What Exactly is a LED TV?

The LED TV is one of the latest technological improvements to hit the market – and the prices are still rather prohibitive, though they have already started to decrease, and will most certainly continue to do so. To set records straight from the beginning, this is not a different type of television set, it's an improvement of the LCD. Basically, “classic” LCDs use cold-cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs) for back-lighting, while the LED TV uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which allow better contrast, especially when it comes to areas of black. Thus, this technology helps bring the quality of the image close to that of plasma TVs, and, at the same time, allows the production of the thinnest television sets on the market. So, technically, the correct name would be LCD LED TV , as opposed to LCD CCFL TV, but we're getting lost in acronyms here, so the manufacturers simplified things and shortened the abbreviation (though, in the process, they inadvertently created the impression that this is a brand new technology, which is not completely true.)

To complicate matters even more, there are two types of LED configurations available on the market – the direct one, which may occasionally brighten up the objects too much, causing a sort of a halo to appear on screen, and the edge configuration, which doesn't have this problem anymore. In addition, the edge configuration makes the entire set even thinner, and reduces the electricity consumption a bit.

If you decide to buy an LED TV, keep in mind that not even the best technology in the world can compensate for improper installation, unbalanced settings, and poor care and maintenance. Make sure, from the very beginning, that you place the television set in the right spot, so that you will view exactly the center of the screen, at a 90 degrees angle, when you sit in front of it. All LCD TV screens have a problem when you're off angle; you'll notice that if you move a little to the right or to the left while watching.

Take your time to adjust the settings correctly. You can browse various forums related to this issue, where you'll find recommended settings from users who have taken their time to research the matter thoroughly.

The image can't be crystal clear if the screen is covered with dust and fingerprints. In this case, the slim and sleek look of the LED TV is actually a bit of a disadvantage, as it makes it more difficult to clean. Always unplug the device before cleaning it, and allow it to cool off for about fifteen minutes. Make sure you don't press the screen and don't rub it vigorously, as you can easily damage it. Use a soft, dry cloth and an anti-static brush to dust off your TV set. If you need to, you can also use screen cleaners, but make sure you apply the substance on the cloth, and not directly on the screen. Under any circumstance, do not use paper towels, water, sprays that are not clearly marked that they're safe for TV, and so on.

And, last but not least, keep in mind that the LED technology doesn't always mean better image. There are considerable variations from one producer to another and from one model to another, so take your time and research your options carefully before investing.