What are LED TVs

When choosing a new TV, many who are not technically savvy are faced with incomprehensible terms and technologies. For example, not everyone understands what LED means or how these devices work. In fact, this is an ordinary television receiver with a liquid crystal display, where the matrix is ​​illuminated by LEDs (Light-emitting Diode), arranged in a special order.

Now liquid crystals are placed in the screens of smartphones, monitors, tablets, and laptops. The article will talk about what an LED TV is, what its advantages and disadvantages are.

What does LED mean?

Devices with LED backlighting are modernized LCD models.
In English, the abbreviation LED (Light-emitting Diode) is translated as light-emitting diode. So what is an LED TV? It’s a regular TV panel with an LCD display and a matrix illuminated by light-emitting diodes.

The “correct” name for the technology is LCD TVs with LED backlighting. But the South Korean brand Samsung, in order to increase sales, refers to the equipment as “LED TV”. And this name stuck.

In reality, LCD panels cannot be called LED, since the LED is not used as an image unit - a pixel. Devices with LED backlighting are upgraded LCD models.

Previously, the light source was CCFL fluorescent lamps. And when they were replaced with light-emitting diodes, it provided several advantages:

• TVs have become thinner;
• their energy consumption has decreased;
• Harmful chemical components were excluded from the composition.

It turns out that the special feature of an LED TV is LED backlighting.

Types of backlight

QD Vision
LED backlighting comes in several types, differing in color and arrangement. In terms of the color of the glow source, there are:

• White LED (one-color system with white LEDs). Affordable, but superior in quality to CCFL lamps. The fact is that diodes are more energy efficient and do not contain mercury. The color rendition and coverage depth of this backlight is not much different from LCD;
• RGB (multi-colored). With an increased palette of shades, which improves color rendition. Such TVs are more expensive, draw more light, and require a powerful graphics processor;
• QD Vision (mixed). The backlight is based on blue LEDs and a special film with green and red quantum dots. A special feature of the technology is the emission of a strictly limited and tuned spectrum of optical waves. This allows you to expand the color range and intensity of colors. Compared to RGB, QD Vision is considered a more energy efficient technology. Mixed backlighting is actively used by Triluminos Sony in their Bravia panels.

As for the placement of the backlight, there are two options:

• Edge LED (along the perimeter of the matrix). This is a White-LED system located on one side (usually at the bottom), on the sides or along the perimeter. Depending on the size of the TV panel and its diagonal, one of the placement methods is chosen. The disadvantages of the technology are in the corners of the display and low contrast. But it has an advantage - you can make TVs with a thickness of several millimeters;
• Direct LED (behind the matrix). In this case, the LEDs are evenly distributed throughout the matrix. More expensive than the end version. The advantage of the “general” backlight is that local black dimming technology is used. Diodes can be either white or colored, which significantly improves image quality.

Devices with LED backlighting are optimal in terms of price-quality ratio. They implement successful technical solutions that increase image clarity and color rendition.

Thanks to this, such TVs successfully compete with “plasma” TVs, which are gradually being forced out of the market.

Of course, the future belongs to OLED devices, with organic diodes from which the image unit is “assembled”. But such panels are now expensive, and they can fully reveal themselves only with a large diagonal.

Important nuances when choosing a TV

Separately, you need to dwell on how to choose a LED TV. Despite the seeming obviousness and simplicity of choosing the type of device, you need to understand that LEDs are different, and in order to choose the right one, it doesn’t hurt to understand what qualitative differences characterize such TVs and how they are expressed.

The main factors that you should pay attention to when choosing an LCD TV are:

1. The principle of screen illumination with LEDs

This is directly related to how the technology is implemented. It is impossible not to mention how LCD TVs differ from fundamentally different technology - OLED (organic light-emitting diodes).

The difference between models with OLED displays is that the LEDs here do not illuminate the matrix with white light, thereby illuminating the image, but rather form the image themselves. The matrix of such a display consists of many LEDs, each of which emits the desired color of a certain intensity. This fundamentally affects not only the quality of the picture, which is a level higher here, but also the cost, which in turn hinders the mass distribution of this technology. In addition, OLED displays have a much shorter service life, approximately 2-3 years, which is also a limiting factor for its distribution. At the same time, the service life of LED TVs is about seven years.

At the moment, OLED technology is a distinctive feature of the premium segment of TVs, and here each buyer, based on his budget, decides which to get - LED or OLED.

1. Illumination Uniformity

Depends on the number of LEDs. Of course, you won’t be able to count them, but before purchasing you should pay attention to the degree of uniformity of the screen’s glow. It is advisable to check this not on a beautiful high-resolution picture, but on solid colors - then it will be easier to see highlights. However, this practically never happens on TVs from famous brands, even in the budget segment; it is mainly the manufacturers of Chinese brands who are guilty of this.

High-price TVs use so-called carpet backlighting, which is characterized by the fact that the LEDs are located immediately behind the display and are evenly and fairly densely distributed over its entire area. In addition to uniformity, this method also allows you to control the brightness of the glow in a particular area on the screen. In practice, this allows you to reduce the intensity of the glow in those areas of the screen where you want to achieve deeper blacks. It must be said that this is a very uncommon technology, and not all brands implement this approach well. The most commonly used schemes are those in which LEDs are placed in two garlands, one each at the top and bottom of the display, or in several such garlands, symmetrically distributed directly behind the screen.

1. Glow brightness

This determines how well the screen will be visible in daylight. Many people probably know what it’s like to watch a movie or a program when the entire picture is illuminated by the sun. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to this point if you plan to use the TV in brightly lit rooms, or if it will be located opposite a window. In any case, the brightness, if it is excessive, can be reduced. Guided by these points, you will already know exactly how to choose the right LED TV.

Advantages and disadvantages

LED TVs have low power consumption
. New technologies are emerging, so LED TVs are becoming cheaper, and their advantages can be appreciated by many buyers.

Among the positive qualities noted:

• small body thickness. This equipment weighs little, so there are no difficulties with its placement. If desired, the TV is mounted to the wall using a bracket. And thanks to the laconic and universal design, LED devices will look advantageous in any interior;
• high contrast level. In models with Direct LED backlighting, this parameter is configurable;
• low power consumption;
• diversity. In addition to classic models, designer ones are also available: in the form of a photo frame, mirror, with a curved screen;
• long service life. Explained by the resistance of diodes to burnout;
• contrast and clear image. The response time in such panels is reduced, so even dynamic scenes look smooth. As for viewing angles, in this parameter LED devices are close to plasma panels;
• environmentally friendly technology. No mercury is used in the production of television panels.

There are also a number of disadvantages:

• dark and bright spots with activated and deactivated backlight. The fact is that Local Dimming technology controls a group of diodes, so colored halos may be visible in a contrast image;
• high requirements for signal quality. If you play a low-resolution movie on your LED TV, it won't look the best. The image is “stretched”, which reduces detail;
• LED models are 40% more expensive than classic LCD devices.

Now they produce OLED devices, the matrix of which is assembled from organic light-emitting diodes. They are responsible for the formation of the finished image.

OLED TVs are even thinner than their LED counterparts, they have wider viewing angles and improved color rendition. In order for the black color to be a “deep” black, the separate diode simply does not light up. This allows you to increase the contrast significantly.

But OLED TVs are expensive and have a relatively short service life. While this technology is being finalized, it is LED devices that are considered in demand.

Advantages of LED TVs

These panels have significant advantages, which is why they are popular among consumers. Of the main advantages, the following factors should be noted.

1. Case thickness. It is through the use of LEDs that the production of ultra-thin models has become possible. This TV can be easily mounted on the wall using a bracket;
2. Contrast and image clarity. LED TV is the main competitor of other types of TVs, as it has excellent image reproduction quality and adjustable contrast levels. Recalling the shortcomings of LCD panels, when problems were observed with the perception of moving objects, it can be noted that with modern ice screens such problems will not arise.
3. Energy efficiency. Energy savings are perhaps the main point that attracts many buyers. Compared to its predecessors, the LED device consumes 40% less resources.
4. A wide selection of models not only in functionality, but also in appearance. Such a panel will decorate absolutely any interior without any problems. Leading manufacturers have a huge number of models, including both classic solutions and interesting shapes and colors.
5. Durability. Thanks to the use of fade-resistant LEDs, TVs have a longer service life.

But the improvement of such television panels does not end there. OLED TVs , the backlight of which is based on organic light-emitting diodes, are appearing on store shelves They have an even thinner body, light weight (relative to their diagonal), a wide viewing angle, the absence of flare and glare, and excellent color rendition. However, this does not mean that other lower class models will lose demand. Innovative technologies of this format are not cheap, and the financial capabilities of most consumers will not allow having such a widescreen panel at home. Therefore, the demand for simple models of modern LED TVs is unlikely to fall in the near future. Detailed comparative characteristics of both types are given in the article about the differences between LED and OLED TVs.

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How to choose an LED panel

The unit of measurement for display refresh rate is Hertz.
To figure out which LED TV model is best to buy, you need to look at the technical specifications:

• permission. Mid-range devices have Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). For a small diagonal, up to 32 inches, you can choose HD Ready. It is worth considering here that analogue broadcasting is gradually disappearing. It is being replaced by “digital”, so experts advise looking towards higher resolution;
• sizes. If you plan to put the TV on a cabinet, then you don’t have to look at the weight and dimensions. Thin and light models are relevant if the panel will be attached to a wall or ceiling;
• display refresh rate. The unit of measurement for this parameter is Hertz. Video scan rate for digital broadcasting is 50 Hz, and this is a normal value for displaying dynamic scenes. But the content is developing and such frequency is becoming insufficient. Sony and Samsung companies solved the problem by adding intermediate frames, which made it possible to increase the scan rate to 100 Hz. The screen refresh rate in some models reaches up to 200 Hz;
• display covering. The matte finish neutralizes glare, but slightly reduces image clarity. The glossy screen, in turn, is contrasty, bright and saturated, but is not resistant to glare, which reduces the comfort when watching TV on a sunny day;
• interfaces. In the 21st century, there are so many gadgets. And many of them can be connected to a TV, which usually requires just a few HDMI and USB ports. To improve sound quality, an audio system is connected to the panel, but this requires a separate audio output;
• Smart TV. The smart function is the ability of the panel to access the Internet. This opens up access to a large amount of media content: films, TV series, music, photographs, social networks, programs, games and much more. To connect, use a Wi-Fi module or a wired connection via a LAN connector. The operating system built into the TV is responsible for the functionality of this functionality. Each manufacturer has its own: LG – webOS, Samsung – Tizen. OS is no less popular

When choosing an LED TV, we start from the purpose of the purchase. For example, if you don’t need the Internet, then there is no point in paying for this function. And if the panel is taken into the kitchen, “just so that someone will chat,” then the frequency along with the resolution can be safely reduced, which will reduce the price.

What does LED TV mean? It is an LCD panel with LED backlighting. This technique shows a brighter, more contrasting and detailed picture compared to outdated LCDs. Knowing the basic characteristics, you can easily choose a device to suit your needs. Fortunately, many online stores make search filters for this purpose.