Monitor: all the information you need to know? ️?

Without a doubt one of the star elements when we assemble a team after the tower, and the second with the highest budget. There are many aspects to assess in a monitor: resolutions, refresh rate, response… Here we are going to give a return to everything you should know.

Index of contents

Panel types

Today, all the panels that we are going to look at are LCD. Within this family there are three main branches and each of them has distinctive characteristics. From TN which is the oldest to modern IPS. There are some that are more suitable for editing work, general-purpose models and others perfect for gaming. As we already discussed extensively in a previous article on this area, we will start by showing you a comparative table of the three types:

1. TN (Twisted Neumatic) VA (Vertical Alignment) IPS (In-Plane Switching)

Orientative table of types of lcd panels

In turn, inside the panels we can find different types of lighting:

• Edge LED: the most used and also the cheapest. Light reaches pixels from the edge through a diffuser panel. Full LED: All the LEDs on the screen are fully backlit. Local Diming: LED backlighting is dynamic and selectively lose or gain intensity to optimize contrast. OLED, AMOLED and P-OLED: the so-called "organic" monitors. Pixels can be fully dynamically turned off to emphasize the effect and color achieved with Local Diming technology. As a general rule they are extremely expensive.

Resolution on the monitor

Once we have decided on a type of panel, it is time to choose the resolution for our screen. As a general rule, higher resolution, higher image quality and higher price. We should also say that we don't have to go crazy or obsess over a 4K monitor. In the same way that with the panels the use that we are going to give it must be our priority.

A professional gamer usually prefers to move in 1080 resolutions but prioritize refresh rate and response time. In contrast, a user dedicated to graphic design or video editing usually prefers higher resolution and is more demanding with the quality of color and contrast.

Aspect ratio

Apart from the screen resolutions we also have directly related to it the aspect ratio of the same. Currently the number of standard formats has been expanded and the wide and ultra wide models have become very popular, especially for curved monitors. Currently the “cinema” format we know is 16: 9 and it is the most popular aspect ratio on monitors, but it has moved to 2.39: 1 more recently. We show you a comparative graph based on Full HD so that you understand what we mean:

Seeing this, we establish the relationship between resolution and aspect of the most used resolutions:

• 720p is 16: 9 800p is 16:10 1080p is 16: 9 1200p is 16:10 2K is 16: 6 1440p is 16: 9 1600p 16:10 4K is 16: 9 8K is 16: 9

As you can see, the standard rotates between 16: 9 and 16:10, which does not mean that we cannot find wide formats such as 2560 × 1080 (2.37: 1) or 3440 × 1440 (32: 9). In general we can find wide or ultra wide versions of all the aforementioned resolutions. This type of model has gained a lot of popularity for the comfort of the on-screen workspace, but for games these formats are not usually recommended and it may be the case to play with black stripes on the dice due to the lack of existing resolution.

Color space

A field that the ordinary user does not look at, or perhaps does not know how relevant it is. Monitors in which black is very pure while others have a grayish tone? Blues that look like violets? Those types of problems have to do with color space and are usually the main concern of graphic designers, illustrators or video editors. Of course, apart from our type of monitor there are programs and tools that can help us calibrate its color, although obviously it is just one more help. Let's go to the topic:

Source: Wikipedia

All monitors are managed in RGB model color spaces and within them there are wider ranges than others. RGB refers to the three types of LEDs that create color blends from Red (red), Green (green), and Blue (blue) in a process called Additive Synthesis. Within the RGB we can find variables and these are responsible for the intensity or purity of its colors.

sRGB

Standard RGB, is the original model and closest to the real color (based on cyan, magenta, yellow and black) or 2200 Matt Paper. It is also the standard model for the internet and the vast majority of electronic devices since its color margin is the smallest in the catalog.

Adobe RGB

Next in size. Created in 1998, this improved model expands the sRGB color catalog by up to 50%. By displaying a larger palette it is an ideal color space for editing, illustration and design work. In general, it works on both images that will be used for web format and for printing, so it is later transferred to CMYK with a better color quality.

ProPhoto RGB

ProPhoto RGB was introduced by Kodak in 2011 and is the most recent on the list. Of all of them it is the model with the widest register, standing out for including more colors than the human eye can perceive. This is because it is the closest to the more than 16 million existing RGB light colors. This makes the images and video created with this spectrum very rich but difficult for editors to work with since at least 13% of this spectrum are "imaginary colors" for us since we cannot discern their tones.

2200 Matt Paper

The "matte paper" represents the physical color. This category is included to show the color restrictions subject to the CMYK ink printing process. Color is light, and while on screens we can generate around 16 million colors, in physical materials this is more difficult since it is impossible to generate the same volume of a variety of tones. This is why we cannot expect the same contrast or vibrant tones in a physical format as on a monitor. Color gamut is greatly reduced and this is why designers and illustrators are so concerned with calibrating their displays in an attempt not to distort the colors of the actual finish versus what they see on their monitors.

Color depth

Once we have dealt with color spaces, the question of its depth remains. It supposes the amount of color information that we can see in each individual pixel of the monitor. This information is measured in bits and monitors usually range between 10 and 32 bits depending on their age. We show you the equivalence:

• 1 Bit: 2 colors per pixel. 8 Bit: 256 colors per pixel. 10 Bits: 1024 colors per pixel. 16 Bit: 65, 536 colors per pixel. 24 Bits: 16, 777, 216 colors per pixel. 32 Bits: 16, 777, 216 colors per pixel, and 256 more (8 Bits) added to the Alpha channel for an opacity factor.

We must not forget that the Bits are a color configuration, but it also improves the resolution and image quality. There are models that can be configured to broadcast with 16, 24 or 32 Bits while others are static.

Brightness and contrast on the monitor

Just as relevant as its color space and depth are issues of brightness and contrast. Let's start by clarifying how each of them affects our monitor:

• The brightness: it is the brightness emitted by the monitor. It is measured in candelas per square meter (CD / M2) and can be assessed through the quality of the screen display in high or low light environments. Most monitors today have analog-calibrable brightness with a panel on the same screen. Contrast: This is the difference between the brightest pixel on the screen versus the darkest. There is no standard for contrast, but each brand establishes its ideal percentage based on production or quality controls. We can find it in two models: real contrast or dynamic contrast.

1. Real contrast: all the pixels on the screen are illuminated and the pure dark is in those that are completely black. It is the original contrast, and its ideal percentage moves around a ratio of not less than 1, 000: 1. Dynamic Contrast: In darker areas of the screen pixels are dynamically turned off to generate more color depth. They greatly enrich the on-screen experience and can range in contrast from 50, 000: 1 to crazy 5, 000, 000: 1.

In order to reliably assess the brightness and contrast quality of a monitor, the most efficient and practical way to do this is to play a very dark video or image in a brightly lit environment. If the quality we perceive this way is good, we can be sure that in moderate light environments we can expect an ideal display.

Curved vs flat

A key point for many, although the vast majority of monitors on the market are flat. The curved monitor has a certain appeal, especially for people who are not in favor of having two screens and are looking for a larger space in which to work. On the other hand there are also curved gaming monitors, so we can say that both areas are covered.

Curved monitor

For this article, our main interest resides in explaining the three available curvature indices and their relationship with the viewing distance. To simplify, we can say that the curve described by these monitors tries to adapt to that of the human eye and be an extension of it in the most natural way possible.

• 1800R: 1.8 meter bend for ideal maximum viewing distance. 2300R: 2.3 meter curvature for ideal maximum viewing distance. 3000R: 3 meter curvature for ideal maximum viewing distance. 4000R: 4 meter bend for ideal maximum viewing distance.

Another interesting fact is that in curved monitors the panoramic, wide and ultra wide aspect ratios are the star and what is generally focused on their production.

You can find out more about this section of the article in our tutorial Flat vs. curved monitor: its advantages and disadvantages.

Flat monitor

Extremely popular and in general with a lower price than we can find in a curved monitor with the same characteristics. We show you an example:

BenQ GL2706PQ - 27 "2K QHD Gaming Monitor (2560x1440, LED, 16: 9, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-DL, VGA, 1ms, adjustable height and rotation, speakers, Eye-care, Flicker-free, Low Blue Light), black 27 "monitor with qhd resolution 2560x1440; Fast response time 1msgtg; Height adjustable 120mm and integrated speakers MSI Optix MAG271CQR - 27 "LED WQHD 144Hz gaming monitor (2560 x 1440p, 16: 9 ratio, VA panel, 1800R curved screen, 1 ms response, 400 nits brightness, Anti-glare, NTSC 0.90 and SRGB 1.15) black 27 "gaming monitor with WQHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels) and Anti: Glare technology; 90% NTSC and 115% SRGB 314.99 EUR

Both models of the link are excellent gaming monitors. They have a 2K resolution, 1ms response, 144Hz and 27 inches. Why does the second cost twice as much? Easy: it's curved.

In conclusion on this section we can say that it is a difficult point to deal with for many since, although the curved screen offers a more immersive experience and many appreciate them for this reason, the flat screen has very competitive prices and a wide catalog. The decision between one or the other usually lies more in a matter of budget and personal preferences.

Response time

This is a section that interests players much more and not without reason. It consists of the frequency with which the monitor and the computer exchange information. When the milliseconds are relevant in your life, you learn that the response time of your monitor can make a difference, while for the general office user it is totally irrelevant. The norm for current monitors is that the information displayed on the screen is processed in an average of 5ms (milliseconds) and from there we can find monitors of 3ms, 2ms...

For gamers, 1ms is the number to aspire to when looking for a game monitor.

Refresh Rate (FPS) and Hertz

Frames Per Second (frames per second) are also a point to value on the monitors and once again the players are the most interested in this section. FPS and Hz (Hertz) are closely linked since Hertz defines the maximum number of frames per second that our monitor can display. We can see 30 FPS on a 60 Hz monitor, but not 80 FPS on the same monitor.

The norm is that current monitors operate at 60 Hz, so its refresh rate is 60 frames per second. These are the most popular and cheapest models, and increasing the Hz increases the FPS but also its price. Having said all this, the most popular models are:

• 60 Hz, up to 60 FPS. 120 Hz, up to 120 FPS. 144 Hz, up to 144 FPS. 180 Hz, up to 180 FPS. 240 Hz, up to 240 FPS.

Having arrived here, some clarifications should be made:

• Traditionally it is considered that the human eye can see up to 23 FPS, but that does not mean that we cannot notice a greater smoothness in the movements that we see on a screen at 60 or 144Hz. This can be seen especially in high resolution video games. Animations of particles, volumetric or textures will seem more fluid to us with a higher refresh rate and all movement in general is much smoother. This is the type of defects that are tried to qualify in many games with effects such as Motion Blur (motion blur) or film grain. Another important aspect to deal with is the prices, and it is that the rise in hertz causes them to increase a lot. If we also add a higher resolution and that the monitor is curved, things usually get completely out of hand.

Other aspects to consider

Once we have seen the most important factors for a monitor such as resolutions, aspect ratio, formats and response time, we can focus on others not so crucial but also relevant such as:

Monitor Size

Something that can mislead insiders is the idea that the higher the resolution, the bigger the screen can be. Inches are not everything. This is generally true, but it does not mean that the same 27 ″ screen is 4K or Full HD. It is important to assess that the screen may be large but its image quality low, so it is important to assess whether the two or only one of the aspects is relevant to us.

If we want a monitor to be used at a certain distance, we will be more interested in size than resolution. On the other hand, if we like to watch movies or games in high definition, we are probably willing to sacrifice part of the screen size in exchange for a higher image quality.

Ergonomics

It is a commonly forgotten aspect. That the screen can be raised, rotated or tilted on its axis is important to adjust it to our height or the height of our table and seat. Those who are looking for the possibility of anchoring the monitor to a wall will also appreciate that it has handles on the back.

Blue light filter

It is an aspect that we have become increasingly concerned about in recent years as we have become more aware of the adverse aspects that this lighting on monitors can have on our eyes and sleep rhythms. This is why there are many monitors that include filters that reduce their presence.

We have an article dedicated specifically to this topic that you can read. Blue light filter: all the information.

Speakers

Let's be honest: everyone who can prefers to have a set of speakers instead of screens that include them. The sound quality that we can expect from integrated speakers is usually not the most ideal and they are also an addition that tends to raise the price. On the other hand, for those who lack space or who do not have sound as a priority, they can consider a monitor that has them.

Connectivity

With connectivity we mean the use of VGA or HDMI type connectors. As most of you know, for resolutions of 1080p onwards, the use of HDMI cable is necessary to obtain the maximum image quality. In addition, within the HDMI we can find several types depending on the resolution of our monitor.

USB ports

A nice detail to have on the monitor as another extra to connect accessories such as the mouse or keyboard. If they are also the most recent versions, we can count on a better data transmission speed.

3.5 jack for earphone and microphone

Another little extra to improve our quality of life, especially if our tower is under the table or the cable of our headphones is rather short. That the same monitor includes an audio input and output port is something very positive and many will undoubtedly appreciate the detail.

Conclusions for the ideal monitor

We can all find our perfect screen according to the use we want to give it. As a conclusion and after having gone through all the points of this tutorial, we present you the most relevant to take into account according to your needs:

Gaming monitor

In gaming it is interesting to take into account:

• The screen: generally flat. If it is curved, in any case 1800R. Response time: ideally 1ms, but up to 3ms is also acceptable. Resolution: between 1080 and 2K is the most common on 144Hz monitors. VA type LCD panel: more response time than in a TN panel but better refresh rate. Refresh rate: at a professional level, the most used monitors are 144Hz.

Some examples:

HP OMEN 25 - 25-inch FreeSync gaming monitor (FHD, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 1 ms response time, up to 144 Hz, 3 USB 3.0 ports, 16: 9) color black 216.82 EUR AORUS KD25F - Gigabyte aorus monitor kd25f 24.5 '' led fullhd 240hz freesync 542, 90 EUR BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P - Gaming Monitor for e-Sport 24 "/ 61 cm FullHD (144Hz, 1ms, Black eQualizer, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-DL, Black eQualizer, Flicker- free, Height Adjustable) Dark gray 199.00 EUR

Monitor for illustration, design and edition

For graphic works, animation, 3D or similar we must look at:

• The screen: it does not matter so much if it is flat or curved, but it is recommended that it be made of IPS panels since they offer the best colors and a very good contrast. Resolution: It is recommended to move from 1080p upwards, and in general a good size monitor will be appreciated by many given the greater workspace. Brightness and Contrast: Like color, they are very important factors, especially contrast. That around 1, 000: 1 would be ideal. Refresh rate and response time: in general, they are not highly relevant factors since the ones mentioned above tend to matter more. With 60Hz and 5ms response, you can work correctly.

Some examples:

Acer XB Predator XB271HKbmiprz IPS 27 ", 4K Ultra HD Matt - Monitor (3840 x 2160 Pixels, LED, 4K Ultra HD, IPS, Matt, 1000: 1), color black and red 829.00 EUR BenQ GW2765HT - Monitor for PC Desktop 27 "2K QHD (2560x1440, IPS, 16: 9, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-DL, VGA, 4ms, speakers, adjustable height and rotation, Eye-care, Low Blue Light, Flicker-free) 100% RGB IPS display 27 "high resolution WQHD 2560 x 1440; Ergonomic: height adjustable 130 mm, pivot, tiltable EUR 220.49 ASUS MX27AQ LED Display 68.6 cm (27") Wide Quad HD Black - Monitor (68.6 cm (27 "), 2560 x 1440 Pixels, Wide Quad HD, LED, 5 ms, Black) Asus mx27aq. Screen size: 68.6cm (27"); Screen resolution: 2560x 1440pixels

General-purpose monitor

A general-purpose monitor can exist in two variants: office automation and casual or office gaming and editing work. For these cases we can find more basic models and try to combine the values ​​mentioned in the two previous sections according to our priorities.

Related to this article, you may be interested:

We hope that this article has been enlightening for you and will be useful in your adventure when it comes to documenting yourself to choose the monitor you need. Do not hesitate to write any questions in our comments section. Until next time!