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.
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.
LED television technology, (light emitting diode), also allows for these lights to be controlled completely independently of each other. This allows for a greater spectrum of colors to be seen, whilst blacks are the blackest and purest yet seen by an artificial image production. And it is here that a television is really measured by the industry, (and increasingly the consumer following clever marketing in certain quarters).
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.
They are also a great deal thinner than there predecessors. Whilst regular LCD TVs are very slim; at just mere inches, an LED television will be measured with a depth given in millimetres. Indeed, the leading manufacturers are producing units that are a mere 6mm in depth.
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.
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.
Wayne Torres writes about led hdtv and hdtv online
