LED vs LCD TV: Which is Better

The LED and LCD are abbreviated forms of 'Light-Emiting Diode' and 'Liquid-Crystal Display' respectively. These technologies are used in manufacturing the devices called monitor. Since, the quality of a TV is judged by its display, understanding TV products on the basis of technologies being incorporated should prove to be useful. Information about the topic, 'LED Vs LCD TV: which is better' presented below should help in understanding the differences between these two.

What is LED?

The term LED stands for the technology called light-emitting diode. The practical use of LED started in the year, 1962. Earlier, only the red light emission technology in LEDs was available. Nowadays, the LEDs with ultraviolet, visible and infrared emissions too are available. The LEDs for TVs come in different types such as White Edge-LEDs, Dynamic RGB LEDs and Full Array LEDs.

What is LCD?

The light modulating properties of liquid crystals are used in designing the liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors. There is no direct emission of light in LCD screens (monitors). The image produced by LCD TVs is the result of filtration of white light. Colored and black images are produced as a result of this process. Cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) perform the task of providing light. One should find the following information useful to understand which is better LED or LCD TV.

Difference between LED and LCD TV

There is no marked difference in the fundamentals/basic technology being used. The LED TVs are basically built up on the LCD technology with only some superficial differences. Let us understand how these technologies are different from each other through information presented below. The only difference is that instead of fluorescent CFL lighting, the LED backlighting is used. Two forms of backlighting used in LED TVs are the local dimming and edge lighting. In edge lighting, the edge of the panel incorporates LEDs in the design. It is therefore, possible to have thin LED monitor. Since, these lights are manufactured in a very small size, it is possible to have LED TVs with local dimming in a thin design. Other differences presented below should help increase the understanding about the topic, LED Vs LCD TV: which is better.

Picture Quality: The first difference between LED and LCD TVs can be pointed out in terms of the picture quality. LED TVs are known for their state-of-the-art picture quality. LCDs too offer a good quality display; however, there is a possibility that images get 'burned' in this form of display.

Mercury Usage: The LED TV is manufactured without using mercury. Design of these TV monitors is very thin. On the other hand, mercury is used in the manufacturing process of LCD screens.

Energy Usage: The energy consumed for running an LCD TV is greater than that required for LEDs. The annual energy requirements for an LCD TV account for $150 - $200. Energy consumed by LEDs is much lesser (around 40% less) in comparison to LCDs.

TV Price: The price of LED TVs is greater than that of LCDs. With improvement in the technology used for manufacturing LEDs, the difference in price should reduce to a great extent.

Refresh Rate: The refresh rate of LED TVs is higher in comparison to LCD TVs. Rate at which the monitor/display hardware draws data in order to display the images is referred to as refresh rate. This measurement unit proves to be important in the display of movies, sports telecast, etc.

Contrast Ratio: The contrast ratio of LED TVs is greater than LCD TVs. The value of contrast ratio can be as high as 500,000:1 for the LEDs.

Environmental Effect: The lower energy consumption and other factors associated with LED TVs make them environment-friendly over LCD TVs. More information on LED Vs LCD Monitor should be useful.

One should be able to determine between LED Vs LCD TV which is better, from the facts presented above. Both the technologies have their set or advantages and limitations. A suitable one should be chosen on the basis of specific requirements.