How Computer Monitors Work

Even though computer monitors are an every day object, their inner workings can seem downright mysterious. Read on to learn about how computer monitors work.

Different types of monitors

Most computer monitors, or displays, use one of two different technologies: liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT). Because LCD monitors are slimmer and use less energy than CRT displays, they are now much more popular for desktop computer set-ups.

How LCD screens work

LCD screens contain two separate sections of glass, with liquid crystals sandwiched between them. When you plug in and turn on your monitor, electric currents align the crystals to allow varying levels of light to pass through to the screen in front of you, creating the images on the display.

Screen resolution and aspect ratio

Screen resolution is the number of pixels, or individual specks of color, that a display contains. This is expressed in terms of the number of pixels on the horizontal axis and the number on the vertical axis. A common screen resolution number is 1024x600. The resolution of your monitor screen is affected by many different variables, including screen size. Another way to describe screen size of your monitor is aspect ratio. Historically, computer displays have had an aspect ratio of 4:3, meaning that the ratio of the width of the screen to the height is four to three. However, widescreen LCD monitors have much higher aspect ratios, and it is not uncommon for LCD screens to have an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 15:9. This is useful for viewing DVDs and playing video games, which require highly detailed graphics.

By removing the mystery of terms like screen resolution, aspect ratio and LCD screens, it is easier to understand your current display and make informed decisions about purchasing your next monitor.