TV & Home Theater

[whit92]

Can a television be both LCD and LED? I would like to buy an LCD, but I have seen ones that are advertised as having both.  Am I losing picture quality by getting a tv with both instead of just LCD?

[SlimJim77]

Currently there are two type of flat panal TV. Plasma and LCD. There are other players on the horizon, but for now we'll discuss these.

Plasmas are called "emissive displays" because the gas itself provides the luminance. LCDs are referred to as "transmissive displays" because liquid crystals produce no luminance. Thus, they require some type of backlight.

The current lot of LED TVs ARE LCDs. They use a light emitting diode as backlighting. Older/budget LCD will use a CCFL for backlighting.

Backlight type is one of many factors that represent overall picture quality. Having an LED backlight does not guarantee a superior picture.

Hope this helps somewhat. I'll let the other regulars elaborate more.

[whit92]

But is there is any noticeable difference if a television has both LCD and LED? Because I have only bought an LCD tv in the past.

[SlimJim77]

Typically they will be brighter. They have a "modern" look....as in they are slim and sleek. On paper they should also have an accuracy advantage. The digital processing of the TV must match such potential.

If you're a person that's looking to be on the cutting edge, you buy LED. Nuff said.

[deathness13]

dont even worry about plasma or lcd .JUST BUY LED N UR GOOD ..

[Jimmienomam]

Spoken as a true sheeple death...

CNETs 2013 rundown:

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-34451_1-57563551/the-2013-tvs-of-ces-are-bigger-and-smarter-but-what-about-...

"I'm guessing "Yes" in the case of the Best of CES nominee Panasonic TC-PZT60 and the re-engineered Samsung UNF8500, very likely the two best-performing TVs of 2013 under $10,000."

"Panasonic's entire plasma lineup Based on what I saw at the show, last year's reviews and this year's pricing so far, I wouldn't be surprised if the 2013 Best TVs list at CNET looked as top-heavy with Panasonic plasmas as the 2012 list. Each of the company's 2013 plasma series models, with the exception of the lowest-end X60 perhaps, should be among the best-performing in its price class."

CNETs 2012 Best TV list:

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-high-definition-tvs/

1)ST50- Panasonic Plasma
2)VT50- Panasonic Plasma
3)PNxxE6500- Samsung Plasma
4) KDL-HX850- Sony LED (note this TV starts $400-900 more than the other top 5 TVs)
5)GT50- Panasonic Plasma

[rwillen]

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whit92 wrote:
But is there is any noticeable difference if a television has both LCD and LED? Because I have only bought an LCD tv in the past.

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Good article here:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57337192-221/why-led-does-not-mean-a-better-picture/

Don't shy away from CCFL LCD's just because the tech is older and the TV's are thicker. You can save a few bucks and get a very good image.

[itsjustaphone]

You have no idea what you are talking about. Every LED is an LCD and plasma's are still winning award after award for the best pictures and TV's.

[Michael266]

I can't stand LED pictures. They look okay in the showroom but the colors are waay off. Be open minded to a plasma. 

[Jimmienomam]

You can't say colors are way off until you see one calibrated. But I agree I lean towards plasmas often as they are at the end of life cycle. Meaning they are close to peaked in tech and enough research has been done to lower costs to rock bottom prices. They are just too good of a bang for the buck for me, along with top end sets being top rated.