computer display monitor, usually called simply a
monitor, is a piece of
electrical equipment which displays viewable
images generated by a
computer without producing a permanent record. The word "monitor" is used in other contexts; in particular in
television broadcasting, where a
television picture is displayed to a high standard. A computer display device is usually either a
cathode ray tube or some form of flat panel such as a
TFT LCD display. The monitor comprises the display device,
circuitry to generate a picture from
electronic signals sent by the computer, and an
enclosure or case. Within the computer, either as an integral part or a plugged-in
interface, there is circuitry to convert internal
data to a format compatible with a monitor.