Term | Definition |
output device | Hardware used to output data to a user. |
screen | The viewable portion of a display device. |
monitor | A display device that is separate from the computer and has its own power supply and plastic housing. |
cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor | A nearly obsolete type of monitor that uses a vacuum tube to direct electrons to illuminate colored phosphors on the back of the screen to light up a display image. |
triad | The arrangement of phosphors on a CRT monitor into a cluster of three (one red, one green, and one blue). |
liquid crystal display (LCD) | A screen that has two polarized filters, and between them liquid crystals that twist to allow light to pass through. |
maximum resolution | The highest display mode that a monitor can support. Sometimes called native resolution. |
aspect ratio | The ratio of width to height on a display screen. |
refresh rate | The number of times per second that each pixel on a monitor is re-energized; measured in hertz (Hz). |
display adapter | The computer component that translates and processes operating system instructions to create the screen’s display image. |
graphics processing unit (GPU) | The processor built into the display adapter. |
monochrome display | A type of display that shows output in only one color. |
color depth | The number of bits of data required to describe the color of about each pixel in a particular display mode. |
video projector | A device that captures the text and images displayed on a computer screen and projects them on to a large screen so an audience can see them clearly. Also called screen projector. |
lumen (lm) | The measurement of a projector’s brightness. |
lamp | A replaceable lamp (like a lightbulb) inside a projector that generates the brightness. |
amplification | In a speaker system, the ability of the system to produce a certain volume of sound. |
frequency range | The span of changes reflected in the transmission of voice or sound signals. |
wattage | The total amount of power drawn by a device; for a speaker, the amount of power the speaker can handle. |
root mean squared (RMS) | A standard measurement of the wattage that a speaker can handle in a reliable and sustained manner. |
RMS maximum | Short for root mean squared maximum. The maximum wattage a speaker can handle in short bursts. |
peak momentary performance output (PMPO) | The absolute maximum wattage a speaker can handle for a split second before it dies from wattage overload; not a realistic measurement of a speaker’s capabilities. |
shielding | A protective barrier that prevents electromagnetic interference in speakers designed for use with computers. |
docking station | A home base for a portable device, providing it extra capabilities, such as better speakers, more ports, and power recharging. |