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If you are shopping for a new television, let this LED TV buying guide shed some light on the major differences between it and the two other popular technologies available. While all three versions have greatly improved home entertainment by allowing ever larger screens to be purchased at affordable price points, exploring what sets them apart can seem somewhat daunting. As the title and the first sentence of this article suggest, LED TV technology will be the focal point as it is compared to LCD and plasma TVs. Keep in mind, LED is the melding of these two technologies that takes the best that each has to offer and creates an entirely new viewing experience.
LED vs LCD
Price
The first thing most will notice is the difference in price between LED and LCD TVs. LED televisions tend to be much more expensive to compared to LCD TVs, however they consume almost 40 percent less energy then a comparatively sized LCD. So the savings over the long haul (plus friendliness to the environment) will help to significantly close that initial cost objection.
Picture Quality
LED technology can do some amazing things with color that the LCD simply cannot match. Because of the use of light emitting diodes and the use the RGB color wheel, colors are much more vibrant and blacks are truly black, not just darker shades of grays.
Burn In
LCD TV displays is essentially the same technology as that used for computer screens, the likelihood of images being burned into the screen over time is higher compared to LED TVs. But the likelihood of that happening is lower if the screen doesn’t stay static over long periods of times.
Size/Weight
If space and weight are a concern, the LED wins on both counts. The LED television will be thinner and lighter which allows for greater flexibility when it comes to mounting options and space concerns. Add to this the fact that LED technology allows the picture to be moved closer to the edges of the televisions face, you get more picture in the same sized box.
Environmental Friendliness
Environmental concerns will also give LED the edge. LCD require the use of mercury, which is in the category of hazardous waste. If these sets are not disposed of properly when it comes time to replace them, that waste can wreak havoc on the local ecology.
A better quality picture, less energy use and no harmful products used in their development are just a few of the reasons LED may be a better choice. Even if they cost a little more upfront, studies suggest they will need to be replaced less often which will translate into an overall cost savings.
LED vs Plasma
When it comes to LED vs plasma, the biggest advantage of LED televisions are their size. Plasma televisions are much heavier and bulkier making them a less attractive choice for those wanting to wall mount their TV. While Plasma TVs can be the least expensive choice of the three technologies, its size tends to be a prohibitive factor for those whose priority is aesthetics.
Burn in
As with LCD, plasma screens are still susceptible to burn-in, a condition that causes images to permanently mar the screens surface. This issue does not exist with LED because the light source used creates almost no heat. However, it can be said that newer plasma TVs have built-in technology that helps combat burn-in but its important to note the possibility.
Picture Quality
Due to how plasma TVs deliver their picture on-screen, they have a clearer image, as long as the room being used is dimly lit. The LED image, however, will not be washed-out by glare that will render the plasma image impossible to see. This means you should carefully consider where you’re placing your new TV–if you’re placing it in a well-lit room, you may be best off choosing an LED TV.
Initially, the plasma tends to produce a better picture, especially when viewed in low level light environments, but that picture quality will fade over time since the images are being created by neon, argon and xenon gases.
Viewing angles are better with plasma TVs, but new technology is quickly increasing that angle for LED sets.
Life Expectancy
Both LED and Plasma enjoy a rating of 100,000 hours life expectancy, so longevity does not appear to be an issue for either technologies. But since neither have existed for the 68 years needed to test this, and few people would consider owning one for that long, that may be a moot point.
In the end, an LED television comes equipped with more features and as mass production increases, the prices will continue to come down. If you’re thinking of a new TV now or in the future, your best bet is probably with the new LED TVs.
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