Passive and Active Matrix...

• An active matrix display has a thin film transistor that arranges a matrix (grid) of tiny capacitors and transistors on the display's glass. To activate a particular pixel, the appropriate row is turned on while a signal is transmitted along the correct column. The capacitor at that pixel can hold its charge for one screen refresh cycle.
• A passive matrix display, on the other hand, makes use of a grid of conductive metal to activate each pixel. These monitors are less expensive than active matrix displays, but they have slow response times and don't reproduce colors as accurately.