What’s new in flatscreen technology?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 Goto comments Leave a comment AV Resource, Flat Screen Displays, Video Conferencing

What’s new in flatscreen technology? LED TVs. 

Wonder what the difference is between this new technology and LED flatscreen displays?

It’s actually quite simple…

LED and LCD televisions are flat-panel displays that utilize Liquid Crystal Display technology. The display has two layers of glass that are polarized and sandwiched together. The liquid crystals are held in one of these layers. These liquid crystals pass, or block the white backlight, to produce images on the screen when the electric current passes through it.

These crystals do not produce their own light. Located in back of the screen are millions of shutters arranged in a grid, which open and close to release and trap some of the light that is not needed to create images. Then each shutter is paired with a colored filter which produces a sub-pixel. These sub-pixels combine to create a single pixel that appears as a single spot of color on the screen.

The only difference between LED and LCD TVs is their source of light. In LCD TVs, the light comes from a series of fluorescent lamps at the back of the screen, the “backlight.” LED TVs use Light Emitting Diodes. With the help of these light sources, whether fluorescent or LED, the images created by the liquid crystals become visible to the viewer.

Also note there are two types of LED backlighting. One is referred to as Edge-lit, and the other is called Full-Array lighting. With Edge-lit lighting, the LED’s are arranged along the outside edges of the screen. When operating, the light is distributed evenly across the screen. This construction provides an aesthetically pleasing, very thin display cabinet.

In Full-Array lighting, there are several rows of diodes behind the entire surface of the display. They provide more discrete control over brightness and dimming, because the diodes can be turned on and off independently in sync with the video being displayed.  This can provide an image with more control over the displays contrast.

LED TV’s are simply LCD TV’s with a different backlight system.

Benefits of LED over LCD:

• Light Emitting Diodes can give a more even balance in color saturation
• LED’s use less power than fluorescent lamps

In Summary:

• LED TV’s are still LCD TV’s where the color image comes from liquid crystals.
• The image does not come from LED’s, only from the white backlight they produce!!
• Only large sports arena displays and outdoor signage displays use the super bright LED’s for each individual color pixel.

Special note: OLED’s are coming, a special type of LED, but they’re not ready for mass production in large display sizes of 30″ or more as of this writing. More on OLED technology in a future article.

 See your AVR sales associate for assistance in selecting the right display for your application!

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About AVRAudio Video Resources (AVR), headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., for over 60 years, provides design, installation, services, sales and rentals of audio visual systems. AVR is staffed with highly qualified professionals to deliver the very best products, service and value to its clients and industry partners. Its specially designed facility contains conference, training and fabrication areas that enable them to provide a quality of service second to none.

AVR is recognized by InfoComm International as an Audio Visual Solutions Provider (AVSP). This status is only granted to those companies who commit to a rigorous certification process. Just as with any other profession, clients are looking for a way to measure those they hire—in the AV world, AVSP status provides the highest level of credibility, knowledge and recognition in the industry. AVR is proud to hold the highest level certification, as a DIAMOND level AVSP.