LED Televisions

 
An LED television is an LCD television that uses a different type of backlight. I could stop this article right there, but there’s one important point I still need to get across. That different backlight makes a big, big difference. How big a difference? Let’s see. 

A brief look at LCD televisions   
We have complete tutorial on LCD televisions on this web page. If you want all the details, you can start your research there. But for our purposes, a brief introduction will be sufficient, so here we go. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) television’s image is created by thousands of tiny liquid crystals arranged between two polarizing panels. These crystals either block light or allow light to pass through., much like a window blind. A light source behind the liquid crystals provides the illumination. In virtually all quality LCD televisions that light source (called the backlight) is either a fluorescent bulb, or (trumpet fanfare, please) a series of LED lights.

What’s so great about an LED backlight?
I recently went to my local bike shop to buy a front and rear light for my mountain bike. I must admit, the last time I bought a light for a bicycle, Howdy Doody was on TV, and the John, Paul, George, and Ringo were still in grammar school. Almost all of the lights at the shop used LED technology. Compared to traditional bulb technology, they’re brighter, smaller, lighter weight, and much more energy efficient—all important benefits for biking. It‘s not surprising that these same benefits are advantageous in an LCD TV too! Since LED lights are brighter, the television images can also be brighter, and that’s a good thing. Also, a good is energy efficiency. Regular TV viewers will definitely find that their electric bill is a few dollars less per month. And since LED lights are so small, television designers have been able to devise different arrangements for the LED backlights behind the LCD panel.

Edge lighting 
The first, edge lighting, puts the LEDs along the edges of the LCD display. Since the lighting has been removed from behind the LCD panel, the television can be made even thinner—much thinner. In fact, LED televisions under 1-inch deep are now commonplace. Unbelievable! A Sound Advice system designer can show you just how incredibly versatile an LED television can be.

Local dimming
The second arrangement places the LEDs behind the LCD panel. Yes, the TV is not quite as thin, but it adds the huge benefit of local dimming. One of the criticisms of LCD televisions is that they do not have a great contrast—the television’s ability to reproduce deep, dark blacks and bright, brilliant whites. This is because normally the backlight behind the LCD display is always on, causing some of the light to leak through. In local dimming, the LED lights behind the LCD display turn on and off based on how dark or bright the image in front of them is supposed to be. This can make an impressive improvement in the contrast in scenes where part of the picture is bright, and another part is dark.

LED vs. LCD vs. Plasma
As you see, LED televisions have many advantages over LCD televisions. But what about plasma? There are differences. First, even with that improvement that local dimming provides, the contrast ratio of plasma televisions is still better. But I must admit, they’re getting pretty darn close. But in terms of sheer brightness, LED (and LCD) is better. If you plan on viewing in a very well lit room, LED and LCD might be a better choice.

Want more help?
Of course there are other factors to address when choosing a TV, and that’s were Sound Advice comes in. Arrange your Free In-Home Consultation right now and have one of our experts guide you towards the perfect set for your room, taste, and budget. And remember that Sound Advice will deliver and professionally install your dream TV, a service we have been proudly offering for over 30 years.

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