6. LED TVs are also eco-friendly
LEDs are considered less toxic than CCFL backlights because they don't use any mercury in the manufacturing process. They're extremely efficient and produce more light per watt than a traditional incandescent bulb. Crucially, they also consume about 40 percent less power compared to a conventional LCD TV. As Yoon Boo-Keun, the President and General Manager of Samsung's Visual Display Division pointed out at IFA 2009: "If every TV in the world switched to LED, we could save 13 million kilowatts of electricity – enough to supply all 39 million households in Germany."
7. LED's popularity is on the up
Sony was the first company to launch a LED-backlit LCD TV and an edge-lit LED TV – the 40-inch Bravia KLV-40ZX1M. It plans to unveil a new ZX5 range later this year with a depth of just 15.8mm. Samsung is currently leading the LED charge with its 6, 7 and 8-series TVs. Its top-end, 46-inch UE46B8000 LED-backlit LCD TV is only 29.9mm thick.
PLASMA RIVAL:The Sony Bravia KDL-46X4500 produces some stunning pictures
Toshiba announced its first LED-backlit TV – the Regza SV – at IFA, while Philips unwrapped a new Aurea. Sharp is also dipping its toes in LED waters with the LE600 and LE700 TVs, while LG's borderless SL9000 LED LCD TV certainly catches the eye.
AUREA VISION: Philips unveiled a brand new LED-backlit Aurea at IFA. But the backlighting technology was overshadowed by 3D TV demos
8. Of course, LED still can't beat a plasma
While LED backlighting dramatically improves the performance of an LCD, it still lags behind plasma (PDP) and OLED technologies when it comes to displaying perfect blacks and vivid colours. But while plasma is at its best when used in large panels (say, 42-inches and up) and as nobody's yet produced a commercially available OLED TV bigger than 15 inches, LED still has a big market to aim at.
9. LED-based TVs are pricey
While LED backlighting is efficient, flexible, powerful and clean, it's still a new technology. Which means you'll pay a premium for it. Expect to pay around £1,300 for Samsung's 40-inch UE40B8000 LED-backlit TV, compared to £980 for the FHD LE40B750 LCD TV, which uses traditional CCFL backlighting.
10. LED is a stop-gap technology until OLED arrives
OLED is viewed as the natural successor to LCD. The organic material used in an OLED panel emits its own light when charged, so there's no need for a separate backlight. LED or otherwise. But despite the appearance of LG's 15-inch OLED TV at IFA 2009, OLED displays remain expensive to manufacture, especially in large sizes. Manufacturers are taking baby steps with the technology and decent-sized OLED TVs aren't expected to be on sale until late 2010 or 2011 at the earliest.
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Liked this? Then check out First impressions: LG 15-inch OLED TV
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