Before investing in your new TV, you should know the difference between LED and LCD displays. Though both provide a high-definition picture, each handles creating it a little differently and has a few other differences as well.
Both types of TV screens and monitors display a bright, high-definition picture but if you want to save money on the hardware, go with an older LCD setup. LED screens may offer more cost savings in the long run, however, because the system usually requires less energy to operate.
Although they’re more expensive, the newer LED screens are generally lighter than LCDs, especially if using an edge-lit display that has fewer components that add bulk to the device.
LED full-array backlit TVs are impressive but are expensive compared to their fluorescent-lit peers. If picture quality is very important to you, spending more money to enjoy the benefits of full-array LED backlighting may suit you better. If you want the thinnest TV available on the market, an edge-lit LED is the way to go.
In the context of televisions, the term LED refers to the TV backlighting system, instead of the display technology that produces the image content. LED TVs use LCD displays but they use LED backlights instead of the fluorescent backlights found in traditional LCD TVs.
Each backlighting system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Edge-lit sets are usually thinner and lighter than those that use a full array since the lighting source takes up less space. Full array sets are much thicker and heavier, but they make up for that with local dimming, meaning one section of the LED panel can be dimmed while other sections will remain bright.
This feature only very slightly improves image contrast.
The Final Verdict
When it comes to picture quality, LED TVs look so much better than older LCD TVs. Manufacturers also make a huge deal out of LED backlighting, since sets that use the technology are generally more energy-efficient than traditional CCFL LCD TVs. This way, the money you save on your power bill could eventually offset the extra amount you’ll be spending on an LED TV.
Regardless, you’ll be happy with the picture no matter what kind of display you buy. In the end, however, LEDs have a few more practical advantages that make them a bit better purchase than the older LCDs.
