Output devices 2

Output devices 2

1. LED Monitors

2. Speakers

   • How? Most computers are fitted with a small internal speaker which can produce beeping sounds to alert you if you make an error. Computers can also be fitted with a sound chip which can enable sound to be output through external speakers
   • Strengths: Everyone in the room can hear the output, helps blind people/Limitations: Can disturb people, high quality speakers can be expensive

3. Resolution and pixels

   • How? When someone describes a 'high resolution' monitor, they mean that it can display a large number if pixels per inch. Pixel is short for Picture Element. A pixel is the smallest individual dot that can be displayed on a computer monitor. Each pixel is given a colour and brightness value. An image is made up of many pixels. The quality of the image depends on the number of pixels per inch that make up the image.
   • Strength: more pixels, you can further crop the images for a telephoto effect, if you want to print huge enlargements (like really large posters), more megapixels is advantageous/ Limitation: Besides the storage space disadvantage, Software will take longer to process these enormous image files.

4. Drivers

   • How? A device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to a computer.
   • Limitations: Need knowledge to initially set up, Drivers are hardware-dependent and operating-system specific.

5. Printing: spooling and buffering

   • Spooling, an acronym of Simultaneous Peripheral Operation On-line (SPOOL), puts data into a temporary working area so it can be accessed and processed by another program or resource. Buffering allows data to be stored temporarily into a reserved area of memory (the buffer).
   • Spooling: Strength: Processes not suspended for a long time

6. Actuator

   • How? a device that moves something when commanded to do so
   • Strength: Long lifetime with little or no maintenance. Low force