TV manufacturers continuously strive to invent new technology to improve the television experience. The advances in TV broadcasting, home movies and gaming constantly demand ever improving high definition TVs. We have seen a range of technological advances behind the lighting used in flat panel wide screen televisions and displays. The latest involves the use of light emitting diodes in what is labelled as LED HD Television.
Because of the viewing public’s hunger for better televisions to watch the latest high definition broadcasts, Blu-Ray DVDs and the latest range of games consoles we have seen the appearance of the electronics manufacturers latest range of LED televisions. The LEDs are used as a lighting source, either as back-lit or side-lit. They have succeeded fluorescent lighting which previously did the job in LCD HD TVs. Primarily this has resulted in improved contrast and picture quality with the new LED HD Televisions.
Other benefits with the use of LEDs as a lighting source in LCD displays, are that they have made the LED displays and TVs much slimmer as the bulkier fluorescent lighting is no longer required. LED displays can be made to be about 10mm thick and have very small ‘border’ round the edge of the visible screen. Side-lit LED screens are the slimmest, but back-lit LED screens though a little thicker are capable of localized dimming of the LED to improve display contrast. This feature results in LED screens being able to produce darker blacks when compared to LCD displays.
As a bonus LED HD Televisions are also the eco-friendly option. They are far more energy efficient that their LCD and plasma cousins. They are said to use up to 40% less energy than an equivalent sized LCD display and even more when compared to plasmas. Also materials which are harmful to the environment like mercury used in fluorescent lights has now been eliminated form their design.
The improvement that we are seeing with LED televisions and displays is noticeable, but whether it is so compelling for consumers to needlessly ditch their conventional LCDs TVs is a question of personal preference. The cost may be a bit on the high side at the moment, but as with all new technologies competition and improved manufacturing techniques will drive this down. When it does so, LED HD TV is sure to become the market leader.
