Response time (GtG)
The time spent by each individual point on the monitor to switch from one state to another. The
shorter the response time, the faster the sensor responds to the control signal, the lower the delay and the better the image quality in dynamic scenes.
Note that in this case, the grey-to-grey method is used (the turn-on time is from 10% grey to 90%). It is worth paying attention to this parameter if the monitor is specially purchased for dynamic games, watching movies and other applications associated with fast movement on the screen. And even in such cases, a reaction speed of 8 ms is quite enough; a further decrease in response time does not affect the quality of the perceived image.
Refresh rate (vert.)
The vertical refresh rate supported by the monitor.
Initially, the term "sweep frequency" was used in the characteristics of CRT monitors that work with an analogue signal. By tradition, it continues to be used for LCD matrices, however, for such screens, the refresh rate is actually the frame rate. See above for more on frame rate; here we note that in this case it is not the maximum frequency that is indicated, but the frequency range supported by the monitor — from the minimum to the maximum. This allows you to evaluate compatibility with certain video cards and operating modes: the frame rate of the video signal must match the frame rate of the monitor (or at least be a multiple of it), otherwise twitches and other unpleasant phenomena are possible.
It is worth noting that the monitor usually does not support any refresh rate from the range given in the specifications, but only certain standard values — for example, 50 Hz, 60 Hz and 75 Hz for the 50 – 75 Hz model.
Dynamic Contrast
Dynamic contrast provided by the monitor screen.
Dynamic contrast refers to the difference between the brightest white at maximum backlight intensity and the deepest black at minimum backlight. In this way, this indicator differs from static contrast, which is indicated with a constant backlight level (see above). Dynamic contrast ratio can be expressed in very impressive numbers (in some models — more than 100,000,000: 1). However, in fact, these figures are poorly correlated with what the viewer sees: it is almost impossible to achieve such a difference within one frame. Therefore, dynamic contrast is most often more of an advertising than a practically significant indicator, it is often indicated precisely in order to impress an inexperienced buyer. At the same time, we note that there are "smart" backlight technologies that allow you to change its brightness in certain areas of the screen and achieve a higher contrast in one frame than the claimed static one; these technologies are found mostly in premium monitors.
Colour depth
The colour depth supported by the monitor.
This parameter characterizes the number of shades that the screen can display. And here it is worth recalling that the image in modern monitors is based on 3 basic colours — red, green, blue (RGB scheme). And the number of bits is indicated not for the entire screen, but for each base colour. For example, 6 bits (the minimum colour depth for modern monitors) means that the screen is capable of producing 2 ^ 6, that is, 64 shades of red, green and blue; the total number of shades will be 64 * 64 * 64 = 262,144 (0.26 million). An
8-bit colour depth (256 shades for each base colour) already gives a total of 16.7 million colours; and the most advanced modern monitors support
10-bit colour, allowing you to work with more than a billion shades.
Screens with support for FRC technology are worth a special mention; nowadays, you can find models marked "
6 bit + FRC " and "
8 bit + FRC ". This technology was developed to improve picture quality in situations where the incoming video signal has a greater colour depth than the screen, such as when 10-bit video is fed to an 8-bit matrix. If such a screen supports FRC, the picture on it will be noticeably better than on a regular 8-bit monitor (although somewhat worse than on a full-fledged 10-bit monitor, but “8 bit + FRC” screens are much
...cheaper).
High colour depth is important primarily for professional graphics and other tasks that require high colour fidelity. On the other hand, such features significantly affect the cost of the monitor. In addition, it is worth remembering that the quality of colour reproduction depends not only on the colour depth, but also on other parameters — in particular, colour gamut (see below).Colour space (sRGB)
Monitor colour gamut Rec. 709 or sRGB.
Any colour gamut is indicated as a percentage, however, not relative to the entire variety of visible colours, but relative to the conditional colour space (colour model). This is due to the fact that no modern screen is able to display all the colours visible to humans. However, the larger the colour gamut, the wider the monitor's capabilities, the better its colour reproduction.
Nowadays, sRGB is actually the standard color model adopted for computer technology; This is what is used in the development and production of most video cards. For television, the Rec. standard, similar in parameters, is used. 709. In terms of the range of colors, these models are identical, and the percentage of coverage for them is the same. In the most advanced monitors it can
reach or even exceed 100%; These are the values that are considered necessary for high-end screens, incl. professional.
Speakers
The presence of the monitor's own
built-in speakers. Such models, in fact, combine a screen and speakers, which can save the user from having to purchase separate acoustics. And for models with a TV tuner (see above), this function is almost mandatory. However note that the power of such speakers and the quality of their sound are relatively low, so such a system is hardly suitable for demanding listeners. Nevertheless, built-in acoustics usually sound at least as good as inexpensive external speakers, and take up much less space.
Sound power
Rated power of the speakers installed in the monitor (see "Built-in speakers"). The higher the power, the louder the acoustics can sound, the easier it is to cover a vast space. However, in most cases, the user is directly in front of the monitor, and high volume is not required for normal hearing. So this parameter is critical mainly for plasma and LCD panels (see "Type").
Wall mount
The size of the
VESA mount included with the monitor.
VESA is the standard wall mount format for modern TVs and monitors. The mounting base is a rectangular plate with four screw holes in the corners. The distance between these holes vertically and horizontally in millimetres is the main characteristic of the fastening — for example, one of the most common is the size of 100x100. For small screens, 75x75 mounts are provided, for large and heavy monitors — 200x200 and more (up to 800x400).
Power consumption
Rated power consumption of the monitor. Usually, this item indicates the maximum power that the device can consume during normal operation — that is, the energy consumption at maximum brightness, the highest volume of the built-in acoustics, etc. Actual power consumption can be noticeably lower, however, when choosing, it is still best to focus on the value stated in the specifications.
In general, the lower the power consumption, the more economical the device in terms of electricity consumption (ceteris paribus). In addition, this characteristic can be useful when selecting an uninterruptible power supply for a PC and in other specific situations when it is necessary to accurately determine the power consumption of equipment.