Understanding LED Television Technology

December 15th, 2009

Understanding LED Television Technology

It was not too long ago that we were arguing the case for and against LCD and plasma televisions. And though LCD TV eventually came out the victor, due to its superior all round function and practicality, its crown is now under threat. That this threat comes from its sibling the LED television, is all the more intriguing.

Initially of course, it may seem just another way for the major players in the world of TV screens to get their hands on more of our hard earned money. But it is more than this; it is a step forward and the benefits to be had are far reaching.

Essentially, LED television, (light emitting diode), technology is no different to that already seen with their LCD televisions. It is simply another way of lighting the screen itself. Simply put, an LED television creates an image using back lighting, (or side lighting), from the diodes within the unit, as opposed to relying on liquid crystal displays to produce the same effect.

Having the lights set up in this way allows for greater control of the picture; lights can be dimmed and brightened independently of their neighbours; creating a richer content and feel and most important of all, creating true image black scale; they key to picture quality.

Whilst the benefits are far reaching with LED television technology being able to produce better quality images with high brightness and contrast levels, the benefits do not stop here. This better quality image is produced using less power and creating less light and heat wastage. This of course also allows the lifespan to be much longer than even the most robust of LCD TV currently on the market.

Another benefit to be had from an LED television is the size. Now, we have gotten used to TVs being slim affairs, able to be housed anywhere including on a wall. And though they are only a matter of inches in width, LED screens trump this easily; more likely to be measured in millimetres!

However, new technology does of course command a higher price; and whilst quite sizable LCD screens can now be purchased from six hundred dollars, you will not find many LED screens bigger than fifty inches for much less than two thousand five hundred. The savings on energy consumption, (estimated to be around forty percent), will offset this somewhat of course.

The price of course is easier to swallow, when you look at the bigger picture, (no pun intended), and consider the up to forty percent saving to be made on energy costs. Though this will not sit well with some of course.

But these prices will fall as demand picks up and we really recognize the benefits of LED television technology, (and as newer technologies come on line of course!)

Wayne Torres writes about philips full hd tv and led television technology