LCD vs LED TV

[usc_yogi]

I am looking to upgrade my SD tv that I have in my bedroom. I've had this tv for 20 years and it still going strong, but I am ready for an HD upgrade for the bedroom.

I have a 47 inch LCD in the living room that I have been pleased with. I am looking for something in the 32 inch range for the bedroom. The LED tvs are usually a little more expensive but not by much. What is the benefit of going LED over LCD?

[ShutTheSuccop]

Originally Posted by usc_yogi

I am looking to upgrade my SD tv that I have in my bedroom. I've had this tv for 20 years and it still going strong, but I am ready for an HD upgrade for the bedroom.

I have a 47 inch LCD in the living room that I have been pleased with. I am looking for something in the 32 inch range for the bedroom. The LED tvs are usually a little more expensive but not by much. What is the benefit of going LED over LCD?

I have both and can not really tell much of a difference. For the bedroom, I would just go and see which looks better in the store in the size that you want. I have been leaning more towards LED's lately...I am about to buy a 46-52 inch for our living room in the next few months so I will be back in the tv market. Good luck!

[uscbrasco]

Only difference between the 2 are how they are lit, which affect the thickness. Technology wise they are effectively equivolent. Not exactly the same but more or less the same.

[d20636]

Just my $0.02 - I'm no expert and didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night...

The diff between the two is the back lighting - both have LCD screens, but the "LCD" tv has a CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent light) backlight rather than LED backlighting. (Some LED tv's have "edge lighting".)

LED is brighter, and if it's back lit rather than edge lit, the black is more, well, "black". LED edge lighting produces the super-slim tv's, but there are fewer led areas to turn on/off so the contrast isn't as sharp.

I believe the LCD screen outlasts plasma screens (regardless of back lighting). The plasma's best advantage (IMHO) is the viewing angles - plasma has very wide angles - you don't need to be directly in front of the TV to see it...

I have an LCD (CCFL) in my family room and LED in the bedroom - and like the LED better, but it's also higher res (1080p vs. 720p), so that may be the diff...

[AtlGAMECOCK]

Aren't led tvs more energy efficient Idk if it's by a lot or a little

[eightohhthree]

IMO there shouldnt be that much of a difference for your replacement bedroom TV. Both will be a huge improvement over what you've got now. I would just go with whatever is least expensive.

[usc_yogi]

Thanks for the input. I have a couple of gift cards to Wally World so I will have to choose from their selection of 32 inch screens. I was looking at the Vizio LCD and LED tvs. My wife noticed a differrence in the brightness in the two, but I told her the brightness might be turned up more on one than the other.

The thickness of the tv shouldn't be a problem since my SDTV with its big back protruding fits on my dresser. The TV is located at the foot of my bed, so viewing angles aren't a problem.

[Spur's Addiction]

LED TV is a type of LCD TV.

Just the back-lighting is different. Otherwise they are the same. Supposedly they are a little better. But go see for yourself.

[The Yancey]

I was looking for a new bedroom TV as well a few months back. I got a good cyber Monday deal on this for $369. It is a tad more than that now but still a good buy. http://store.vizio.com/via-hdtvs/m320sl.html

[G&B]

Spur's is correct. LED is the backlighting used in an LCD screen. They are almost all LED now...they were florescent backlights in the past. LED is more dependable (life) and crisper due to the intensity.


LCD have a matte screen, plasma have a gloss screen. Plasma still give a better picture for the $$ but you have to factor in your room lighting and windows...plasmas get a lot of reflection.

I just bought a 55" LCD when my older 42" went into the shop. I had it repaired for 250 and will put it in another room in the house.

The 55" looks great, I have it connected with a high end HDMI cable and it looks almost 3d.

I got the insignia (best buy brand) and it cost me $699 right after christmas.


Also factor the resolution and scan rate. 1080p is better than the 760p and 120hz scan rate is better than the 60hz rate.

you can get 760p/60hz tvs for a couple hundred less but you will see the quality difference.

plasma has a much higher scan rate of up to 600hz, part of the better quality equation.

hope that helps....

[ReadR00ster]

I recommend going to store and buying the tv with the picture you like the best.

[FlorenceCock]

Originally Posted by G&B

Spur's is correct. LED is the backlighting used in an LCD screen. They are almost all LED now...they were florescent backlights in the past. LED is more dependable (life) and crisper due to the intensity.


LCD have a matte screen, plasma have a gloss screen. Plasma still give a better picture for the $$ but you have to factor in your room lighting and windows...plasmas get a lot of reflection.

I just bought a 55" LCD when my older 42" went into the shop. I had it repaired for 250 and will put it in another room in the house.

The 55" looks great, I have it connected with a high end HDMI cable and it looks almost 3d.

I got the insignia (best buy brand) and it cost me $699 right after christmas.


Also factor the resolution and scan rate. 1080p is better than the 760p and 120hz scan rate is better than the 60hz rate.

you can get 760p/60hz tvs for a couple hundred less but you will see the quality difference.

plasma has a much higher scan rate of up to 600hz, part of the better quality equation.

hope that helps....

You mean 720p? Also the 60hz vs 120hz is the refresh rate not the scan rate. You really will not tell much difference if at all between a 60hz and a 120hz just watching regular television. You will notice a slight difference when you watch stuff with allot of action like sports but it really isn't that big of a deal.

[ReadR00ster]

Originally Posted by Spur's Addiction

LED TV is a type of LCD TV.

Just the back-lighting is different. Otherwise they are the same. Supposedly they are a little better. But go see for yourself.

The backlight is worth it my opinion. I just got a 39" insignia LED at Best Buy 1080p, 120 hz refresh rate for $369 and I think it's pretty dope. I had bough a couple of "Sceptre" Tvs before that, and the picture seemed a little off because it didn't have much if any backlighting.

[usc_yogi]

Is there really any need for a 1080p tv over a 720p tv for my bedroom. I'm not going to be watching blu rays in there just Netflix and HD tv channels?

[CCtiger91]

Can't really go wrong with either, but the LCD will save you some cash if you're looking to save some money. I have a Samsung 46" LCD and Samsung 32" LED and there isn't much of a difference at all. Both are great IMO.

[sandstorm2001]

Originally Posted by usc_yogi

Is there really any need for a 1080p tv over a 720p tv for my bedroom. I'm not going to be watching blu rays in there just Netflix and HD tv channels?

Well really there isn't even a need to buy an HDTV if your old SDTV still works. Now that we've moved past that it's about whether or not you WANT 1080p in your bedroom over 720p. If you look at them in the store and can't tell enough of a difference to care don't spend the extra money. If it was me I would get 1080p, but that's because I'm somewhat of a tech snob.

[sandstorm2001]

Originally Posted by CCtiger91

Can't really go wrong with either, but the LCD will save you some cash if you're looking to save some money. I have a Samsung 46" LCD and Samsung 32" LED and there isn't much of a difference at all. Both are great IMO.

IMO Samsung is the only brand you should be looking at if you're buying LCD/LED.

[uscbrasco]

Originally Posted by usc_yogi

Is there really any need for a 1080p tv over a 720p tv for my bedroom. I'm not going to be watching blu rays in there just Netflix and HD tv channels?

I have heard/read that the human eye cannot tell the difference between the 720 and 1080. Dont know if its true, just something to consider.

Also need to take into account what your cable actually provides. Most cable providers are only pushing 720 into your house, so the 1080 is wasted.

[CCtiger91]

Originally Posted by sandstorm2001

IMO Samsung is the only brand you should be looking at if you're buying LCD/LED.

I'll back that up 100%

[ReadR00ster]

Originally Posted by sandstorm2001

IMO Samsung is the only brand you should be looking at if you're buying LCD/LED.

Samsung is not cheap though also Sharp, Panasonic, and Sony are also great brands if you are willing to spend the dough. If you are playing games you want 120 hz refresh rate and 1080p. If you are only are looking for 32 inch or less you don't really need 1080p or LED.