Output Devices:
After process the raw data, the computer gives the
result. This result is known as output. The output devices are used by computer to
give its result of processing. The output devices give the output in human
understandable format. The output may be in the form of text, picture,
graphics, audio and video. Among different kinds of output device, Monitor and
printer are the most commonly used output devices. Some other output devices are speaker,
plotter, projector, etc.
Definition of Output Device:
Ø
The devices, which are used to give
the processed result (output) of the computer, are called output devices.
Ø
The device of computer that
displays or presents output of a computer is known as output device.
We can get output from output
devices of computer in two ways. They are Softcopy output and Hardcopy output.
As per the output properties, the output devices are categories as;
i)
Softcopy Output Devices
ii)
Hardcopy Output Devices
Softcopy Output Devices:
Output from softcopy
output devices are temporary. The output devices which outputs are not
permanent are known as softcopy output devices. Monitor and speaker are
examples of softcopy output devices. The output from softcopy output device is
known as softcopy.
Monitor:
Monitor is a softcopy
output device that displays the data, instructions or result of processing. It
is a compulsory part of a computer system. It is also known as Visual Display
Unit (VDU) that provides visual output on the screen. It displays the output in
the form of text, pictures and videos. The output displayed on the monitor
screen is known as softcopy output because the out will be for temporary
purpose only.
It looks like
television. Monitors can be monochrome or color. A monochrome monitor can
display text or images only in black and white colors. A color monitor displays the text, images or
videos in millions of colors.
Now-a-days monitors are
available in three main types. They are:
i)
Cathode Ray Tube (CTR) Monitor
ii)
Liquid Display (LCD) Monitor
iii)
Light Emitting Diode (LCD) Monitor
Speaker:
Speaker is also a
softcopy output device that plays sound generated by the computer. Speakers
allow you to listen music and hear sound effects from your computer. The
speakers are used to play music and songs from the computer. Some speakers are
inbuilt inside the system unit and they give different sounds while using
computer.
Hardcopy Output Devices:
A hardcopy out devices
gives permanent output. A printer and plotter are hardcopy output devices. The
output of hardcopy output device is known as hardcopy. You can reuse the output
of hardcopy output devices because its output is permanent.
Printer:
Printer is the basic
output device that is used to print the output on the paper. In other words,
you can say a printer is output device that prints data and information on the
paper. The output produced by a printer on the paper is permanent.
Different types of
printers are available in the market. Some of the most commonly used printers
are dot matrix printer, ink jet printer and laser printer. Printers are divided
into mainly into two categories. They are:
i)
Impact Printer and
ii)
Non-impact Printer
Impact Printer:
Impact printer uses
hammers like objects or pins to form characters on a paper. The hammers or pins
of the impact printer which form the characters on the paper is known as
printer head. In the impact printer, the printer head hits on the ink ribbon
and the characters are formed on the paper.
Dot Matrix Printer is
an example of impact printer. The printing speed of this printer is slow and it
produces low quality of print. It is also noisy.
 |
| Example of Dot Matrix Printer (How it prints character) |
It is relatively quite
economical to operate. It is especially used in offices, banks or department
stores.
Non-impact Printer:
This type of printer
does not strike on the paper by pins to form characters or images on the paper.
They use laser beam technology or bubble jet technology.
Inkjet Printer and
Laser Printer are the two examples of non-impact printer. Inject printer prints
text and images on the paper by spraying small drops of ink into paper. Laser
printer uses a laser beam to print high quality of text and graphics on the
paper. Laser printer is most widely used printer today.
The printing quality of
non-impact printer is good. They do not produce noise while printing.