LCD TVs vs LED TVs

Welcome to the newest installment of El Toro's Tech Blog! When last we met, I wrote about HDTV vs 3DTVs. Today, in the spirit of talking about TVs, I wish to talk to you about 2 types of TVs: LCD TVs vs LED TVs. I will explain each one in full, what the differences are, pros and cons and in the end I will provide you with my personal/professional opinion on it. In the end, I hope the information you see here will help you be more knowledgeable on each item and decide based on what I can provide.

 What does LCD stand for and what are LCD TVs?  LCD (Liquid-crystal display) TVs are television sets that use this display technology to produce the images we see. Pretty straight forward but if you are wondering what does it mean it is a liquid display, the answer is quite easy to see. If you are ever in an electronics store and are standing right next to an LCD TVs, make sure that the people who work there aren't looking, and use the finger technique or pressing on the display. Doing this will make the image on the screen look like it was in the water (color will slightly change where you press) and when you remove your finger it will go back to normal. The old TVs that had a glass display were known as CRT (cathode ray tube). If you place a 32" CRT TV next to a 32" LCD TV, you will see a huge difference. LCD TVs are much thinner and much lighter than CRTs. When the LCD TVs came out, they also became huge space savers. With the old CRTs, it was bulky, extremely heavy and if the TV ever died on you, it was such a hassle to take it to a TV repair shop without risking cracking the display. LCD TVs are less prone to the display dying (short of using the finger press technique on it too much or puncturing the screen itself).

LED , or light-emitting diode TVs, is a flat panel display that uses tiny groups of "light-bulbs" called diodes to produce a display of images. LEDs allows for an even thinner display panel, lower power consumption, better distribution of internal heat within the display, a brighter display and better levels of contrast. LED displays are most commonly used outdoors in large signs and billboards (like the Times Square JumboTron). Now notice how I just mentioned what an LED is but not what an LED TV is? The reason for this is technically speaking the LED TV isn't fully an LED TV. This uses the same LCD technology, but with LEDs for its back-lighting. I will explain what this means. When the LCDs came out, lots of questions came about as far as the contrasts and the black and brighter colors. The LEDs were placed in a regular LCD display behind that particular panel to bring out the colors even more. By using this in conjunction of the LCD, it makes the images look brighter and better. The weight of the TV isn't changed much so you are still getting the slim and lighter display than you would if you still had the CRT TVs.

Next we have the side by side between the LCD vs LED displays. As far as what looks better, the LED leaves the LCD in the dust. The colors look more crisp and brighter. Another advantage of the LED displays is you can still see the images on its screen from any weird angle whereas with an LCD, you may have some blur spots. In the physical aspect, the LED TV is lighter than just a regular LCD TV (not too much but you can certainly feel the difference). LED TVs also use less power than an LCD TV so that too is a plus. However, if we look at a TV that will last long term, LEDs tend to "burn" out after extended use, so you will begin noticing blank spots on the TV where an image should be. Remember how I mentioned a common LED display is the Times Square JumboTron? I have seen people replacing those panels when the LEDs burn out from overuse.  There is also the issue LEDs have that you never get with an LCD is the flickering. LEDs, just like a CRT TV, tends to flicker more often than not. The flickering is said to be more of the reason why it burns out after extended use (or electric power surges/spikes). So essentially it comes down to this, if you have the money to constantly have the LED panels in your TV changed, then go for it.

I have seen both types of TV in action and I pay very close attention to every detail, bells and whistles and such when doing my comparisons. Do I think the LED TVs are great? In comparison, yes I do. Do I suggest you go and buy it over a regular LED TV? No. While the quality is practically amazing on an LED TV, unless you are ready to invest on something that will need to be replaced when it burns out from overuse or power spikes, it isnt cost efficient. Perhaps one day LEDs will be set in a way it can take heavy usage and I may change my mind at that time but I would strongly suggest an LCD TV. It will last you much longer than an LED and is definitely much more affordable than an LED as well.

That's all for today. Thanks for coming! =)