LCD and LED: Uncover the Major Difference Between LCD and LED TV
Advancing technology has widened the horizon of TV displays, and the multiple display options will make your head spin. Modern TV displays have different types of labels that include HD, 3D, Smart, 4K, 4K Ultra, and the list keeps going. Out of all the TV displays, LCD and LED are the most common labels, and differentiating between the two is a head-scratcher.
In today’s article, we will discuss the key difference between LCD and LED displays, how the LCD and LED technology work, and most importantly strengths and limitations of these two displays. So follow the article till the end to know how the difference makes one preferable over the other for accomplishing certain types of tasks.
Difference between LCD and LED
LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display and LED TV full form is Light Emitting Diode. These display technologies are effectively used for visualizing texts, images, and graphics. Though they serve the same purpose, they are a lot different from each other in different contexts.
Here are some of the main differences between LCD and LED TVs!
| Base of Difference | LCD | LED |
| Full Form | Liquid Crystal Display | Light Emitting Diode |
| Definition | It’s a liquid-crystal display that has a fluorescent backlight | It’s a liquid-crystal display with LED backlight |
| Backlight | CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlight | LED (Light Emitting Diode backlight) |
| Switching Speed | Slower than LED | Relatively fast |
| Material | Made up of liquid crystals and glass electrodes | Made up of gallium arsenide phosphide |
| Response Time | Surprisingly fast | Less response time, hence better than LCD |
| Color Accuracy | Apt color accuracy | Far better than LCD |
| Picture Quality | Good | Better than LCD |
| Resolution | Low | High |
| Viewing Angle | Decreases by 30° from the center of the image | Comparatively, wider viewing angle than LCD |
| Effect of Direct Current | Reduces the lifespan | No effect |
| Effect on Environment | Mercury is used, which causes harm | No harm to the environment |
| Power Consumption | Consumes less power than LED | Needs more power |
| Cost | Affordable | Expensive than LCD |
The end purpose of both displays is the same. But the main difference between LCD and LED is their backlight, response time, speed, cost, power consumption, and viewing angle. To broaden your understanding of how different these two displays are from each other and the activities they are best suited for, we have comprehensively discussed them in the upcoming sections.
LCD Explained
Plasma displays were popular until 2012, but after the advent of LCD, they took over the market with USD 734 million revenue only in the first quarter of 2012. LCD in full form is Liquid Crystal Display and as the name suggests it’s a monitor that utilizes liquid crystals.
Here are some insights about the science behind LCD and its different types!
Liquid crystal is a substance that has mixed properties of both solids and liquids. Typically, the molecules in liquid crystal display bunch up compact and dense in an unstructured arrangement. When these unstructured and dense liquid crystals come in contact with electricity, their molecules suddenly expand into very structured and interconnected shapes for visualization. LCD is used for making TV and its types are discussed in the subsequent section.
Types of LCD TVs
The LCD TVs are mainly categorized into three varieties and each of them is separately discussed below: –
- Flat Screen LCDs
These types of LCDs are popular for their sleek finish and flexible options for standing on the surface or mounting on the wall. They are about an inch thick and a bit more expensive than other LCDs.
- Front Projection LCDs
They are also referred to as projectors, which project visuals onto the front screen. It’s like the box itself is the TV that can be installed anywhere and projects the image on a flat screen as large as 300 inches hung on the wall.
- Rear Projection LCDs
In these LCDs, the image is sent from the rear of the TV to the front screen. They are wide, bulky, and are only available in large sizes.
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G, Fastrack Reflex Vox, and Acer Chrome Spin 11 are some other devices that have LCD monitors. Moving on, let’s overview the pros and cons of the LCD in the following section.
Strengths and Limitations of LCD
Knowledge of the strengths and limitations of LCD TVs will help you assess whether they are the ideal fit for you.
| Strengths | Limitations |
| Affordable than LED display. | Sometimes causes uneven brightness. |
| Comparatively lightweight than old CRT displays. | Provides weak and bad pixels, resulting in varying intensity and shading on screen. |
| Provides excellent brightness and better viewing angles. | Has difficulty in producing black and dark gray lights, hence can’t work properly in low light. |
| Consumes less power. | |
| Incorporates millions of colors. |
Indeed, LCDs make a good alternative to the age-old display technology. In contemporary times, the application of LCD technology is done in several ways, which are listed in the below section.
Applications of LCD
Here’s a list of devices where applications of LCD are done: –
- Video projection systems
- Portable electronic games
- Flat-panel TVs
- Electronic billboards
- Viewfinders for digital cameras and camcorders
- Computer monitors
LCD technology has revolutionized the monitors with its cold cathode fluorescent lamps for backlighting, but LEDs are the advanced version of LCDs. The following section will give you better insights into the usage and technology of LED screens.
LED Explained
LEDs are more enhanced and advanced displays that took a step further by replacing fluorescent bulbs with LED backlight technology. The OLED display is a further extension of this technology, which completely eliminates the need for a backlight. We have discussed the different types of LEDs and their advantages and limitations in the following sections.
Types of LED TVs
Similar to LCD, LED TVs are also categorized into three types, and they are as follows: –
- Edge LEDs
These are the most common LED displays that are positioned around the rim of the screen. It uses a special diffusion panel to spread the light evenly behind the screen, which results in good picture quality.
- Dynamic RGB LEDs
They have a special backlighting technique that dims the specific areas of the screen. This special dim effect gives more realistic and immersive visuals.
- Full-Array LEDs
The LEDs are arranged at the rear side (behind) of the screen as a set. In these types of TVs, the backlighting technology cannot dim or brighten a particular area individually.
ASUS VivoBook S15 OLED, BeatXP Marv Neo, and Techno Spark 10 5G are some other devices that have LED displays. To get a sound idea of what LED TV actually is, we have briefed about its pros and cons in the below section, so give a careful reading.
Strengths and Limitations of LED
The assessment of strengths and limitations will bring clarity about the effectiveness and limitations of LEDs and help you decide whether they meet your requirements.
| Strengths | Limitations |
| They have a longer life span as compared to LCDs | A bit costlier than LCDs. |
| They are highly efficient. | The wide viewing angles are available in a limited range. |
| Low maintenance monitors. | Hard to repair once it gets damaged. |
| No problem of overheating. | Repairing is also costly because its parts are also expensive. |
LEDs are costly, but you shouldn’t change your mind because of the price. Though they are expensive, their life span is longer than LCDs. Due to their durability, they are used in many modern gadgets, some of which are listed in the next section.
Applications of LED
LEDs are ultra-thin displays with better picture quality, speed, and resolution. Its popularity is constantly increasing, as a result, LEDs are used in many devices. Applications of LEDs are done in the following devices: –
- Digital watches
- Aviation lightning
- Cell phones
- Automotive heat lamps
- Digital computers
- Camera flashes
- Calculators
- Multiplexers
- Microprocessors
LED is a third-generation display that precisely meets the demands and preferences of the future generation. Besides, they are the ideal option for compact houses and apartments. Simply put, LED brings the cinematic experience to the comfort of your home.
LED vs. LCD Technology – The Face Off
LED monitors are classic and superior to LCD because of the enhanced picture quality, contrast, screen resolution, impact on the environment, and most importantly, durability. The stylish design of LED perfectly compliments the picture quality, and maybe that’s the reason why the global market of LEDs is expected to rise to 4.5 billion USD by 2026.
Fun Fact! All LED screens are LCD in nature, but all LCD monitors aren’t LED in nature.
Let’s analyze the differences between LCD and LED technology with a holistic approach!
- Price
LEDs are relatively expensive than LCDs, but they are more durable than LCDs. The longer lifespan and easy maintenance of LEDs make it worth the extra money. However, if you are on a tight budget and really want to invest in a good TV without breaking the bank, edge-lit LEDs can be the middle option for you.
- What Specs Have to Say?
Thoroughly reading and analyzing the specs of a product prior to purchasing, especially an electronic item, is a thumb rule. The general specifications of LED and LCD mentioned above clearly indicate that LED screens are better. Nevertheless, we suggest you read the specs of the TV or display and consider its refresh rate and resolution apart from backlighting before purchasing.
- Which One is Good for Gaming?
Honestly, LEDs are the best choice for gaming. They have better viewing angles, refresh rates, resolution, and most importantly display quality which makes them the ideal choice for gaming.
After this detailed analysis of the differences between LCD and LED monitors, let’s talk about the elephant in the room and see what the final verdict is.
What’s the Future?
In the battle of LCD and LED display, the LED screen emerges as the undisputed winner. But is it really the future?
There’s a huge difference between LCD and LED displays. Even though LEDs are better and more advanced than LCD screens in every aspect, they aren’t entirely perfect and have some limitations.
The diode technology of LED displays can’t prevent or even minimize the adverse effects they have on the eyes. Prolonging or frequent staring at LED or LCD can cause eye strain and even lead to the weakening of the eyes.
LED was undoubtedly the best technology over a decade ago but with the innovation of AMOLED, OLED, and QLED the basic LED TVs are bound to get over-dated. The Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) and Quantum Light Emitting Diode (QLED) monitors are more futuristic as they are energy efficient, have an impressive spectrum of RGB colors, and protect eyes from UV rays.
Displays are quite confusing, but after reading this guide, you know exactly what you want next time you go shopping for TVs. Coming this far, let’s take a quick look at some frequently asked questions.
People Also Ask
Q. Which one is better LCD or LED?
Ans. In terms of battery, viewing angle, resolution, picture quality, and color accuracy, LED has a lead over LCD TVs and is a clear winner. It makes projections more defined, authentic, and hyperrealistic.
Q. Is LCD good for the eyes?
Ans. LCD produces high-quality images and videos, but they can strain your eyes in one way or another. The color contrast from LCDs is the result of light sources, so the more brightness they give, the more they strain your eyes.
Q. Why is LCD replaced by LED?
Ans. LCD uses Fluorescent lights and LED has diodes, which greatly impact picture quality. Besides, they are comparatively slimmer than LCDs and provide a clearer picture with high-definition output.
Q. Which screen type is best?
Ans. AMOLED displays are the safest because they can adjust their brightness more finely as each pixel is individually lit in them. Both LCD and LED displays cause strain in the eyes, but the dim or changing light conditions in AMOLED displays minimize the eye strain.