LED Backlighting - TVs Are Going Green

The latest generation of LCD television technology is a whopping 40% more energy efficient than last years models.  Samsung, Sony and Toshiba have all introduced TV models utilizing LED backlighting, replacing the more power hungry CCFL backlight used in previous years.  To verify power consumption, Techtree.com performed measurements on a 46" LED TV using a power meter with different levels of Energy saving.  The measured power usage was between 72W and 116W depending on energy savings level.  In contrast, LG's 42" plasma TV consumed between 150W and 255W depending on the Eco mode.

Samsung, calling it's technology "LED TV", has been heavily criticized by competitors.  The TV is LED-backlit, not a true LED TV like the more advanced technology called Organic LED (OLED) TV.  An OLED panel is constructed using different materials and there is no need for backlighting;  thus very low power.  The pixels are made of organic compounds that react to electric current causing individual pixels to light up.  Sony unveiled the first consumer OLED screen last fall but the display measures only 11 inches and it sells for $2,499.  Sony may produce a living room-sized model later this year, but don't expect it to be affordable. A large screen OLED TV is several years away from consumer mass production.

Apart from the previously mentioned OLED technology, Sony has an LCD TV offering called the Bravia.  The Bravia uses Edge LED backlighting, meaning that the LED's are mounted on the side rather than using a backlight array.  Doing so allows the Bravia to achieve a very slim profile.

Toshiba's offering in the LED-backlight arena is the REGZA SV670.  This TV model incorporates the company's FocaLight Full Matrix LED with local dimming instead of edge LED lighting.  This allows individual groups of LEDs to be independently controlled, achieving deep blacks without sacrificing peak brightness.  This TV will apparently deliver a dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1.

In terms of the ecological footprint there is still some debate as to whether LED backlight technology is better.   LED-backlit LCD TVs have a longer life and better efficiency than other high definition displays.  LEDs also don't utilize mercury, resulting in fewer problems with TV disposal.  But they do use two undesirable substances, gallium and arsenic in the manufacture of the LED emitters.

Thanks To : Samsung LN26C450 Sony BRAVIA BX 300 Sharp AQUOS LC19DV28UT

LED Back-Lighting For LCD Television

In the highly competitive television market, LCD could retain its superiority throughout due to many advantageous factors. LCD television is well known for its energy efficiency. This single advantage has earned more patronage for the product in the context of energy costs spiraling upwards all over the world. Further energy conservation is now part of universal agenda. Unlike its competitor plasma television, LCD does not suffer from burn-in problems. But in some models individual pixels on the LCD screen burn causing black and white dots. Florescent bulbs illuminate the liquid crystals which is not self luminescent.

In the recent past some modification was effected in the LCD television as far as the backlighting is concerned. Instead of florescent bulbs, Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (LED as it is known) is used for backlighting. It is Sony in their Bravia model used the above technique for the first time. The new technology is given the nomenclature LED-LCD television. One of the main advantages of this new technique is the enhanced viewing angles in this new version of LCD television. Shorter viewing angles was a drawback in the LCD and was also an irritant in this otherwise superior product. Employment of LED helped to increase the longevity of LCD. Brightness level is also improved. Generation of heat is considerably reduced. Colour saturation is found superb after the induction of LED backlighting, apart from the enhanced colour reproduction capability.

The conventional LCD television required periodical replacement of florescent bulbs. But introduction of LED backlighting eliminated the need for such replacement of bulbs. The durability of LED system is significant. Use of more than three colours in the LED backlighting helped the system to exceed the NTSC standard stipulated in the context of colour range. Another remarkable advantage is that LED backed television can function on low voltage unlike others. It also reduces the delay in the commencement of display as warming up of the system is not necessary. Refresh rates is also enhanced. However there are minor hitches in the new system. Local dimming feature is a phenomenon which may increase energy consumption marginally. Secondly this new version of LCD television will be costlier than the earlier models.

But experts who have studied the patterns of consumer behavior in respect of entertainment segment allay such apprehensions. Cost escalation for the sake of quality enhancement will not adversely affect the market fortunes of products and services. They are able to point out examples for such behavioral patterns in the past. All products that are cheaper need not attract consumer patronage. It is expected that more LCD manufacturers may follow the Sony example and adopt LED backlighting in their products. LED backlighting technique has received support from environmentalists as it is found having no hazards of mercury contamination from discarded junks. Those who share environmental concerns do agree that cost escalation should not be an excuse for environmental pollution. Enlightened consumers will share this view and opt for LED based LCD television in the future.

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