Technical concepts explained simply

Glossary of Terms

10 bit colour rendering

In connection with a frame rate control (FRC) of the LCD modules, CG monitors allow for 10 bit colour resolution, depending on the module. Screens can therefore display even the finest tone value gradations using a billion colours. This requires corresponding 10 bit support by the application software and graphics card.


16 bit look-up table

When it comes to colour accuracy when working, how well a monitor can differentiate between colour tones is of fundamental importance. To achieve the maximum colour depth and prevent the formation of stripes, banding and washing, EIZO relies on the ultimate perfection: a 16 bit look-up table (LUT) ensures precise colour resolution, meaning that even the finest structures in darker areas of the image are reproduced so that they are absolutely accurate in every detail.


3D-LUT

Typical 1D look-up tables (LUTs) have separate tables for red, green and blue. Depending on the model, EIZO links the colour allocation to a single, three-dimensional look-up table (3D LUT) to ensure particularly accurate colour control and in doing so, allows for the exact addition of primary colours to any chosen colour tone – vital technology for the ideal grey scale and ultra-precise colour reproduction.


Auto EcoView

Thanks to the automatic brightness adjustment, an EIZO monitor with Auto EcoView saves up to 50% energy in comparison to inactive brightness adjustment. The EcoView sensor identifies changes to the ambient light, whereupon the image brightness of the monitor is calibrated and adjusted to the new light conditions. In the case of strong lighting, the image brightness is increased, while it is reduced in the case of weak lighting. The continuous adjustment of the light conditions results in a constant contrast, which ensures maximum ergonomics at the workplace.


Brightness stabilisation

From the moment it is turned on, it ensures that brightness fluctuations caused by temperature are minimised.


Calibration

During the calibration by the user, the desired white point and gamma curve are transferred to the grey scale through a combination of measurements and calculations. This process is typical at EIZO as it saves time and is more precise than the measurements of several tone values with conventional manual measuring devices, which are prone to errors. The accuracy of the factory calibration with sensitive laboratory measuring equipment serves as a secure foundation in this regard.


ColorNavigator

Calibration software included with EIZO ColorEdge LCD monitors It ensures interactive control of the look-up tables in the screen and creates a corresponding monitor colour profile.


Colorimeter

Calibration software included with EIZO ColorEdge LCD monitors It ensures interactive control of the look-up tables in the screen and creates a corresponding monitor colour profile.


Colour Space

All colours that can be reproduced by a device. A colour is outside the gamut if the device does not have that colour available.


Colour temperature

The colour temperature is a benchmark for measuring the white tone and is stated in Kelvin. At high temperatures, the white tone appears slightly blue, while it has a more red tone at low temperatures.

5000 K: Often used in the printing industry.

6500 K: Suitable for displaying photos and video images.


CUD

Color Universal Design mode simulates the way colour blind people view things – for example when designing websites or orientation systems.
5000 K: Often used in the printing industry.

6500 K: Suitable for displaying photos and video images.


Daisy-Chain

EIZO monitors that have a USB-C or Display Port signal output can provide secondary monitors with the image signal in a two or multi-display system. This allows multiple EIZO monitors to be connected to each other (daisy chain method). Chaining requires Display Port Signal Version 1.2 or higher. Depending on the resolution and range of services of the graphics board, up to four monitors may be connected. No more need to connect an annoying and excessive amounts of cables to the computer. Ideal accessories: a short USB-C or Display Port cable of just one metre from EIZO to connect two monitors together.


Digital Uniformity Equalizer (DUE)

Homogeneous luminance distribution and good colour purity are key to achieving very accurate image rendering. The Digital Uniformity Equalizer (DUE) circuit takes care of this. It automatically corrects non-uniformities in terms of luminance and chrominance for all tone values across the entire image area – pixel by pixel.


DisplayPort

This is a digital signal interface for images and sound signals for computer monitors with a high transmission bandwidth and a compact plug design.


DVI

Digital Visual Interface. Digital interface for flatscreen monitors, which transfers digital data from the PC directly and without any losses by using the TMDS signal transfer method. There are two types of DVI connections: a DVI-D connection used solely for digital signal inputs and a DVI-I connection for digital and analogue signal inputs.


Dynamic contrast enhancement

Dynamic contrast and outline enhancement brings more contrast into the image during colour tone reproduction, while simultaneously optimising sharpness. This means that dark scenes are shown in the highest level of detail. This makes images look more vivid and films look more life-like.


Eco View-Sense

Where saving energy counts, the EcoView Sense function really comes into its own. It automatically turns the screen on or off, depending on whether the user is sitting/standing in front of the screen at that time. EcoView Sense will notice that the user has returned even before the mouse is moved or the keyboard is touched. The screen is therefore always ready for use immediately and does not waste any energy when the user is not in front of it.


EcoView Automatic

Thanks to the automatic brightness adjustment, an EIZO monitor with Auto EcoView saves up to 50% energy in comparison to inactive brightness adjustment. The EcoView sensor identifies changes to the ambient light, whereupon the image brightness of the monitor is calibrated and adjusted to the new light conditions. In the case of strong lighting, the image brightness is increased, while it is reduced in the case of weak lighting. The continuous adjustment of the light conditions results in a constant contrast, which ensures maximum ergonomics at the workplace.


EcoView-Index

EcoView Index appears on the screen at the press of a button. It shows how ecological the screen's current settings are. This makes it visible how energy-efficient and cost-effective the current brightness is.


FineContrast

Ensures ideal viewing conditions for video clips and the Internet, as well as editing graphics, images and text. This means that you are optimally equipped for all situations of use. Time-consuming subsequent manual adjustments are a thing of the past.


Flexstand

Allows the monitor to be tilted and turned, as well as operated in landscape or portrait form. The seamless height adjustment starts at the very bottom of the desk and has a wide range above it. This guarantees optimal ergonomics, regardless of whether you are standing or sitting in front of the screen. Despite its maximum movement possibilities, the FlexStand base always remains completely stable.


Full HD

Full High Definition. High-definition image display with 1920 pixels in 1080 lines. Full HD is either transmitted in 1080p (progressive) or 1080i (interlaced).


Full screen

Shows the image on the entire screen regardless of the resolution.

Should the resolution of the image signal be smaller than the physical resolution of the display, the image may be blurred or distorted.


Game mode

Game and cinema mode: In this mode, small differences in colour are amplified when rendering the image. This improves the viewing conditions. Structures and textures are easier to identify. In Game mode, contrasts hidden in shadows or dark corners are perceived more quickly. The advantage: quicker response time offers better chances when gaming.


Gamma

The colour tone rendering is relative to the change of the input signal level. This relationship is generally known as the gamma characteristic. In image reproduction, low gamma values result in white images and high gamma values result in high-contrast images.


Gamut

All colours that can be reproduced by a device. A colour is outside the gamut if the device does not have that colour available.


Grey-grey switching time

The time required to change a pixel to different tones of grey. This is normally stated for screens with an overdrive circuit, as grey-grey switching takes place equally quickly here.


HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Contents Protection)

Digital signal encryption system as copy protection for digital contents, for example for videos, music, etc. The transmission of digital contents is protected as the contents are encrypted on the transmitter's side, sent via a DVI output and once again decrypted on the recipient's side. Digital contents may not be reproduced if both the transmitter and recipient device do not support HDCP.


HDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface. Interface to transfer digital audio and video data.


Integrated sensor

An integrated calibration sensor governs the maximum colour accuracy. It positions itself automatically for calibration and then conceals itself in the safety of the casing until the next measurement is taken. Each monitor is exactly coordinated using its sensor. For example, the measurement location is correlated with the middle of the image at the upper edge of the image so that the sensor takes measurements as if it were in the middle of the image. This integrated solution rules out the variability, which may arise when using external measuring devices. Even the influences of ambient light are determined when initiating the sensor and considered during calibration.


IPS

IPS panels provide high contrasts and very stable colour tone rendering in the case of changing viewing angles. They are strong when it comes to still and moving images due to their high colour stability.


LED-backlight

Backlights with white LEDs have the same brightness as CCFL backlights yet consume half as much energy. That means extremely high energy efficiency and rapidly falling electricity costs. An added benefit: In contrast to fluorescent tubes, LEDs do not contain any toxic mercury, which is harmful to the environment.


Look-up table (LUT)

This is where the signal values are allocated to the colour tone values for the output in the monitor. EIZO monitors are 16, 14, 12 or 10 bit instead of the conventional 8 bit look-up table (LUT) for precise colour control. Precision work, performed by a high-performance chip developed in-house at EIZO.


Normal (1:1) resolution

Displays the image in the resolution of the image signal. If the physical resolution of the display is greater, pixels around the image remain unused.


Off timer

The off-timer causes the monitor to automatically switch to energy-saving mode after a predefined period of time. That saves resources for energy. It is turned off regardless of screen savers or the computer's settings.


Outline enhancement

Dynamic contrast and outline enhancement brings more contrast into the image during colour tone reproduction, while simultaneously optimising sharpness. This means that dark scenes are shown in the highest level of detail. This makes images look more vivid and films look more life-like.


Overdrive

Pixels are precalculated using this function and purposefully accelerated by intelligent steering. This way not only the black-white changes, but even changes of colour nuances are shown very rapidly. Image changes in fast video sequences, 3D CAD animations and games therefore do not suffer from unwanted ghosting effects.


RadiCS application classes

In accordance with DIN 6868-157, different minimum requirements are placed on image display devices depending on the body region / method. The EIZO RadiCS quality assurance software is divided into classes I to XIII. The following table shows a classification of the classes and minimum requirements in this regard.

Note: An acceptance test is necessary for each image display system for an evaluation in accordance with DIN 6868-157.


Resolution

The LCD display is comprised of a fixed number of image elements (pixels), which light up to display the contents of the screen. The image is comprised of horizontal and vertical pixels. LCDs achieve the best image quality if all pixels can be allocated data, i.e. if the resolution configured on the computer corresponds to that of the LCD display.


Rise/fall switching time

The time in milliseconds required to change the colour of a pixel from black to white (rise) and white to black (fall).


ScreenManager

Screen menu that can be used to manage a variety of monitor functions. Self-explanatory symbols make it very easy to adjust the monitor to your own needs.


ScreenManager Pro

ScreenManager Pro is a software to control EIZO monitors via the USB interface. For devices with a FineContrast function, the software allows you to automatically assign a FineContrast mode to different programmes. The software is a Windows application.


Self-calibration

Devices with an integrated calibration sensor are able to perform calibration without the help of the user. The computer does not even need to be switched on. When programmed once, the calibration will start at night, during the lunch break or at other, definable times. It is easy to programme using the ColorNavigator or the on-screen menu.


Smart Insight

Smart Insight determines the content of dark scenes and optimises them such that they are more visible and clearer.


sRGB (Standard RGB)

International standard for an RGB colour space. A colour space has been defined, which most devices can comply with, to enable colour matching between various applications and devices, such as monitors, scanners and digital cameras. sRGB images, which are detected or issued on "sRBG devices" are limited to the full sRBG colour range and no colours outside the sRBG colour space. Colour allocation, white point and gamma are permanently defined.


Swing sensor

An integrated calibration sensor governs the maximum colour accuracy. It positions itself automatically for calibration and then conceals itself in the safety of the casing until the next measurement is taken. Each monitor is exactly coordinated using its sensor. For example, the measurement location is correlated with the middle of the image at the upper edge of the image so that the sensor takes measurements as if it were in the middle of the image. This integrated solution rules out the variability, which may arise when using external measuring devices. Even the influences of ambient light are determined when initiating the sensor and considered during calibration.


TCO - what is that?

The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a cost calculation that allows you to identify in advance all costs involved in an investment. It allows you to analyse not only the initial acquisition cost, but also to know the expenses for the planned IT infrastructure over a given period of time. Factors such as user behavior, maintenance requirements, damage cases, process costs, etc. must be taken into account.


USB hub

In connection with a USB-compatible computer, the monitor acts as a hub, to which other USB-compatible peripherals can be connected.


Viewing angle

The viewing angle relates to the angle, beneath which the contrast is better than 10:1. These are normally values of 160° to 178°. These values do not provide any information about what enormous differences in contrast may result within the viewing angle. The contrasts should not change significantly for users with a vertical view and a slightly side-on view. It must not make a difference whether the viewer is looking at the middle of the image or the edge of the image. How much the contrast stability varies with different LCD technologies is best checked using a measurement diagram or by a direct visual comparison. The more stable the contrast in the user's viewing frustum, the better the image rendering.


Wide Gamut

Wide gamut designates a colour space that is considerably larger than the visible palette of conventional LCDs. Depending on the model, it covers up to 100% NTSC and 99% of the Adobe RGB colour space. The colours of these monitors bring about a realistic image quality that was previously impossible in LCDs.