Definition

RS232 is an industry standard communications interface between a PC computer and a peripheral device.

The RS232 interface is usually known as serial interface and is used to control a peripheral device, such as modems and display devices. The RS232 interface is sometimes called the RS232C interface. The RS232 standard requires peripheral devices to use a 25-pin or a 9-pin connector. ViewZ's Public view monitors and LCD built in 4/8ch DVR use 9-pin connectors. As EIA defines, the RS232 is used for connecting Data Transmission Equipment (DTE) and Data Communication Equipment (DCE).

Component video is a video signal that has been split into two or more component channels.

In popular use, it refers to a type of component analog video (CAV) information that is transmitted or stored as three separate signals. Component video can be contrasted with composite video (NTSC, PAL or SECAM) in which all the video information is combined into a single line level signal that is used in analog television. Like composite, component-video cables do not carry audio and are often paired with audio cables.

The contrast ratio indicates the difference in light intensity measured in cd/m2 (candelas per square meter) between the brightest white on a monitor screen and the darkest black.

It is calculated by subtracting the value of the darkest black from the brightest white, then dividing the result by the darkest dark (Brightest - Darkest/Darkest). Results are typically shown in the following format: 400:1. Generally, better monitors have higher contrast ratios. NOTE: Light intensity per unit of area is also known as luminance.
Flat panel is a reference to the depth of LCD monitors, especially compared to CRT monitors, and to the fact that the viewing surface of any LCD monitor is flat. LCD monitors of all screen sizes are only a few inches thick. CRT monitors of any size are considerably thicker, in most cases twelve to sixteen inches, and, for large screen CRT monitors, even more. See the comparison of an LCD flat panel monitor (on the left) and a CRT monitor (on the right) below.
Cd/m2 - Candelas per square meter. A candela is a measure of luminous intensity. Cd/m2 - A measure of luminous intensity per square meter, a quality also called luminance. The higher the cd/m2, the brighter the luminous object. Consequently, a monitor rated at 300 cd/m2, will look brighter than a monitor rated at 250 cd/m2.
sRGB - Standard Red Green Blue. The color standard that defines the standard combinations and luminance values of the red, green, and blue light that make up the colors used by most CRT monitors, LCD monitors, scanners, printers, and digital cameras.

A multimedia monitor can be used as either a computer monitor or a television.

Typically, a multimedia monitor has connections for a computer, cable television, a VCR, and a DVD player. Some multimedia monitors have built-in television tuners. Others do not have built-in tuners and can only be used to watch TV broadcasts if they are attached to a cable box or set-top-box.