Buying a new TV or computer monitor is always a decision made in confusion. With terms like ‘LCD’ and ‘LED’ thrown around all the time, you might be confused about what is the meaning of these terminologies.

LCD and LEDs are different display technologies and it is important to understand the difference between them as these acronyms represent different means of display.

No matter if you are streaming your favorite shows, playing the latest games or working on your important projects, you want a screen that gives you stunning visuals.

What is the real difference between LCD and LED then? Which one is better between LED vs LCD?

To assist you in choosing the perfect LED display, we’ll break down all the key differences between LCD and LED (and briefly discuss OLED). Read on to find out what you didn’t know!

What is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)?

Liquid Crystal Displays or LCDs use liquid crystals to make pictures. These are unique substances that can be aligned using an electric field. If light passes through these aligned crystals, it creates dark and light regions of the screen.

But LCDs themselves don’t emit light; they need a separate backlight source. The liquid crystals are arranged so that some appear bright or dark based on the alignment of the crystals. This is achieved by controlling the liquid crystal alignment with this backlight which shines through the liquid crystals to form the image you see.

What is LED (Light Emitting Diode)?

LED is the abbreviation of Light Emitting Diode. When an electric current passes through them, they are tiny semiconductor devices that give off light. LEDs are used as a backlight to an LCD panel in the context of displays. Therefore, an ‘LED TV’ is really an LCD TV with LED backlight.

There are different ways to arrange this backlighting, edge-lit (LEDs along the edges) or full array local dimming (LEDs behind the entire screen with individual control).

This method provides an exact backlight control in much better contrast and black levels than traditional LCDs with CCFL backlights.

LCD vs LED: Which One is Better and Why?

LEDs can provide a superior viewing experience. They give higher contrast and brightness, are more energy efficient, have longer lifespan and slimmer designs. In some situations LCD’s might cost a little less, but in general the benefits of using LED’s far outweigh the price difference, especially for business and professional use.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

● Picture Quality:

Picture quality is excellent with LED displays because backlight control is very precise. All of this adds up to much higher contrast ratios or, put another way, much deeper blacks and brighter whites.

Less precise backlighting of LCDs often has a hard time achieving the same level of contrast. In particular, you can see this difference most in dark scenes, where LEDs provide much more detail and depth.

● Energy Efficiency:

LEDs are more energy efficient than the older CCFL backlights found in traditional LCDs. This means lower power consumption and lower energy bills. This energy savings can be significant for businesses with large deployments of displays.

● Lifespan:

CCFLs are also not as long lasting as LEDs. This translates to LED displays expected to last longer, needing fewer replacements, and less long term cost. This is a big win for businesses that need to have displays running all the time.

● Size and Thickness:

The thinness and lightness of display designs is made possible by LED backlighting. Not only is this sleek, it also provides more flexibility as far as installation and placement. Typically, LCDs with CCFL backlights are bulkier, and less versatile in design.

● Viewing Angles:

Traditionally, LCD displays have a relatively narrow viewing angle, but LED displays typically provide a wider viewing angle. As a result, viewing the image from off center positions does not affect the image quality. In particular, large displays used in public spaces or meeting rooms where viewers may be oriented at multiple angles are particularly important.

● Cost:

In the past, LCDs were cheaper but the gap has now closed. In the case of basic applications where the budget is the most important factor, an LCD may still be an option. LED displays perform better than plasma displays, but for most business and professional needs, they are the better investment in terms of performance and long term value.

The Future of Display Technology: Beyond LCD and LED

LCD and LED have held the display market for years, but the future brings even more interesting developments. Technology is on the cusp of changing the way we view visuals. MicroLED and Quantum Dot are two prime contenders.

MicroLED is the best of LED technology plus more. Microscopic LEDs are used to create an individual pixel that does not require a backlight. The result is perfect blacks, incredible contrast, and excellent energy efficiency even better than OLED.

Quantum Dot uses tiny semiconductor nanocrystals called quantum dots which emit pure, saturated colors when illuminated to enhance the resolution and color saturation of existing LCD and LED displays. This greatly expands the color gamut and improves color accuracy to result in a more vibrant and life-like picture.

Partner with Geshino for Your Next LED Display Solution

Geshino is a leading LED display manufacturer, specializing in providing high quality and innovative LED solutions for all kinds of applications. As experts in LED technology, we can offer state of the art displays that perform exceptionally, are highly reliable and highly energy efficient.

We can help pick the right LED display solution for your specific needs and business objectives. Whatever your need is for a small indoor display, a stunning outdoor video wall, or something in between, Geshino has the experience, products, and dedication to make it work.

Get in touch with us today to talk about your project!