Display Devices in Computer Graphics

The significance of display devices cannot be overstated. These devices serve as the portal through which digital artistry and computational magic are brought to life, enriching our visual experiences and pushing the boundaries of creativity, let us embark on a journey through the evolution, functionalities, and future prospects of display devices in computer graphics. Display systems are mostly called a video monitor or Video display unit (VDU).

A Historical Odyssey: Tracing the Evolution

The roots of display devices in computer graphics trace back to the early days of computing when cathode ray tubes (CRTs) were the primary means of visual output. These were the bulky, glass-encased monitors with average colours and clarity.

Below are some Display Devices:

1. Cathode-ray Tube (CRT): A Visual Innovation

Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors were the standard display technology in the realm of computer graphics. These monitors were heavy and boxy in design and produce low resolutions. CRT monitors were able to produce dark black and Vibrant colours because of phosphor coating. The invention of flat displayed LED and LCD panels destroyed the market of Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) monitors. The negative of CRT was it create made scenes complexed due to Flicker.

There were two ways to display picture on screen.

• Raster Scan
• Random Scan (Vector scan)

2. Colour CRT Monitor: Similar to CRT monitors

The idea behind Colour CRT monitors was to combine three (RED, BLUE and GREEN) colours. The combinations of these three colours can produce millions of different colours. Inside the cathode ray tube (CRT), there are three electron guns – one for each primary colour: red, green, and blue. These guns emit beams of electrons.

The two basic colour display producing techniques are:

• Beam-Penetration Method
• Shadow-Mask Method

3. Liquid crystal display (LCD): The Revolution

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are Flat and Slim which is one of the most required properties of it and that property is Potability. Liquid Crystals are a mixture of solid and liquid. When the current flows inside it, its position changes into the desired colour.

LCD are used in almost everywhere nowadays for e.g. Laptops, Television and Smartphones etc.

Twisted Nematic (TN), In-Plane Switching (IPS) and Vertical Alignment (VA)… these are the examples of LCD Displays. These displays have superior colour production, highly resolution and carry more clarity than Cathode-Ray Tube and Colour CRTs.

4. Light Emitting Diode (LED): Latest Technology

Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a device which produce light when current passes through it. LEDs are semiconductor devices. LEDs are small in size so arranging them in a pattern is very easy. If we compared LED to LCD then LED consumes more power. In Smartphones, Laptops, Monitors, Televison and even in Traffic Lights we use LEDs.

The plus point of using LED is we can control the light intensity and LEDs can operate in low voltages also and can survive high temperature. LEDs becomes more advanced nowadays as their latest technologies (OLEDs, QLEDs) has been introduced by many display manufacturers.

LEDs produce one of the most Vibrant colours and the viewing angles are also very good of these displays.

5. Plasma Display: Display with No Motion Blur

Plasma Display is type of flat panel display which uses tiny plasma cells or known as the Gas-Discharge display. There are Four components in of Plasma Displays:

• Anode
• Cathode
• Gas Plates
• Fluorescent cells

Plasma displays were capable of producing deeper blacks and the Contrast ratio of these displays was very high because every pixel of Plasma displays can produce light independently. This ability of Plasma displays provide better control on Brightness and Contrast.

Plasma displays were free from Motion blur as they were faster and more responsive as compared to older LCDs.