Backlit vs edge-lit LED TVs

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

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Backlit vs edge-lit LED TVs

As TVs have become more advanced over the years, manufacturers have moved from standard fluorescent-lit liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to LED-lit displays that distribute light in different ways.

Backlit displays have their light source behind the screen, while edge-lit TVs illuminate the display panel using lamps mounted in the sides of the monitor or TV.

There are several differences between the two regarding performance, energy consumption, and aesthetics.
 
Backlit TV - 31W more power consumption than the edge lit is not really significant (in my opinion) unless the TV is going to be on 24/7.
 
I don't think the Q60A is backlit.

It's only from the Q80A and up that is back lit nowadays
 
God knows how much electricity my OLED uses but I don't care. On holiday at the moment and all these TVs are driving me nuts with their poor quality (yes, I am now super spoilt)

Any news on how good the QNEDs (?) that Samsung sell are?
 
Dolby said:
I think the reviewers see less of a difference than the OLED owners themselves - so it depends who you ask
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I have to say, last year when I Iiterally spent what was like two days inside Hirsch and other stores, and YouTube before deciding what to buy. Started at q60 then LG nanocell and reading, reading reading reading and looking/comparing, etc.

At that point that I was looking, even the entry level Samsung TVs looked so good , and I couldn't understand why I should put down so much for an OLED.

In the end , put down the money for OLED considering it was my first TV purchase in 12 years , and I expected my replacement TV to last 12 years too (let's see if that happens)

A year later, I can finally see the differences in the TV quality backlights ,etc and super glad I went OLED. Everything just looks amazing on OLED. I think it's the reason I am watching so much more TV and movies nowadays.

Anyway, hoping OLED does become cheaper going forward.
 
TedLasso said:
I have to say, last year when I Iiterally spent what was like two days inside Hirsch and other stores, and YouTube before deciding what to buy. Started at q60 then LG nanocell and reading, reading reading reading and looking/comparing, etc.

At that point that I was looking, even the entry level Samsung TVs looked so good , and I couldn't understand why I should put down so much for an OLED.

In the end , put down the money for OLED considering it was my first TV purchase in 12 years , and I expected my replacement TV to last 12 years too (let's see if that happens)

A year later, I can finally see the differences in the TV quality backlights ,etc and super glad I went OLED. Everything just looks amazing on OLED. I think it's the reason I am watching so much more TV and movies nowadays.

Anyway, hoping OLED does become cheaper going forward.
Click to expand...

Problem with trying to decide which TV to buy in a store is that they all play content that’s specifically shot for showrooms. They’re also on full brightness and full saturation to make them stand out, and aren’t an accurate representation of how you’ll have it set up in your lounge. Luckily for you the OLED still wins hands down.
 
TedLasso said:
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Oh for sure - there's definitely a difference, I just think the real difference is closer than people believe.

When I came back and said I agreed with the reviews (ie wasn't as large a difference, I was told it was store lights and dynamic mode
 
The Voice said:
Problem with trying to decide which TV to buy in a store is that they all play content that’s specifically shot for showrooms. They’re also on full brightness and full saturation to make them stand out, and aren’t an accurate representation of how you’ll have it set up in your lounge. Luckily for you the OLED still wins hands down.
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@The Voice do you like OLED, or own one ?
 
for home use, OLED uber alles.

The only tech that can match it is micro-LED , which gets close enough on black levels, but gives much higher brightness. but those are way too expensive still.

OLEDs only downside is that they don't get as bright, but if you are not using it in crazy well lit area's its not a problem.
 
Sapphiron said:
for home use, OLED uber alles.

The only tech that can match it is micro-LED , which gets close enough on black levels, but gives much higher brightness. but those are way too expensive still.

OLEDs only downside is that they don't get as bright, but if you are not using it in crazy well lit area's its not a problem.
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Agree.

Scaling up Micro-LED makes it the worst in terms of power consumption. I can't see how they can have both bright pixels and power efficiency considering they need to scale down individual pixels but need to boost power for brightness to compensate for size.
4K configuration runs 2.4Kw (Source: https://en.tab-tv.com/?p=18650)

Dot pitch is also not good enough to compete in your typical 55-75" range most are buying these days. You need the 146" to get to 4K, but then you have 1/4 the dot pitch compared to 70" UHD TV.

The new generation of LG OLED panels are 30% (whatever that means in reality) brighter. Having lived with a 65" OLED for 2 1/2 years I still appreciate whenever I watch anything on it, especially when viewing Dolby Vision or other HDR content. The increased contrast with boosted brightness with HDR is amazing. LED Backlit LCD will never compete with the image quality.

I have over 5000 hours on my OLED and it has been worth every cent of the R6.80 per hour (and shrinking) I have spent thus far :D
 
SynergyZA said:
Agree.

Scaling up Micro-LED makes it the worst in terms of power consumption. I can't see how they can have both bright pixels and power efficiency considering they need to scale down individual pixels but need to boost power for brightness to compensate for size.
4K configuration runs 2.4Kw (Source: https://en.tab-tv.com/?p=18650)

Dot pitch is also not good enough to compete in your typical 55-75" range most are buying these days. You need the 146" to get to 4K, but then you have 1/4 the dot pitch compared to 70" UHD TV.

The new generation of LG OLED panels are 30% (whatever that means in reality) brighter. Having lived with a 65" OLED for 2 1/2 years I still appreciate whenever I watch anything on it, especially when viewing Dolby Vision or other HDR content. The increased contrast with boosted brightness with HDR is amazing. LED Backlit LCD will never compete with the image quality.

I have over 5000 hours on my OLED and it has been worth every cent of the R6.80 per hour (and shrinking) I have spent thus far :D
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Wait is it R6.80 an hour worth of electricity or did you include the cost of the tv also?
 
epah said:
Heat sink, pixel shifting/refreshing every 4 hours etc. we are not in 2015 anymore.
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So what you're saying is zero change at all of burn in anymore ?

These guys say there is a risk still, and it's also related to brightness. So my thinking if brighter could be more risk

www.cnet.com

OLED Burn-In: What You Need to Know for TVs, Phones and More

You’ve heard about image retention and burn-in. Should you be worried? Here are the facts.
www.cnet.com www.cnet.com
 
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