Just What Is LED and OLED TV?

LED TVs are very similar to existing LCD TVs. The difference lies in how the screens are lit. While traditional LCD TVs use florescent backlights, LED TVs use smaller, more energy-efficient LEDs. Though LED TVs are slimmer than traditional LCDs, the need for backlighting still makes LED TVs larger than they could be. While LED screens produce great color, the brightness of the lights can also wash out blacks on the screen.

OLED TVs have elements that generate their own light and don't require an extra lighting source. Their screens can produce vibrant colors by drawing on electrical current, and don't need active current at all to produce a true black color. This means thinner sets, better blacks, and lower energy consumption.

What's the Right HDTV for Me?

Which TV is right for you in the LED vs. OLED showdown? The biggest determining factor right now is price. Because OLED TVs are new on the market, expect them to run at least two to three times the cost of today's LED TVs.

If you are shopping in a price range that includes both, other considerations are viewing angle quality, power consumption, and picture contrast. OLED is the winner in all these categories. Here's why it pulls ahead in the LED vs. OLED matchup.

LED screens suffer from reduced picture quality if you sit too far to one side or if the TV is too high or too low relative to your eyes. OLED TVs don't suffer from these issues. OLED vs. LED: winner OLED.

The power draw of OLED TVs is less than LED TVs when you're watching TV and movies. LEDs must light the entire screen, while OLEDs just light up the parts of the screen that need it. On the flip side, if you are surfing the web on your OLED TV, sites with a lot of white on the screen will cause your OLED to draw more power than a comparable LED TV. OLED vs. LED: winner OLED.

Finally, picture contrast is a big concern. Due to how LEDs shine light behind the screen, it's difficult for the set to display deep blacks. Some sets offer automated dimming across parts of the screen, but that can create light that leaks into dimmed areas and other uneven lighting issues. OLED TVs can individually turn off the parts of the screen that are supposed to be black, leaving very vibrant colors in contrast. OLED vs. LED: winner OLED.

So What Should I Buy?

When it comes to OLED vs. LED, LED TVs have a few issues, but their price (and the fact that they have a better picture than traditional LCDs) makes them attractive. OLEDs may look like a dream set, but you'd better be ready to reach deep in your pockets for that particular entertainment experience.

Further Reading