LCD TV Vs. LED TV: Know The Difference Before You Buy

TV technology is improving by leaps and bounds and the market is flooded with unending list of superb TV models. Gone are those days, when people used to sit in front of huge, bulky idiot boxes, now it’s the age of the sleek, smart, and stunning looking TV’s. However, when going shopping for a new TV, one may get easily lost in the huge multitude of models from various global TV making giants. Another major confusion might arise while deciding whether you need an LCD TV or an LED TV, as both seem to be so similar. If you are looking to buy a new TV, but confused regarding whether an LCD or an LED display TV is better, then here are all the details.

There are a lot of features in the new LCD or LED TVs which are highly attractive and makes it even more difficult to make a final decision while zeroing down on any one of them. When it comes to the decision on whether to buy LCD or an LED TV, then the following explanations would definitely help:

It is all about the display

LCD or LED, the difference is about the display, which is what really matters in the case of a TV, as the picture quality difference, no matter how slight can also impact on the overall TV viewing experience. Thus, the display quality is what you need to pay the primary attention when it shopping for a new TV.

For this, whether buying an LCD or and LED, it is advisable to look at many TV model from various manufacturers while they are showing a particular channel or movie. This is possible if you go to a large electronic shop which put several similar models on display for the consumers to take their pick from. It is always better to see and judge for yourself while buying a new TV and let your eyes decide which display is better rather than simply looking at the specs on paper.

Nevertheless, the question remains which one to go for, an LCD or an LED display. We are going to explain the same below.

LED are LCDs but with different lighting

Here comes the main difference between the confusing LCD and LED displays for mass buyers. If you look at it technically, an LED TV is essentially an LCD TV. The full form of LCD is ‘liquid crystal display’ and the same display is used in both LCD and LED TVs. However, the difference lies in the back lighting that are used in these two types of displays. An LCD screen comprises of two layers of glass which are polarized and fixed together, the liquid crystals in the display then pass through or block the light to make the television picture.

These liquid crystals do not produce any light on their own and just reflect the light which is produced from a multitude of lamps placed at the back of the display. In case of an LCD TV screen, the light comes from fluorescent lamps, while on an LED TV screen the light is offered by a series of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).

Now, there are again two types of LED lighting methods that are used for the screen back lighting, namely edge lighting and full array of LED lighting, both of which come with or without local dimming methods.  Most of the LED TVs come with the first method, without local dimming category, which means that the LCD panel is lit up with the help of LEDs that are placed only along the edge of it.

In these LED TVs, there are “light guides” to light up the center as well as entire screen. Now top manufacturers have also come up with edge lighting with local dimming technology LED TVs, which offer better picture quality, resulting in darker blacks and richer overall images.

LCD TVs or LED TVs?

Now, that the technical part has been explained, the question might still remain as to which one to choose among the LCD or LED TVs. One can easily see the difference between an LCD and an LED TV when they are operating side by side. The LEDs offer deeper and sharper picture quality than their very similar LCD counterparts, owing to darker black and higher contrast levels. Color reproduction is also a bit better on the LED TVs, which offer an overall great difference. Viewing angle is almost same in both, and depends on the glass panel quality offered by the manufacturer.

So, now that you know that LED TVs are better in terms of overall picture quality, it can also be mentioned that the full-array LED back lighting with local dimming is the best technology among LED which offer the best LED display or picture quality with excellent sharpness and richness to the images.

Energy Efficiency

Nowadays, like all electronic appliances, TVs are not only getting better in all aspects, they are also becoming greatly power efficient. In terms of energy efficiency also LED TVs are better than the LCD TVs, as the LED models use less lights to display pictures, thus offering better quality images while consuming lesser power.

Price Point

If cheaper price range is your requirement, then LCD TVs win, as the prices to these have dropped significantly ever since the advent of the better quality and more efficient LED TVs.

The slimmer the better

Looks and style-wise also, the LED TVs win over the LCD TVs, as they are slimmer. The LED lights occupy lesser space, thus the LED TVs are slimmer and come with a sleeker design.

For Gaming and Home Theatre

If you are planning to buy a new TV to connect your gaming console, then LCD TVs are your choice. The heads-up display elements in some hardcore games can create eerie permanent images on the display screen over a period of long usage, which is called burn-in. LCD screens are less likely to burn-in and are recommended for heavy gamers.

Conclusion

Now, given on your requirements, it is really up to you whether you’ll go for an LCD or an LED TV, as the final decision is always for the buyer to make. So, go to your nearest TV shop and make an informed buy.