Inside the Tube: A Look at Video Monitor Technology

When was the last time you looked at a video monitor? As a videomaker, you probably use monitors quite often, whether out in the field, in the editing suite, or both. And like many videomakers, you probably take them for granted. But take another look and ask a few questions. How do these things work? Are they really showing you what your video looks like? What makes one monitor better than another? How can you tell if a monitor matches your equipment and your needs?

In this article, we'll demystify the technology of video monitors to help you understand how they work and how they differ from one another. What is resolution? What does black screen mean? Is Trinitron real technology or just marketing hype? These are some of the mysteries we'll unravel.

We'll also discuss some features (composite and Y/C connectors, etc.) found on most monitors, as well as the higher-end capabilities (underscan, pulse-cross, blue-gun, autodegaussing, etc.) that make some monitors a joy to use.

So if you've ever been curious about that glowing tube you watch so often, read on. And if you're setting up a new video editing system, the information presented here will help you make the right ch…