LCD vs. LED

[Blueface]

My 32" Samsung LCD in my bedroom is taking a fit.
Some shadow like lines/markings are showing up on my picture that appear to be permanently burned in.
At times it is becoming annoying so I have been looking around to replace it and just go bigger to a 40".

I recently saw the LED version of mine and the image is unreal as compared to an LCD. Not to mention the TV is supposed to be much more energy efficient and is practically just slightly thicker than paper.

I am a member of Consumer Reports and searched but can't find too many LED models and can't find the Samsung 40" I am looking at.

Anyone know if aside from a much better picture, if LED is more reliable? I can't phantom buying another TV for over $1,000, to see the price later drop by 2/3's, to then have it break down. I guess that is what modern technology is all about.

[MortonMilo]

I've currently got the Samsung 46" un46b7100. The picture is incredible. Takes some adjustments to the picture settings at first to make it look good. As mine was an edge-lit LED model, some dark scenes would tend to be very hard to see. Aside from that problem at the beginning, I highly recommend Samsung tv's. Their LED-LCD sets are second to none.

[Mugen910]

I don't think a 32" LED should be costing you over $1k since Fry's has a Samsung 120mhz 55" LED for $1500. Whatever you decide on...LED/LCD 60mhz/120mhz 42"+/- just don't rush on the purchase. Technology changes so rapidly that prices fall.

[scoop]

I was looking at TV's last week at Best Buy and the LED's are sweet. I purchased a Samsung 46" LCD 6 months ago and wish I would have waited and bought a LED. Still happy though the HD picture is incredible.

[OHMatt]

Calling these TVs "LED" is kind of inaccurate, they are actually LED-backlight LCD televisions. They both use liquid crystal (LCD) screen. What varies is how the screen is back-light; most LCDs use Cold Cathode Florescent Light Bars but "LED TVs" use arrays of LEDs around the perimeter. Manufacturers can produce better blacks on LCD TVs because a few LEDs can be fired instead of powering up a whole light bar.

There are also two types of LED Backlighting: Edge or RGB Dynamic. Each has benefits and drawbacks. The model you are looking at, since you mentioned it is paper-thin is probably Edge light.

LEDs have a longer life span than Fluorescent bulbs, and if an individual LED fails, you are likely not to even notice it; however the control circuitry for LED arrays will surely be more complicated than the bulb - I say reliability is probably a crap shoot between them..

My 32" Samsung LCD in my bedroom is taking a fit.
Some shadow like lines/markings are showing up on my picture that appear to be permanently burned in.
At times it is becoming annoying so I have been looking around to replace it and just go bigger to a 40".

I recently saw the LED version of mine and the image is unreal as compared to an LCD. Not to mention the TV is supposed to be much more energy efficient and is practically just slightly thicker than paper.

I am a member of Consumer Reports and searched but can't find too many LED models and can't find the Samsung 40" I am looking at.

Anyone know if aside from a much better picture, if LED is more reliable? I can't phantom buying another TV for over $1,000, to see the price later drop by 2/3's, to then have it break down. I guess that is what modern technology is all about.

[skullnrose]

I just recently bought a Sony KDL 46EX701 Edge lit led at costco and couldn't be more happy with it. The costco model of this TV comes with the wireless dongle so you can stream Netflix or Amazon on demand ect.. If you buy the TV at Bestbuy you will have to buy the dongle separately ($100 and backorderd) Costco includes a 3 year warranty and If you use Amex you extended it to 4 Years. I have almost always bought Samsung TV's but to me the Sony just had a better picture.

For me this was a Bedroom TV so I wasn't going to be super critical with every aspect of the TV. An edge lit LED will give you some " Flash lighting" do to having the LED's located on the edge. This will be most notable while viewing a pure black screen but I haven't noticed it yet during normal viewing. If you think the Flash lighting effect will bother you look in to a Backlit LED but be prepared to pay a premium.

If I can help in any way feel free to drop me a PM.

[colinb913]

have the 55" samsung led 120 hertz in my basement and I love it. But I cant play xbox on it.. it just feels weird.
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[Mugen910]

have the 55" samsung led 120 hertz in my basement and I love it. But I cant play xbox on it.. it just feels weird.
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that's because you didn't change the setting on the 120mhz to game settings reducing lag.

[skullnrose]

have the 55" samsung led 120 hertz in my basement and I love it. But I cant play xbox on it.. it just feels weird.
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Does it just feel weird due to the size or are you having some other issue?

Mugen910 beat me to it. Usually it has to do with the motion flow settings.

[colinb913]

It is picture lag. Do I change settings on the xbox or TV? The tv seems to change to 120 when watching blu-ray,
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[CigarNut]

As I understand it, one of he other advantages to the LED sets is that they produce much less heat. Always a factor in terms of wear-and-tear, etc.

[skullnrose]

It is picture lag. Do I change settings on the xbox or TV? The tv seems to change to 120 when watching blu-ray,
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There should be an option to turn the motion settings off in the TV's menu. Some TV's have a Game mode setting depending on the TV.

Try going over to the AVS Forum and search for your TV Model these people rip into everything TV like we rip into everything cigar.

[poker]

I have a Samsung LN55B650 Touch of Color 55" LCD and am quite happy with it. Maybe when the LED technology becomes old news I'll spring for one, but any new technology is expensive technology.

[jjirons69]

Carlos - A big plasma fan here, so all I can do is send some info your way. Trying doing some research before you buy. You can start here:

http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/?tag=TOCleftColumn.0

Also, google the model numbers of your interests and see how they perform.

[markem]

I just bought a 55" LED from Samsung that rocks. In my opinion, way better than LED and more flexible with regard to location and viewing options as well. This is the one we bought

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+55%22+Class+/+1080p+/+240Hz+/+3D+LED-LCD+HDTV/9798538.p?skuId=9798538&id=1218176210288

[shilala]

Carlos, I'm like Jamie. I have two plasmas and a DLP.
I've looked at LED laptop displays, and the tv's at the store. I don't get it.
I wouldn't own an lcd tv, I think they suck. The picture is choppy, the viewing angle is poor, they just plain suck from start to finish, at least in my world.
If I were to buy a new tv right now, it'd be plasma if I could find one.
Maybe once the LED's come down in price and they get the bugs worked out, I'd jump. I wouldn't own another DLP, even though I love mine. It's broken more often than not, and didn't work for an entire year when I got it. They finally sent a guy from 200 miles away to fix it.
I do think LED is where it's all going to stop, and we'll settle in with that technology, if only for the energy savings. I'm going to look at them a little closer now and see what's to like. I suppose I should get up to speed. :)
Good luck, however you decide, brother!!! :tu

[aich75013]

I have a Plasma and a DLP. Both Samsung.
We bought the DLP due to the price for that size. 61" would have cost 4x a plasma when we bought it almost 4 years ago. No issues and still gonig on the original bulb.
I love the colors on the plasma.
I did not like the LCDs when I was shopping and the LEDs had not come out yet, so I have not researched them at all.

[captain53]

Samsung LED is the best thing on the market right now (without spending a whole lot more) and far far superior to the other LED's produced. Costco has had some Samsung LED's at good prices recently but you never know what they will have at any given time.

LED has a tremendously longer life than Plasma or DLP.

[captain53]

I have a Plasma and a DLP. Both Samsung.
We bought the DLP due to the price for that size. 61" would have cost 4x a plasma when we bought it almost 4 years ago. No issues and still gonig on the original bulb.
I love the colors on the plasma.
I did not like the LCDs when I was shopping and the LEDs had not come out yet, so I have not researched them at all.

I have a 4 year old Samsung 61" and replaced the $150 bulb last year and now the color wheel went out (a common failure) and it is ovder $500 for the repair so it is going to the $hit Can. Hello LED!

[jjirons69]

Carlos, yet another site to keep your eye on.

http://slickdeals.net/

[Blueface]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

Went to BJ's today and they have some great prices on them. However, Best Buy, as much as I don't like them anymore, has 3 yrs same as cash financing on TV's over $999 right now.

I considered Plasma but am concerned with the longevity. This TV will be used every night just about as I prefer to lay down in my bed to watch tv than in my family room due to my Tempurpedic mattress and my bad back. Then to top it off, I shut it off to go to sleep and the wife turns it on, and leaves it on all night long, pissing me off and giving me information overload by the time I wake up.

Based on that, need something that will be durable. The one I have now lasted about 5 years or so the more I think about it. Not bad, but rather it last longer.

[captain53]

At the camp I have a 42" Panasonic Plasma (720P not 1080 but that does not matter except on Hi Def Video) that I got at Costco for $549 which is a heck of a deal and I am very happy with it.

[Ratters]

Carlos, I'm like Jamie. I have two plasmas and a DLP.
I've looked at LED laptop displays, and the tv's at the store. I don't get it.
I wouldn't own an lcd tv, I think they suck. The picture is choppy, the viewing angle is poor, they just plain suck from start to finish, at least in my world.
If I were to buy a new tv right now, it'd be plasma if I could find one.
Maybe once the LED's come down in price and they get the bugs worked out, I'd jump. I wouldn't own another DLP, even though I love mine. It's broken more often than not, and didn't work for an entire year when I got it. They finally sent a guy from 200 miles away to fix it.
I do think LED is where it's all going to stop, and we'll settle in with that technology, if only for the energy savings. I'm going to look at them a little closer now and see what's to like. I suppose I should get up to speed. :)
Good luck, however you decide, brother!!! :tu


Yup, I love my plasma. Was at the cigar shop a couple weeks ago and they have an LCD and plasma next to each other. The LCD has a brighter picture but watching hockey was almost nauseating on the lcd it was so choppy but looked awesome on the plasma. I know the 120hz is sposda be better, but plasmas run at 600hz. And my 58" Samsung is used A LOT.

[shilala]

Carlos, let us know what you get, regardless of what you choose. I'm curious to see what you pick. With your luck, it's probably gonna be screwed up, but at least we'll all know what to avoid. :D

[jjirons69]

I considered Plasma but am concerned with the longevity. This TV will be used every night just about as I prefer to lay down in my bed to watch tv than in my family room due to my Tempurpedic mattress and my bad back. Then to top it off, I shut it off to go to sleep and the wife turns it on, and leaves it on all night long, pissing me off and giving me information overload by the time I wake up.

Based on that, need something that will be durable. The one I have now lasted about 5 years or so the more I think about it. Not bad, but rather it last longer.

The half life on my Panny 58V10 panel brightness is 100,000 hours, or over 11.4 years if it stayed on 24/7. That's a half panel brightness (which can be turned up). Not much to worry about here. Heck, hit the sleep function and it'll go off for you. New technology will get you before the set becomes physically obsolete. Sports and movies in a dark room, IMO are a lot better on a plasma. Daytime or outdoor viewing may be better on a LCD/LED. Also remember, you get what you pay for.

Good luck anyway, Carlos! New TVs are tons of fun!

[Thrak]

I know the 120hz is sposda be better, but plasmas run at 600hz.

Thats not true.. its a marketing gimmick... the split the screen into 4 quadrants and each quad MIGHT refresh at 150hz... 150x4 = 600 so they get to say 600hz.... or you get 12 "interpolations" every 50 frames = 600...

Marketing lies tick me off.

edit - I see that panasonic has even taken it a step further
http://www.asa.org.uk/Complaints-and-ASA-action/Adjudications/2009/10/Panasonic-UK-Ltd/TF_ADJ_47106.aspx

their 600hz claim refers to the processor... wtf?!

Panasonic UK Ltd (Panasonic) said the "600Hz technology" referred to the processing power, not the frame rate. They explained that the frame rate (or refresh rate) was the rate at which the image on the screen was refreshed, whereas the processing power, an electronic pulse, was applied to the incoming TV picture before it was displayed on the screen.

So just be careful with the marketing bs from ALL tv companies these days.

[Ratters]

Ah, learn something new everyday. Well, anyway, sports look much smoother on the plasma than on the LCD to my eye. Though the brightness of an LCD would be nice during the daytime.

[JE3146]

The half life on my Panny 58V10 panel brightness is 100,000 hours, or over 11.4 years if it stayed on 24/7. That's a half panel brightness (which can be turned up). Not much to worry about here. Heck, hit the sleep function and it'll go off for you. New technology will get you before the set becomes physically obsolete. Sports and movies in a dark room, IMO are a lot better on a plasma. Daytime or outdoor viewing may be better on a LCD/LED. Also remember, you get what you pay for.

Good luck anyway, Carlos! New TVs are tons of fun!

I love my PDP to death, but the glare on it from an open window is absolutely horrid.

I'd also give off the argument that PDP's give off a LOT of heat, but recent models I've felt actually run a lot cooler than mine does. So it might depend on the model.

[ir13]

Carlos, yet another site to keep your eye on.

http://slickdeals.net/

Dont forget

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/

[Kreth]

Marketing lies tick me off.
Like Sharp's latest, that yellow makes HD better? George Takei rocks, but someone didn't think this through. "Let's have a Japanese actor pimping yellow." :rolleyes:
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[BengalMan]

When we moved into our new house in September, I purchased an LG 55" 240hz Class LED. The picture is simply mind blowing. I highly recommend going with an LED over a new LCD or Plasma.

[Thrak]

To clear up a common misconception in this thread...

LED is LCD... its just a different lighting method.

[jcruse64]

To clear up a common misconception in this thread...

LED is LCD... its just a different lighting method.

Aren't the "LED's" just LCD screens with LED backlights??? Supposedly, true LED screens are in development, including organic LED. I saw an article with pictures of a development toy; the screen can be rolled up.

[Thrak]

Aren't the "LED's" just LCD screens with LED backlights??? Supposedly, true LED screens are in development, including organic LED. I saw an article with pictures of a development toy; the screen can be rolled up.

Yup... its just a different backlight method for an LCD, not a different panel like what is still being developed...

I saw a laptop that can be rolled up like a rug... it was sweet!

[poker]

To clear up a common misconception in this thread...

LED is LCD... its just a different lighting method.

Actually it is, and its not.

A good quick read I found about LED vs. LCD and the different styles of LED backlighting used by brand/model.

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/hdtv/led-vs-lcd.html

[Blueface]

Actually it is, and its not.

A good quick read I found about LED vs. LCD and the different styles of LED backlighting used by brand/model.

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/hdtv/led-vs-lcd.html

Kelly,
That is an awesome link.

For my bedroom, I went on Sunday and sealed my fate.
I got a great price on the Samsung 40" LED 120 Hz and got three years same as cash.
I only got to use it Sunday night as I left town since but man, what a difference over my Samsung 32" 60 Hz. I can't wait to go back home and see it.

I think as soon as I pay this off, will look to either do a large plasma in the family room or see if the LED 3D has come down in price by then, or if it survives at all. Who knows, that technology may end up joining the 8-Track and the Beta if those glasses don't come down considerably in price.

[scoop]

Actually it is, and its not.

A good quick read I found about LED vs. LCD and the different styles of LED backlighting used by brand/model.

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/hdtv/led-vs-lcd.html


Thanks for the link. A lot of great information.

[Thrak]

Actually it is, and its not.

A good quick read I found about LED vs. LCD and the different styles of LED backlighting used by brand/model.

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/hdtv/led-vs-lcd.html

The very beginning of the article says exactly what I said..

LED TVs are technically a member of the LCD TV family. The display screen on a LED is a liquid crystal display the same as it is on any other LCD TV. The main difference between the two lies with different backlighting techniques which may change the picture quality characteristics dramatically

[Blueface]

The very beginning of the article says exactly what I said..

What a major difference in picture between my LCD and the new LED.
Can't wait to get back home tonight to enjoy it.
Having had to travel the next morning after buying it is like a child getting a toy but having to wrap it and put it away for Christmas.