Constant horizontal stripe along bottom of monitor picture

I don't know if this is hardware or software related, so I kept it in this topic.

There is a constant horizontal stripe that takes up the second and third row of pixels from the bottom of my monitor. The color varies, but it seems to be some sort of an average color of the column above it. For example, if I move a black box around a white space (like in paint), I can see the stripe change to gray in the areas above which the box is (if that makes sense). If I widen the black box vertically, the color becomes darker.

The stripe does not show up on screenshot, so I took a picture with a camera to show it.

The stripe exists at all resolutions.

It is superimposed on everything -- including full screen applications and the taskbar.

It does not go away with a restart, sleep or hibernate, and I can't recall exactly when it showed up. I did recently install many Windows 7 updates, however, but no new video drivers.

Bob,
Have you contacted the maker of your monitor/ customer service and asked them if this problem has come up before.
They usually have a tech support on their homepage for issues like this.
I would start there first. IMHO
THW

Is it visible outside of Windows ie at your BIOS screen?

If no, try safe mode to see if it appears there.

If yes to either the BIOS or safemode, it could be your cable or the monitor itself. If it's not showing up in a screenshot, chances are good that it's not your card.

It's the monitor. I plugged in my laptop using a different HDMI cable and the stripe is there. That's really disappointing. It's out of warranty. :\ Thanks anyway guys. I don't know why I didn't think to try this earlier.

Yeah the tube along the edge of the screen can crack and then a stripe appears. Sorry bud, no fix:/