LED TV Technology is a relatively new feature in the world of HD Television. They are thinner and have a better definition display than typical LCD TVs that use fluorescent lamps as a light source. The hype surrounding this new technology has resulted in Samsung selling approx one million LED TVs worldwide in 6 months.
However LED televisions are not technically that different from conventional the LCD TVs that have been with us for the last few years. In fact the term ‘LED TV’ has been questioned as an LED TV is just a liquid-crystal display TV that uses light-emitting diodes to light the screen. Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority recently had problems with some marketing of LED TVs. The ASA said that the term LED TV is merely a variation of LCD TV and was misleading. As a result clarification relating to the use of the LEDs as the light source is now used when advertising LED Televisions.
Other television manufacturers have also come out and said that rather than LED TV it should be called an ‘LED-lit LCD TV’ as this more accurately describes the use of LED technology used in these TV sets.
Up to now Sony, Samsung, Philips, JVC and LG have LED TVs on the market. The plus points with these new sets are that they have better picture quality, are thinner and are more eco-friendly mainly due to reduced energy consumption. On the negative side, as is to be expected with any new technology their price tag is still a bit on the hefty side.
The LED lighting in these new set is employed in one of two ways either as edge-lit LED TV or backlit LED TV. Edge-lit televisions as you have probably guessed have the LED lighting situated around the edge of the screen. Without the larger fluorescent lighting previously used at the back of the TV, LED models have been reduced in thickness with Sony producing an LED display less than 1cm thick and Samsungs sets measuring in at 3cm thick.
LED TV technology has made great advances with energy efficiency. Compared to their equivalent conventional LCD Television models, LED HDTVs use typically 40% less energy. And when compared to plasma TVs they can be 50% more efficient. The improved energy efficiency is due to the fact that LEDs require less power to illuminate the screen than fluorescent lights used in older LCD screens.
When delving into the world of high definition television this information should help clear up any confusion with LED TV Technology.
