Mini Monitor
What You Must Know When Buying A Small LCD Monitor
Small LCD Monitor Guide
This is a guide to small LCD monitors which is aimed to provide you with all the general and some technical information that you need to know when looking for a mini monitor. Also I will tell you some of the usages that these particular monitors are currently being used for in today‘s industries.
First things first……The range of mini monitors that are available
There are two model types which are currently available – a touch screen and a non touch screen. Both units look and perform in the exact same way apart from one has a touch sensitive screen (I will go into more detail about the touch screen function shortly).
There are also two screen sizes which you can choose from. They are a 7 inch and 10.2 inch screen. (the photographs below shows you each model).
As you can see the general look of both units are very very similar. But the most noticeable look about the monitors is that they both come “widescreen” rather than the old 4:3 screens which are now becoming more obsolete and generally not needed as widescreen does everything that 4:3 screens would do plus is now generally the way forward.
The other thing that you may or may not be able to tell from the photographs is that the material used for the framework has a matt finish which in my opinion gives the monitors a professional look rather than the cheap glossy/shiny plastic finish which you see all the time with monitors in this day and age. This is because most companies decide to use the cheap industry standard material to save as much money as they can but by them doing this I feel that it jeopardises the overall quality of the entire unit.
Also what you will not be able to tell from the photograph is that the thickness of the plastic used on these monitors is nearly double the thickness of the industry standards plus having them with a protected rubber coating on the entire framework increases the units protection therefore making them very solid and robust.
Also one last thing is that the 10.2 inch model is thinner and has a thinner framework. Apart from this minor difference the look of the two models are identical.
The next topic is the all important SCREEN QUALITY….
This is no doubt the most important and probably the turning point when looking and making your decision on a monitor. Whatever the size of the screen you should expect no less than a good high quality clear screen.
Following this, I am please to say that these two models have over ONE MILLION pixels and brightness of 400cd/m2 which provides a crisp, clear and overall a bright screen.
I have taken a picture of the two models with the monitor linked up to a DVD player so you can see for yourself the screen quality.
As you can sort of see from the photographs that I have taken both screens have very vibrant, crisp and sharp colours that all together provide a very clear monitor. (Please note that the photographs were taken by a digital camera and doesn’t show off the screen’s full potential).
As these pictures do not show the full potential, I thought I would mock up a little video clip of one of the screens in action. Please have a look at the following:
Probably the first thing you noticed from this video is that there is sound. This is because on the back of each model there are two built in speakers. As you heard from the video they are pretty loud and clear which is very good considering they are only 1 Watt.
Now moving to some of the general features and functions of these monitors. The easiest way to explain and describe these will be to bullet point them. So please see the following:
AUTO DIMMING – This is one of the most impressive and I will go as far in saying BRILLIANT features that I have seen for a monitor and frankly is the ONLY monitor that I have ever seen with this facility.
What this does is automatically change the brightness of the screen depending on what environment the unit is situated in. For example when it is situated in daylight the screen will be bright like a normal screen. However when it is situated in a dark environment the monitor recognizes this by the tiny little sensor situated on the front of the unit and automatically adjusts the brightness to prevent glare and eye strain which leads to headaches.
This feature has been hugely popular throughout the industries because everyone finds (and me) that those symptoms happen when looking at a screen in a dark environment. With this function automatically enabled on these monitors you will not have to worry about getting headaches from these monitors.
INPUT CONNECTIONS – All units come with cabling allowing you to be able to connect up to 3 different applications to each monitor plus one video connection that is solely used for connection for vehicles. Please see the range of connectors below:
- VGA Connector - For connection primarily for Computers/Laptops
- Composite Connector (Video + Audio) – For use for a vast range of applications
- Video Connector without a set of Audio Connectors – For use on a vast range of applications
- Video Connector solely used for vehicles – the reason why this connector is solely used for vehicles is because it is for connecting up to a camera situated on the back of a vehicle. What happens is once the driver initiates reverse gear the monitor will automatically switch to that AV channel and show the
driver what is behind them.
SOUND - As I mentioned earlier all units will come with 2 speakers which are situated on the back of the units. On the pictures below I have highlighted in red the position of where the speakers are.
Each speaker is 1 Watt. I know it doesn’t sound much but don’t under estimate them as they send out a loud and clear enough sound to be heard from around 15 to 20 feet away which I think is more than enough for what these monitors are used for.
SECURING DEVICES - All the units will come with 2 or 3 different securing devices that enables you to secure the monitor in certain ways. They are as follows:
- Metal Stand - The 7 inch and 10.2 inch models both come with metal stands.
The 10.2 inch stand is a VESA mounting stand. On this stand it has a swivel top to adjust the angle up and down and also has a swivel base where you can adjust the unit left or right. Please see the picture below which will give you a better understanding of it:
For the 7 inch model the metal stand is a lot smaller as the weight of the 7 inch is far less. By having this, the stand will not only allow you to angle it up, down, left and right but also enable you to adjust the height of the unit by placing the stand along the metal plate which is on the back of the unit. Please see the picture below to get a better idea.
ALSO…
An added accessory to both stands is an adhesive sticker.
On the 7 inch model the sticker is already applied to the bottom so if you did wish to use it then all you have to do is peel the tape off and then stick it down wherever you want.
On the 10.2 inch model the adhesive sticker doesn’t come pre-stuck on but it is already shaped to the base of the stand so it will be very easy to apply if needed. The reason why the sticker is not pre-stuck on the stand is due to the stand coming with another accessory at the bottom. What this accessory is, are 4 hook eyes situated roughly around the middle of the stand which enables you to mount the monitor onto the wall via hooks (like a picture frame) and due to the stand be able to swivel up, down, left and right you will be able to angle the unit into the exact position you need once mounted. This a great feature at it saves you from buying any other equipment for mounting it on a wall IE VESA Mounting Stand.
The whole idea behind having an adhesive sticker is for the people who will be using the monitors in a mobile environment (ie. boat or car). Apart from this then the sticker is probably not really needed.
- VESA Mountable - This pretty much speaks for itself. On both units there are 4 holes spaced out evenly on the back of the units to enable them to be VESA Mountable. Please see image below on where they are on both units.
The VESA bracket that is compatible with these monitors is a 75mm bracket. This is a common size so shouldn’t be difficult to pick up from any electrical shop.
- Shroud - This device is only currently available for the 7 inch model. What this device allows you to do is flush mount the unit in to various different environments. For example in a car headrest/dash, wall, desks and any other environment that you think that you will be able to flush mount the unit in. Once the shroud is in position you are able to clip and unclip the monitor in and out from the shroud as and when you wish. Please see some pictures below of the unit clipped and unclipped from the shroud. 
TOUCH SCREEN FUNCTION - This is the final function and does pretty much what it says on the tin.
Each screen size has a touch screen model available, therefore you have the option to have a 7 inch or a 10.2 inch screen with a touch sensitive function. The way the touch screen works on these monitors is that you are supplied with a CD that is compatible with all the major operating systems (Windows Vista, 9X, ME, NT4.0, 2000, XP, Mac OS 9X, OS X (Intel CPU) and Linux Readme). Install this software onto your computer which is very easy as it is step by step instructions and then you are pretty much ready to start using the touch screen function (it is literally that simple). The only thing that you must remember is that you need to plug in the USB lead to your computer for the monitor to recognize the function.
The reason why I find touch screens so useful is because for one it eliminates other peripherals to buy (Keyboard and mouse) making space a lot less. Secondly with the price of having a touch screen model is not really that much more money from the standard unit, it makes sense to have the function there for whenever you need to use it. Thirdly and finally I find it generally quicker and easier to navigate through all options, but this is my personal opinion on this matter you possible may have a different view.
Now lastly I will inform you on what these monitors are currently being used for in today’s industry:
- In car entertainment - they have been built into the dashboard, headrests and on most occasions people have stuck the unit onto their dashboard by using the adhesive stand.
- Security - been used as CCTV monitors for home and commercial use.
- General System Monitoring - they have been used for all kinds of standard monitoring usages. From air traffic control stations all the way to factory machinery monitoring and boat navigation.
- Home Control Systems - linked up to a home control station for control of any electrical appliances in the house.
- Audio Visual Display Purposes - in conference rooms, meeting rooms, classrooms, shows, presentations which have currently been implemented in all types of companies, universities and military types.
- EPOS Systems
And lastly…..
- Normal Usages - secondary screen for home and business PCs as well as a primary screen for a mini PC to give a complete mini system.
I hope all this information that I have provided helps you make your decision on what kind of monitor you require and what one you should be looking for.
If you have any questions regarding these particular monitors please call the ESAW Sales team on 0845 25 777 40 or alternatively email them on Sales@esaw.co.uk and they will be more than happy to help you with any questions you have about these units.
If you need full specifications on each model then please see the following links below which will take you direct to the monitor that you are interested in.
ESAW 7 inch VGA TFT LCD Monitor
ESAW 7 inch VGA TFT LCD Touch Screen Monitor
ESAW 10.2 inch VGA TFT LCD Monitor
ESAW 10.2 inch VGA TFT LCD Touch Screen Monitor
To purchase any of these monitors, please go to the following links:
7 inch Small LCD Monitor Range
10 inch Small LCD Monitor Range
