have a television tuner to change channels. A monitor may be used to watch television if it is connected to a device that has a television tuner. Some models of monitor can be used as a television, and some televisions are used with computers. A monitor has a better display resolution than a television to make it easier to see smaller letters and graphics on.

There are two main types of monitors:

• The CRT monitor, which is big and heavy. It is the oldest technology used by monitors. It looks like a television, but has a bigger display resolution and often a higher frequency. CRT stands for cathode-ray tube.
• The LCD monitor, which is thin, flat, and lightweight. It is a newer technology than CRTs. The quality can be the same or even better than a CRT, but this type of monitor usually costs more than a CRT.
• In the early 21st century the price of Video projectors has fallen and they are now used in many places to produce very large images. These use a range of different technologies to make the image including LCD - Liquid crystal display and DLP - Digital light processing which uses very small mirrors to direct the light.