| Understanding LED Television Technology |
| Written by Wayne Torres |
| Tuesday, 15 December 2009 08:35 |
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Flat screen televisions have not taken too long to be the accepted as normal in many of our houses. The battle has gone on for several years between LCD and plasma televisions, with LCD coming out on top due to their longer life span and more affordable prices. However, the days of the LCD may well be numbered, with the latest generation being released through the new LED television.
Flat screen televisions have not taken too long to be the accepted as normal in many of our houses. The battle has gone on for several years between LCD and plasma televisions, with LCD coming out on top due to their longer life span and more affordable prices. However, the days of the LCD may well be numbered, with the latest generation being released through the new LED television. It is not at all surprising that this change is driven by the major players in the electronics, and most certainly monitor and TV screen industry. However, a quick look at the new technology demonstrates that they are certainly a step forward; rather than simply be a way to get the consumer to part with more cash. To appreciate this however, it is necessary to understand where LED television technology differs from what has gone before. In the most basic of levels, LED technology is simply a progression from LCD; it uses the self same screens for a start; and works in much the same the way. The difference lies in how light is sent to the screen; with LEDs, this is done through backlighting or side lighting. Sending light to the screen in this way allows for far greater control over the picture quality, definition and brightness. Each diode can be controlled independently, allowing for smoother flow through the image projected onto the screen. Deeper colors and blacks are the result, delivering a far truer picture that feels as if you are looking at something through the human eye. 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! There is of course a catch when looking to buy yourself a shiny new LED television. And that is of course the initial price. Even the smaller sized screens command prices in the five, six and seven hundred dollar region. For this price, you could buy a forty six inch regular LCD TV in some areas. You will not be able to buy an LED television equivalent of this size for much less than two thousand five hundred dollars. 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. The good news for LED television detractors then is that the prices will inevitably fall; and the benefits will still be there, (and probably improved upon even more). However, it is also likely that new technologies will just about be ready to launch by this point, as the wheels of progress continue to turn. |