Braemac Glossary
a simple overview of terms that you may see mentioned within our website.

Active Matrix Display: a technology used in flat panel liquid crystal displays. Such displays provide a more responsive image at a wider range of viewing angle than passive matrix alternatives.

AMLCD: active matrix liquid crystal display.

ANSI Lumen: An ANSI Lumen is a unit of brightness as defined by the American National Standards Institute.

Anamorphic: is the process of compressing wide screen images (16:9) into standard TV displays (4:3). Images revert back to their original format on a wide screen display.

Aperture Grill: An array of vertical wires which act in a similar manner as a shadow mask. Their basic purpose is to permit the correct electron beam to strike its corresponding colour phosphor only. This results in crisp pixel definition, and superior colour brightness compared to non-aperture grill monitors. 

Aspect Ratio: Simply the ratio of image width when compared to image height.

Bandwidth: In monitor terms it is the amount of pixels that can be displayed per second.

BNC: A form of interface primarily used for video signals.

CAD / CAM: computer-aided design / computer-aided manufacturing – software used to design products i.e. electronic circuit boards.

Cd/m²: Candelas per square metre also called NIT: The term for luminous (surface) intensity of a light source.

Chrominance: The creation of a mask of colour that is superimposed on the luminance to create a colour image.

CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow & black): a process of combining primary pigments.

Coaxial cable: A cable whereby a conductor is centred inside another with both conductors carrying a signal. A Primary example of where such a cable is used in within the broadcast of digital TV pictures.

Composite Video: A signal used by VHS cassettes and Laserdiscs.

Component Video: Video transmission in three separate lines. For example one for luminance (black & white) and the other two for colour.

Contrast Ratio: The ratio between the darkest and lightest spot projected onto a screen.

Convergence: This ensures that the three electron beams (R, G, & B) meet at the corresponding aperture in the shadow mask. 

CRT: Cathode Ray Tube, used in TV monitors & computer desktop monitors.

Degaussing: This function removes magnetism from the CRT, on some models this is activated automatically once the power is switched on. Most models include this function within the user OSD menu.

DFP: The DFP standard provides a mechanism to send video data digitally from a computer's video card to a digital flat panel display. By keeping the video data in a digital format at all times, picture quality is improved dramatically because digital transmission can provide a resistance to noise that traditional analogue VGA connections cannot.

Dithering: The process of intentionally mixing colours of adjacent pixels. Dithering is usually needed for 8-bit colour, and sometimes for 16-bit. It allows a limited colour set to approximate a broader range, by mixing groups of varying-colour pixels in a semi-random pattern. Without dithering, colour gradients like sky or sunset tend to show 'banding' artefacts  

Display: an output device that shows text or graphic images to the user, using either CRT, LCD or LED technology.

Display Modes: the various display image formats and resolutions that have evolved. SVGA is the more common of these modes.

Dot Pitch: Measures the sharpness of an image on a display. Measured in millimetres, the smaller the number the sharper the image.

Digital Signal Processing: DSP is a powerful tool, which is the recording of surround sound.

D-Sub: A connector whose male end has a "D" shaped raised shield that protects the connecting pins. Usually a 15-pin or 9-pin connector with each pin corresponding to a different wire or signal within the cable. 

DTV: The new name in broadcasting that will soon replace analogue. DTV offers high-resolution and wide-screen format.

Digital Video Disc: DVD is now commonplace in the market. They have the look of a CD but can hold much more information.

DVI Digital Visual Interface: DVI is a standard that defines the digital interface between digital devices such as LCD monitors and personal computers. For devices that support DVI, a digital-to-digital connection can be made that eliminates the conversion to analogue and thereby delivers an unblemished image.

Electron beam: A narrow beam of electrons created by the electron gun.

Electron Gun: Inside every CRT monitor there is an electron gun. Inside the gun we create electrons by heat, these electrons are then accelerated and focused to create an electron beam.

Energy Star: A program established by the EPA as a partnership with the computer industry to promote the introduction of energy-efficient personal computers, which help reduce air pollution caused by power generation. To comply, a monitor must consume less than 30 watts of power in its lowest power state.  

ERAI (Electronic Resellers Association International): Braemac's sourcing division is a fully signed up member of this association which is an independent body that monitors the reseller channel around the world. A weekly report is sent by the ERAI and keeps a track of many problem areas in trading including high risk companies, bad payers, counterfeit parts etc.

FED: field emission display

Flicker: When the image on the display is not refreshed fast enough, it appears to flicker or quiver as it dims and brightens repeatedly. The term Flicker Free is now used to describe those monitors with refresh rates high enough that flicker is unnoticeable to the human eye. Generally, refresh rates of 70Hz or higher are considered to be flicker free.

FPD: flat panel display

Glare: An uncomfortably bright shine produced by the reflection of harsh light. All CRT screens reflect some light that then results in glare. Some monitors have polished screens that reflect more than those with coated surfaces. 

Graphics card: Converts PC data into graphic signals that the monitor can handle and display.

HRI: high resolution imaging

Invar: Invar is a special nickel-iron alloy that resists thermal expansion.

LCD (liquid crystal display): primarily associated with notebook displays. They consume much less power than conventional monitors as they block light rather than emit it.

LED (light-emitting diode): a semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electric current passes through it.

Lines of Horizontal Resolution: these refer to visually resolvable vertical lines per picture height that make the difference in picture quality of the image to be viewed.

Moire interlac: A wavy distortion pattern caused by the interference between the dot pitch of the CRT and the picture signal. This distortion pattern may vary depending on the pattern, screen amplitude, contrast, brightness and other characteristics of the input signal. 

Monitor: a computer display and relevant components packaged together in a unit.

MPR-II: Rules created by SWEDAC (Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation) to reduce the emissions of a monitor while working. Together with the TCO rules, it belongs to the rules followed by the manufacturers to safeguard the health of PC users. 

NTSC: National Television System Committee is a TV signal, which is primarily used in North America and is also associated with VHS recording.

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM products are given a different branding from the original manufacturer but are usually the same product.

OS: Operating System e.g. Microsoft Windows 95

OSD: On Screen Display, usually user menu controls.

PAL: Phrase Alternation Line - a type of TV signal used outside the USA.

Pixel: basic units of programmable colour on display or in a computer image.

Plasma Display Panel: PDP is a display made from pixels that have been illuminated by either plasma or a gas charge.

Plug & Play: Detecting mode and automatic configuration for the peripherals connected to a PC. It must be supported by an operating system with similar features and the peripherals must match the Plug & Play standard.

Polymer LED: a technology based on the use of polymer as a semi-conductor in LED's

Raster: the region of a CRT or LCD that is capable of rendering an image.

Rec: Resolution Manufacturers recommended resolution.

Refresh rate: The amount of times a new picture is displayed per second, expressed in Hz (Hertz), the higher the refresh rate the better the picture will be. 

Resolution: the number of pixels contained on the display i.e. Horizontal x vertical.

Response time: This is the amount of time needed for an LCD pixel to reach its "on" (rise) state and then back to "off"(fall) again. The lower the response time the better the monitor will display fast moving graphics. 

RGB: Video signal where chrominance is decoded into three primarily colours - Red (R), Green (G) & Blue (B).

RMA: Return Merchandise Authorisation, the customer has to contact the service provider to obtain authorisation before they can return faulty goods. 

Shadow mask: This is usually an invar mask which acts to block the electron beam from striking the wrong phosphors in a CRT. The beam passes through holes in the mask to strike the correct phosphor while shadowing neighbouring phosphors. It prevents a beam intended to strike a red phosphor from striking a neighbouring green phosphor by causing an electron shadow over the green dot. 

Smart Display: a portable display that can be moved around and is connected by wireless technology.

SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array): the display method most commonly associated with modern day computer monitors.

SXGA: Resolution - 1280 - 1024

S-Video: used when referring to S-VHS or Y/C

TCO: These are the initials, in Swedish, of the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees, which has set stringent standards for devices that emit radiation 

TFT (thin film transistor): Modern day alternative to the way in which computer images are displayed.

Touch Screen: a display, which is aimed at human touch to operate.

USB: Short for Universal Serial Bus, an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 MBPS (12 million bits per second). Peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards etc can be connected. USB also supports Plug-and-Play installation and hot plugging, which is plugging hardware in while the PC is on. 

UXGA (Ultra XGA): a display standard that referees to a video adapter that is capable of up to 1600 x 1200 pixels.

VESA: Video Electronics Standards.

VDU: video Display Unit.

VGA (Video Graphics Array): Introduced by IBM in 1987 that allowed a far greater choice of viewing options.

Widescreen: A TV that is able to view a picture with a aspect ratio of 16:9

XGA (Extended Graphics Array): Introduced by IBM in 1990 as a successor to its 8514/A display.

Y/C: Term used when referring to the video standard in which luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) are separated.

What does "VHB" stand for? - VHB" stands for "Advanced Brightness Technology". This technology originally was applied in the aerospace and military field. A lot of outdoor applications demand higher brightness to be viewable under sunlight which regular LCD screens can't achieve.This technology requires a high efficiency inverter design and sophisticated backlight design.

What is "Nits"? - Nits is the standard which LCD manufacturers rate the brightness of their panels. Another term for Nits is Candelas per square meter (Cd/m2). One nit = 0.2919 foot - lambert (F/ L).

Will this VHB display consume more power than the regular CRT display? - Actually it requires less power than the CRT displays. CRT displays consume 75W - 100W powers for 15" to 17"¨, whilst LiteMax VHB displays consume 50W-60W power for 15" to 17". The regular TFT LCD displays consume 35W to 55W for 15" to 17". Thanks to LiteMax's high efficiency inverter design; our VHB display can utilize all the power to the brightness without wasting a bit.

Will the heat generated by the VHB display cause any safety concern? - Since the VHB inverter has been specially designed to drive all the CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tube) in an efficient way, the heat generated by the VHB display is actually only a little higher than the ordinary LCD display. The traditional CRT display is much hotter than LiteMax VHB display. There is no safety concern that needs to be addressed.

How much brightness does the VHB display achieve compared with the same size CRT display and TFT LCD display? - Smaller size screen can get significant results, like 4 times higher than the regular TFT LCD display brightness. Bigger screen like 17", VHB display can be 2-3 times of regular TFT LCD screen brightness. The regular CRT display is measured around 130 nits in brightness. LiteMax VHB displays is measured at least 700 nits.

With such a bright screen, will that cause eyestrain or feel uncomfortable? - You will actually get used to the brightness on the VHB display after you use it for a couple of days. You can adjust the brightness via the OSD to the comfortable level you feel.

Does the VHB display have shorter backlight life? - Thanks to the VHB Technology, our display can achieve higher brightness in a healthy way. The whole backlight unit has been redesigned for a longer life span. Even after 5 years field test, the brightness still can be measured at least half of the original one, which is still better than any TFT LCD display in the market.

What is the difference between your display and others? - Beside brighter, LiteMax VHB display is indeed a multimedia terminal. It comes with speakers, dual composite inputs, S-Video input and phone jack. You can take advantage of the brightness and high resolution to enjoy DVD playback, digital camera pictures and if you hook up with the VCR tuner, you can watch TV.

What is the definition of "Sunlight Readable LCD"? - To have the visibility of your LCD screen under sunlight you need to have at least 1000 cd/m2 screen brightness.