In the rapidly advancing realm of display technology, choosing LCD vs LED screen can be daunting task. Each technology comes with its own set of features and advantages, making it crucial for consumers to understand the differences before making a purchase decision. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on the distinctions between LCD and LED displays, providing valuable insights to help you make an informed choice.
| LED TV | Recommended | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 9.5 | Check Price |
| VIZIO | 9.2 | Check Price |
| TCL | 9.0 | Check Price |
| INSIGNIA | 8.7 | Check Price |
| LED Monitor | Recommended | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sceptre | 9.3 | Check Price |
| Acer | 9.0 | Check Price |
| AOC | 8.9 | Check Price |
Understanding the Basics: LCD vs LED
In terms of technology, LED (Light Emitting Diode) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) are two different things. Most commonly, it is used in flat panel displays, such as televisions and computer monitors. Lets see LCD vs LED display in the terms of technology, backlighting, energy efficiency and other factors like cost and thickness.
Technology
| LCD | LED |
|---|---|
| Usually LCD displays use a liquid crystal solution positioned between two sheets of glass. Crystals bend and refract to control the amount of light that forms an image. | LED displays are a kind of screen like LCDs, but they use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to make the screen bright. Instead of the usual fluorescent light used in regular LCDs, LEDs are used to light up the screen. |
Backlighting
| LCD | LED |
|---|---|
| Traditional LCDs use a CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) for backlighting, which can make the display thicker and less energy efficient. | Instead LED displays use light-emitting diodes for backlighting. LED backlighting is more energy efficient, allows for thinner displays, and can provide better control over brightness and contrast. |
Energy Efficiency
| LCD | LED |
|---|---|
| Older LCDs with CCFL backlighting can use more power than LED-backlit displays. | LED-backlit displays are generally more energy efficient, which contributes to lower power consumption and potentially lower electricity costs. |
Brightness and Contrast
| LCD | LED |
|---|---|
| LED-backlit LCDs often have better control over brightness and contrast than older CCFL-backlit LCDs. | LED technology provides local dimming, increased contrast ratio and deep blacks. |
Color Accuracy
| LCD | LED |
|---|---|
| Both LED and traditional LCD displays can offer good color accuracy, but the specific technology and quality of components used play an important role. | LED displays with backlighting can produce a broad range of colors and maintain excellent color accuracy. |
Thickness and Form Factor
| LCD | LED |
|---|---|
| CCFL-backlit LCDs are thicker than LED-backlit LCDs. | LEDs are slimmer and lighter, providing a more modern and sleek appearance. LED technology allows for thinner and more lightweight displays. |
Cost
| LCD | LED |
|---|---|
| Traditional LCDs using CCFL backlighting might offer a more budget-friendly option, particularly for smaller screens. | LED-backlit displays have become more common, and their prices have become competitive with traditional LCDs. Price differences may vary based on screen size and other features. |
LED Monitor vs LED TV
LED Monitor:
- Primarily designed for use with computers.
- Typically has higher resolutions and faster refresh rates, making it suitable for tasks like gaming, graphic design, and productivity.
- Lacks built-in TV tuners for receiving television signals.
- They do not have good quality audio features usually, so external speakers or headphones are preferred for better sound quality.
LED TV:
- Designed for home entertainment.
- Equipped with TV tuners for receiving and displaying television broadcasts.
- Optimized for video playback, making them ideal for watching movies and TV shows.
- Better audio systems, with built-in speakers or support for external audio devices for a more immersive home theater experience.
If you want to convert an LED monitor into an LED TV, you can do so by following these general steps:
- External TV Tuner or Set-Top Box:
- Purchase an external TV tuner or use a set-top box with video outputs.
- Connection:
- Connect the TV tuner or set-top box to your LED monitor using the appropriate video cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.).
- Audio Connection:
- Connect the audio output from the TV tuner or set-top box to your monitor’s audio input, if available. Alternatively, use external speakers or a sound system for better audio quality.
- Power On and Set Input:
- Power on your LED monitor and the external TV tuner or set-top box.
- Navigate through the monitor’s menu to select the correct input source (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) corresponding to the connection from the TV tuner or set-top box.
- Channel Setup (for TV Tuner):
- If you’re using an external TV tuner, follow the instructions to scan for channels and set up the tuner.
By following these steps, you can effectively use your LED monitor as a TV by adding external components that provide TV tuning capabilities. Keep in mind that the audio and overall viewing experience may differ from dedicated LED TVs, but this approach can be a practical solution for certain users.
LCD Monitor vs LCD TV and How to turn your Monitor into TV?
LCD monitors and TVs share similarities in technology, but they are designed for different purposes, and there are some key differences between them:
- Purpose and Usage:
- LCD Monitor: Monitors are primarily designed for use with computers. They typically have higher resolutions and faster refresh rates, making them suitable for tasks like gaming, graphic design, and productivity.
- LCD TV: TVs, on the other hand, are designed for home entertainment. They often have built-in tuners for receiving television signals and are optimized for video playback, making them ideal for watching movies and TV shows.
- Tuners and Connectivity:
- LCD Monitor: Monitors usually lack built-in tuners for receiving television signals. They may have various video inputs like HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA, but they don’t typically come with features like TV tuners.
- LCD TV: TVs come equipped with TV tuners, allowing them to receive and display television broadcasts. They also can have like multiple HDMI ports, USB ports, and audio outputs.
- Audio Features:
- LCD Monitor: Monitors may have built-in speakers, but the audio quality is often basic. Users relying on higher audio quality might prefer external speakers or headphones.
- LCD TV: TVs are designed with better audio systems, as they are meant for a more immersive home entertainment experience. They may have built-in sound systems or support for external audio devices.
Use LCD Monitor as TV
If you want to use an LCD monitor as a TV, you can do so by connecting it to an external TV tuner or a cable/satellite box. Here are the general steps:
- Get a TV Tuner or Cable/Satellite Box:
Purchase an external TV tuner or use a cable/satellite box that has video outputs.
- Connect the Device:
Connect the TV tuner or cable/satellite box to your LCD monitor using the appropriate video cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.).
- Audio Connection:
Connect the audio output from the TV tuner or cable/satellite box to your monitor’s audio input, if available.
- Power On and Set Input:
- Power on your LCD monitor and the external TV tuner or cable/satellite box.
- Go through monitor’s menu and choose the appropriate input source (such as HDMI or DisplayPort) that matches the connection from the TV tuner or box.
Channel Setup (for TV Tuner):
If you’re using an external TV tuner, follow the instructions to scan for channels and set up the tuner.
Although it is a good choice to turn your LCD monitor into a TV by adding external components that provide TV tuning capabilities but you must aware of that the audio quality and overall viewing experience may differ from dedicated TVs, but it can be a functional solution for some users.
Top LCD Brands
| Brand | Price |
|---|---|
| SAMSUNG | Check Price |
| LG | Check Price |
| SONY | Check Price |
| TCL | Check Price |
| PHILIPS | Check Price |
Summary
In summary, LED display is a type of LCD technology that uses light-emitting diodes for backlighting, offering advantages such as energy efficiency, better contrast ratio, and thinner form factor.
When deciding between LED and LCD, it’s crucial to assess the unique features and traits of each display, rather than focusing solely on the backlighting technology.
