Monday, July 7, 2014

Get Hooked Up Digitally With HDMI Adaptors and Cables

Do you know what HDMI is? You may have seen it or heard of it lately, since it is used in many modern electronics devices. HDMI actually has an interesting history and background. It is compatible with DVI, as long as you use an HDMI adaptors. You can also use HDMI on your personal computer.
HDMI stands for high definition multimedia interface. It is basically an audio and video interface that is made to transmit digital data that is not compressed. That means, if you use HDMI you can get all of your digital data transmitted from any kind of video signal, as opposed to with previous and older versions of cables that compress video, lowering the quality. Some older formats that HDMI has improved upon include coaxial cables, s-video and DVI.
The first HDMI products began shipping in the year 2003. The HDMI concept was developed in 2002, with the main idea being to make a new audio video connector that would be backwards compatible with the old DVI cables previously used for video. There were several companies involved in the development of the HDMI connector, including big names like Hitachi, Sony, Philips and Toshiba.
HDMI has gained a great deal of popularity, especially recently. More and more devices that use HDMI are constantly being released, while conversely less devices using older video connectors are being produced. Some common electronics that use HDMI are HDTVs (including LCD and plasma televisions), DVD players, Blu-ray players, video game consoles (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, etc.), and also computer devices and even digital audio devices.
As the original concept was designed for, and what actually happens to be one of the most convenient features of HDMI, is that it is compatible with DVI (digital video interference). If you use an HDMI to DVI adapter, you will not loose any quality. You can even use asymmetrical cables without any sort of problems or issues.
This backwards compatible feature of HDMI and DVI compatibility is especially useful when it comes to use with personal computers. Even the more modern graphics cards for computers still often use the DVI format. With just a simple adapter you can drive an HDMI monitor for your computer, even with only DVI connections.
If you would like to learn more about HDMI adaptors, graphics, or digital video in general, you can start by looking online. The internet is a great resource not only for finding general information, but also for troubleshooting any problems you may be having with digital video.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

LCD Monitor Terms Everyone Should Know Before Buying

The LCD monitor has become the popular choice for a variety of applications from computer monitors and television screens to kiosk systems and video wall systems. While the ways an LCD monitor can be used continues to grow, the basic specification terms remain the same. Unfortunately, many of these terms can be confusing or misleading for buyers who don't understand what they really mean. While there are a numbers of variables to consider when purchasing an LCD monitor, there are four key specification terms which must be considered.
The first term to understand is aspect ratio. This is the difference between the width and the height of a monitor. Depending on how the monitor will be used, the aspect ratio could be a more important consideration than the "size". The size of a monitor is typically a diagonal measurement from opposite corners of the screen.
Screen resolution is another critical spec to understand. The resolution of a monitor is the number of pixels it has to display images. This is typically expressed by two numbers (e.g. 2560 by 1440 or 2560x1440). The first number is the number of pixels running horizontally. The second number is the number of pixels running vertically. Greater resolution means better definition or sharpness of the images being displayed. One factor to keep in mind is the screen resolution must be considered in combination with the screen size. If two LCD monitors have the same resolution, but one is 10 inches larger, the smaller screen will boast the best definition because it has more dots per inch (DPI).
The pixel rate response is often overlooked by LCD monitor buyers but it is critically important. The pixel rate response is measured in milliseconds and defines how long it takes for a pixel to change from black to white. A faster response rate means better video display. If the response rate is too low, buyers run the risk of blurring moving images or ghosting.
Another commonly overlooked LCD monitor characteristic is the panel coating. Today's monitors often feature one of two coatings. The first is "glossy". Glossy coatings are better at showing off color in low light conditions which makes it great for a home theatre. Unfortunately, it also generates a glare or reflections in high light environments. The second coating is "anti-glare". Anti-glare coatings are most commonly found on business LCD monitors. While it will slightly mute the colors, it is better suited for bright lighting conditions.
By considering these four characteristics when purchasing an LCD monitor it will be easier to choose the perfect solution for any situation.