In telecommunication, response time is the time a system or functional unit takes to react to a given input.
Note: For example, in data processing, the response time perceived by the end user is the interval between
- (a) the instant at which an operator at a terminal enters a request for a response from a computer and
- (b) the instant at which the first character of the response is received at a terminal.
In a data system, the system response time is the interval between the receipt of the end of transmission of an inquiry message and the beginning of the transmission of a response message to the station originating the inquiry.
Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188
Response Time is an attribute that applies to LCD monitors. It translates to the amount of time it takes for a liquid crystal cell to go from active (black) to inactive (white) and back to active (black) again. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower numbers mean faster transitions and therefore less visible image artifacts.