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The best monitor for office work. Matrix response time. Additional features and functionality

Having finally collected the full amount to purchase a gaming configuration, many exhale with joy - a monitor, keyboard and other hard drives will no longer require large expenses. The average person exhales and... makes a mistake. A monitor worthy of a top-end configuration will also cost its owner a pretty penny. Is it worth buying a real gaming palantir for a tidy sum, or can you limit yourself to inheriting from an old configuration? Let's look into the details.

A moment of retrospect

Oldfags remember well the times when a monitor was bought along with a system unit, keyboard, mouse and speakers. An adult audience will probably remember this chimera from a work PC in the office or at home, while a younger audience will remember a computer bought by their parents exclusively “for study.” In those days, it was generally not customary to think about the frequency and resolution of the screen. Gamers killing hours playing the third Heroes or some Quake had no time for frame rate and response time - they were guided by the principle “A good computer, nothing slows down.” By “good computer” we meant the absence of very obvious drops in FPS. In those days, no one had measured them yet, let alone the monitor response time.

But as old Solid Snake once said, "War has changed" and now on the fields of multiplayer (and single-player) battles, some “ms” in the time between the mouse click and the display of the action on the screen are also taken into account. Yes, still the amount of RAM, video card and powerful processor, as they say, “decide”, but much more has become dependent on the monitor than ten years ago.

This is both picture quality and, no matter how trite and hackneyed it may sound, safety for the eyes. Here, rather, it is not the overall harm from screen flickering that will be taken into account, but the influence of different levels of technology on this indicator. A situation familiar to many - circumstances forced me to sit down at an old PC with a “box” monitor (CRT monitor), and after half an hour my eyes popped out of my head. Yes, and getting a frag, especially for a player in some top league, will be problematic if the game process is perceived with a slight delay.

Main characteristics of a gaming monitor

Now the hardware market is not suffering - of course, the crisis darkens the picture a little, but this is more likely for the buyer; dozens of new products can still be found in the windows. Let’s keep silent about online stores; Amazon alone is worth it. It’s very easy to get lost in the ocean of assortment; a sales consultant will most likely try to sell you the most expensive model, while the community on Amazon will try to sell you the most “average” one in terms of price and quality ratio. Let's try to understand the main characteristics of monitors and their properties, so as not to regret wasted money.

Monitor diagonal

Perhaps the very first factor that both buyers and manufacturers pay attention to. The size of the screen directly affects both its attractiveness for gamers and the cost of production for the developer company. For gamers, several main diagonals can be defined:

The mass audience is increasingly choosing 24-27-inch diagonals. If you want something exotic, then go ahead - 30" monitor to help. But it is worth considering that eyes are simply not able to capture such a wide screen, so approximately 20% of the space will remain useless. The manufacturer increases the price for every inch, so the choice is not the most profitable. How to get out of the situation - models with curved display. Curved just to cover the maximum space visible to the eye.

Screen resolution and aspect ratio

The second indicator of screen size, responsible for number of pixels in the image. Main principle -More is better. But it is worth considering the complete dependence of the performance level on the set resolution.

The main layer of all modern media products is designed with an aspect ratio of 16:9, which replaced the outdated 4:3. This is the classic “rectangular” format, familiar to everyone. to the modern user, perhaps the most relevant and popular of all those present on the market. In addition to convenient gaming, it also allows you to comfortably watch movies without black bars along the borders of the screen. The 16:10 monitor will be slightly taller than its predecessor and will be more suitable for working with office applications and media editors.

As for resolution, everything is much more transparent here:

  • HD - 1366x768 pixels

Does not require large expenditures on hardware, but also the full potential modern graphics will not reveal.

  • Full HD - 1920x1080 pixels

There is a standard high requirement for hardware with the graphics cranked up to the maximum, and, accordingly, high level the same “graphonia”.

  • Ultra HD or 4k -2560x1440\3840x2160 pixels

The youngest standard presented. This standard is no longer a lordly luxury, but remains a representative of the premium segment. Row top games already makes it possible to enjoy the game in 4K. For example, in Watch Dog 2 the screen of the gaming mobile phone looks clearer than mine in real life. And YouTube has long been ready to happily show cats in UHD - a reason to think about it.

Matrix type

The main parameters of the monitor depend on the type of matrix:

  • Color rendering level

The quality of transmitted colors and their “reality” are in accordance with real analogues. This parameter It’s especially important for working with photos and videos, but in the case of games, let’s not forget it either. Every year the graphics become more realistic, which means the number of colors and shades increases. And on a 10-year-old monitor, a fresh Battlefield will not look very “fresh.”

  • Response time

The time during which an image point changes in brightness is usually 2-5 ms. A length longer than 6ms is fraught with blurring in dynamic scenes.

  • Contrast

Everything is clear here - the ratio of the brightness of the lightest point of the screen to the darkest.

  • Viewing angle

The minimum distance at which various “artifacts” on the screen become noticeable.

Without going into long technical descriptions, here is a table with the main characteristics of various types of matrices.

Matrix type

TN

IPS

MVA\PVA

Price

Response time

Viewing angle

Color rendering level

Contrast

Update frequency

The indicator responsible for the number of frames per second is called fps. It is set manually in the game settings. Stable gaming “classics” were considered to be 60 frames per second at 60 Hz, respectively. But, like any gaming hardware, gaming monitors are several steps ahead, and therefore 120 -144 Hz is considered normal. This hardware allows you to display the most dynamic scenes more realistically than their 60 Hz counterparts. The price also increases with increasing frequency, and without a powerful video card, a 144 Hz monitor will be of little use.

Available video connectors

The quality of the resulting image depends not only on the matrix installed in the monitor, but also on the video connector. The presence of an additional video connector will provide you with the ability to connect a second image source - be it a laptop or a TV. In modern monitors you can find the following video connectors (both individually and several at once):

  • HDMI

A digital connector that allows you to connect modern audio and video equipment, as well as laptops, to image output devices. The main advantage is the transmission of the audio track over one cable with the video stream.

  • DisplayPort - DP

Digital connector, the most “progressive” of those presented. Provides ample opportunities for audio transmission, surpassing the popular DVI. It is expensive and occurs quite often. If you are already thinking about buying a monitor with such a connector, then only for the long term. It is worth considering that the fact that the old type Display Port does not support HDR.

  • AV, SCART, S-Video

Analog connectors typical for TV monitors with built-in TV tuners. In addition, it allows you to connect outdated audio and video equipment such as cassette players.

TOP 10 best gaming monitors

Below we will present the best, in the opinion of our editors, monitors that a gamer can find on the market in the spring of 2017. We can only correct your course and protect you from completely useless purchases. But you will still have to choose the most suitable one yourself - be guided by personal preferences and financial status.

Best 144Hz Monitor - ASUS VS278Q

Asus has established itself in the market as a supplier high-quality equipment at relatively inexpensive prices. What do we have in this model for ~18 thousand rubles?

    27 inches

    Full HD 1920x1080

    144Hz refresh rate

    Built-in speakers

    Response time 1ms

    Connectors: DP, VGS, 2xHDMI

    Web camera: 2 MP.

Not every PC monitor can boast an excellent price range and, at the same time, sufficient equipment for both gaming and ease of use. However, ASUS introduced new model, which includes amazing color reproduction and refresh speed. Let's look at the main features of the device.

Diagonal. The wide diagonal will provide the user with a broad picture, and high definition Full HD will give the image not only brightness, but also a natural color scheme. However, you will have to spend a sufficient amount of time to calibrate the preset modes.

Number of colors: 16.7 million It is worth considering that there may be difficulties with setting up color palette in relation to natural colors. The problem lies in the matrix itself: TN is beginning to become outdated in comparison with IPS matrices.

Viewing Angles can also spoil the impression a little. The vertical viewing angle is 160 degrees and the horizontal viewing angle is 170 degrees.

Let's move on to the monitor itself.

The first thing that catches your eye is the good design and build quality, but the black glossy plastic will require special care. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the control is push-button, not as convenient as touch. The device has connectors such as: HDMI, Display Port. There are also built-in speakers with satisfactory sound levels.

Sound power - 4W. The built-in components include a web camera, a light sensor, and 4 interfaces. It is possible to install the monitor directly on the wall. The presence of a “web”, but the absence of a microphone and vertical adjustment introduces serious inconvenience.

From of this device mixed impressions arise. On the one hand, this is a sufficient diagonal and brightness, but on the other hand, the location of individual buttons and a rather long time to configure the settings bring a lot of inconvenience. certain modes. Despite these incidents, a monitor in its price category can become an integral device in your work and leisure.

Best PC Monitor - BenQ RL2755HM

Still the same Full HD, but a more budget model from BenQ. It offers slightly worse performance, but for an acceptable amount - for example, this 27-inch model will cost approximately 15,990 thousand rubles. See for yourself:

    27 inches

    Full HD 1920x1080

    Update frequency 75 Hz

    Response time 1ms

    Connectors: HDMI (2x), HJ (headphone jack)

Several interesting details can be noted. First - technology Black eQualizer, problem solving too dark scenes in games: the brightness in them will be automatically adjusted. I'm also pleased with the technology Flicker-free, which ensures that the picture does not flicker at any brightness. AND RTS Mode, designed for comfortable play in you guess what genre. The only thing that stands out in the design is the unusual protruding leg-stand.

Budget monitor - ViewSonic VX2452MH

Another budget model that will cost the owner 7947 thousand rubles. Its main characteristics:

    24 inches

    Full HD 1920x1080

    Refresh rate 75 Hz

    Response time 2ms

    Connectors: HDMI, VGA, DVI

Available similar to Black eQualizer Game Mode, which also solves the problem of game scenes that are too dark. By the way, the main difference from the previous model is contrast. Here it is a little higher, which affects the detail. Everything looks very juicy and fresh, both in the brightest and darkest scenes.

Monitor 27 inches - ASUS MX279H

First, let's briefly go over the main characteristics of the model:

    27 inches

    Full HD 1920x1080

    76Hz refresh rate

    Response time 2ms

    Connectors: 2xHDMI, D-Sub

    Built-in speakers

ASUS presented an ultra-thin monitor model MX279H for ~23 thousand rubles. , which is distinguished not only by its stylish design, but also high-quality image thanks to AH-IPS technology. The LCD panel has wide viewing angles and good color rendering, which allows it to be used for various purposes. Thanks to this, the picture on the screen looks the same from any angle at 178°, both vertically and horizontally.

The first thing that catches your eye is the absence of a frame around the display. But if you take a closer look, you will notice an 8 mm border, which is not noticeable at all when the monitor is off. On the lower part of the front panel there are touch control buttons. At the same time, the sensor response is very fast; you just need to touch the buttons and you immediately get to the selected menu to adjust the image settings. Despite great job touch buttons, the menu is not very convenient, that is, not intuitive enough, so at first you may miss the desired option.

Availability of technology in the ASUS MX279H modelASUS Smart Contrast Ratio, which serves for automatic change brightness during operation, allows you to achieve high image quality, especially when watching videos. Although the relatively low resolution (1920 x 1080) for this diagonal leads to the fact that there is slight grain in the picture, especially when viewed closely. Despite this, the 27-inch matrix with Full HD resolution reproduces black shades well without a gray reflection. But the backlight uniformity is not entirely ideal and you can find lighter areas at the top of the screen. But since this error is present in many models, in general, LED backlighting can be considered successful.

Good image quality is complemented by good sound, although the sound quality is not amazing. Built-in SonicMaster audio enhancement technology delivers more powerful volume without any extraneous noise, which is especially important for gamers. Despite the rather thin body, the monitor has built-in 32mm speakers.

The ASUS MX279H monitor is aimed at a wide audience of users thanks to fast connection to PCs, game consoles and media players. The MX279H is a prime example of how you can make an inexpensive monitor that offers the following benefits:

    modern stylish design without clear display boundaries;

    wide viewing angles of 178°;

    high picture and sound quality for this price category.

In general, the model is not bad for this price category and fully copes with all the assigned tasks, according to its technical characteristics.

Review from a real buyer I can only recommend this option to those who can correctly adjust the backlight and color. If you don't do this, you definitely won't like the screen. Nothing bothers me, I calmly set everything up and recommend it for purchase.

Best Eye Monitor - Dell Computer Ultrasharp U2415

Monitor specifications:

    24 inches

    Full HD 1920x1080

    Refresh rate 60Hz

    Response time 5ms

Dell has once again pleased lovers of clear images by releasing a 24-inch Ultrasharp U2415 model in a modern frameless style for ~21 thousand rubles. The screen aspect ratio is 16:10, which makes it more comfortable to do not only office functions, but also watch videos and play. For maximum comfortable work model equipped matte IPS screen with LED (WLED) backlight.

Despite the fact that the U2415 model has a narrow screen border of 6.9 mm, the front surface looks like a monolithic block no limits. Only at the bottom of the screen can you notice a small frame, which gives this model sophistication and modern style. On the bottom panel of the screen there are touch control buttons and a power icon.

When you turn on the monitor for the first time, you will notice good color rendition, since the manufacturer carries out factory calibration, the proof of which is accompanied by a special report. But, even despite the built-in function automatic calibration brightness and color, you can notice a not quite deep black color. This shortcoming can be corrected by manual adjustment by opening the settings menu: Brightness, Contrast and Sharpness. Manual adjustment significantly improves color depth. Viewing angles are quite acceptable for viewing images at a distance of 60-70 cm. Moreover, the greater the distance from the monitor to the eyes increases, the more noticeable color rendering defects are. We also cannot fail to note no flicker, or PWM– this is confirmed by almost all gamers who use this monitor.

Special attention attention should be paid to a universal stand, with which the monitor can be positioned in the most convenient way for the user. The stand allows you to tilt the monitor up, down and to the sides. In addition, the screen can be fixed on a stand at any height, which gives maximum use of the monitor. These rotations of the stand, as well as the absence of clearly visible boundaries on the screen, allow you to use two monitors placed side by side to display the overall picture.

From all of the above, we can highlight the following advantages of the Ultrasharp U2415 model:

    decent color rendition;

    Russified menu;

    convenient adjustment of the universal stand;

    ability to rotate the screen to portrait position;

    presence of four digital inputs.

Review from a real buyer Tilt and height adjustment, design, thin frame, several USB ports, the ability to rotate the screen vertically, a separate port for charging - now it’s very convenient to work) I didn’t like one thing - when the personal computer goes into sleep mode, the monitor for some reason still reports as many as five that there is no power, Why doesn't it just turn off right away?

Best monitor for gaming - AOC e970swn

The manufacturer gives the following description of the AOC e970swn monitor:

    19 inches

    HD 1366 x 768

    Refresh rate 60Hz

    Response time 5ms

    Connectors: 2xHDMI, DP, mDP, 5xUSB

AOC e970swn 18.5-Inch LED-Lit Monitor is a very budget models, because its price is ~4.5 thousand rubles. Assembled in China. You can attach it to the wall, sit on a comfortable sofa and, of course, enjoy games.

The monitor displays 16.7 million colors. The brightness is 200 cd/m2, which is enough for most games. Monitor response time is 5 ms. Therefore, dynamic movements are reflected smoothly. A good option, for example, for football simulators, but not for shooters.

The normal contrast of the monitor is 700 to 1, the dynamic contrast is 20 million to 1, the brightness is 200 cd/m2. The monitor has an HD resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels. The diagonal of 19 inches is the average on the market. The width is to the length as 16 to 9. It is also equipped with an economy mode and e-Saver: these options allow you to reduce energy consumption.

The design of the monitor is standard: the base of the body is black plastic, and the display has matte surface, which reflects nothing but sunlight.

The device comes with:

    instructions;

    VGA cables that allow you to connect the monitor to your computer;

    Power Cable - power supply device.

The monitor has a built-in power supply. The maximum power of the latter is 15 W/h.

Perhaps the most significant drawback of the monitor is its small viewing angle. The horizontal indicator is only 90 degrees, vertically - 65. It’s also not very pleasing that this model has a primitive menu with limited customization options. The English layout is well done, the Russian layout requires minor improvements.

The monitor reflects 2D graphics elements well, so it can be called good choice not only for office workers, but also for gamers: fast response time, wide color gamut display and acceptable contrast levels will completely provide you with the desired level of play. In general, if you don’t demand too much from the picture, then it’s quite a decent option for a gaming monitor among its peers.

Review from a real buyer I was pleased with the appearance and price, but the image quality is still a little blurry. I set the settings to maximum, but the quality did not improve. A couple of minutes and your eyes are already starting to hurt, and it’s not always possible to be at a distance from the PC. Even ours old monitor showed a better quality picture. This screen is now just gathering dust.

Nya 27 inch gaming monitor - Dell UltraSharp U2715H

The characteristics of this model differ in many ways from those of other models:

    27 inches

    QHD 2560 x 1440

    86Hz refresh rate

    Response time 6ms

    Connectors: 2xHDMI, 2xDP, 4xUSB

27-inch Dell UltraSharp U2715H monitor for ~30,140 thousand rubles. from a well-known manufacturer will appeal to those who love beautiful and high-quality pictures, since, one might say, the image clarity of this monitor is excellent: QHD quality (2560 x 1440) will appeal to both avid movie fans and fans of various games, ranging from MOBAs to exciting action games. The monitor's response time is 6 ms.

The dimensions of the monitor allow you to place a large amount of information on the screen, in addition, this monitor can be used as part of a multi-screen configuration for multitasking, for example, for streaming and other useful things. Behind the monitor there is a standard stand that allows you to tilt the screen block and lift it - extra convenience for your eyes. This stand allows you to stack multiple monitors in portrait orientation with narrow borders to each other.

For those who spend a lot of time in the gaming space, the Dell UltraSharp U2715H is a great companion. Thanks to the black anti-glare surface, limited by a plastic frame at the bottom, your eyes will not get tired.

Main advantages of Dell UltraSharp U2715H:

    High quality color rendition, which will allow you to enjoy the game without eye fatigue.

    Multifunctionality and wide possibilities: suitable for both beginners and avid gamers.

    Supports MHL 2.0 (up to 1080p at 60 fps), viewing angle 178°/178°.

    A simple menu in Russian that even a beginner can understand.

    Using the special Easy Arrange program, you can organize windows on your desktop for more convenient work.

The disadvantages include the following:

    Not the fastest response time. There are monitors with a response time of 2 ms.

    Not the highest resolution (not 4k after all).

    The price may seem significant.

The best 4k monitors

We decided to separately highlight the best gaming monitors with 4k (or Ultra HD) resolution. We present to you 2 models: one is more widespread, and the second is suitable for those gamers who agree only to the most best picture.

28 inch monitor - Samsung U28E590D

Representative UHD(or 4k) for more high price than other monitors in our top (~15,690 thousand rubles), and more acceptable performance for gaming - a 1ms response and 60Hz updates feel very smooth, largely thanks to FreeSync from AMD, a higher quality (tailored for 4k) analogue of Gsync.

    28 inches

    UHD 3840 x 2160

    Update frequency 60 Hz

    Response time 1 ms

    Connectors: HDMI, DP, DVI

Of note - "eye saver" mode, which is important for such a diagonal. As a result we have great choice from the 4k category, which is suitable for online battles without suffering in response.

Review from a real customer The size of this screen is almost the same as that of a TV. It's a pleasure to look at him. Even when I work for a long time, my eyes hardly get tired.

Gaming monitor - ASUS PB287Q 28

Let's study the main characteristics:

    28 inches

    UHD 3840 x 2160

    Refresh rate 60Hz

    Response time 6ms

    Connectors: HDMI, DP

The appearance of the monitor is traditional for the "PB" series. Black matte plastic, strict design, straight lines, absence of roundness and metal inserts - in general, the design of the monitor resembles a typical office model, with the exception of the diagonal - 28" you rarely see on a desktop in an office. Slightly rough plastic case does not create an expensive feeling, which somewhat reduces the joy of the purchase, taking into account the cost of the model at ~34 thousand rubles.

For a monitor that is far from a budget class, it is surprising that there is no built-in USB splitter and webcam. At the same time, the user was provided built-in speakers with good sound. The model also has an audio output for headphones. Signal transmission is carried out via DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 1.4. The settings control buttons are located on the rear side of the monitor. The user will have to press the buttons blindly, since there are no identification marks on the front side.

It uses a 28" diagonal TN matrix with a resolution of 16:9 and a resolution of 3840x2160. Viewing angles are not as wide as monitors PLS, IPS and OLED - in any case, they cannot be called narrow. Possibility of flexible adjustment of screen position very important. In this regard, the manufacturer has nothing to blame. Rotating the display around a vertical axis, adjusting the height, tilt angle and switching to vertical mode can be done without hassle.

High resolution looks very good in games, but gamers will have to pay for a super-detailed image with low performance. Many modern gaming systems are unable to fully provide normal FPS in games on maximum settings graphics.

Best curved gaming monitor

Let us present to you very cool monitors, which, due to their current price, cannot yet become a mass product, but are the embodiment of a gamer’s dream.

Large 144Hz monitor - BenQ XR3501 35-inch

Best 2k monitor

Curved Gaming Monitor - MSI Optix

Known primarily for its laptops, MSI clearly intends to conquer the gaming monitor market, fortunately, it is growing at a high rate. Another device designed to help her with this has the following characteristics:

  • 27 inches
  • WQHD 2560x1440
  • 144Hz refresh rate
  • Response time 1ms
  • Connectors: 1×DVI-D; 1×HDMI 2.0; 1×DisplayPort 1.2a

All parameters are impressive: from response time and refresh rate to picture brightness and clarity. In short, nothing will distract from the gameplay or interfere with your enjoyment - the monitor will withstand the test of the most dynamic shooter. But the main trump card is the latest SVA matrix, which has a radius of curvature of 1800R. The curvature of the screen provides the effect of enlarging the image on it and complete immersion, and at the same time comfort for the eyes.

Good day, dear readers!

Today there will be an article from an already proven series with the label “selection criteria”, where the most detailed stories are constantly being written about how to choose this or that component of your computer or the peripherals around it. As many remember, there were optional articles there, and much more.

Today we will talk about choosing such a seemingly simple thing as a monitor. Simple because almost everyone, except professionals in certain fields, buys a monitor based on the principle of “the cheapest” or the one that “shows the best” in the store (the fact that sellers deliberately set the color rendering settings worse on some monitors, and better on others , is usually not taken into account). This approach somewhat upsets me, because it is the monitor that is responsible for the richness, brightness, contrast and liveliness of the picture in your games, films, photographs, and just on your desktop. And for the “lifespan” too... :)

So... Let's go. I hope that this material will be useful to many and will open their eyes to a number of useful and important nuances.

General concept, rules and essence

Let's start, traditionally, with a short dive into the theory (where would we be without it, dear) of image formation and displaying it on a PC monitor. I don’t know if you remember, but not so long ago (some 5-7 years ago) the so-called cube monitors with a cathode ray tube were in vogue (by the way, they are still in use for some categories of users), which took the first step in the field of visual display of information from computer video subsystems.

The principle of image formation in such CRT-monitors was as follows: there was a sealed flask with evacuated air, the front (facing the viewer) part of which was coated on the inside with phosphor - a special substance capable of emitting light when fast electrons hit it.

Sets of phosphor dots were arranged in triangular... triads. The triad formed a pixel - a point, from a set of which the image was formed.

Note:
The phosphor was applied in the form of sets of dots of three primary colors - red, green and blue ( ). These colors are called primary because their combinations (in various proportions) can represent almost any color in the spectrum.

On the opposite side of the tube there were three (according to the number of primary colors) electron guns. All three guns are “aimed” at the same pixel, but each of them emits a stream of electrons towards “its own” phosphor point.

In order for the electrons to reach the screen unhindered, air was pumped out of the tube, and a high electrical voltage was created between the guns and the screen, accelerating the electrons.

In front of the screen, in the path of the electrons, a mask was placed - a thin metal plate with a large number of holes located opposite the phosphor points (see image).

The mask ensured that electron beams hit only the phosphor points of the corresponding color. A monitor deflection system was put on the part of the flask where the electron guns were located, which forced the electron beam to run through all the pixels one by one, line by line, from top to bottom, then return to the beginning of the top line, etc. (see image).

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Then the monitor was connected to a graphics accelerator (video card), a digital signal from the computer was supplied, which was converted to analog using a digital-to-analog converter ( DAC), installed on the video card, and only then did we see “pictures on the box” :). In a nutshell, I think it’s clear, let’s move on.

Nowadays it is increasingly rare to find this echo of the past - CRT-monitors, because the latter have already been practically replaced by monitors based on... liquid crystals ( LCD). Liquid crystals are called so for a reason - this is a special state of organic substances in which they have fluidity and the ability to form spatial structures similar to crystalline ones. Liquid crystals can change their structure and light-optical properties under the influence of electrical voltage(see image).

IN LCD-monitors mainly use active matrices , which represent transparent screen from thin film transistors (TFT – Thin Film Transistor), which is why they are also called TFT-monitors (transflective). The screen of such monitors is divided into independent cells (pixels), each of which consists of four parts (for three primary colors and one backup) and is controlled by its own transistor. In this case, backlighting is carried out using lamps located behind the screen (since there is no phosphor). When voltage is applied, the crystals in the cell line up in a certain way, blocking the light from the lamp and creating a point of a certain color and brightness on the screen.

As a result of all this, you and I see the resulting image.

Note:
U LCD-monitors do not have the concept of frame scanning as such (as is the case with CRT-monitor). Dot on the screen LCD- the monitor glows all the time while voltage is applied to it, and does not light up every time a beam of electrons hits it.

So, we figured out that a monitor is nothing more than a device that receives a digital/analog signal from a video adapter and converts it into something understandable for a PC user graphic images. Of course, like any complex electronic device the monitor has its own registration certificate or specifications, which every self-respecting user is simply obliged to study before purchasing.

Selection based on characteristics and what they are

I think that some of you, after making a purchase (especially if you made it based on the advice of a sales consultant), have a feeling that can be described with the words: “In my opinion, I went crazy and overpaid”, “Something is wrong with me.” then they slipped it in,” “Didn’t they deceive me?” etc. and so on. This does not necessarily apply computer equipment, it can be “household goods”, and household goods, and anything else. This feeling arises mainly due to the fact that you come to the store for the first time to buy a product, look at its variety (which makes your eyes dazzle), walk smartly between the counters (tormented by vague doubts about what it is all about) choose), without knowing anything at all about the product, and you also try to buy it, listening to the salesman who is hooked on your ears.

As a result, having received a couple of tips from a consultant in a language unfamiliar to you (such as “Yes, the prositron scan here is great and the bipolarity of liquid organic crystals is 13% higher than that of other models...”), who only got a job here a week ago, you With a sense of accomplishment, you go to the checkout, pay and receive the coveted box. It seems that everything is done, but for some reason you did not receive proper satisfaction from the process of purchasing/selecting/analyzing a product, because you reduced your participation in this process to a minimum.

Of course, I don’t argue, there are competent specialists, good stores with quality goods, etc., but for the most part (and based on extensive personal experience) the process is set up this way. So, in order not to buy goods according to the “pig in a poke” principle (and to know that you really have acquired a quality item), you need to take the responsibility of purchasing upon yourself, armed with just the appropriate knowledge.

Note:
When you come to the store, remember that, often, you have point of sale different goals: yours is to buy a high-quality and affordable item, and the store’s is to sell the most expensive model and close the monthly sales plan... at least by a third :)

However, enough chatter, let’s begin to translate our task into something more significant, namely, the practice of selection, the main characteristics and nuances that you need to pay attention to when buying a monitor.

Task in progress

It was not without reason that we decided to describe this parameter first, because... To understand what technical parameters a monitor should have, you need to decide and answer the question: “Why do we actually need it and what tasks will it perform?”

He can perform a lot of tasks simultaneously at a good ideological and artistic level, or, relatively speaking, just one at a semi-professional level. What I mean? For example, you can choose an everyday monitor that will, at an average level, implement everything at once: computer games, movies, photos, etc. Or you can opt for a professional solution, which costs more, but at the same time copes with the assigned tasks much more powerfully, such as, for example, the closest and highest quality color rendition for photographs or images.

So, decide on the type of monitor:

  • Designer. For a designer, the main criteria will always be high-quality color rendering, ample monitor settings, as well as screen size (diagonal);
  • Game. Avid gamers have their own requirements - screen size, fast response time and high dynamic contrast. For total immersion it would be useful to support a full 3D-volume;
  • Casual and homey. Home user so... homey. He needs a beautiful case and a large screen;
  • Home cinema. Film lovers also have their own needs - high resolution with aspect ratio ( 16:9 ) with the support Full HD, as well as large viewing angles (so you can watch movies with friends) and other additional options;
  • Office monitor. Office monitor... As management chooses, in short :)

However, this is a somewhat arbitrary gradation, so let’s move on.

Matrix type

Basic monitor parameter that affects the quality (contrast, brightness, color rendition, viewing angles, etc.) of the picture - matrix type. Currently there are more 10 subtypes matrices produced by manufacturers, however, in order not to get confused in the intricacies of abbreviations and “complicated” names, I will give the most common and specific types matrices that can be found on the store shelves of our vast country and what can be offered to our inexperienced user.

  • TN. This is the cheapest and most popular type of matrix used in most low- and mid-range monitors. price range. It is characterized by relatively low response time (which, in general, has long become just marketing) and energy consumption. Among the shortcomings, the most significant are inaccurate color rendition (due to the use of only 6 -bit for each color channel, and the missing shades are obtained different ways mixing available), low contrast(as a rule, manufacturers try to compensate for this through software, which can be even worse than simply leaving it as is) and relatively small viewing angles (especially vertical ones). One of the advantages, as already mentioned, is the price, because even for a large diagonal you can pay mere pennies.

Each manufacturer has its own image enhancement functions/technologies, so it is advisable to study them before going to the store, because they can be useful. Although I would recommend relying on technical specifications rather than software gadgets.

Response time

Once a very important indicator for players and film buffs (in office work this characteristic is not so important), because it is responsible for the smooth playback of pictures in dynamic scenes. In general (according to science), this is the interval (measured in ms) necessary for the cell LCD-the matrix changed its brightness from one set value to another, if in a simpler way, then the parameter is responsible for the market so that fast moving objects do not leave artifacts in the form of trails on the screen and the image itself does not seem blurry. The indicator works on the principle “the lower, the better!” Here, one might say, monitors with TN-matrix. Actually, for this reason, all gaming monitors and stereoscopic 3D-monitors with shutter glasses are built on this matrix.

Due to fast switching of every pixel of the screen, even the most dynamic scenes of any game will be displayed as accurately as possible, without causing discomfort.

Note:
There are two parameters in response time. One of them is - GTG(Grey To Grey) - i.e. the time of transition from gray to gray with the pixel turned off, i.e. This parameter shows the response time of the pixel to turn on and off. From a practical point of view, this parameter does not play a special role, but only shows the reaction to turning on the matrix.

There is another parameter, namely BTW(Black To White), i.e. the time until the white value is completely achieved from a completely black pixel color. Is important characteristic for monitors used in conjunction with dynamic images and sudden color changes. If the response speed is insufficient, the edges of the moving image blur, blend, and even blink.

So there you go! Some manufacturers (and sellers) use tricky designations and set the response time to GTG-parameter, which creates confusion and puts in a favorable light models that need to be sold against competitors, although in fact the picture looks different. So look at the response time BTW, but not GTG- so you will have an idea which model is really better.

In particular, you can take a monitor in which this parameter can be switched - this way you will have the opportunity to choose what is closer to you, the clarity of the image or its slight blurriness (I love blurriness).

Although the "leader's jersey" has the shortest response time TN-panels thanks various technologies, For example, " Overdrive"(response time compensation) and the final transition to full-fledged 8 -bits encoding color in each channel, monitors with IPS- the matrix came close in terms of this indicator to TN-kam, and some models (for example, a series IPS 6 from LG) are already giving their once fast brothers a head start.

Of course, they are still in massive demand among buyers. TN-matrices, however, are increasingly gaining momentum and IPS-models, which is good news, because they are really more pleasing to the eye, especially from the point of view of color rendition.

Resolution, as well as viewing angles and type of matrix coating

When looking at a computer display, the first thing that catches your eye is its size and screen format. Aspect refers to the aspect ratio of the screen. It is now becoming more and more standard 16:9 and it is this wide format that allows you to watch movies comfortably and with taste, as well as without black fields at the top and bottom of the display or cropping of the image on the sides.

Equally important, of course, is the monitor resolution parameter. It usually looks like 1920x1080 or 2560x1440, which denotes the number of dots vertically to the number of dots horizontally. The higher the resolution, the more information may be displayed on the monitor.

Note:
Monitors that belong to adjacent categories in terms of screen size often have the same resolution (for example, 20 - And 22- inch displays same resolution 1680x1050 points). In such cases, the only advantage that a larger model has is a larger picture. The image size in pixels of the larger display is no larger than the size of the smaller one. However, on a monitor with a larger diagonal, the picture will be less clear due to the larger pixel size (called grain).

It is also worth distinguishing between monitor resolution (indicated in dots, for example, 1920x1080) and screen size, i.e. diagonal length (indicated in inches, for example, 24” ).

Note:
There is such a thing as the visible part of the monitor, which is usually smaller than the declared screen size (for example, diagonal 24” , and the visible part is 23.6 "), so keep that in mind. If you want to fully enjoy the colorful action Full HD monitor, you shouldn’t take a smaller diagonal 24 inches, because the quality of a widescreen picture can only be assessed starting from this diagonal.

Viewing angles are almost everyone's stumbling block LCD-monitors, which manifests itself in image deterioration when looking at the screen at an angle: contrast drops and color accuracy decreases. Good viewing angles, allowing you to use the monitor without any restrictions - 165-175 degrees vertically and the same number horizontally. So, carefully walk around the monitor before purchasing in order to evaluate its viewing angles on the spot.

It is worth keeping in mind that here manufacturers also use a certain technical trick, inflating this figure. Special tests (we will talk about one of these at the end of the article) and independent tests will help you get an objective assessment. For clarity, we present an image obtained from different viewing angles for TN-matrices ( 1 ) And PVA (2 ) (see image).

As a small conclusion, let's say that for IPS-matrices are characterized by wide viewing angles without image distortion both vertically and horizontally, V.A.-matrices have average viewing angles and TN-matrices are trailing in the very tail.

Also, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the type of coating of the monitor matrix: glossy or matte. The first gives colors saturation and deeper contrast, but glares in bright light and reflects almost everything that is in front of the screen, the second solves the problem of glare, but the colors do not look as vibrant.

Brightness and Contrast

Brightness characterizes the intensity of the screen's glow and is measured in candelas per square meter ( cd/sq.m). If the brightness characteristic is not high enough, then it will be uncomfortable to work with such a monitor in strong lighting conditions (for comfortable work with text, the brightness of the monitor should be at least 75-80 cd/sq. m, and for watching movies, sometimes the higher the brightness, the better). A monitor with excessive brightness will not harm your eyes (you can lower it in the settings), but increasing the brightness beyond the maximum will not work.

Contrast is defined as the ratio of the brightness of white on the screen to the brightness of black and is written as a proportion (for example, 500:1 or 3000:1 ). In other words, it is the ratio of illuminances or brightnesses of the lightest part and the darkest part of the image. High Contrast makes the image more “tangible” and “alive”. The minimum recommended contrast level for a home monitor is 500:1 .

Note:
As an example: for display, maximum and minimum brightness which are equal 400.5 cd/sq.m And 0.5 cd/sq.m accordingly, the contrast is equal to ( 400.5 - 0.5 )/0.5 = 800:1 . This characteristic is important for displaying halftones and is most relevant for professional monitors, but it is also important for ordinary users. There is such a thing as dynamic contrast - it is a “synthetic” characteristic, because automatically adjusts to the output image.

Typically, manufacturers also use some tricks and indicate dynamic contrast (or dynamic contrast) on monitors. ACM - Adaptive Contrast Management), which is orders of magnitude larger than the static (For example, static 1000:1 , dynamic 50000:1 ). You need to understand that the dynamic contrast mode is suitable mainly for films and computer games; in everyday work this is not such an important parameter. And in general, dynamic contrast is a kind of... perversion, because the picture does not always look the way it should be, but on the contrary, oversaturated, and not always adequately.

The image below shows all three characteristics at once: brightness ( 1 ), static ( 2 ) and dynamic contrast ( 3 ), so pay attention to the box and passport of the monitor in order to choose a model based on its real characteristics, and not those indicated by someone out there somewhere.

In general, the brightness can be adjusted not only through the options on the monitor, but also through the brightness of the backlight - this is a fairly simple and high-quality way to increase the quality of halftone transmission in everyday work.

Backlight types and 3D monitors

Nowadays there are quite a large number of monitors on the market with backlighting or fluorescent lamps ( CCFL), or from LEDs ( LED). Backlight CCFL has a number of disadvantages:

  • High power consumption;
  • Limited service life;
  • Large lamp sizes;
  • Harm to the environment during production.

Because of this, monitors with such backlighting are gradually disappearing, giving way to modern technology LED. Thanks to this type of backlight, dynamic contrast appeared, i.e. To display darker tones, the backlight becomes less bright, and vice versa (see image).

Also, when using LED backlighting, the energy consumption of the monitor as a whole is reduced, which, in the face of constantly rising energy prices, can be a very beneficial advantage. The production of LEDs does not use mercury, which is harmful to health and the environment, so monitors can be considered LED-lighting is more environmentally friendly.

Note:
There are monitors on sale with Super LED- backlit, they are less power-hungry compared to their younger brothers without a console Super.

There are, of course, disadvantages that are worth mentioning:

  • Fatigue of visual receptors (with prolonged sitting it can dry out the eyes);
  • Over time, the light/brightness characteristics of the diodes change, and each one is different, so the image may “float”;
  • Cheap LEDs give off a cold blue tint, which can cause color rendition to be distorted.

We're done with the lighting.

Now let's move on to the newfangled 3 D-monitors. As already mentioned, monitors with TN- matrix allows you to display stereo 3D-Images. For implementation 3D-functions, the highest quality was selected this moment playback method 3D-content - shutter glasses and a monitor with a high refresh rate. With this method of display, the picture does not lose clarity, because each eye sees the entire picture in full, and not half, as on monitors with polarizing matrices.

Thus, in order to immerse yourself in a virtual 3D reality, it is enough to have a monitor with a frequency on hand 120 Hz, shutter or polarized glasses and the video content itself (and not necessarily in 3D, the monitor is capable on our own convert 2D-image in volume).

If you decide to please yourself (or your child) 3D-monitor, then you need to pay attention to the following points:

  • Is the monitor certified by the company? NVIDIA for support NVIDIA 3D Vision– the most popular and stable shutter technology, with which in stereoscopic mode 3D you can play several hundred computer games. The certificate guarantees you stable work monitor when using this technology and will definitely be able to fully work with video cards and stereo glasses NVIDIA.
  • The brightness of the matrix is ​​an important parameter for 120 Hz 3D monitor, since shutter glasses, although they “wink” quite quickly, still darken the picture, so the higher the brightness of the monitor, the better. Matrix brightness 3D-the monitor should be in order 400-500 cd/sq.m.

Now that we’ve sorted that out, let’s summarize something and move on.

So, we have already met quite a lot a large number parameters that modern monitors have. I offer the following as a “settlement” of this information: pivot table(clickable), which I advise you to always keep in mind before purchasing in a store.

Memorize it (like a multiplication table) or print it out, and you will notice that the search for the right monitor will immediately narrow down to a very modest one.

Interfaces

Note:
When choosing a monitor with the most popular resolution at the moment 1920x1080 You need to pay attention to the fact that there is at least one digital interface, because when connected via VGA, even if there is an adapter on the other end of the wire DVI-VGA And DVI- video card connector, the picture will be somewhat blurry. Additionally, if you purchased a monitor that supports stereo 3D, then when connected to VGA get 3D- the effect will not work. Interface DisplayPort required to connect more than two monitors.

In addition to the connection connectors, it may also be useful to USB HUB, built into the monitor (for those who like to connect peripherals, as well as flash drives for transferring small files). Some monitors are “mini-computers” and allow you to play music or photos from flash drives connected to them, and some can even surf the Internet if connected.

Monitor design, other beauties and conveniences

There is probably nothing more to say about the characteristics of the screen (except for minor conventions), so let’s touch on such an important aesthetic aspect as the design of the monitor. After all, you see, a piece of plastic 24 inches should please you not only with its characteristics, but also with its appearance.

When choosing a monitor, of course, you need to pay attention to some features of its design, thanks to which it can become not only more attractive in appearance, but also much more functional. This may include:

  • Built-in/external power supply. Monitors with built-in power supply ( 2 ) is usually thicker than similar models with an external power supply ( 1 ).

  • Availability of speakers/headphone jack, USB-hub, additional connector HDMI(to connect game consoles latest generation).

  • Touch/mechanical control buttons. It’s just like in a car, some people like an automatic, while others only want a manual.

  • Possibility of wall mounting (using standard mount) VESA) and rotation capabilities: pivot(this is the ability to rotate the screen around an axis perpendicular to the screen plane and passing through the intersection point of its diagonals), height, tilt, left-right rotation ( swivel).

  • Case thickness.

  • A monitor stand that houses various video inputs so that connected cables no longer hang behind the monitor, but are hidden behind the stand.

  • Wireless auto discovery function ( Auto Wireless Detection) – the ability to connect the monitor wirelessly to a computer or laptop at a distance of up to 10 meters (you just need to bring the laptop to the monitor, and it will automatically be added as an additional display, it’s just some kind of magic :)).

Manufacturer
I don’t know if you remember, but before (years 5-10 ago) monitors from Samsung(by the way, one of these mastodons is still standing and pulling its weight well). So, a lot has changed during this time, but Samsung is still (ahead of the rest :)) considered one of the best monitor manufacturers and always receives high user ratings from all over the globe.

For those who have disliked since childhood Samsung, it is worth paying attention to such manufacturers as Acer, LG, Asus. These companies also (as well as Samsung) are very sensitive to the products they produce and extremely rarely allow themselves to release some low-quality monitor (however, even an old woman can fail :)). Well, in general it’s worth saying that there is no “best” monitor manufacturer, because the model is always chosen (depending on the tasks and price restrictions), and not the manufacturer. For example, you may like the company's products Apple(including monitors), but you know that a monitor costing over 50 000 it will simply look ridiculous in your office and you need to choose something less pretentious.

In general, globally, when purchasing, it is advisable to initially, while still at home, decide on at least 2 manufacturers and choose a specific model from among them, because this way you will save a lot of free time.

Miscellaneous
And finally, I decided to talk about a small useful utility, which can become your indispensable assistant in choosing correct monitor, her name is TFT-test. The utility is intended for testing (checking basic parameters) LCD-monitors and copes with it quite well. In addition, it supports the Russian language and is completely free. You can download this creation from the link, namely from here.

Note:
It is advisable, before buying a monitor in a store, to ask to run the selected model using this program (in some stores they do this for money, in some for free, in some, which is rare, they let you run it yourself) and evaluate its real technical parameters. Large retail chains completely refuse to test the monitor and generally do not allow any extraneous manipulations (even in the presence of the seller). Here it is worth saying that it is better to bypass such points and not buy a “pig in a poke”, or choose a model in advance and then go buy where it is cheaper.

Actually, the utility is incredibly simple to learn, so just run it and run through all the tests (see image).

The program allows you to determine/evaluate:

  • Uniformity of matrix illumination and “broken” pixels (a black inactive dot that does not respond to changing images, ideally there should be none at all);
  • Readability of fonts;
  • Loops due to moving objects;
  • Step gradient to check matrix linearity and discreteness;
  • Legibility of details;
  • Much more.

It is advisable to pass all the tests of the program, evaluate the results obtained and only then make a decision.

So, if you have read to these lines, then it means that the article seemed interesting and educational to you, which cannot but please the author of these lines. Therefore, get ready for an additional bonus (for the most persistent :)).

Well, now we have come to the end of the article, and so that your head does not go spinning from so many technical parameters that influence the choice of a monitor, we will give a kind of general “squeeze” of everything that was said here and more. You can print it out and have it on hand when purchasing a monitor.

  • Give preference to the monitor that is most suitable for your goals and objectives;
  • Don't buy a cheap monitor: sooner or later low quality monitor will appear in a noticeably reduced level of brightness, contrast, or in the appearance of areas with “dead” pixels. The main thing in a monitor is not the size, but the quality of the image - the health of your eyes and the general fatigue of the body directly depend on it;
  • Select the monitor diagonal based on its placement on your desktop. Do not forget that the monitor should be located at a sufficient distance from the eyes (on average, at arm's length), which will create normal conditions for its use;
  • When choosing a monitor, be sure to make sure that it has a sufficient level of tilt and swivel adjustments. A plus will be the ability to raise and lower the monitor screen, which will allow you to choose its optimal placement and reduce tension in the neck muscles;
  • When choosing between a matte and glossy surface of the monitor screen, consider its location in relation to the window and the lighting in the room, since direct sunlight or lamp light makes its own adjustments;
  • If your activity involves the need for accurate color reproduction, the optimal choice would be a monitor built on a matrix IPS;
  • For those whose computer is intended for gaming purposes, but does not exclude working with photos and videos, the best option in terms of price-quality ratio, most likely, are monitors based on * V.A.-technologies;
  • If you need an inexpensive monitor and you are not demanding technical parameters, the best and most universal choice would be a monitor with TN- matrix, as inexpensive and practical;
  • All other things being equal, pay attention to additional image enhancement technologies, connectors, manufacturer, final delivery kit and warranty;
  • Before you finally settle on one or another monitor model, read what they write about it on the forums: perhaps you will change your mind and give preference to a more practical model;
  • Don't be fooled by super-duper-expensive models with big big signs like response 1 ms, Full HD, ultra-thin, etc. As a rule, this is pure marketing, and, often, you can find something of no less quality, but much cheaper. Rely on your knowledge, and not on advertising, the opinion of sellers, etc.
    • SSD (and more). The prices are quite reasonable, although the range is not always ideal in terms of variety. The key advantage is the guarantee that really allows for 14 days to change the product without any questions, and in case of warranty problems, the store will take your side and help solve any problems. The author of the site has been using it for years 10 at least (since the days when they were part of Ultra Electoronics), which is what he advises you to do;
  • , - one of oldest stores on the market, as a company exists somewhere of order 20 years. Decent selection, average prices and one of the most convenient sites. Overall a pleasure to work with.

The choice, traditionally, is yours. Of course, there are all kinds Yandex Market“Nobody canceled them, but from good stores I would recommend these, and not some MVideo and others large networks(which are often not just expensive, but detrimental in terms of quality of service, warranty, etc.).

Afterword

In a nutshell, something like this. I hope that this material was useful and interesting for you.

As always, if you have any questions, additions, thanks or feedback, please write in the comments to this post. We'll be glad to listen.

P.S.: Thanks to team member 25 KADR for the existence of this article

Choosing a monitor is not as difficult as it seems. First, you need to decide on the purpose of the monitor, that is, what it will mainly be used for - watching videos, playing games, or working with office applications.

Monitor size

The main monitor parameter is the diagonal size, measured in inches. One inch is equal to 2.5 cm. For working with office applications, 17 - 19 inches are enough, for watching videos - at least 22 inches, and for games, 24 - 27 inches are preferable.

It is worth noting that the larger the monitor size for video and gaming, the better. In this case, the choice is limited only by the size of the wallet and the installation space. Therefore, before purchasing a large monitor, you should make sure that it will fit on your desk.

Monitor format

Monitor format is important for watching movies. Most monitors are already available in 16:9 format, but now 16:10 is becoming popular. To watch movies, you should also choose a monitor with Full HD resolution – 1920x1080.

Monitor response time

Response time is a very important parameter when choosing gaming monitor. This parameter is indicated in milliseconds: the smaller it is, the better. Response time shows how long it takes for pixels to change color. For a long time, a colored trail remains behind moving objects. Modern monitors are characterized by good performance in this parameter, but for fast games you need to choose a monitor with minimal response time.

Monitor viewing angle and contrast

Viewing angle is another important indicator that shows at what deviation from the center line the correct color rendition is disrupted. This indicator is especially important when watching movies with several people. The larger these horizontal and vertical angles, the more comfortable it is to work at the computer.

Contrast is an indicator indicating the number of shades - light and dark - reproduced by the monitor. High contrast ratios are necessary for working with photographs.

Extra options

Brightness - this parameter is not very important for a home monitor, unless it is placed in a very bright, sunny place.

It is also worth paying attention to the coating of the monitor. Monitors with a glossy finish have better color rendering, but, like in them, light sources are reflected. Therefore, for working with office applications and drawings, it is better to choose a monitor with a matte finish.

The type of matrix is ​​not particularly important and is often not even specified by the manufacturer. Most monitors are sold with TFT matrix TN. They are inexpensive, have excellent response time and contrast, and good color rendition. These monitors are perfect for office programs, watching movies and games.

However, for those who work professionally with color, such as designers or photographers, will need a monitor with a matrix TFT type IPS – they have average response time and contrast, but excellent color rendition, as close as possible to natural. The price of such monitors will be significantly higher than those with a TFT TN matrix.

Before purchasing, you also need to determine the availability of additional components, such as a webcam or TV tuner. You also need to make sure that the monitor has the necessary connectors for connecting to a computer, for example HDMI, if the video card supports this format.

Choice monitor- a responsible matter, since he undertakes long term. Therefore, it is important not to make a mistake and purchase exactly the model that is well suited in all respects. Largely on quality monitor depends on how comfortable a person will feel when working at a computer, so it’s better to pay attention to the selection process monitor more time and attention than later regretting the wrong choice.

Instructions

There are a lot of models on the computer equipment market, so the choice should primarily be based on the characteristics monitor, and not guided by the manufacturer. Moreover, nowadays all the world's computer brands provide high-quality products.

As a matrix type monitor liquid crystal should be considered. They are the most common in the world today. Unlike the CRT-based monitors that preceded them, they are much safer for health, have better performance and consume much less electricity.

First, decide for what purposes it will be used. This will help you decide which diagonal is best to buy it with. If you need a monitor for work, it is recommended to take a model with a screen diagonal of no more than 20; if for work and entertainment, choose the 22-24 inch model. If you mainly use the monitor to watch movies and play video games, you can choose models with a diagonal of more than 25 inches.

Another important parameter is the response time of the matrix. This parameter should be 8 ms or lower. There is practically no difference between 8 ms and 5 ms, since for the human eye 8 ms is the limit. But you can feel the difference between 15 and 8 ms. So choose a model with a pixel response of at least 8ms.

One of the main indicators monitor is brightness. LCD monitors are inferior to CRT monitors in this regard. monitor m. If the monitor will be used for viewing photographs, films, etc., the minimum brightness should be 300 cd/m². It is recommended to take a monitor with a brightness below 300 cd/m² only if it will be used only for work.

Now, based on these parameters, simply determine what kind of monitor you will buy. Don't worry about the connection interfaces - they are standard. Unless you bought a monitor without a digital output, and you only have a digital connection interface. In this case, you can purchase a special adapter that allows you to connect such a monitor to the digital interface on.

Video on the topic

Tip 3: How to choose an inexpensive monitor for your home computer

With development information technologies equipment is becoming better and better, and its cost is becoming lower. Nowadays, even for little money you can choose a high-quality monitor for your home computer.

Instructions

It is better to look for a monitor on the websites of online computer stores or Yandex.Market, where there is a filtering of products by characteristics.

Select the matrix type. We recommend choosing a TN matrix, since other types (VA, IPS and PLS) in budget monitors have many disadvantages, for example, changes in color rendition when changing the viewing angle, mediocre transmission of shadow effects, " " corners, etc.

Select contrast. The higher this setting, the more colors the monitor can display. If possible, choose a monitor with maximum contrast.

When you have only 2-3 candidates left, be sure to read reviews about them. Before purchasing, be sure to check your monitor for defects such as dead pixels.

Video on the topic

Helpful advice

Don't be afraid to look towards larger monitors. In 2-3 days you will understand why large monitors are in great demand. In addition, in many large companies, monitors with a diagonal of 22-23 inches are the corporate standard.

The huge number of different monitor models often makes it difficult to choose the right device. In any case, you initially need to understand what the computer display will be used for most often.

Monitor resolution is the size of the resulting image in pixels. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the image you can get and the higher the cost of the monitor (all other things being equal).

Typical resolutions of modern monitors are given below:

Separately worth mentioning Full resolution HD and 4K.

Built-in speaker system

If you do not have serious demands on the sound quality of your audio system, you should consider purchasing a monitor with built-in speakers. If you connect such a monitor using an HDMI or DisplayPort connector, you will not need a separate cable for audio transmission, which is very convenient.

Headphone output

If you use headphones frequently (for example, listening to music at night or in the office), then a monitor equipped with a headphone audio output would be a smart purchase. This will make them more convenient to use.

3D image support (3D-Ready)

The 3D format is gradually gaining popularity. First it conquered cinema screens, and now it is penetrating the household appliances market. Some monitor models already support 3D content. These monitors have high frequency screen updates (144 Hz and higher) and can alternately display images for the left and right eyes. To ensure that each eye sees its own picture, the kit includes special glasses with “shutter” technology.

To summarize, we can conditionally divide monitors into several price categories:

monitors costing from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles. Inexpensive monitors for office or home use. They have a diagonal size from 17 to 21 inches. As a rule, they are equipped with TN type matrices, or an inexpensive VA or IPS matrices. Maximum resolution- FullHD or less. Equipped VGA connectors or DVI. Additional adjustments to the screen position are rare.

monitors costing from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles.

 Monitors for everyday home use fall into this category. They have a diagonal size from 22 to 27 inches, equipped with good TN, VA or IPS matrices with FullHD resolutions. Equipped with HDMI or DisplayPort connectors. May have USB hubs, built-in speakers and screen position adjustments. monitors costing over 20,000 rubles. More advanced monitors with diagonals from 24 to 35 inches and higher, with matrices with resolutions from FullHD to 5K with good response speed and color reproduction. In this category there are models with

curved screen

or 3D image support. They also have on board a wide range of different connectors for connecting system units and other devices, USB hubs, and audio outputs. I hope this small guide will help you choose the right monitor for your computer. When working at a computer, it is important to have not only a fast system specialist, but also

good monitor

. Today we’ll talk about how to choose a monitor for a computer, which one is quite suitable for work, and which one you can safely buy for games, based on parameters such as diagonal size, matrix type, contrast and brightness optimal for the eyes, resolution and response time.

The quality of the image, and therefore the comfort when working and simply surfing the Internet, depends on the monitor.

Monitor selection - size

First, you need to decide on the size of the monitor. The defining indicator is the length of the diagonal, measured in inches.

The most popular diagonal sizes today are 21.5, 23, 27 and 35 inches. There are several more intermediate sizes, but we won’t talk about them. As for size, everyone should choose a monitor based on their preferences.

The optimal monitor size for work is 21-23 inches, for games 27 inches and above.

Full HD Permission


The resolution of modern monitors ranges from Full HD to 2K, 4K and 8K. This parameter directly affects the clarity of the picture, and is measured by the total number of pixels (dots) horizontally and vertically.

Resolution and size are obvious parameters, and you probably know about them, but a monitor has no less significant characteristics, which you should pay attention to and it is important to understand what they mean. About such parameters below...

Backlight brightness

The backlight brightness parameter is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2). We won’t talk about what a candela is and how this unit of measurement came about; you can easily find this information by using the search.

The fact is that liquid crystals themselves do not emit light, therefore, in order to see the picture, we need backlighting; without it, monitors would simply be black, as if they were turned off. Accordingly, the higher this characteristic is, the brighter the picture we can get.

A good, and we would say the minimum indicator for a good monitor is 300 cd/m2.

It is worth remembering that this parameter must be considered in conjunction with another equally tricky thing, contrast.

Contrast

Contrast is the ratio of the white level to the black level, i.e. How many times is the white dot lighter than the black dot?

This is a very important parameter, although marketers make the choice a little more difficult for us by coming up with the concept of “dynamic contrast”. This figure can reach 100,000,000:1. But what is it?

Dynamic contrast is also the ratio of the white level to the black level, but to the black level at minimum backlight, and to the white level at maximum backlight.

By and large, this parameter is absolutely meaningless, because why do we need to know how many times brighter the monitor is on than when it is off? Although it can be used as a source of lighting in the house in the form of a light bulb, but why?

Therefore, do not be distracted by this parameter, but when buying a monitor, look for an indicator, namely static contrast, i.e. at the same backlight level.

Why is contrast important to consider in conjunction with brightness? Let us explain, when shooting a monitor with a video camera, one monitor may look faded, while the other may look rich and contrasty.

We have three monitors in front of us, the middle one is working at the limit of its capacity, i.e. This is its normal contrast, at maximum brightness, and in reality, it appears a bit dark.

That is, everything that is in the shadows merges into a single dark spot, and when playing games, if the actions take place at night or in poorly lit rooms, it is very difficult to see anything.


If you try to correct this situation, for example, with drivers or settings, then yes, the shadows can be “stretched out”, they will look normal, but then all the light areas will begin to merge.

This happens because, despite good contrast indicators, the monitor has reached its maximum brightness, and this cannot be corrected.

If a monitor has, say, a brightness of 200 cd/m2 with a contrast of 600:1, then looking at such a monitor, it will seem that the screen is covered with a cloudy film, and although the color rendition will be good, it will be inconvenient to read texts and play.

Conclusion: The brightness level in the monitor should be at least 300 cd/m2 with a static contrast ratio of 900 to 1000:1.

Response time

Another important parameter is response time. Usually in the specifications it is indicated as Grey-to-Grey (GtG), this is the time during which a pixel can change the brightness of gray from 10% to 90%.

There is another indicator Black-to-White (BtW), the time during which a pixel can turn from a completely off, black state to its maximum brightness, that is, white.

And one more parameter Black-White-Black (BWB or BtB), the time during which the pixel goes from off to white and then off again.

In general, manufacturers specify Grey-to-Grey response times. Nowadays most monitors have between 5 and 7 milliseconds. And most of us won't notice any difference at all. On old monitors, this indicator was 10, 15 and even 25 milliseconds, and there was a trail behind all moving objects on the screen, this was especially noticeable when the mouse cursor moved across the screen.

Advanced gamers prefer monitors with a response time of 1 to 4 milliseconds, but they are more expensive, and in our opinion, this is not necessary, since it is difficult to notice such a small difference.

Matrix

Finally, we come directly to the monitor matrix. In simple words, this is the thing that forms the picture.

There are several types of matrices, but they have one base, liquid crystals, i.e. TFT displays, differing in the technologies used.


TFT TN matrix– the oldest technology and appeared to replace SRT monitors, i.e. monitors with ray tube.

pros- cheap price and fast response time (1-4 ms).

Minuses– poor viewing angle. As soon as you deviate a little vertically or horizontally, changing the viewing angle, the image on the screen becomes dark, the contrast changes, etc.

TFT AH-IPS matrix – replaced TN technology. Everyone is probably familiar with it; all modern phones, including budget ones, have an IPS display.

pros– good viewing angles, almost 180 degrees. No matter what angle you look at, the picture remains virtually unchanged.

Minuses– price. IPS panels are significantly more expensive than TN, but this is understandable. Previously, the price gap was generally catastrophic, but now it has become acceptable.

Previously, IPS panels suffered from very long response times, but with the development of technology, the figure is 2-5 ms.

TFT MVA matrix– was invented as an alternative to expensive IPS panels at that time. Accordingly, several goals were pursued: to reduce the price and reduce the response time (5 ms). IN given time VA matrices have better contrast and better color rendition than IPS, and they cost either the same or less.

pros – good contrast and richness of color, price.

Minuses– at a higher angle, the picture becomes slightly yellowish and slightly less contrasting.

There are gaming VA matrices with a response time of 2 and even 1 millisecond.

Conclusion: We consider monitors with TFT MVA matrix to be a very good and correct choice. These are the most versatile monitors, and they are cheaper in price than IPS, and the contrast and brightness are at the same level. Suitable for working with documents, graphics, games, watching movies.

Video on choosing a monitor

When you come to the store, having previously studied a bunch of forums and read reviews, you roughly understand that you need to definitely use the following software:

When buying a monitor, take with you a flash drive with a program called "TFT monitor test"(weighs about 250Kb). The program will allow you to check your monitor for dead pixels, backlight uniformity, and much more.

Let us remind you that the presence of 1 to 5 dead pixels is not a warranty case, and exchanging a purchased monitor may be problematic. Therefore, it would be good to have this program at hand.

Take with you photos or screenshots from games that you know what they look like, so it will be easier for you to evaluate the quality of the monitor, since your eyes already know these images.

Play around with the monitor menu to adjust brightness and contrast.

Check the package contents, many monitors only come with a VGA cable, but it would be nice to have HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.

I hope we didn’t miss anything and you have an idea of ​​how to choose the right monitor for your computer. Otherwise, write your comments and questions in the comments, we will try to answer. We specifically did not cover the topic of studio monitors, or as they are also called, monitors for designers, since professionals are busy with what they need.

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