What are led TVs: features, benefits, how to choose

When choosing the right TV model, many consumers are faced with new terms and modern technologies. For example, not everyone knows what a TV with LED technology is and what principle its operation is based on. Despite this, today this type of flat device is most popular among buyers, so they are considered quite a familiar attribute in the house. Before you make your final choice, you should still figure out what the abbreviation LED means, how these TVs differ, and what advantages they have over other types of TV.

Definition and features

If translated literally, then LED — light emitting diode. However, it is reasonable to believe that it cannot serve as a complete definition. In fact, a modern LED TV is a representative of the well-known liquid crystal panels. The main component is an LCD matrix with many luminous dots — pixels. But if in the usual LCD devices fluorescent lamps were used as a backlight, then in the devices under consideration — LEDs, that is, TVs with such a backlight are more advanced options. LCD-models.

Samsung developers were the first to use this technology. As a marketing ploy, the new TVs were given the name LED TV, which is still used today.

The LEDs here act as light sources, and are not the actual unit of the resulting image. Therefore, it would be more correct to call such panels LCD TV with modern LED backlighting.

Types of LED backlight

In order to understand what is the fundamental feature of such equipment, it is necessary to understand the types of TV backlighting. To date, several systems are used, they differ in color and location.

According to the color of the light sources

1. White led or single color system (white LEDs). It is considered a budget solution, but still outperforms fluorescent lamps. LEDs are energy efficient and do not contain mercury. As for color reproduction and depth of coverage, LED TV with this type of backlight is not much different from LCD, the difference is more significant for the next option.
2. RGB or multicolor system. Their color palette is much wider. This improves color rendering. But it is worth noting that models with a similar backlight option are more expensive, which is not commensurate with the effect achieved. Such models need a powerful graphics processor, and they consume more electricity. Since such HDTVs are not affordable for every consumer group, leading companies decide to abandon RGB backlighting and continue to search for analog technology.
3. QD Vision or mixed backlight option. It is based on pure blue LEDs and a special film with quantum dots, which have green and red colors. This technology makes it possible to emit a strictly limited and tuned spectrum of optical waves. Due to this, the color palette and intensity of colors expands, at the same time, the technology, unlike RGB LEDs, is more energy efficient. A striking example of a mixed backlighting option is the Bravia TV panel line, the leading manufacturer Triluminos Sony.

In fact, the issue of using the first and second lighting options continues to find many controversial opinions. For example, the famous developer of digital technology, Toshiba, claims that the white backlight of the TV is much more effective than RGB. So why spend a lot of money when you can save millions?

According to the lighting placement

There are 2 options here.

1. Along the perimeter of the LCD matrix (Edge LED). This is a one-color system (White led), which can be located on one side (most often from below), on parallel sides (on the sides) or around the entire perimeter. The method of organizing side illumination depends on the size of the diagonal of the screen. As disadvantages of such a backlight, one can note “glare” at the edges of the TV screen and an insufficient level of contrast (compared to the second type). But this technology allows you to create panels with a thickness of only a few millimeters.
2. Directly behind the LCD matrix (Direct LED). It is based on a uniform distribution of diodes over the entire area. According to the price criterion, it is more expensive than end lighting. The main advantage of such a system is the possibility of using local black dimming technology. Both white and colored LEDs can be used here, they significantly improve the image quality.

If you already own such a TV, and you have problems with the image, you may find the information on repairing the led backlight do-it-yourself useful.

Advantages of LED TVs

These panels have significant advantages, and therefore 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. Such a TV can be easily mounted on the wall using a bracket;
2. Image contrast and clarity. LED TV is the main competitor of other types of TVs, because it has excellent image reproduction quality, contrast level adjustment. Recalling the shortcomings of LCD panels, when there were problems with the perception of moving objects, it can be noted that such problems will not arise with modern ice screens.
3. energy efficiency. Saving electricity is perhaps the main point that attracts many buyers. Compared to its predecessors, the LED device consumes 40% less resources.
4. Wide range 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 that include 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 TV panels does not end there. Already appearing on store shelves today OLED TVwhose illumination is based on organic light-emitting diodes. They have an even thinner body, low weight (relative to their diagonal), a wide viewing angle, the absence of «glare» and glare, and excellent color reproduction. However, this does not mean that other models, lower class, will lose demand. Innovative technologies of this format are not cheap, and the financial possibilities of most consumers will not allow such a widescreen panel to be 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.

How to choose an LED TV

Today’s market offers a wide range of LED models. It is quite difficult for a consumer inexperienced in these matters to make the right choice. The main thing is to take into account the critical characteristics of technology, as well as weigh the features of technologies and the need for their presence.

Backlight

On sale you can find several options for lighting. Modern models are built using DirectLED or EdgeLED technology, discussed above. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Direct LED:

• good margin for brightness and contrast;
• uniform distribution of diodes;
• there are no specific highlights at the edges.

Minuses:

• decent thickness;
• excessive energy consumption.

Advantages of Edge LED:

• flexible color gamut adjustment;
• slim body, up to ultra;
• low energy consumption.

Flaws:

• highlights around the edges, which is especially noticeable in dark scenes;
• the cost of models is slightly higher than DirectLED.

Important! The technology on which the backlight is built plays a far from decisive role. First of all, it is necessary to weigh the quality of its performance.

Screen resolution

Today’s TV has almost completely switched to digital broadcasting, so it makes no sense to take HD-scan equipment. The best option is Full HD-resolution (1920 by 1080 pixels).

Plays a key role in choosing a resolution screen diagonal: the larger it is, the clearer the picture should be. For example, for models from 50 inches and above, it would be more appropriate to stop at the option in 4K format (4096 by 2160 pixels), otherwise an unpleasant “soap” will be traced.

Dimensions

If the equipment will stand on a regular pedestal, then its thickness and weight do not matter. The main thing is that the stand is of the appropriate size, and the model stands confidently on its legs. If the TV is planned to be mounted on a vertical surface or suspended from the ceiling, then it is better to look towards thin and light models.

Screen refresh rate

This parameter is usually denoted in hertz — Hz. Video broadcast on digital TV comes with a 50 Hz scan, which is enough for normal visualization of dynamic scenes. But with the advent of more advanced content, the “normal” screen refresh rate was no longer enough.

TV manufacturers, namely Sony and Samsung, have found a solution by adding intermediate frames, thereby bringing the sweep level to 100 Hz. Some models can even refresh the screen at a frequency of 200 Hz.

To implement this technology, the technique was introduced innovative Scanning Backlight. Models with such a filling calmly reproduce 3D content without any jerks and lags. To check the scan of the TV, it is enough to turn on the dynamic scene: the picture should be smooth, and the contours of each detail should be smooth and clear.

Screen coverage

Here we have glossy or matte finish. The second option eliminates glare, but image clarity suffers slightly. While a glossy solution is characterized by good contrast, brightness and saturation of the picture as a whole. But glare acts as a fly in the ointment, which makes it difficult to watch TV during daylight hours.

Interfaces

Modern realities are an abundance of all kinds of gadgets. And the latter, as a rule, are quite a few: speaker systems, multimedia centers, mobile devices, a computer, etc. It’s good if the appropriate interfaces are provided on the TV to work with them. In a good half of the cases Enough set of HDMI and USB portsas well as audio outputs.

SmartTV

The expediency of having «smart» functionality on board the TV is fully justified. Technology is turning into a kind of personal computer. With SmartTV, you can view not only photo and video content, but also surf the Web, play games and use other features that are not available for an ordinary device.

The implementation of such functionality is the responsibility of the local operating system. The platform can run on Android OS, webOS (LG), Tizen (Samsung). Each offers both a standard set of features and some specific functionality.

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