2. MONITORS
Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output
device of a computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are
arranged in a rectangular form. The sharpness of the image depends upon the
number of pixels.
There are two kinds of viewing screen used for monitors.
Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)
Flat-Panel Display
Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor
The CRT display is made up of small picture elements called pixels. The
smaller the pixels, the better the image clarity or resolution
There are some disadvantages of CRT −
Large in Size
High power consumption
3. Flat-Panel Display Monitor
The flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have
reduced volume, weight and power requirement in comparison to
the CRT. You can hang them on walls or wear them on your
wrists. Current uses of flat-panel displays include calculators,
video games, monitors, laptop computer, and graphics display.
The flat-panel display is divided into two categories −
Emissive Displays − Emissive displays are devices that convert
electrical energy into light. For example, plasma panel and LED
(Light-Emitting Diodes).
Non-Emissive Displays − Non-emissive displays use optical
effects to convert sunlight or light from some other source into
graphics patterns. For example, LCD (Liquid-Crystal Device).
4.
5. PRINTERS
Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper.
There are two types of printers −
Impact Printers
Non-Impact Printers
Impact Printers
Impact printers print the characters by striking them on the ribbon,
which is then pressed on the paper.
Characteristics of Impact Printers are the following −
Very low consumable costs
Very noisy
Useful for bulk printing due to low cost
There is physical contact with the paper to produce an image
6. Non-impact Printers
Non-impact printers print the characters without using the
ribbon. These printers print a complete page at a time, thus they
are also called as Page Printers.
These printers are of two types −
Laser Printers
Inkjet Printers
Characteristics of Non-impact Printers
Faster than impact printers
They are not noisy
High quality
Supports many fonts and different character size
7. Impact Printer Non Impact Printer
Produces characters and graphics on a piece
of paper by striking it is called impact printer.
A type of printer that produces characters and
graphics on a piece of paper without striking.
It prints by hammering a set of metal pin or
character set.
Printing is done by depositing ink in any form.
Electromechanical devices are used No electromechanical device is used.
Faster speeds around 250 words per second. Slower speeds around 1 page per 30 seconds.
Have banging noise of needle on paper Works silently
Dot-matrix printer, Daisy wheel printers, line
printer are examples .
inkjet printers, photo printers, laser printers
are examples .
8. Plotters
Plotters are a special type of output device. It is suitable for applications:
Architectural plan of the building.
CAD applications like the design of mechanical components of aircraft.
Many engineering applications.
It can produce high-quality output on large sheets.
It is used to provide the high precision drawing.
It can produce graphics of various sizes.
The speed of producing output is high.
9. Types of Plotters
The different types of plotters include:
Drum plotters: A drum plotter draws on paper that is wrapped
around a drum. The drum turns and produces one direction of the
plot, while at the same time the pens move to produce the other
direction.
Flatbed plotters: A flatbed plotter draws on paper that is placed on
a flat surface.
Electrostatic plotter: An electrostatic plotter draws on paper that
has a negative charge with a toner that has a positive charge.
Roller Plotter: A roller plotter prints out the drawing while the payer
gets moved through the plotter.
10. Voice Response Unit (VRU)
A Voice Response Unit (VRU) is an automated telephone system that uses pre-
recorded voice messages that provide options or information to the caller. A
Voice Response Unit (VRU) is typically used by companies with call centres,
such as banks that wish to provide customers with access to accounts, or
companies who provide customer service through this unit.
Previous Voice Response Units (VRUs) use touch tone keypads to
communicate, whereas modern Voice Response Units (VRUs) additionally
have the ability to communicate through spoken words using voice
recognition software. This system is designed to deal with high call volumes
and to better a customer’s experience.