2.25. Listen to a conversation and complete the sentences.

1. The technology used in scanners is similar to that used in a ____________.

2. The scanned image is sent to the ___________ where you manipulate it.
3. To scan text, you need special software called ____________.
4. Flatbed scanners can scan __________.
5. Slide scanners are used to scan __________ or film negatives.
6. Handheld scanners are used for capturing __________.
2.26. Describe your digital camera, webcam or video camera. Think about these
questions.
1. What do you use the device for?
2. Why did you buy that particular model?
3. What are your favorite functions?
4. What improvements would you make to the device?
Output devices
2.27. Read and pronounce correctly.
image (n) - [ˈɪmɪdʒ]
cathode (n) - [ˈkæθəʊd]
tube (n) – [tjuːb]
create (v) – [kriːˈeɪt]
diagonally (adv) - [daɪˈæɡənəlɪ]
luminance (n) – [ˈluːmɪn(ə)ns]
fatigue (n) – [fəˈtiːɡ]
quantity (n) – [ˈkwɒntɪti]
2.28. Read and translate the text using a dictionary.
Display screen
The screen of a computer is often known as the monitor, or VDU (visual
display unit). Inside the computer, there is a video card which processes images and
sends signals to the monitor.
When choosing a monitor, you have to take into account a few basics.
• Type of display – the choice is between a CRT or an LCD screen. The
Cathode Ray Tube of a monitor is similar to a traditional TV set. It has three electron
guns (one for each primary colour: red, green and blue) that strike the inside of the
screen, which is coated with substances called phosphors, which glow and create
colours. CRTs are cheap, but they are heavy, can flicker and emit radiation. A Liquid
Crystal Display is made from flat plates with a liquid crystal solution between them.
The crystals block the light in different quantities to create the image. Active matrix
LCDs use TFT (thin film transistor) technology, in which each pixel has its own
transistor switch. They offer better quality and take up less space, so they are
replacing CRTs.
• Screen size – the viewing area is measured diagonally; in other words, a 17‘‘
screen measures 17 inches from the top left corner to the bottom right.

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 • Resolution – the clarity of the image depends on the number of pixels (short
for picture elements) contained on a display, horizontally and vertically. A typical
resolution is 1024 × 768. • The sharpness of images is affected by dot pitch, the
distance between the pixels on the screen, so a dot pitch of 0.28 mm or less will
produce a sharp image.
• Brightness – the luminance of images is measured in cd/m2 (candela per
square meter).
• Color depth – the number of colors a monitor can display. For example, a
VGA monitor produces 256 colors, enough for home use; a SuperVGA can produce
up to 16.7 million colors, so is ideal for photographic work and video games.
• Refresh rate – the number of times that the image is drawn each second. If a
monitor has a refresh rate of 75 Hertz (Hz), it means that the screen is scanned 75
times per second. If this rate is low, you will notice a flicker, which can cause eye
fatigue.
2.29. Answer the questions.
1. What do CRT and LCD stand for?
2. What is the difference between CRT and LCD screens?
3. Why are LCD screens replacing CRTs?
4. How is the screen size measured?
5. What technology is used by active matrix LCDs?
6. What is dot pitch?
7. What unit of frequency is used to measure the brightness of a display?
8. What is refresh rate?
2.30. Correct these false statements.
1. The images shown on a monitor are not generated by the video card.
2. All visible colors can be made from mixing the three primary colours of red,
yellow and blue.
3. Typical CRT-based displays occupy less space than LCD displays.
4. Active-matrix LCDs do not use a technology called thin film transistor or TFT.
5. The size of the screen is measured horizontally.
2.31. Match each term (1-5) with the correct definition (a-e).
1. dot pitch a. the frequency at which a monitor renews its image, measured in
Hz
2. refresh rate
b. the degree of detail visible in a photographic or television image
3. resolution c. a device in a computer system that controls the images that are
shown on the computer‘s screen
4. screen size
d. the space between a display‘s pixels
5. video card e. the physical size of the area where pictures and videos are
displayed
2.32. Give a summary of the text (8-10 sentences). Use some words and
expressions:
1. This text is about …
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2. The text contains the description of …
3. The main idea of the text is …
4. In my opinion
5. It should be noted …
6. In conclusion …
7. To sum up …

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