Smart platform
Operating system that controls the smart functionality of the monitor, which combines the capabilities of traditional models and smart TVs.
— Tizen. Samsung's proprietary development based on the open source Linux kernel. The lion's share of smart TVs from the South Korean electronics brand runs Tizen OS, and this platform is also found in the brand's smart monitors. The operating system allows you to install and run applications, provides access to online services for watching streaming videos, listening to music and consuming other entertainment content, can be used as central hub for smart home ecosystems, and has built-in voice assistants (including the proprietary Bixby).
- webOS. Smart platform from LG, which is found in the brand’s “smart” TVs and monitors. It boasts flexible menu interface customization, high operating speed and support for installing third-party applications from the company store. webOS provides access to content streaming services, streaming platforms and popular video hosting sites. The functionality of the “OS” is in all its glory when using the Magic Remote air control.
— Android. Full-fledged software firmware based on Android OS, adapted to work on large screens. In addition to the common features of all Android devices (such as the ability to install additional applications, including even games), it has number of special features: an optimized interface, integration with smartphones (including...the ability to use them as remote control), voice search, etc. Of course , in order to operate multifunctional OS, the monitor must have dedicated processor, graphics subsystem and memory, and the presence of such hardware resources is reflected in the total cost of the device.
Surface treatment
Modern monitors can use displays with both glossy and matte screen surfaces.
A matte surface is in some cases more preferable due to the fact that on a
glossy screen, when exposed to bright light, noticeable glare appears, sometimes interfering with viewing. On the other hand, glossy screens offer better picture quality, higher brightness, and richer colours.
Due to the development of technology,
monitors with a special anti-glare coating have appeared on the market, which, while maintaining all the advantages of a glossy screen, creates significantly less visible glare in bright ambient light.
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).Bluetooth
Bluetooth technology (any version) is used for direct wireless communication between various devices. The way it is implemented in monitors may vary, depending on the functionality of the specific model (and Bluetooth version). Thus, it may be possible to broadcast sound to wireless headphones or speakers. In addition, other use cases are provided: connecting keyboards, mice, game controllers, direct file exchange with a laptop, remote control from a smartphone or other gadget, etc. These details should be clarified separately. As for specific versions, in many models these details are not specified at all - for use for the originally intended purpose, “just Bluetooth” is enough.
Wi-Fi
The monitor has a built-in
Wi-Fi module. This paragraph may also specify the supported version of this technology. Nowadays, Wi-Fi can be used both for wireless access to the Internet and local networks, and for direct connection with other devices (for example, broadcasting video from a smartphone/tablet). The specific use of a wireless connection may vary, depending on the functionality of the monitor: providing Internet access, receiving or transmitting video via Wi-Di or Miracast, as well as using a mobile gadget as a remote control. Built-in Wi-Fi can often be found on board models that support smart features.
Webcam
The presence in the monitor of its own
webcam — usually in a frame above the screen. Initially, such a camera was intended for video communication and video conferencing — for example, in Skype. However, other options for using this function are technically possible: recording videos, live broadcasts on the Internet, etc.
Note that the webcam can be purchased separately. However, the built-in "peephole", firstly, is more compact, and secondly, it is installed in the optimal place and does not create installation problems (whereas a separately purchased camera may simply not be suitable for the type of fasteners). On the other hand, the resolution (and, accordingly, the overall picture quality) of built-in webcams is often low.
Energy class
The energy class characterizes how economically the monitor consumes electricity. Initially, the classes were denoted by simple Latin letters — A (the most economical), B, C. However, later improved classes “A +”, “A ++”, etc. appeared. (the more "pluses", the more economical the device).
The energy class will generally affect the price accordingly, but this difference will eventually pay off with lower electricity bills.
