A Brief History of Monitors and Connectors

Different types of monitors and video connectors are now available to use with your computer. They range from big to small, and vary depending on the type of connection they use to produce an image. Throughout Los Angeles computer repair technicians know how to deal with all types of monitors, when you need them.

Early Monitors

Monitors began as typical Cathode Ray Tube devices. These were large, heavy and inefficient machines for viewing computer graphics. These old and clunky devices were used as television sources as well. Initially, these monitors connected using a db9 serial cable. 

Soon, the technology developed to what is known as the VGA connection, with 15 connector pins. This is to this day one of the most common types of video connection, often presented as the blue port on the back of a computer desktop or side of a laptop. 

The next step was the development of the DVI connector, otherwise known as Digital Visual Interface. This connector and protocol offers higher resolution, and functionality between digital, analog and across both standards at once. 

High Definition Appears

However, with the graphically intense applications and data of today, a higher level of video and data transmission was needed. HDMI was introduced, offering data transmission in regards to audio and video. HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, and is quickly becoming an industry standard in high quality media infrastructure. 

Its ability to utilize both audio and video data conjunctively makes it one of the most streamlined interfaces for home and business integration. One cable is needed for complete media coverage, instead of two to three. 

Current Cable Protocols

Currently, the densest data transmission and fastest cable protocol is the Mini Display Port/ Thunderbolt connection.  These types of cables are widely available at computer retail and repair stores.

Mini display port can support 6 display outputs on single graphics cards, helping power users implement multiple monitors. In addition, like HDMI, Mini Display Port doubles as a Thunderbolt port. This allows 20GB/sec data transfer. With the ability to process such dense data so rapidly, it allows for seamless and gorgeous looking high resolution graphics, scalable up to the largest flat screen LED monitors manufactured today. Impressive! 

So after development of these cables, we also see the death of the CRT monitor. 

LCD Monitors

It has been replaced with LCD monitors and LED. These flat, lightweight and cost efficient monitors have taken over the computer world and the home entertainment sector. Offering brighter colors and long service life, as well as ever increasing pixel ratios and contrast ratios, LCD and LED monitors are set to drive graphics far into the future. 

Coming Developments

Next, expect to see flexible Organic LED Panels, as well as special plastics that are translucent when off and become full televisions when electricity is applied. Moving computing and media from the desk to the rest of the world.