Best Computer Monitor Buying Guide
Few upgrades to a work-from-home setup make as much of an immediate impact as a dedicated computer monitor. Plug one into your laptop and you’ll be able to see more content at once, which means less time jumping around among windows.
You might choose to leave apps like Outlook, Slack, and Microsoft Teams open and always visible on one side of the screen while working on a PowerPoint presentation or Word document on the other. Or you might have your email inbox semipermanently pinned to one side of the monitor while you browse the web in a separate window.
Laptop users can benefit from better ergonomics, because working on a laptop for hours on end tends to put you in a hunched-over position, with the screen and keyboard at the wrong height to sit upright. You’ll also benefit by having two screens active at once, with the laptop showing secondary tasks and the new monitor acting as the primary one.
Adding a dedicated monitor is like expanding the size of your workbench, giving you more room to fit more tools to get more work done.
You don’t have to pay a ton of money to get a decent monitor. CR’s recommended monitors include options for right around $200.
Read on to get up to speed on how to pick the right monitor for your situation.
Display quality, possibly the most important monitor feature, isn’t a major worry because most models in our ratings score well here. But you should also consider the following factors when choosing a monitor.
Resolution
A monitor’s resolution refers to the number of picture elements, or pixels, that make up an image. The most common resolution today is 1920×1080, aka 1080p or Full HD. You can also spend more to get a 4K screen.
The higher the resolution, the smaller the text and images can be, meaning more content can fit on the screen. Higher resolution is better if you’re working with photos and graphics.
Response Time
A flat-panel’s display response time indicates how quickly the screen can handle video image transitions.
Typical monitors measure 60 hertz, which is adequate for everyday tasks. More expensive models can be found with refresh rates of 120 Hz or higher, which is useful for gamers who demand smooth motion during gaming sessions.
Contrast
Expressed as a ratio, this is a measure of the difference between the brightest white and the deepest black. A higher contrast ratio can produce images that are more vivid and punchy. But advertised figures are not reliable because there’s no uniform way manufacturers measure contrast ratio.
Brightness
A bright screen is important if you’re working in a brightly lit room. The spec is expressed as candelas per square meter, or cd/m², and you can usually find it listed on the company’s website. The higher the number, the better. You can also control an LCD’s brightness with buttons or onscreen controls.
Connectors
HDMI is the standard connector for consumer-focused computer monitors, making it easy to connect a monitor to a laptop, though some laptops, especially thin and light ones, may require a dongle.
Extras
Some monitors may include additional features such as built-in speakers, headphone jacks, and USB ports for connecting peripherals like mice and keyboards. These may or may not be useful, depending on your setup.
The monitors in our ratings range between 24.5 and 38 inches, which covers many of the models you’ll find on store shelves. A larger monitor can feel luxurious and help your productivity. But larger monitors tend to cost a lot more, and of course they take up more desk space.
Like other tech items, monitors have been subject to supply chain issues that make many models unavailable and tend to drive up prices. However, you can still find a good deal if you’re flexible about your choice of model and can take the time to shop around. Here are some things to consider before you buy.
Decide on a Screen Size
More screen real estate is always a good thing, and we recommend buying the largest screen you can afford and find room for.
So the decision comes down to what fits your space and how much you want to spend. Most 1080p monitors range from about 21 to 24 inches, with prices for the smaller ones around $100. Expect to pay $200 to $300 for larger (around 27 inches) 1080p monitors. Typically, 4K monitors start around $350.
Widescreen Is Standard
The 16:9 aspect ratio of 1080p monitors is great for video content but not necessarily as well-suited for scrolling up and down through documents. If you find yourself using Gmail, Facebook, or Microsoft Word for most of the day, a monitor with a more square resolution of 1920×1200 (which has an aspect ratio of 19:10) may be more useful because you’ll have more screen real estate at the top and bottom to work with. These are not as common as 1080p monitors but can still be found at most online retailers. Note: 4K monitors, which measure 3840×2160, maintain the 16:9 aspect ratio of 1920×1080 monitors.
Consider Easy Adjustments
Almost all new monitors tilt up or down for a quick adjustment.
For extra flexibility, look for a monitor that lets you adjust the height as well. Such models may also be able to rotate 90 degrees, from landscape to portrait mode, which is especially useful for viewing a larger portion of web pages or text documents.
Also look for conveniently placed controls that adjust contrast, brightness, and other settings. We prefer a dedicated front-positioned contrast/brightness control.
Look for a Long Warranty
Many monitors come with a three-year warranty on parts and labor, but others have only one year of coverage. It’s worth looking for the longer coverage, especially if you’re purchasing a more expensive model. Another consideration is the manufacturer’s defective-pixel policy. Some consider a certain number of stuck or dead pixels acceptable; others will replace a monitor during the warranty period if it has even a single faulty pixel.
It’s worth asking why you’re getting a new monitor.
Computer monitor technology has improved in recent years, but those improvements may be more important to demanding users such as serious gamers or professional creative types, as opposed to the average user.
So a purchase just because you’re upgrading your workspace might not be worthwhile.
However, if you’re currently working on your laptop screen, getting a separate monitor can make your work more productive and more pleasant.
Another option? If both your monitor and computer are aging, it’s possible you want to renew both, and one consideration is an all-in-one computer that’s essentially a monitor with the computational hardware built in. Of course, that’s not the best option if you want to work primarily on a laptop.
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How to buy the right computer monitor for your needs
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Our best tips for choosing a monitor with the right size, resolution and image quality.
Peter Zaluzny
Big screens are cheaper than ever, but there’s much more to consider than the size and price. You can buy anything from low-cost simple monitors for the average user all the way up to high-end models aimed at designers and hardcore gamers, with price tags to match.
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Basic monitor terminology
There are a couple of terms you need to understand before we get into the different types of monitors.
Resolution: The number of pixels (picture elements) that are used to draw your screen image, just like a TV. Most monitors are high-definition (HD), 2K or 4K UHD.
Refresh rate: Measured in hertz (Hz), this is the number of times the image refreshes per second. Higher refresh rates deliver an overall smoother picture which can improve clarity and reduce flickering, particularly with fast-paced content like online gaming.
Response rate: Commonly called ‘input lag’, this generally refers to the time it takes between interacting with the keyboard/mouse and seeing the action onscreen. Slow response times can create blurry images or show ghosting, but the average eye is unlikely to notice the difference between one and five milliseconds.
Aspect ratio: Almost all monitors come in the same 16:9 configuration as TVs these days but you can find some ultra-wide 21:9 screens which add extra horizontal space.
Types of monitors
Computer monitors fall into three broad categories. Each uses LCD, LED or OLED panel technology.
Standard/home office monitor
Consumer-grade monitors that range from roughly 24–30 inches and are designed for day-to-day use. They strike a balance between good performance, image quality and size without the expensive bells and whistles you’ll find on specialised models. For example, web browsing, word processing and basic photo editing don’t require a high refresh rate and low input lag.
Gaming monitor
These monitors increase the refresh rate while reducing the input lag as much as possible to deliver a smooth, responsive experience when gaming. While consumer monitor refresh rates tend to tap out at around 60Hz, gaming monitors typically offer 120Hz or more. They’re available in a range of resolutions with many giving you the option to play at a higher resolution with reduced refresh rate, or vice versa. A few high-end models support 4K 120Hz but these can be expensive.
These monitors can get quite large. It’s not uncommon to find 42-inch screens similar in size to a small TV, with 16:9 and 21:9 options available. They also come with extra gaming-oriented features such as compatibility with specific graphics cards to improve performance and picture modes optimised for different game types.
Designer/creative monitor
The absolute cream of the crop when it comes to picture quality, these models are aimed at enthusiast and professional photographers, videographers and graphic artists. These applications rarely require high refresh rates and low response times so these features are typically secondary to high detail and accurate colour reproduction for design monitors. These are also available in 16:9 and 21:9 configurations.
How do monitors work?
Like TVs, there are a few different technologies that power a computer monitor’s panel. You’ll find the type in the product specifications.
Twisted nematic (TN): This can deliver fast response and refresh rates but less accurate colours.
Vertical alignment (VA): Slightly slower response rate compared to TN, but the difference is negligible unless you’re a very serious gamer. Colour reproduction is better than TN. This is a good middle ground for consumer-grade monitors.
In-plane switching (IPS): The best option for accurate colour reproduction including contrast and blacks. IPS used to have slow response rates which made these monitors unsuitable for gaming but the technology has since improved with some claiming to have input lag as low as 1–2 milliseconds.
Gaming monitors can be expensive but they’re optimised for interactive entertainment.
OLED: A type of LED screen which has been popular among TV manufacturers for a few years thanks to its rich colours, true blacks and contrast that can make the picture really pop. They’re a great option if you plan to watch a lot of movies, and shows (as well as play games) on your monitor, but they’re usually the most expensive option.
What’s the best size, resolution and refresh rate?
This depends on how you plan to use the monitor each day. Note that screen size is measured diagonally, in inches.
General use
A high-definition, 60Hz VA or TN screen with a maximum response time of 5–10ms will suit general tasks like web browsing, checking emails, YouTube streaming and basic photo editing. An IPS monitor may be worth the extra cost if you like looking at photos on your computer. Aim for a screen size of 25 inches or more unless you’re pressed for desk space.
Home office/study
The same specifications as a general use monitor will do but consider a slightly larger model around the 30-inch mark or more. This will give you the versatility to display multiple documents and browsers onscreen at the same time. It’s also worth paying a bit more for a higher quality panel as you’ll be looking at it for about eight hours a day.
Entertainment
If your monitor doubles as a home entertainment device for movies, TV shows and YouTube, then you’ll want good colour, high resolution and a big screen.
A 16:9, IPS or OLED with 2K or 4K UHD resolution and HDR support is the way to go. 60Hz will suit the vast majority of entertainment on streaming services and physical media, but a small amount of content can benefit from 120Hz.
Gaming
These monitors go all the way up to 42 inches in size and you don’t want to buy one smaller than 30 inches unless you have limited room at home. Then it’s a matter of deciding whether you prefer to game with more detail (higher resolution) or a smoother picture (high refresh rate). The ideal option is a 4K UHD monitor with 120Hz support as these give you the freedom to adjust resolution on the fly to improve performance.
An ultra-wide 21:9 monitor may be worth considering depending on the kind of games you play – for example, first-person shooters will benefit from the extended peripheral vision while adventure games can look expansive and grand with the additional screen space.
Just remember to check your software and hardware specs before you buy.
Though there are plenty of 5K and 144–240Hz monitors out there, software support is limited and you’ll need a powerful PC to output those resolutions and refresh rates.
Design/content creation
If you’re a serious enthusiast that’s really into home photography, videography or you even run a bit of a side hustle in these fields, then a 30-inch plus, 4K UHD, IPS, 60Hz+ monitor is ideal.
Should you buy a large gaming monitor or small TV?
Some TV manufacturers have brought back small, 42-inch TVs to compete in the gaming monitors space. Both are good options but you have to consider your needs before buying.
Gaming monitors
Pros: Multi-purpose (gaming, web browsing, word processing), most can sync with graphics cards for improved performance, designed to be viewed close up and from a distance.
Cons: Require an external device such as a games console, PC or media streamer, no broadcast TV, may not have built-in speakers, can require some set-up and fiddling to suit your requirements, limited HDR support (Dolby Vision monitors aren’t common).
Small TV
Pros: Can install software on the TV (e.g. streaming services), access to broadcast TV, broad HDR support, generally plug and play, built-in speakers.
Cons: Mostly entertainment focused, computer required for day-to-day tasks, web browsers generally don’t operate well, not really suited for viewing close-up like a monitor, may not support graphics card sync.
CHOICE tip: How big is too big? Ideally you want the picture to immerse you just on the edge of your peripherals. If you need to constantly move your eyes around or turn your head, the screen is too big for your desk.
Other monitor features
- Screen finish: There are two types of screen finish – gloss and matte. These affect picture quality in different ways. Gloss typically presents a vivid image with greater contrast, but the reflective coating makes these screens difficult to use in bright light. Matte screens combat this with anti-glare coating, but usually at the expense of vibrancy.
- Connections: Higher-end monitors include multiple input/output options for video including: VGA (D-sub), DVI, HDMI, Mini Display, Thunderbolt and USB-C. Certain features on some monitors are only available with specific cables. For example, monitors that offer high refresh rates of 120–144Hz require a DVI or HDMI 2.1 cable.
- HDMI 2.1 support: The latest iteration of HDMI has enough bandwidth to allow 4K gaming at 120Hz. Older versions of HDMI can support 4K and may be able to output 120Hz at lower resolutions, but not at the same time.
You may get more use out of a small TV instead of a large gaming monitor.
- Audio output: Something like an AUX port can be handy if your speaker cables can’t reach your computer.
- USB inputs: Most laptops only come with one or two USB inputs these days. A couple of extra ones on a monitor is handy if you have a lot of devices or equipment to plug in.
- Graphics card synchronisation: Nvidia and AMD are the two major graphics cards manufacturers. They each have software called G-Sync (Nvidia) and FreeSync (AMD) which tells the graphics card and monitor to sync up and deliver the smoothest (e.g. stutter free) picture while gaming. Monitors need to have inbuilt support for one, or both, for this to work. Look for a monitor with support for the graphics card in your gaming device.
- Pixel pitch: In general terms, the pixel pitch (sometimes dot pitch) is the distance between adjacent sets of red/blue/green dots (clusters) that make up your monitor screen. Measured in millimetres, a smaller pixel pitch means a sharper, more detailed, realistic image and a better quality picture at closer viewing distances.
- Pixel policy: Some monitors have dead pixels on arrival. This can be a bright or black spot on the screen. Most companies have a pixel policy that defines the acceptable number of dead pixels that can be present before you can request a warranty replacement.
- Ergonomics: Before you buy, try to set the monitor to your optimal viewing angle and note if it’s possible and how much effort was required. Also check the viewing height, which should have your eye level in the top third of the screen when seated.
- Controls: Adjusting your monitor for best effect requires fine-tuning controls – these may be handled by buttons on the face of the monitor that let you adjust contrast, brightness, horizontal and vertical alignment and more. Note the button placement too, and whether they’re easy to access.
- Speakers: Some models include inbuilt speakers, which saves you from having to connect a dedicated sound system to your computer. This is handy if you have limited desk space, but inbuilt monitor speakers are unlikely to produce the same sound quality as an external speaker setup with a subwoofer.
- Warranty: Most monitors will come with a three-year warranty but they should come with at least one year’s worth of protection as a minimum.
Be aware that the fine print can vary greatly between brands. - Curved screen: Curved monitors claim to be more immersive as the edges ‘wrap around’ your peripheral vision. It may make a slight difference in practice but not enough to make curved screens a must-buy.
How to check image quality
The last thing you need to do before laying down your hard-earned cash is to check the image quality. These steps will help you separate the quality monitors from the shoddy screens.
- Sharpness/focus: Check the text or graphics at the corners of the screen compared to the same text/graphics in the centre. A good monitor should be sharp at both the centre and corners.
- Text sharpness: Open a text program such as Notepad and type a few lines. If the text appears blurry, or shows signs of purple, red or green outlines (known as colour fringing), the monitor may not be of good quality.
- Brightness: Check the brightness settings. Monitors on display may be set to maximum for bright instore conditions, which may not reflect home use.
- Straightness: Are horizontal lines horizontal? Vertical lines vertical? Check at the edges of the monitor particularly for any deviation.
- Ratios: If you draw or view a circle it should be a true circle, with the same diameter no matter which direction you measure it.
- Colours: Red, green, blue and yellow should be pure colours, not muddy, dark or too bright. Flesh tones should look correct, without a green, red or blue tinge to them. Check colours at the edge of the monitor as well as the centre.
- Glare: Some monitors are more susceptible to glare than others. This can occur when working outdoors or under bright lights.
Viewing the monitor at multiple angles will help determine how much of an impact the glare can have.
Energy use in monitors
Monitors use a small amount of energy, but that’s a relatively recent phenomenon. This is because they’re part of the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), and have been for close to a decade.
While currently the average energy use is just under 100kWh per year for the average monitor size of 19 inches, before the introduction of MEPS our testing showed the average energy use was five times this amount for a smaller average-sized monitor. In dollars, these days you’re looking at a much smaller standby cost for using your monitor.
How to recycle a computer monitor
If your monitor has refreshed its last rate or, god forbid, you still have an old CRT kicking around, you can easily recycle it for free. Alternatively, newer models in good working order can be donated.
Donate it
Some charities will take computer monitors in good condition though they may not want yours if it doesn’t support HDMI.
When it comes to the major ones, Salvos will accept them, Vinnies might depending on the store, and The Red Cross won’t.
You can also try contacting smaller local charities or community organisations in your area. There are plenty of nonprofit organisations that accept old or broken computers and accessories which they then refurbish and donate to people in need.
Recycle it
Computer monitors are covered by the the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS). This is a government-run, industry-funded program that recycles a bunch of e-waste items, including old TVs. It has a number of dedicated drop-off points including spaces shared with local businesses, like Officeworks.
To find your nearest location, head to TechCollect or Recycling Near You and enter your address. Just remember to call the location before heading down there as some smaller locations may not have the space to store old TVs so it’s best to confirm ahead of time.
Otherwise, most local councils will take monitors during e-waste drop-off events at no charge.
These are a little different to your regular council clean-up as you’ll need to take your tech to a collection facility rather than putting it out on the kerb. For example, the NSW Inner West council (where CHOICE is located) accepts computer hardware and accessories. Check your local council website or give them a call to find out if TVs can be dropped off in your area.
You can also consider using The Good Guys’ and JB Hi-Fi’s recycling service, which operates through Ecoactiv. The staff will accept almost any item with a power cable that you can think of. They’ll come and collect it for free and they’ve also committed to donating five meals to people in need for every item recycled. Just head to the Ecoactiv website, submit the items you want to recycle and someone will get in touch.
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
How an architect chooses a monitor | Journal of Soft Culture
Understanding how displays work
Sergo Popov
02/01/2022
Reading time: 15 minutes
work result .
Especially when it comes to working with color and graphics. So the choice of the screen of your working machine should definitely be treated with attention.
But for different specialists, even within the same architectural bureau, displays with different characteristics may be required — in this article we deal with the main parameters.
How the display works
A computer monitor or laptop screen is a multi-layered sandwich packed in a case and covered with protective glass or plastic. The most important part of the screen is the matrix: it forms the image and most of all influences the characteristics of the display.
The matrix consists of the smallest elements — pixels (dots). Pixels form the image on the screen, so the more pixels, the higher the screen resolution, or, in other words, the sharper the picture.
Other important screen parameters:
→ Resolution and diagonal.
→ Brightness and contrast.
→ Color depth.
→ Frequency and response time.
→ Screen cover.
→ Matrix technology.
→ Color gamut.
At the end of the text we summarize and select specific models.
Display device
Resolution and diagonal
Why it matters:
Affect the clarity and detail of the image.
The monitor screen is a rectangle, and it would be logical to set its size as width and height in centimeters. However, historically, the dimensions of the monitor are measured by its diagonal and in inches. But in the technical specifications, the width, height in centimeters and the aspect ratio of the monitor are additionally indicated.
The diagonal of the laptop screen, as a rule, lies in the range from 13 to 18 inches, monoblocks and monitors — from 24 to 32 inches. The most popular aspect ratio is 16:9, these monitors are considered widescreen. There are also ultra-wide models with 21:9, 32:10 and 32:9 ratios — here everyone chooses convenient screens for their tasks.
The principle «the bigger the monitor, the better» does not always work.
On the one hand, more windows and details fit on a large screen, and on the other hand, for comfortable work, the distance between the screen and your eyes should be approximately 1.5 diagonals1. Therefore, it is better to choose the screen size based on your height, the size of the workplace and a comfortable fit.
Screen resolution plays a more significant role — the size of the image on the screen in pixels. Everything is simpler here: the more pixels, the higher the quality of the picture. It’s like with a mosaic: the smaller the size of its individual fragments, the more realistic the image looks.
Screen resolutions. Comparison
A high-resolution display requires a good video card, since it is the video card that displays the image on the screen. This is especially true for laptops: if the video card turns out to be weak and cannot support the display of a heavy picture on the screen, the display simply will not show anything or it will, but with a delay and artifacts.
Most monitors come in 1920×1080 — 16:9, 2560×1440 — 16:9 and 3840×2160 — 16:9 resolutions. Moreover, such indicators even have their own separate names.
Ratio of Marketing Names for Permissions and Actual Sizes
Resolution and screen size are related by a complex parameter — pixel density, or ppi: the higher the ppi value, the better.
Comparison of image quality at different ppi values: 110 ppi (left) and 190 ppi (right)
Screens with small dimensions are more demanding on ppi values, since small elements can occupy only 1-2 pixels and may be indistinguishable at low ppi.
For laptops, 130-140 ppi is considered standard, and above 180 ppi is considered excellent. For monitors, the standard value is 110-120 ppi, excellent — more than 140 ppi.
Brightness and contrast
Why it’s important:
Responsible for the overall perception of the picture and for the comfort of working in different lighting conditions.
Brightness indicates how intensely the monitor screen is illuminated. It is measured in nits or candela per square meter (1 nt = 1 cd/m²). There are two types of brightness:
→ Constant — main parameter: means the maximum brightness of the screen.
→ Peak — additional parameter: indicates how bright a section of the screen will glow under certain conditions. For example, when playing HDR content.
For a fixed monitor or monobloc, a constant brightness value of 300-350 cd/m² is considered standard. For laptops, this parameter is higher, since the laptop can be located both indoors and outdoors: 300 cd / m² on the street on a bright day will not be enough, so it’s better to look at options with an indicator of 400–500 cd / m² and higher.
Screen contrast is the ratio of white to black brightness that a monitor displays. For example, for a display with a maximum brightness of 200.5 cd/m² and a minimum brightness of 0.5 cd/m², the contrast ratio is calculated as (200.
5 − 0.5) / 0.5 = 400:1.
Monitor contrast can be:
→ Static — displays the ratio of the brightness of the darkest and brightest points on the screen. The optimal value is 2000:1 and above.
→ Dynamic is a marketing ploy, meaning the black level when the screen is completely off to the white level when the backlight is at maximum. You can ignore this parameter.
Color depth or color quality
Why it matters:
Responsible for correct color reproduction and the number of colors available for display.
Color quality is defined as the total number of colors that a display matrix can reproduce and is measured in bits per channel. Each pixel of the matrix consists of three subpixels, or channels: red, blue and green. And each subpixel has glow gradations, or bits — the more gradations, that is, the more bits per channel, the more colors the display reproduces.
Today, 8-bit and 10-bit monitor matrices are the most common.
→ 8-bit — a necessary minimum for working with graphics (for example, for the web) and for watching videos.
However, they are not suitable for professional work with printing, graphic or interior design — the color depth is too small.
→ 10-bit — reproduces 64 times more colors than 8-bit. Such matrices already provide the highest quality picture with smooth color transitions. Ideal for graphics work.
Image quality on 10-bit and 8-bit matrix. Comparison
There are also matrices with support for 12, 16, 24, 32, 36 and 48 bits — they are already used in medicine, astronomy and cinema for image and video processing, where every pixel is important.
Comparison of matrices with different color depths
In the 2000s, when video cards learned to display «honest» 8- and 10-bit color, and matrices did not yet support it, FRC technology appeared — it allowed increasing the bit depth of the screen. FRC (Frame Rate Control) is a frame rate control technology, that is, the blinking frequency of the matrix subpixels.
The sub-pixels flash quickly, which dims their brightness and allows you to mix colors in different proportions and get additional shades.
How the FRC technology works
In the monitor specifications, the use of this technology is referred to as: 6 bit + FRC or 6 bit + 2 bit FRC, also for 8 bits. FRC technology is controversial: on the one hand, FRC matrices are cheaper, on the other hand, regular screen flickering can be uncomfortable for the eyes, and for a trained professional eye it can be too noticeable and annoying.
Frequency and response time
Why it matters:
Responsible for the smoothness of movement on the screen. Not the most important parameter for an architect or designer, but it affects the cost of the monitor.
Screen refresh rate, or hertz, indicates how many frames per second the screen is capable of displaying. For example, the frequency of the most accessible and common models is 60 Hz, that is, in one second they manage to change the frame 60 times.
This setting affects the smoothness of the picture — the higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more natural movement on the screen. This is important for games and films, but it does not particularly affect the work of an architect. But it has a good effect on the cost of the monitor: the higher the hertz, the more expensive.
You also need to understand that the image output is provided not only by the screen refresh rate, but also by the video card — if it is weak, then a large hertz will not provide greater smoothness of movements.
Smoothness of movement at different screen refresh rates — the effect of hertz on the smoothness of animation on the screen
Another useless but expensive parameter for an architect is the response time, that is, the time it takes for the monitor to switch from one color to another. Typical display response times are less than ten milliseconds (10ms), and sometimes as little as one millisecond.
This characteristic is more important for advanced gamers, but does not affect the work of architects and designers.
Screen cover
Why it’s important:
Responsible for how much glare the screen will have — and therefore for the comfort of work even in bright light.
The overlay is the topmost layer of the display. It comes in two types:
→ Glossy — it transmits light and color better. Therefore, glossy displays are brighter, with richer, more intense and contrasting colors — blacks are especially deep. However, in the sun they shine — and when working outdoors or near a window, glare can interfere.
→ Matte — dampens glare due to a rough texture, so it is more comfortable to work behind such monitors in rooms with bright lighting. The disadvantage of matte displays is fading: the colors on them look a little more dull.
Both types of coating must have an anti-reflective layer: on a glossy surface it reduces the overall amount and strength of glare, and on a matte surface it reduces the size of light spots.
Conclusion: glossy screens with a good anti-reflective coating are more suitable for working with color.
But you need to be careful: sometimes such screens have artificially high contrast and saturation. There are more matte options on the market and among them you can also find good options with dullness correction.
Sensor technology
Why it matters:
Affects many other monitor parameters: color depth, brightness, contrast, viewing angles.
Matrix technology is the main parameter of any screen. There are two main types of matrices:
→ On liquid crystals (LCD / LCD).
→ On organic light emitting diodes (OLED).
LCD, or LCD matrices
The liquid crystal matrix works on the principle of white light coloring: the main illumination of the matrix passes through a layer of sub-pixels of different colors and is colored in accordance with them. The degree of luminescence of the pixels is controlled by the liquid crystal layer, which can block some of the light.
LCD matrix structure
There are three main types of LCD matrix:
→ TN-like matrix is one of the first mass matrix technologies.
Today it is considered obsolete, but is still widely used in inexpensive screens.
The only advantage of such matrices is the fastest response (1 ms), which makes them the most popular in gaming laptops. In other respects, unfortunately, they are much worse than other options: a small vertical viewing angle2, which is especially critical for laptops, and in general, rather poor color reproduction (about 6 bits per channel, and 8 bits per channel is achieved due to FRC technology).
→ VA-like sensors — they are able to produce a better image. Unlike TN, VA matrices have a slower response speed (3–5 ms), but on the other hand, they have excellent vertical viewing angles and good horizontal ones. For laptops, it is vertical viewing angles that are critical, it is unlikely that you will often look at the screen from the side.
The VA-matrix also has good color reproduction: an honest color depth of 8 bits per channel (or 8 + 2 bits FRC), and the main advantage is deep blacks and, therefore, high contrast.
They are suitable for working with color, but still not at a professional level.
→ IPS-like sensors — sensors with the best color reproduction. They deliver true color depth of 10 bits per channel and are therefore best suited for professional color work. But this technology has a drawback: IPS matrices do not block backlight well, which can cause blacks to have a slightly purple tint. This is especially noticeable on large screens, but this effect is less pronounced on monitors and laptops.
LCD panels have been on the market for a long time, and different manufacturers began to develop their own matrix technologies in order to distinguish their product from competitors — as a result, slightly improved versions of existing technologies turned out. Hence the huge number of similar names with different technologies under the hood.
The problem with IPS-matrices is especially acute. IPS is not only the name of the technology, but also a trademark that belongs to LG, that is, only LG can produce matrices and products with the IPS mark.
Other manufacturers use similar names, technologies or indicate the type of matrix as IPS-like, IPS-level or «IPS-level matrix». Sometimes these are honest statements, sometimes VA matrices are hidden under these names. To understand and be confident in the purchase, you have to look at the rest of the characteristics.
Another example is the marking «SVA-matrix». So the usual TN-matrix can be designated, and the name can be decoded as Standard View Angle (standard viewing angle) and have nothing to do with the real SVA-matrix (Super Vertical Alignment), which refers to VA-like matrices.
Types of designation of different matrices.
OLED, or organic light-emitting diode matrix
OLED matrices are fundamentally different from LCDs: each subpixel of an OLED matrix is a separate LED that lights up or turns off independently of the others. Due to this, you can completely get rid of the backlight and provide the ideal depth of black on the screen.
In addition, OLED panels provide high brightness and contrast ratios, excellent viewing angles, as well as low power consumption and high response speed — faster than TN panels.
The structure of the OLED matrix
Despite the impressive characteristics, OLED screens have a number of serious drawbacks:
→ Price — such matrices are more expensive and difficult to manufacture than LCDs.
→ Burn-in — due to the organic material of the LEDs, the OLED matrix is characterized by matrix burn-in, that is, the destruction or change of pixels, followed by a violation of color reproduction.
→ Calibration Required — Inexpensive sensors can turn yellow, green, blue, or red at both angles and when viewed directly. This is due to the lack of careful color calibration during manufacture, since each individual LED has to be adjusted.
Matrix technologies. Comparison
Color gamut
All display matrix technologies must add up to excellent color gamut, that is, the screen’s ability to reproduce a certain range of colors.
However, this is not always the case. Sometimes a great IPS 10 bit matrix supports only 60% of the sRGB color space. Usually this applies only to inexpensive and mid-budget models of laptops, all-in-ones and monitors.
Why does this happen? The production process of matrices is not devoid of marriage, because of which the general backlight, the layer with liquid crystals, or some other layer suffers. Some matrices can be animated with calibration, some cannot. Ideal components are installed in expensive models, calibrated components are installed in average ones, and worse options are software-cut and put in inexpensive models.
It happens that some manufacturers are cunning and do not indicate a small color gamut directly, but use in the descriptions not the most common color spaces — for example, NTSC. If you see this, then you should refuse to buy.
Coverage of color spaces. Comparison
How to understand which monitor color gamut is right for you? As usual, it all depends on the type of work:
→ Classical architectural tasks: creating drawings and models where there is no special work with color, and you need to print something rarely or in black and white — in this case, 100% sRGB is enough.
→ Interior design, web design and visualization require more precise work with graphics, rendering and post-processing, but color printing is not needed often and with minimal prepress preparation — for everything where there is work with color, sRGB space is no longer enough and need a wider version. A good solution would be 100% DCI-P3. This space is 30% wider than sRGB and allows for good color work.
→ For printing, regular prepress, layout and image processing, you need an even wider color space, for example, 100% Adobe RGB (50% more than sRGB) — its parameters cope better with the CMYK typographic space.
It is worth noting that sRGB display models are the most common. DCI-P3s are less common and tend to cost more. And Adobe RGB options are the rarest and most expensive and are very rare in laptops.
Turnkey solutions
What conclusion can be drawn from all the technical features? And how do you choose the right monitor? The most important thing is to decide on the specifics of your work.
We have identified 3 different scenarios with different needs for color quality.
Color Matters:
If great color is your number one priority, look for IPS monitors with good 2K resolutions and above, and approximately 100% coverage of the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color spaces. Other parameters can be selected based on the price.
A good monitor for such tasks can be found in the range of 90-150 thousand rubles, or even more expensive. These two groups will differ in the number of additional or improved characteristics.
Flexibility over colour:
If you focus on versatility, variety of programs and tasks, then look at options with a large diagonal. You can look at ultra-wide models with an aspect ratio of 21:9 — a little wider than the standard, or 32:9 — like two monitors in one. You can also consider options with lower brightness, contrast and a smaller color gamut.
Priced within 50-90 thousand rubles.
Color is not important:
General work at the computer does not impose any special requirements on monitors, but in order to work comfortably, pay attention to brightness and contrast. Even if you do not work with color, it would be nice to have a margin for color gamut.
A monitor with average performance will cost 20-50 thousand rubles.
Monitors cheaper than 20,000 will most likely be average and outdated office solutions. You will get a small color gamut (less than 100% sRGB), terrible viewing angles, low contrast and brightness. In the case of a monitor, excessive attempts to save money only make it worse: choosing too cheap solutions, you save on your own performance, because every day you will look at a dull and faded picture 🙁
How to choose a monitor for video surveillance?
The choice of a monitor for video surveillance is carried out based on the requirements obtained in the process of designing the operator’s workplace.
Additional requirements for the monitor are imposed by regulatory documents, the nature of use and the station equipment to which the monitor is connected.
Monitor requirement from operator station design
The process of organizing a workplace is aimed at prompt response and decision-making by a video surveillance operator when performing the task of ensuring the security of an object based on security tactics. The issue is discussed in detail in the article Organization of the workplace of a video surveillance operator and in a webinar.
The design result is the requirements:
- monitor diagonal
- image resolution
- location (table or wall)
Bigger is not better
In our practice, we most often meet monitors with FullHD resolution with a diagonal of 22” or more in video surveillance system projects. Monitors with resolutions higher than FullHD — such as QHD (2K), UHD (4K) — are becoming increasingly popular.
But in fact, it turns out that there is usually no real need for such a high resolution.
Regulatory requirements
Requirements for the monitor of the video surveillance system can be found in GOST R 51558-2014 “Security television facilities and systems. Classification. General technical requirements. Test Methods». GOST R 51558-2014 regulates:
- response time — max. 16 ms
- service life — at least 8 years
- Brightness range correction present
Additional requirements based on usage
The monitor at the security post in the video surveillance system operates around the clock. It is important that the operator is as comfortable as possible to read information from the monitor. We recommend that you additionally include in the list of requirements:
- adjustable height and tilt if the monitor is placed on a table
- anti-reflective matt
- vertical frequency 60 Hz or more
- operation mode — 24/7
The most advanced matrices provide the longest possible operation without burn-in and deterioration of pixel characteristics.
Matrices are perfect: IPS, OLED, VA.
Connection interfaces
The requirements for the connection interface can be considered from the side of the station equipment: then you must first select a workstation and write out possible options for connecting the monitor; or from the side of the monitor — select the monitor first, and then select a workstation with the necessary interfaces.
The monitor for a video surveillance project is one of the key factors affecting the effectiveness of a security system. It is reasonable to first select monitor models, and then the workstation of the video surveillance operator.
The problem of choosing interfaces for connecting a monitor is discussed in detail in the article Monitor connection interfaces for a video surveillance system.
According to our practice, the most versatile and common monitor connection interface is HDMI.
Monitor model selection
Once you have set your monitor requirements, you can select the make and model.
Monitors are not worth saving
The degradation of the monitor may occur gradually and imperceptibly to the eye. After a few years, the image may become less contrasting and faded. The operator will begin to tire, and as a result, the efficiency of his work will decrease. When choosing a monitor, preference should be given to well-known brands that have a line of professional monitors for 24/7 operation. For example: IIYAMA, SAMSUNG, BOSH, DELL.
Features, tips and tricks for choosing a monitor for video surveillance — in our video:
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Have you chosen a monitor? Great! Now you need to connect to the correct workstation.