Output Devices

What Is an Output Device?

An output device is a computer hardware that receives data from a computer and  translates that data into another form. That form may be audio, visual, textual, or hard copy such as a printed document.

The key distinction between an input device and an output device is that an input device sends data to the computer, whereas an output device receives data from the computer.

  Examples of Output Devices

1.     Monitor

2.     Printer

3.     Audio Speakers

4.     Headphones

5.     Projector

6.     GPS

7.     Sound Card

8.     Video Card

9.     Braille Reader

10.   Plotter

 

Monitor

The most common output device used with computers is the monitor, which displays video images and text. A monitor essentially consists of a screen, circuitry, a power supply, buttons to adjust screen settings, and a casing that contains all of these components. VDT (video display terminal) and VDU (video display unit) are alternative names for monitors.

Printer

Printers take electronic data stored on a computer and generates a hard copy of it. Thus printing images and text onto paper. There are various different types of printers, with Inkjet and laser printers being two of the most common. Modern printers usually connect to a computer with a USB cable or via Wi-Fi.

Computer Speakers

Computer speakers are hardware devices that transform the signal from the computer's sound card into audio. Speakers are essential if you want a louder sound, surround sound, fuller bass, or just a better quality of audio. External computer speakers began to appear in stores in the early 1990's when computer gaming, digital music, and other forms of media became popular. Some computer speakers are wireless nowadays, connecting to the computer via Bluetooth.

Headphones

Also known as earphones, headphones allow us to listen to audio without disrupting other people in the vicinity. They connect via the computer line out, or to the speakers. The first headphones were invented in 1910 for U.S. Navy use.

Projector

This output device "projects" computer images onto a wall or screen. Projectors are typically used for presentations, watching movies, or as a teaching aid, as they enable an entire roomful of people to see images generated by a single computer. Modern projectors usually connect to the computer via an HDMI cable or VGA.

GPS

GPS (Global Positioning System) uses a network of satellites to provide information, which can be used to calculate the location of a specific device. It is often used with other digital technology, like mapping apps.

Sound Card

The sound card controls the output of sound signals, enabling devices like speakers and headphones to work. The sound card is known as an expansion card, which can be added to the motherboard. A sound card is not essential to a computer's basic functionality, we can use it to play games, watch movies, listen to music, and use audio and video conferencing.

Video Card

Video card is an expansion card that slots into the motherboard. It processes images and video, enabling visuals to be seen on a display. Most computers have basic video and graphics capabilities built into the computer's motherboard, but for faster, more detailed graphics, a video card is required.

Braille Reader

A braille reader is a peripheral device that enables a blind person to read text displayed on a computer monitor. The text is sent by the computer to the device, where it translated into a braille format and made readable by pushing rounded pins up through a flat surface. Braille readers are also called braille displays and come in various sizes.

Plotter

A plotter is as printer, however, plotters use writing tools, such as pen, pencil, marker, to draw lines. Designed to use vector graphics, plotters were once commonly employed for computer-aided design, but have now been largely replaced by wide-format printers.

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