Chapter 7 : Understanding Output

• Describe the types of output
• Explain the characteristics of various display devices
• Describe the factors that affect the quality of an LCD monitor or LCD screen
• Describe various ways to print
• Differentiate between a nonimpact printer and an impact printer
• Summarize the characteristics of ink-jet printers, photo printers, laser printers, multifunction peripherals, thermal printers, mobile printers, label and postage printers, and plotters and large-format printers
• Describe the uses and characteristics of speakers, headphones, and earbuds
• Identify the purpose and features of data projectors, interactive whiteboards, and force-feedback game controllers and tactile output

What is Output?

• Output is data that has been processed into a useful form
• An output device is any type of hardware component that conveys information to one or more people

What is Display Devices ?

• A display device visually conveys text, graphics, and video information
• A monitor is packaged as a separate peripheral
• Liquid crystal display (LCD) uses a liquid compound to present information on a display device
• The quality of an LCD monitor or LCD screen depends primarily on Resolution, Response time, Brightness, Dot pitch, Contrast ratio 
• Resolution is the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in a display device
• The graphics processing unit (GPU) controls the manipulation and display of graphics on a display device
• LCD monitors use a digital signal and should plug into a DVI port, an HDMI port, or a DisplayPort
• Plasma monitors are display devices that use gas plasma technology and offer screen sizes up to 150 inches
• Televisions also are a good output device require a converter if you are connecting your computer to an analog television
• Digital television (DTV) offers a crisper, higher-quality output
• HDTV is the most advanced form of digital television
• A CRT monitor is a desktop monitor that contains a cathode-ray tube

What is a Printer ?

• A printer produces text and graphics on a physical medium
• Printed information is called a hard copy, or printout
• Landscape or portrait orientation
• A nonimpact printer forms characters and graphics on a piece of paper without actually striking the paper
• An ink-jet printer forms characters and graphics by spraying tiny drops of liquid ink onto a piece of paper
• A photo printer produces color photo-lab-quality pictures
• A multifunction peripheral (MFP) is a single device that prints, scans, copies, and in some cases, faxes
• A thermal printer generates images by pushing electrically heated pins against the heat-sensitive paper
• A mobile printer is a small, lightweight, battery-powered printer that allows a mobile user to print from a notebook computer, smart phone, or other mobile device
• A label printer is a small printer that prints on adhesive-type material
• Plotters are used to produce high-quality drawings
• Large-format printers create photo-realistic quality color prints on a larger scale
• Impact printers form characters and graphics on a piece of paper by striking a mechanism against an inked ribbon that physically contacts the paper
• A dot-matrix printer produces printed images when tiny wire pins on a print head mechanism strike an inked ribbon