Definition

on-screen display (OSD)

Part of the Personal computing glossary:

An on-screen display (OSD) is a control panel on a computer monitor or television screen that allows you to select viewing options and/or adjust components of the display, such as brightness, contrast, and horizontal and vertical positioning.

Next Steps

On a computer monitor, an on-screen display is usually activated by buttons on the bottom of the monitor. As an example, one button may bring up a display of the brightness and contrast levels, which may be adjusted by pressing the monitor's up or down arrow buttons.

On a television screen, an on-screen display can usually be activated either through buttons on the television set itself or through the remote control. Television on-screen displays are becoming increasingly complex and interactive. In addition to the visual calibration options, the on-screen display may allow you to view program information, search for programs, or put certain channels under parental control.

This was last updated in March 2011
Contributor(s): Chiou-Shann Fuh
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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