INPUT DEVICES & THEIR USES

KEYBOARDS
Keyboards are by far the most common method used for data entry.
However, frequent use of these devices can lead to injuries, such as repetitive strain injury (RSI)
in the hands and wrists. Ergonomic keyboards can help to overcome this problem.

They have the keys arranged differently. They are also designed to give more support to the
wrists and hands when doing a lot of typing.
Uses
✓ Keyboards are used to input data into application software.
✓ Also used for typing commands to the computer (CTRL + P)
Advantages
✓ Enables fast entry of new text into a document.
✓ Well-tried technology & well-known method of entry.
✓ Most people find them easy to use
✓ Easy to do verification check as data is entered, as it appears on the screen
simultaneously.

Disadvantages
✓ Users with limited arm/wrist use can find keyboards hard to use.
✓ Entering data is slow when compared to direct data entry (e.g. Optical mark recognition).
✓ They use up desk space as they are quite large

Numeric Keypads
➢ A numeric keypad is used to enter numbers only
➢ Although some have function key to allow input of alphabetical characters.
Uses
✓ Used in Automatic teller machines (ATMs), where customers can key in their personal
identification number (PIN), or an amount of money.
✓ Used to key in phone numbers into telephones.
✓ Electronic point of sale (EPOS) terminals have numeric keypads in case the barcode
reader fails.
✓ Used in Chip and PIN devices to key in PIN, or amount of money.
✓ Used to enable fast entry of numeric data into a spread sheet.
Advantages.
✓ Numeric keypads are faster than standard keyboards for entry of numeric data.
✓ Since many are small devices (e.g. mobile phones), they are easy to carry around.
Disadvantages
✓ Can be difficult to use due to the very small keys.
✓ Difficult to use for entering text.
✓ Sometimes the order of numbers isn’t very intuitive.

Pointing devices
Mouse
➢ An example of a pointing device.
➢ The user controls the position of a pointer on the screen by moving the mouse around.
➢ There are usually two buttons which have different functions;
➢ The left button is used to select items by double clicking, while the right button brings up
drop-down menus.
➢ Many also have a scroll button, which speeds up the process of moving through a
document.
Uses
✓ Used for opening, closing and minimising software
✓ Used for grouping, moving and deleting files.
✓ Useful when editing images (e.g. controlling the size and position of the image)
✓ Used for controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to allow:
o Selection from a menu
o Selecting an icon
o Scrolling up/down and right/left
Advantages
✓ Faster to select an option by a mouse than a keyboard
✓ Enables rapid navigation through applications and the internet
✓ Mice are small and don’t take much area
Disadvantages
✓ People with restricted hand/wrist movement can find it hard to operate a mouse
✓ Easily damaged and can easily be clogged up with dirt
✓ They are hard to use if there is no flat surface available

Touchpad
Touchpads are used in many laptop computers as a pointing device
The pointer is controlled by the user moving their finger on the touchpad
Uses
✓ Used for opening, closing and minimizing software
✓ Used for grouping, moving and deleting files
✓ Useful when editing images (e.g. controlling the size and position of the image).
✓ Used for controlling the position of a pointer on the screen
Advantages
✓ Faster to select an option by a touchpad than a keyboard
✓ Enables rapid navigation through applications and the internet
✓ Since the touchpad is integrated into laptop computer, there is no separate mouse, aiding
portability.
✓ They can be used when no flat surfaces are available.
Disadvantages
✓ People with limited hand/wrist movement can find touchpads hard to use.
✓ It can be more difficult to control the pointer when compared to a mouse.
✓ They are more difficult when doing operations such as ‘drag and drop’.

Tracker Ball
Tracker ball is like a mouse except that it has a ball on the top of the device.
Users control the pointer on the screen by rotating the ball.
Uses
✓ Can be a good alternative to a mouse for people with conditions such as RSI.
✓ Used in an industrial control room environment where it is faster than a mouse to
navigate through process screens.
✓ Used in some luxury cars to select functions such as radio, telephone, music, satnav and
so on.

Advantages of a tracker ball

✓ Does not need the same fine control as a mouse.
✓ Easier to use than a mouse if the operator has problems with their wrist or hand.
✓ More accurate positioning of the pointer on screen than a mouse.
✓ They are more robust than a mouse. » Needs less desk space than a mouse or keyboard.
Disadvantages of a tracker ball
✓ Not supplied with the computer as standard, therefore more costly.
✓ User may need training because it is not standard equipment.

Remote control

❖ A remote control is used for the operation of other devices using infrared signals.
❖ The buttons on the keypad are used to select options such as television channels, sound
levels on a Hi-Fi, timings on a DVD recorder, etc.
Uses
 ✓ Televisions, satellite systems, DVD/Blu-ray players and Hi-Fi systems all use remote
controls to alter functions such as sound volume, on/off, change channels, open the disc
drawer, and so on.
✓ Used to control multimedia systems.
✓ Used in industrial applications to remotely control processes, stop and start machinery,
etc.

Advantages
✓ Enable devices to be operated from any distance, which is useful for people with
disabilities.
✓ Some chemical processes are hazardous, so it is safer to operate equipment from a
distance
Disadvantages
✓ Difficult to use if the operator has limited hand/wrist movement.
✓ It is easier to block the signal if, for example, the walls in the building are very thick.

Joystick
✓ Joysticks have similar functions to a mouse and a trackerball.
✓ By gripping the stick, a pointer on the screen can be controlled.
✓ Buttons are used to make selections.

Uses
✓ Used in video/computer games.
✓ Used in simulators (for example, flight simulators) to mimic actual controls.
Advantages
✓ Easier than a keyboard to navigate the screen.
✓ Control is more realistic for some applications than, for example, using a mouse.
Disadvantages
✓ More difficult to control the on-screen pointer than with other devices, such as a mouse.

Driving wheel
 ➢ A driving (steering) wheel is an example of an input device that is similar to a joystick in
many ways.
➢ The wheel allows you to simulate the turning of a steering wheel, and there are associated
devices (such as buttons or pedals) which allow you to accelerate and brake.
➢ Sensors are used to pick up left/right movement so that the user gets the sensation of
steering a car around a circuit or on the road.
Uses of a driving wheel
✓ Used in video/computer games (for example, car racing games).
✓ Used in simulators (for example, car-driving simulators) to mimic actual vehicle controls.

Advantages of a driving wheel

✓ Easier than a keyboard or joystick to control steering movements; it is more natural.
✓ The ‘driving experience’ is nearer to how an actual steering wheel and other controls
operate in real life.
Disadvantages of a driving wheel
✓ It can be a rather expensive input device compared to mouse or joystick.
✓ Movements in the steering can be too sensitive, giving an unrealistic ‘feel’.
✓ Unless it is an expensive simulator, feedback to the driving wheel is
non-existent.

Touch screens (as an input device)

With a touch screen the user can choose an option by simply touching a button/icon on the
screen. The selection is automatically made without the need for any pointing device.
Uses of touch screens
✓ Self-service tills, for example, petrol stations, where the user just touches the screen to
select the fuel grade and payment method.
✓ Automatic teller machines (ATMs) to choose from on-screen options.
✓ Point of sale terminals such as in restaurants.
✓ Public information systems at airports, railway stations, tourist offices, etc.
✓ Mobile phones, tablets and satellite navigation systems.
✓ Interactive white boards in education.
 ✓ Computer-based training (CBT) where answers are selected during on-screen testing.
✓ They can obviously also be used as an output device because they also work as a flat-
screen monitor.
Advantages of touch screens
✓ Faster entry of options than using keyboard or mouse.
✓ Very easy method for choosing options.
✓ User-friendly method – no training necessary in its use.
✓ Option to expand the size of the display if necessary.

Disadvantages of touch screens

✓ Limited number of input options available.
✓ Can lead to problems if an operator has to use the system frequently
(Straining of arm muscles, RSI, etc. are all possible).
✓ The screen can get very dirty with constant touching -giving a risk of spreading
infections, and reduce its responsiveness which makes it more
✓ difficult to read in strong sunlight.

Scanners
➢ Scanners are used to enter information from hard copy into a computer.
➢ The hard copy document or photo is scanned by a light source and produces a computer-
readable image.
➢ The subsequent image can then be manipulated using a drawing package. Images of text
can also be used with optical character recognition (OCR) software to produce editable
text documents.
Uses of scanners
✓ Used to scan in documents and convert them into a format for use in various software
packages.
✓ Old and valuable documents and books can be scanned, protecting the original copies
from damage
✓ Non-digital photographs can be scanned for storing on a computer
✓ Scan in barcodes at POS terminals.
Advantages of scanners
✓ Images can be stored for editing at a later date.
✓ When used with OCR, much faster and more accurate (no typing errors) than typing in
documents again.
✓ It is possible to recover damaged documents and photographs by scanning in and then
using appropriate software to produce an acceptable copy.
Disadvantages of scanners
✓ Quality can be limited depending on how good a resolution the scanner is
✓ They can be fairly slow at scanning, especially if the color scanning mode is chosen or if
the chosen scanning resolution is high.

Digital cameras
Digital cameras have largely replaced traditional film-based cameras.
The images are stored on a memory card (solid-state memory) and can be
transferred to a computer.
Uses of digital cameras
✓ Taking photographs-they still take better photographs than smartphones or tablets due to
the use of expensive lenses and dedicated software.
✓ Used as a data-capture device-for example, as a reversing aid in a car. they help the driver
to see their immediate surroundings.
✓ Dentists use digital cameras to take photos of a patient’s teeth to help them diagnose any
problems, they are also used to improve colour matching when doing dental fillings.
✓ The creation of virtual reality tours around houses, historical buildings, industrial plants,
and so on.
Advantages of digital cameras
✓ Easier to produce better-quality photographs than with a traditional camera.
✓ Easier and faster to upload photographs to a computer rather than having to scan in hard
copies when using traditional methods.
✓ No need to develop film and print out photographs anymore – this saves money and is
also environmentally more acceptable (saves paper and reduces the use of the chemicals
used in developing traditional film).
✓ Memory cards can store many thousands of photographs.
Disadvantages of digital cameras
✓ Need to be computer literate to use the cameras properly, transferring, storing and
manipulating of the images via a computer requires computer knowledge.
 ✓ There is some artistry lost because clever software now corrects errors in the photographs
(for example, incorrect exposure, removal of red eye, etc.).
✓ Images often need to be compressed to reduce the amount of memory used (a
single image can use more than 12 MB of memory, for example).
Microphones
Microphones are either built into the computer or are external devices connected
through the USB port or using Bluetooth connectivity.
The current produced is converted to a digital format so that a computer can process it or
store it (for example, on a CD).

Uses of microphones
✓ To input speech/sounds to be used in various applications.
✓ Input in voice-recognition software:
✓ As a sensor to pick up sound -for example, in an intruder alarm system.
✓ Used in video-conferencing or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications.
Advantages of microphones
✓ Faster to read in text than to type it in using a keyboard.
✓ It is possible to manipulate sound in real time using special software rather than work on
a recording done at some earlier stage.
✓ If used in a voice activation system, it has the advantage of improving safety because the
car driver, for example, does not need to take their hands off the wheel to operate a
switch or alter the radio station, etc.
Disadvantages of microphones
✓ Sound files can use up a lot of computer memory.
✓ Voice-recognition software is not as accurate as typing in manually.
Sensors
➢ Is a device that inputs data to a computer;
➢ The data is a measurement of some physical quantity that is continuously changing (for
example, temperature, light, moisture, etc.).
➢ These physical quantities are analogue in nature. Because computers only understand
digital data (1s and 0s), the information from the sensors needs to be converted; this is
done using an analogue to digital converter (ADC).
➢ Sensors are used in monitoring and control applications
Uses of sensors

Type of sensor Applications

Temperature Used in automatic washing machines, central heating systems,
automatic glasshouses, ovens
Pressure Used in intruder alarm systems, washing machines, robotics,
environmental monitoring
Light Used in automatic glasshouses, automatic doors, intruder alarm
systems, street lighting control
Sound/acoustic Used in intruder alarm systems, monitoring liquid and powder flow in
pipes
Humidity/moisture Used in automatic glasshouses, environmental monitoring, in factories
where moisture levels are crucial (for example, manufacture of
microchips, paint spraying)
pH Used in automatic glasshouses, chemical processes, environmental
monitoring

Advantages of using sensors

✓ More accurate readings taken when compared to human operators.
✓ Readings are continuous – no break in the monitoring.
✓ Because it is a continuous process, any necessary action (control system) or warning
(monitoring system) will be initiated immediately.
✓ Systems can be automatic, removing the need for human intervention very important if
the process is hazardous or needs precise control/monitoring.
Disadvantages of using sensors
✓ Faulty sensors can give spurious results
✓ Most sensors are analogue therefore, they require conversion using an ADC.

Light pens
✓ Light pens are used with computers as an input device. They contain sensors that send
signals to a computer whenever light changes are detected.
✓ The devices only work with CRT monitors
Uses of light pens
✓ Selecting objects on CRT screens.
✓ Drawing on screen -for example, with CAD packages.
Advantages of light pens
 ✓ Greater accuracy than touch screens.
✓ Small -can be used where space is an issue.
✓ Easy-to-use technology.
Disadvantages of light pens
✓ Problems with lag when drawing on screen.
✓ Only works with CRT monitors (at the moment).
✓ Not that accurate when drawing.
✓ Rather dated technology.
 2.2 Direct data entry (DDE) devices
Are used to input data into a computer without the need for very much, if any, human
interaction. For example, barcode readers

2.2.1 Card readers

i. Magnetic stripe readers

These are used to read information on the magnetic stripe found on the card.
The stripe contains useful information, such as:
✓ account number,
✓ sort code,
✓ expiry date
✓ start date.
Uses of magnetic stripe readers
✓ On credit/debit cards for use at ATMs or EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at
point of sale) terminals.
✓ Security devices to allow entry to buildings, hotel rooms, etc.
Advantages of magnetic stripe readers
✓ Fast data entry, rather than keying in with a keyboard or keypad.
✓ Error-free -because no typing is involved.
✓ Secure -information not in human readable form and, because there is no typing,
removes the risk of somebody observing your key strokes.
✓ Prevents access to restricted/secure areas.
✓ Not affected by oil, water, moisture, etc.
✓ No moving parts – so physically very robust.
Disadvantages of magnetic stripe readers
✓ If the magnetic stripe gets damaged the data is lost.
✓ Does not work at a distance -card needs to be in close contact with reader.
✓ Easily lost or misplaced
✓ Because the information is not human readable, this can be a disadvantage in
some applications.
 ii. Contactless debit card readers
Contactless Cards Readers are used by customers to pay for products at the POS
without the need to enter a PIN Number using RFID technology. Transactions are
normally restricted to a small amount.
Advantages of using contactless cards
✓ Faster transactions than using magnetic stripe reader.
✓ Transaction data (account details) is encrypted.
✓ Customers do not have to worry about typing errors.
✓ Retailers no longer have access to the customer’s credit/debit card
information.
✓ The chip in the contactless credit card responds to the payment terminal
reader with a unique number used for that transaction only; it does not
simply transmit the consumer’s account number; this number is also
encrypted.
Disadvantages of using contactless cards:
✓ They are more expensive than normal credit/debit cards.
✓ A thief with a suitable reader could monitor your contactless card
transaction while standing at the counter with you, or just behind.
✓ Can take money twice if the customer uses it as a chip and PIN card (one
is contactless and the other is chip and PIN).
✓ Transactions are usually limited to a small maximum value (for example,
$50).

Chip and PIN readers

▪ The device has a slot where the card is placed, and the chip is read
▪ A small screen is part of the reader which gives instructions to the operator
Uses
✓ Chip and PIN readers are used where payments are made using cards e.g. travel agents
Advantages
 ✓ More secure system than contactless payments (PIN typed in must match up with PIN
stored on chip).
✓ more robust system than magnetic stripe card

Disadvantages
✓ Customer needs to be careful when typing in the PIN, so nobody reads it giving an
opportunity for Fraud

2.2.2 Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers

▪ Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers use radio waves to read and capture
information stored on a tag.
▪ In some applications, the tag can be read from a distance of several metres, which is
one of its advantages over the barcode system.
The RFID tag is made up of two components:
❖ a microchip that stores and processes information
❖ an antenna which is used to receive and transmit data/information.
The tags can be passive or battery-powered.
❖ Passive tags use the reader’s radio wave energy to relay back the information;
❖ battery-powered tags use a small embedded battery to power the RFID.
Uses of RFID
✓ Livestock tracking -So that the whereabouts of each animal on a farm is known;
it also identifies which farm owns the animal.
✓ Retail- similar to barcodes, but does not require any scanning; details such as
price can be stored on the tag and then automatically read at a checkout – a big
advantage is that several tags can be read at the same time, thus speeding up the
checkout process.
✓ Admission passes- for example, in theme parks RFID cards eliminate the need to
scan or swipe people before ‘rides’, reducing the waiting time; it also allows the
tracking of people in the theme park and certain information, such as height or
age, can be stored to prevent entry to certain rides on safety grounds.
✓ Libraries - books can be tracked in and out automatically by readers at the library
entrance; no need to scan barcodes or use magnetic stripe cards, making the
process quicker and more accurate.
Advantages of RFID
✓ No line-of-sight contact is necessary- the tags can be read from a distance.
✓ It is a very robust and reliable technology.
✓ Very fast read-rate- typically less than 100 milliseconds to respond.
✓ Bidirectional data transfer- it allows read and write operations to take place.
✓ Bulk detection is possible- it can detect several RFID tags at the same time.
Disadvantages of RFID
✓ Tag collision -this is when the signals from two or more tags overlap,
interfering with each other.
✓ Because RFID uses radio waves, they are relatively easy to jam or interrupt.
✓ It is relatively easy to hack into the data/signal transmitted by the tag.
✓ RFID is more expensive than a comparable barcode system.

2.2.3 Optical mark recognition/reader (OMR)

Optical mark recognition (OMR) is a device which can read marks written in pen or
pencil on a form.
Uses of OMR devices
Used to read questionnaires, multiple-choice examination papers, voting papers and
many other types of form where responses are registered in the form of lines or
shaded areas.
 Advantages of OMR devices
✓ Very fast way of inputting the results of a survey, etc. The documents are fed
in automatically and there is no user input.
✓ Because there is no typing, they are more accurate than keying in the data.
✓ They are more accurate than OCR methods.
Disadvantages of OMR devices
✓ The forms need to be carefully designed to make sure the marks/shading are
correctly positioned to gather accurate information.
✓ There can be problems if they have not been filled in correctly; sometimes
they have to be manually checked before being read, which is both time
consuming and expensive.

2.2.4 Optical character recognition/reader (OCR)

OCR is a software that takes scanned text and converts it into a computer readable form
Uses of OCR
✓ Processing of passports and identity cards.
✓ Converting hard copy documents into electronic form which can be stored on a computer.
✓ Used in automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems in car parks.
✓ Digitizing historic newspapers and rare books so they can be archived and used by
researchers, preventing damage to the originals.
Advantages of OCR
✓ It is a much faster data entry system than manually keying in data.
✓ Because there is no manual data entry, the number of errors is also reduced.
Disadvantages of OCR
✓ The system still has difficulty reading some handwriting.
✓ Not a very accurate technique.
Comparison of OMR and OCR features
A company has decided to produce a questionnaire to gain information from
customers. What features of OCR or OMR need to be considered when designing
the data-capture form?
Table 2.2 summarises the features of both methods.
2.2.5 Barcode readers
Barcode readers are used to read information in the form of a bar code
The readers are usually in the form of a barcode scanner and are often built into POS terminals in
supermarkets.
Uses of barcode systems
» Used in supermarkets and other shops where the goods are marked with a barcode; the
barcodes are used to give information about the product which enables automatic stock control
and itemised billing to take place.
» Used in libraries to keep track of books on loan.
» Used as a safety function in many companies to ensure that electrical equipment is checked on
a regular basis.
Advantages of barcode systems
» Much faster than keying in data manually and fewer mistakes will be made.
» If used as a way of recording safety testing of components and can help improve safety.
» They allow automatic stock control.
» They are a tried and trusted technology.
Disadvantages of barcode systems
» Relatively expensive system to administer.
» Not fool-proof -barcodes can be swapped around on items.
» Can be more easily damaged than RFID tags or magnetic stripes.

2.2.6 Quick response (QR) code scanners /readers

➢ This is made up of a matrix of filled-in dark squares on a light background. For example,
the QR code.
➢ QR codes can hold considerably more information than the more conventional barcodes.
(7089 digits compared to 30 digits for a barcode)
➢ This allows internet addresses to be encoded within the QR code.
➢ Modern smartphones and tablets, allow internet access on the move, thus QR codes can
be scanned anywhere.
This gives rise to a number of uses:
o Advertising products.
o Giving automatic access to a website or contact telephone number
o Storing boarding passes electronically at airports and train stations.
Uses of QR codes
✓ Used in advertising to contain data such as business addresses, phone numbers, email
addresses and website addresses.
✓ Contain links to apps - To enable the appropriate apps to be quickly downloaded onto a
user’s device.
✓ Wi-Fi authentication- QR codes can be used to store Wi-Fi network authentication such
as passwords and type of encryption used.
✓ QR codes can be used to deliver augmented reality experiences, by helping an AR system
to determine the positions of objects in three-dimensional space.
✓ To establish virtual online stores- where a gallery of product information and QR codes
are presented to the customer. The customers scan the QR codes, and the products are
automatically delivered to their homes.
 Advantages of QR codes
✓ They can hold much more information than normal barcode.
✓ There will be fewer errors than with barcodes; the higher data capacity of the QR
code allows the use of built-in error-checking systems.
✓ QR codes are easier to read- they do not need expensive laser or LED scanners
like barcodes.
✓ It is easy to transmit QR codes either as text messages or images.
✓ It is also possible to encrypt QR codes, which gives them greater protection than
traditional barcodes.

Disadvantages of QR codes
✓ More than one QR format is available.
✓ QR codes can be used to transmit malicious codes- When the code is scanned, it is
possible the creator of the malicious code could gain access to everything on the user’s
smartphone/tablet. The user could also be sent to a fake website, or it is even possible for
a virus to be downloaded.

Describe how a QR reader works.

✓ Point the phone/tablet camera or QR reader at the QR code.
✓ The apps will now process the image taken by the camera/reader converting the squares
into readable data.
✓ The browser software on the mobile phone or tablet automatically reads the data
generated by the apps; it will also decode any web addresses contained within the QR
code.
✓ The user will then be sent to a website automatically or if a telephone number was
embedded in the code, the user will be sent to the phone apps.
✓ If the QR code contained a boarding pass, this will be automatically sent to the
phone/tablet.

QUESTION

1. When a ticket is produced for the new system it contains a QR code.

Describe the benefits of using a QR code. (5 marks)
2.3 Output devices and their uses
Are Devices that show the result of computer processing in a format that can be
understood by a human.
2.3.1 Monitors (screens)
CRT Monitor
➢ CRT refers to Cathode Ray Tube monitors.
➢ They are the Least expensive type of monitors, and are becoming rarer as TFT monitors
take over.
➢ Picture created is made up of tiny dots (red green or blue), the intensity of the colour of
the dot determines the colour perceived by the eye
Uses
✓ They are only used in specialist areas, such as computer-aided design (CAD); the screens
are usually very large to enable complex diagrams to be created or modified.
✓ They are used with light pens to allow designs to be created on screen.
Advantages
✓ Produce higher quality images than TFT monitors
✓ Angle of viewing is better than a TFT monitor
✓ They work with light pens in CAD and CAM applications.
Disadvantages
✓ They tend to be rather heavy and present a weight hazard if not supported
✓ properly
✓ They run very hot and can cause fires if left unattended
✓ They consume considerably more power than LCD monitors.
✓ They can flicker, which can lead to headaches and eyesight problems with
prolonged use.

LED and LCD screens

LED screens
➢ An LED screen is made up of tiny light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each LED is either red,
green or blue in colour.
➢ By varying the electric current sent to each LED, its brightness can be controlled,
producing a vast range of colours.
 ➢ This type of screen tends to be used for large outdoor displays, due to the brilliance
of the colours produced. Recent advances in LED technology have led to the
introduction of OLED (organic LED) screens.

LCD screens
➢ LCD screens are made up of tiny liquid crystals. These tiny crystals make up an array of
pixels which are affected by changes in applied electric fields.
➢ Modern LCD screens are backlit using light emitting diode (LED) technology and must
not be confused with pure LED screens.

The reason that LEDs have become increasingly more popular as the method of
backlighting is due to a number of advantages over older CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent
lamps) technology:
✓ LEDs reach their maximum brightness almost immediately (there is no need to ‘warm
up’ before reaching full efficiency).
✓ LEDs give a whiter light, which sharpens the image and makes the colours appear
more vivid;
CCFL had a slightly yellowish tint.
✓ LEDs produce a brighter light which improves the colour definition.
✓ Screens using LED technology are much thinner than screens using CCFL technology.
✓ LEDs last almost indefinitely-this makes the technology more reliable and makes for a
more
consistent product.
✓ LEDs consume very little power -which means they produce less heat as well as using
less energy.
Uses of LCD screens
✓ Used as the main output device for most modern computers.
✓ Many LCD screens offer touch-screen input.
✓ Mobile phones, tablets, laptops and portable video games all use LCD screens.
Advantages of LCD screens
✓ Very efficient, low power consumption.
✓ Lightweight devices.
✓ Screens can be made in large variation of sizes.
✓ Do not suffer from a flickering image, unlike CRT monitors.
✓ Very sharp image resolution -allow a vast range of colours.
✓ Produce low electromagnetic fields compared to CRT monitors.
Disadvantages of LCD screens
✓ Colour and contrast from various viewing angles can be inconsistent.
✓ Motion blur is a common issue.
✓ Lower contrast than CRT monitors
✓ The LCD panel may not be uniformly illuminated by the back light, resulting in
✓ uneven intensity and shading over the screen.