LCD vs LED (Whats the difference?)

LED monitors and televisions are beginning to become more cheaper and affordable. They typically have a much higher contrast ratios and consume less power than traditional  LCD screens, but if you are a video editor than this may not be the best option for you. Why is that? What is the difference between LCD and LED screens?

The difference between LED and LCD technology actually has to do with the way the screens are being backlit. All LED screens really are LCD screens, but not all LCD screens use the LED technology. With an LED monitor, the backlighting is spread across a grid of tiny lights (LED’s) which are spread from one side of the screen to the other. Unlike the fluorescent lighting that a common LCD screen uses, LED screens use the entire space in order to provide even lighting from one end to the other. The extra contrast comes from the monitors ability to detect areas on the screen that are more darker and dim or to turn off the tiny LED light directly behind the dark points. This is what creates dynamic contrast which can create much darker blacks when the screen is off in areas that are dark. This can become a problem in some cases when you have a dark night sky and tiny white points of light that need to be lit more brightly while the surrounding area is pitch black. Because of this, the stars may appear more dimmer than they normally would be as the tiny light is dimmed to compensate for the majority of the space being black.

Another advantage to owning an LED monitor or television is that the screen has the ability to have a much wider viewing angle. With LCD’s, you will notice a much sharper change in contrast and clarity as you look to each side. With LED’s they will drop off as you move to each side, but the change is noticeably different. This is because of the complete coverage of the backlights that cant be used through fluorescent lighting.

LCD monitor or television has a lifespan of 4-6 years before the lights start to dim and go out. LED technologies can last quite a bit longer, giving an lifespan of 100,000 hours of light versus 60,000 hours with the fluorescent lighting.

For the majority of people, an LED screen is great because it offers a higher contrast ratio also it consumes less energy. If you do movie editing or a lot of color-accurate detailed work, you may prefer to go with a LCD monitor instead.