Despite the fact that computers and smartphones have become an integral part of human life and can play any video, a device such as a TV still remains relevant. Users are accustomed to watching their favorite films and TV series on a large and high-quality display, so when buying a new TV you should pay special attention to its characteristics. The key factor when choosing such a device is the type and resolution of the screen. Today the most popular are OLED, AMOLED, plasma and liquid crystal matrices. Let's figure out what OLED TVs are, and also look at their disadvantages and decide whether they are worth buying.
What are OLED TVs?
The OLED matrix consists entirely of organic light-emitting diodes, which light up on their own and do not require a backlight. These TVs are based on carbon film, which is placed directly in front of the glass display. Each diode is independent and lights up immediately after the passage of electric current. Every pixel emits light, and when it is necessary to broadcast black, nothing lights up. Thanks to this technology, dark shades are truly vibrant and rich.
OLED TVs are much more economical than their analogues, which can reduce energy consumption by 50-65%. The screens of such devices are characterized by high brightness, contrast and clarity. The only noticeable drawback is the cost of such TVs. If we compare models with LCD and OLED matrices, the first option will cost 2-3 times less than its competitor. But the difference in image transmission will be noticeable.
Color OLED
To create a color image, one of three technologies is used:
- A split color emitter is a simple and energy efficient option. It is characterized by the complexity of selecting materials that emit light of the same intensity and color.
- White Emitters Plus Color Filters – Three white emitters emit light through color filters. Part of the energy is spent on overcoming the filters with light.
- Conversion of short-wave radiation - luminescent materials convert the blue radiation of the emitters into long-wave radiation - red and green, blue remains intact.
Manufacturing technology
OLED matrices are produced in factories in 5 stages. First, the manufacturer selects the size and material of the substrate, which will determine the diagonal of the TV screen in the future. At the next stage, the material is carefully processed using automated technology. Afterwards, an electronic control module is manufactured that will understand the signals and highlight the necessary pixels. At the fourth stage, an organic layer and a special structure pattern are applied. The last step is to seal the matrix to prevent moisture, dust and air from entering it.
The application of organic layers is carried out using FMM (Fine Metal Mask) technology. Its essence comes down to covering the previous layer with a shadow mask, making it possible to apply the template itself. All unnecessary materials present in the vacuum chamber are removed through evaporation. OLED matrices are made not only for televisions, but also for computers, smartphones and tablets.
Please note that this production technology, although the most popular, is not the only one.
Materials for OLED TVs and their classification
Today, there are several materials for creating OLED panels. They are mainly divided into two types:
- Consisting of large molecules (P-OLED) - such materials are applied using inkjet printing or by centrifugation. R-OLED has enormous technological capabilities and potential.
- Low molecular weight (OLED) - this material helps make OLED displays much better thanks to evaporation technology. Today, scientists are developing other methods of applying organic material.
However, there is another classification, in which the materials used are divided into:
- Phosphorescent materials are associated with the future of lighting panels. Also, with their help it will be possible to create a large OLED display, but so far such materials do not last as long as we would like.
- Fluorescent materials will last longer, but they are not as effective as phosphorescent materials.
Samsung OLED TVs combine these two materials. Thus, OLED TV uses fluorescent light sources for green and blue colors, and phosphorescent ones for red ones.
Types of OLED Screens
OLED display technology is developing at a rapid pace, allowing the creation of new types of screens. We suggest considering the main ones:
- TOLED. This technology is mainly used to make transparent panels for watches, virtual reality glasses and car speedometers. The latter refers to navigators that broadcast an image onto the windshield of a car. Opaque substrates for other devices can also be used.
- AMOLED. In such a matrix, the main cells are blue, red and green. Displays with this production technology are found in monitors, smartphones, tablets, laptops and TVs.
- In the manufacture of such matrices, the principle of electrophosphorescence is used, due to which all energy is converted into light. Such displays are installed in large Ultra HD and 4K TVs, and are also used to illuminate large rooms.
- In this type of matrix, all pixels are placed vertically, which ensures the creation of a clear and high-quality image. Each element is independent, so the picture turns out natural and rich. Screens with similar manufacturing technology are quite expensive and are installed in premium-level devices.
- For such a matrix, the basis is a metal or plastic substrate, which makes it possible to make curved displays. TVs with such screens are expensive, but they allow you to get a high-quality picture.
As you can see, OLED matrices are divided into several types, so when choosing a TV with such a screen, proceed from your available budget.
There are also disadvantages to OLED matrices
Of course, there are still disadvantages to OLED technology. Thus, the “blue” pixel lives much shorter than the “green” and “red” ones. But, for example, LG solves this problem by installing a “white” pixel with a color filter system. Such OLED TVs are no longer inferior to widely used technologies in terms of service life.
In addition, OLED technology and production do not stand still. Already, “long-lived” organic diodes are being created and such a “blue” pixel continuously operates for 17.5 thousand hours, which is quite comparable to the service life of LCD and plasma screens.
Image quality
The picture on OLED TVs is the clearest, most realistic and richest. Each pixel works independently, so you can enjoy truly black colors. The image on the screen is transmitted with the highest brightness, approximately 100,000 cd/m2. No other matrix can boast of such a contrast ratio, which is within 10 million to 1. Note that organic LEDs can produce higher values, so such TVs are the future.
If we compare OLED TVs with plasma ones, in the first case only the desired pixel is illuminated, and not the entire panel. On older TVs, the screen is either completely lit or not lit at all. This is a huge disadvantage, as dark colors turn out unnatural, and energy consumption also increases.
How does it all work from the technical side?
In order to create organic light-emitting diodes, thin-film structures with a large number of layers made of polymers are used. When current is applied to the positively charged anode, the electrolytes in the device flow from the negatively charged cathode to the anode. In this case, the cathode gives electrodes to the emissive layer, and the anode takes them from the conductive layer. Thus, the conductive layer becomes positively charged and the emissive layer negatively charged.
Under the influence of voltage, negative and positive particles begin to move towards each other and at certain moments recombine. At the same time, negative particles in such technologies move much faster, and the recombination process occurs near the emission layer. During this process, the energy of the electron is reduced and electromagnetic radiation is released in the visible light region. If the anode is negatively charged, the display will not work, since the electrons will move in a different direction and recombination will not occur.
The anode is often made of indium oxide, which is doped with tin. Such an anode has a high work function, which facilitates the injection of so-called holes into the polymer layer. In addition, it is transparent to visible light. The cathode is often made of calcium or aluminum, since these metals have a low work function.
Viewing Angles
An important parameter when choosing a TV is its viewing angles, since the quality of viewing will directly depend on this. If a large company gathers, the image on the screen must be clear from any side, otherwise certain people will be uncomfortable watching the content.
OLED TVs have the most ideal viewing angles, so the image from any part of the room will look clear, bright and rich. Other TVs cannot boast of such quality. They may display picture distortion, glare and extraneous noise.
Interesting fact: viewing angles of OLED and QLED screens reach 170 degrees.
AMOLED vs OLED
Cell phones and other portable devices often use AMOLED screens. AM here stands for "active matrix" and represents the way the display is addressed by the device's electronics. It's just a different way of running an OLED screen that's better suited to conveying motion (like video). Each pixel can be addressed individually, which is what is required on a TV.
Active matrix LCD monitors were called TFT LCDs. Today this is not specifically stated because every LCD display produced on a phone, tablet, TV, etc. is equipped with an active matrix. The same idea applies to LED panels. OLED TVs are a kind of active matrix.
Frame Rate
Unlike conventional LCD TVs, OLED panels are characterized by smooth images. All this is achieved thanks to the high frame update rate, the values of which can be equal to 0.001 MS. Gamers and TV series fans will truly appreciate this advantage, since the picture changes about 1000 times faster than on a regular TV.
It is better to choose TVs with a refresh rate of 120 or 100 Hz. This way you can watch 3D movies and enjoy the clarity and smoothness of the content.
Can OLED reproduce 3D?
3D imaging may have lost its appeal as a TV feature, but that doesn't stop manufacturers from continuing to include support for it in their high-end models.
LG and Panasonic have included 3D as a feature on their 2021 OLED TVs. And in most cases, it's the passive variety, which means cheaper glasses and less screen flicker.
The disadvantage of passive 3D is the drop in resolution. But, fortunately, almost all OLED sets are now equipped with a UHD display, the number of pixels of which is enough to not experience any discomfort. LG OLED TVs of 2021 models do not support 3D images, but this decision is unlikely to disappoint many.
Do OLED displays burn out?
Owners of outdated plasma panels often encountered a problem when pixels in a certain part of the screen burned out, forever leaving a mark in the form of a yellow spot. This happened due to the fact that the user often viewed the same channels. The TV show logo was constantly in one place, which caused a specific piece of the display to burn out. Such problems were especially common on those televisions that were released at the very beginning of the era of plasma panels.
As for OLED matrices, the problem with burnout also exists. However, there is no need to worry - this is a temporary phenomenon. It appears if you leave the same type of picture for several hours. Soon after changing the image, the pixels return to normal without causing any harm to the TV. The service life of such displays is long, so there is nothing to worry about.
Particular attention should be paid when purchasing Chinese and inexpensive used TVs. According to Wikipedia, until 2013, OLED technology was not very popular and in demand, so on old TVs, over time, a certain part of the display burns out, and the colors become dull and not saturated. During the inspection, it is advisable to wipe the screen, as well as check it for dead pixels and conduct a simple test. If the colors on the TV are not clear, then it is a bad and cheap OLED display.
Frequently asked questions about OLED TVs
People often ask similar questions before purchasing. Answers to the most common ones will help you decide whether to purchase a device.
Why are devices with OLED screens expensive?
It is worth understanding that this is a relatively new technology that is still in development and is constantly being improved. Manufacturers of such screens see the significant advantages of this product and associate their further development with it. OLED devices are a step into the future with incredible capabilities.
The technology is difficult to produce; some TVs do not pass quality control and are eliminated.
In a few years, technology will reach normal economic efficiency and prices will fall, especially for older models. Due to its advantages over competitors, the price for an OLED TV can really live up to expectations.
What resolution do the screens have?
The devices have a resolution of 4K (4096×3072) and 8K (7680×4320) depending on the selected model.
How does an OLED display affect the eyes?
The screen emits much less blue light than competitors and does not have a strong impact on the eyes. We can say that this is one of the most gentle displays that protects not only the eyes, but also the brain from irritating factors during night viewing.
Is it true that the screen burns out?
Burn-in is a display defect that occurs as a result of a long static display of one image, which will remain even when the image is switched.
Buyers should not worry about burn-in as it most often occurs in commercial TV use where the same thing is shown over and over again.
In the case of regular home viewing, the problem will not arise, because people often switch channels, periodically turn off the device, and the presence of a static image in such conditions is unlikely.
Unfortunately, this problem has not been completely resolved, so buyers are protected by a warranty upon purchase - you can always return the TV if any defects or faults are found.
Can OLED reproduce 3D?
Yes, some models are equipped with the ability to display 3D images. Virtually all companies abandoned the production of devices that support this function, because it had low demand and was losing its relevance. LG's 2021 OLED TVs supported 3D perfectly, but over time the company decided to gradually phase out the format.
Is it worth buying a TV with an OLED screen?
OLED technology definitely deserves the attention of buyers for its great potential. This development is the future. Suitable for people who prioritize relevance, high quality and aesthetics. This kind of TV is really nice to watch, but at the moment, like any other technology, it has its own shortcomings that will still be eliminated.
Based on all the parameters, we can say that OLED screens are clearly winning in the TV market. If the budget is not too limited, it makes sense to purchase a device that will delight you with image quality for a long time.
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LED or OLED displays?
OLED screens are superior in every way compared to LED. They use OLED technology to illuminate only certain pixels on the display. In LED displays, the image is completely lit, which does not allow you to feel the fullness and richness of dark colors.
The only advantage of LED TVs is their price. The production technology has long been perfected, so the production of such devices does not require large expenses.
What is the difference between OLED and LED?
In everything. Despite the similarity in names, these are completely different technologies.
In OLED panels, the pixels themselves emit light when exposed to electric current, while the cells in LCD-LED panels require a powerful external light source, which is a separate backlight.
The issue of backlighting is also the difference between LCD screens and LED screens derived from them. A traditional LCD panel uses so-called cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL) sources to create a uniform flow of light across its entire area. That is, no matter what image is being transmitted - white or black - the backlight creates equally powerful radiation at every point on the screen. Such a panel cannot create bright contrasting fragments due to the uniformity of the light flow.
However, a few years ago, Samsung and Sony introduced a backlight consisting of an array of LED diodes that could now be turned off in the black part of the screen, achieving deep dark tones.
Of course, this was a major improvement over CCFL technology, but it was not without its problems. The fact is that LED screens use the same LCD panel as LCD screens, which prevents the backlight from fully synchronizing with the final pixels, which causes light to spread from a bright area to adjacent dark areas ("halo" effects, "halo").
This is where the main difference between OLED technology and LCD/LED appears. In OLED TVs, the light is emitted by the pixels themselves, and if you need to create a black point on the screen, the pixel can be turned off completely directly, eliminating the need for a backlight.
Advantages and disadvantages of OLED screens
OLED TVs, although they are the highest quality today, have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the pros first:
- Contrast. OLED screens are so rich that an LCD TV was not even nearby. Of course, this will only be noticeable if you periodically wipe the display.
- Brightness. When viewing during the day, the brightness is sufficient, but when viewing at night, the eyes do not get tired. Such TVs fully meet the needs of users.
- Electricity consumption. During their operation, OLED matrices consume much less electricity than all other analogues. By paying extra for such a screen, you can reduce your utility bills in the future.
- Flexibility. In stores you can find curved TVs, which will definitely have an OLED matrix. If desired, you can create a display of almost any shape, even a wave-like one.
- No backlight. Thanks to the fact that each pixel glows on its own, you can enjoy true black color.
Now let's look at the disadvantages:
- High price. A high-quality TV with an OLED matrix will cost at least $700, so not every user can afford such a device. It is expected that in the future such TVs will become significantly cheaper.
- Low degree of moisture protection. OLED panels are very afraid of moisture, and at the slightest contact they instantly break.
As you can see, there are very few shortcomings, so if you have a sufficient budget, you can safely buy such TVs.
Advantages of OLED technology
OLED is the most advanced technology. To appreciate its advantages, you do not need to be a technical expert, since most of the advantages are visible to any user:
- high image clarity and sharpness;
- light weight and ultra-thin screen;
- environmental friendliness - OLED devices consume a small amount of electricity, in the long term this means that their use causes less impact on the environment and electricity bills;
- the use of organic crystals, which results in a high pixel density;
- safety;
- deep black color;
- There is no separate backlight that would affect the dimensions of the TV, and due to its thinness and lightness, the device fits perfectly into the interior of even a small room.
Should I buy OLED TVs or not?
Everyone decides for themselves whether to buy an OLED or LCD TV. But if you want to watch your favorite movies in high quality, with support for HDR and Dolby Vision, then you need to choose one of the OLED models. For example, the brands Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, Philips and Xiaomi have proven themselves well. Setting up such devices is not difficult; even the most inexperienced user can handle it.
But if you do not prefer to listen to music and songs on TV, then it is better to take a simpler model with an LED screen. For less money you can find a device with 4K resolution, high-quality and large screen. It is better to consider Lji models with a diagonal of 43, 49 or 32 inches. Of course, if you have an extra $19,000, you can get a TV with a 77-inch display, 8K resolution and an OLED matrix.
How much do OLED TVs cost?
As technology improves and production scales expand, the cost of OLED TVs is coming down.
However, they cannot be called affordable, because they belong to the premium upper price segment. Probably, the situation is also affected by the almost monopoly position of LG Display, which produces panels for all OLED TVs in the world, no matter what final brand they are sold under in electronics stores.
However, competition in the TV market is quite high, and from time to time news appears about new competing developments, which, in the future, will put downward pressure on prices.
Rating of the best models
After analyzing user reviews, the top best TVs with OLED displays were compiled. When compiling the rating, special attention was paid to how much the device costs, what kind of screen it has and the year of manufacture. We present to your attention the 10 highest quality OLED panels today:
- LG OLED55B8SLB. Advantages: thin body and attractive appearance, quality and brightness of the matrix, high sound level, convenient remote control with many built-in functions, unique operating system. Disadvantages: high cost, mainly due to advertising.
- LG OLED55C8. Pros: powerful and modern processor, built-in image enhancement mode, thin body and high-quality build, high volume and sound levels. Cons: high price, about $2,000.
- LG OLED55B8. Positive aspects: image realism, picture clarity, body thickness, volume and sound levels, voice control support. Negative aspects: high cost.
- LG OLED55B7V. Advantages: speed, Dolby Atmos support, image clarity and brightness, body thickness, small distance between the frame and the screen. Disadvantages: for some reason the cost is too high.
- LG OLED77G7V. Pros: multifunctional operating system, thin body, large screen, high-quality sound, fast operating speed. Cons: high price, rather large distance between the wall and the TV.
- LG OLED77C9. Positive points: image quality, volume and sound levels, thickness of the case, powerful processor, ability to change the wallpaper. Negative points: heavy weight, high cost.
- LG OLED65W7V. Advantages: picture clarity, large and thin display, stylish appearance, sound quality, speed, ability to run games. Disadvantages: high price, glossy screen.
- Sony KD-55A Pros: Android TV support, high-quality screen, high brightness reserve, presence of a light sensor, attractive appearance, loud sound. Cons: high cost.
- LG 65EF950V. Positive aspects: 4K screen at an affordable price, image clarity, good brightness reserve, high-quality sound, stylish appearance. Negative aspects: glossy screen.
- Sony KD-77A1. Advantages: large display, high-quality picture, realistic color reproduction, loud sound, Disadvantages: high price.
You can also choose other models: LG OLED55C7V, LG 55EG9A7V, KD-55AF8, LG 55EG910V or Sony Bravia. All of them have a large number of positive reviews and high ratings.
Important: a thorough performance check at the time of purchase is required!
To summarize, we note that a high-quality OLED TV costs a lot of money, so when choosing it, get ready to spend at least $700-800. If things are not going well with finances, then it is better to consider a model from the line with LED screens.
TOP 5 popular OLED models
Today there are many TVs on the market made using OLED technology. But there are models that lead in the number of positive reviews from consumers. Therefore, if difficulties arise with the choice, it is recommended to pay attention to them.
LG OLED55C8
One of the best OLED TV models. . In addition, the model supports the Dolby Atmos sound solution, creating surround sound.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Diagonal | 54.6″ (139 cm) |
| Permission | 3840×2160 |
| HD Resolution | 4K UHD, HDR |
| HDR standard | Dolby Vision, HDR 10 |
| Brightness | 500 cd/m2 |
Sony KD-55AF8
This TV is a 4K flagship from Sony with a picture so high quality that “you want to come up and touch it.” The company used more than 8 million pixels to create the display. In addition, the TV is equipped with a “smart TV” function - it can be controlled from a smartphone.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Diagonal | 55″(139.6 cm) |
| Permission | 3840x2160 |
| HD Resolution | 4K UHD, HDR |
| HDR standard | Dolby Vision, HDR 10 |
| Brightness | 500 cd/m2 |
LG 55EG9A7V
Its sleek design makes it the perfect addition to your living room, while its noise-canceling features allow you to enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows without ripples or interference. In addition, the TV is equipped with an Ultra Surround system, which “supports seven-channel sound simulation technology.”
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Diagonal | 54.6″ (139 cm) |
| Permission | 1920×1080 |
| HD Resolution | 1080p Full HD |
| HDR standard | UHD 4K (ULTRA HD) |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m2 |
LG OLED55C7V
The LG OLED55C7V TV has proprietary Active HDR technology, which “optimizes the video signal for each specific episode, giving the picture maximum clarity,” as well as a Dolby Atmos audio system, which guarantees surround and clear sound. In addition, the model has an updated LG webOS 3.5 module, which will take care of the safety of personal data.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Diagonal | 54.6″ (139 cm) |
| Permission | 3840×2160 |
| HD Resolution | 4K UHD, HDR |
| HDR standard | Dolby Vision, HDR 10 |
| Brightness | 720 cd/m2 |
LG OLED55B6V
The LG OLED55B6V TV display is equipped with an OLED HDR system, which allows you to view the image even during the darkest or brightest scenes. This is due to its ability to simultaneously display areas with 20 different degrees of brightness. In addition, the model is equipped with a soundbar created in collaboration with Harman/Kardon.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Diagonal | 55″ (140 cm) |
| Permission | 3840×2160 |
| HD Resolution | 4K UHD, HDR |
| HDR standard | Dolby Vision, HDR 10 |
| Brightness | 750 cd/m2 |
LG Signature OLED TV
This is one of the best examples of organic LED screen technology, proving that the 2021 model was not a one-season phenomenon. The line of high-tech products of the South Korean company in 2021 was headed by the 8th model LG Signature OLED TV W. The TV managed to make up for the lost time. As in its predecessor, an extraordinary approach to providing sound and image is used here. The screen and soundbar are separate - they are connected by a flat cable that connects to a port on the back.
Measuring just 2.57mm thick, the TV mounts to the wall using the included bracket and some carefully positioned magnets. As a result, the device looks like a photo frame.
The price of the LG Signature OLED TV W 8th model with a diagonal of 65” is 550 thousand rubles.
Price of new technology
LED screens are definitely getting cheaper, but they are still difficult to call affordable. Prices for the most inexpensive LG OLED TVs are set at $1,800. Panasonic equipment will cost even more.
The shortage of OLED TVs on the market means that a small number of manufacturers are more or less free to set the price they want. A drop in value is not expected until more competitors emerge.
However, usually when one company starts to move forward, the others quickly catch up. Prices should come down as manufacturers solve production line problems and demand for this phenomenal technology increases.
Peculiarities
In terms of functionality, the LG Signature OLED W8 65” TV has a lot in common with the 2021 model.
The soundbar is a hub for all ports. It houses 4 HDR HDMI inputs compatible with 4K, 3 USB and a digital optical connector. There are also built-in TV tuners (cable, satellite and terrestrial) and a Bluetooth module.
LG's attractive WebOS operating system remains largely the same. There have been some changes to the interface text, the content storage of the 65” LG Signature OLED TV has become cleaner, and a new search function has appeared on the home screen. All major services are included, including Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Hulu and Google Play Movies.
As usual, use of the launch bar and various menus is controlled by the Magic Remote motion recognition system. At first glance, the interface seems attractive and intuitive as before.
One of the additions to the 2021 LG Signature OLED TV is ThinQ AI. It was created to make LG products even smarter and allows for a more natural range of voice guidance. For example, you can now change the channel, search for programs or check the weather using a series of commands initiated by the microphone button on the remote control.
The great news was the arrival of the LG Alpha 9 GPU. It has become available for the entire W8 line. According to LG, the A9 improves image quality on multiple fronts: reducing visual noise (at 4 levels), increasing sharpness, and improving depth and color reproduction. 4K resolution is backed by a 120 fps refresh rate and advanced support for HDR content, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, Technicolor Advanced HDR and HLG.
The TV provides high picture quality and gives the user more control than, for example, Sony OLED TV. LG has integrated effective calibration tools for Dolby Vision, SDR and HDR modes, but the ISF Expert or Technicolor settings are very accurate. This is the best option for 4K and HDR formats, although 1080p and SDR look good on it too. Ultra-high definition video appears sharp and vibrant. Wide color gamut allows you to display colors that other models cannot.
According to LG, the soundbar hardware of the LG Signature OLED TV has not changed. Its balance still leans towards the mids and highs, but it provides a good level of detail and clarity.
It seems to the listener that the sound is coming from the screen itself, and not from the speakers underneath it. Dolby Atmos creates various sound effects and reverberations that further immerse the viewer in what is happening.
OLED vs LCD
The key difference between LCD and LED displays is how they create images. LCD screens work by passing light through a layer of liquid crystals. Because LCD pixels can't close completely, they always let a little light through, even when the image should be black. Some LCD TVs produce darker colors than others thanks to local dimming and other technologies, but they never deliver zero brightness. The fact that this is an OLED TV is indicated by the presence of pixels that emit their own light. Therefore, when an area of the image should be black, it will be completely black.
The difference from almost black seems small, but in real life it makes a huge difference. The depth of black that a TV can produce makes the rest of the image appear brighter, more vibrant, and allows elements of the image to be better distinguished. Even when playing HDR content, where absolute brightness is most important, OLED looks better than LCDs because highlights against a perfectly black background appear significantly brighter.
What does LED mean?
If you decipher the abbreviation “LED” and translate it from English, you get “light emitting diode”. Many televisions currently produced are equipped with a liquid crystal matrix. In their predecessors, LCD devices, the screen glow source was CCFL lamps.
The use of LEDs is a new technology, thanks to which the broadcast image looks brighter and has better detail. In addition, the diodes are resistant to burnout, which ensures a long service life of the equipment.
LED backlighting is implemented in different ways, but its operating principle is the same. To understand the device in words, you can imagine a grid on which LEDs are attached.
For a diode to glow, it must “pass” through a special filter and obtain a specific voltage value (the brightness of the glow will depend on this). This backlight design has its own advantage - it allows you to create a clear picture.
Backlight types:
- Direct LED. Matrix backlight located over the entire display area. Such TV panels show a bright, detailed picture, but they have a thicker body and higher power consumption;
- Edge LED. Diodes are located on the sides of the matrix or along the perimeter.
A TV with side, edge-backlit, is inferior to the first option in terms of image detail. But this technology has its advantages: it is energy efficient, cheaper and allows you to assemble thin TV panels with a thickness of less than 1 cm.
QLED is
QLED technology now means two completely different things. On the one hand, this is the real technology of the potential future of 4K TVs, which, thanks to certain innovative elements, promises to almost completely change the way a 4K TV screen functions. In common parlance, this is a technology that uses LEDs based on quantum dots.
On the other hand, all those types of QLED TVs that we now see on the market (at the moment only Samsung) are almost identical to an LCD TV with an LED display, only with some moderate changes in terms of improving color rendering and viewing angles.
In other words, QLED 4K, as it is available now, basically consists of a marketing tag stuck on what is really nothing more than an LCD TV using a film with quantum dots on it. Let's call it a QLED LCD TV.
By the way, the quantum dots themselves, i.e. nanocrystals were first studied at the end of the last century by Soviet physicist Alexei Ekimov, who explained the dependence of their optical properties on their physical size and the level of current passed through them.
The main difference between LED and QLED Samsung is precisely that these same QLED models use new specialized quantum dot metal nanofilters located on a film matrix above the LED backlight panel. Overall, this gives us brighter, more saturated colors.
Unlike the marketing names of many of today's 4K TVs, the QLED TV moniker actually has some serious meaning in Samsung's case, and while the brand's QLED TVs share many of the same features as premium LED TVs, they offer a truly superior level of color performance. Even in the case of relatively small coverage of a wide range of colors.
We also emphasize that Samsung QLED TVs come with the same LED backlight matrices and, as a result, have black level and brightness characteristics comparable to their non-QLED counterparts. For example, QLED TVs Q7, Q8 and Q9 from Samsung are equipped with edge lighting, i.e. just like most previous 4K TVs from Sony, LG or Samsung.
QLED technology
The above describes QLED technology as it exists today. However, more advanced, real-life QLED display technology is currently being developed, where (in its most general form) the pixels of a 4K TV will consist of light-responsive nanocrystals that, when an electric current passes through them, not only glow, but also become colored. various colors.
This new development will make future Samsung QLED TVs very similar to OLED TVs in a fundamental sense. But color rendition will be much better, since each quantum dot has its own color, and does not get it by mixing RGB colors of subpixels, as is the case with OLED.
OLED 4K
OLED display technology, as we wrote in the material about how OLED differs from LED, is fundamentally different from all existing models of LCD TVs and in most cases far exceeds almost all image quality parameters. OLED TVs are typically the most expensive and best performing types of 4K HDR or SDR TVs currently sold.
The very way the OLED panel functions is responsible for this: unlike LED, OLED TVs do not have a backlight at all. Instead, each pixel contains an organic LED that lights up or turns off completely depending on the passage of electrical current.
As a result, 4K OLED TVs are capable of achieving perfect local dimming down to the precision of a single LED (on a 4K TV, this actually means 8.3 million local dimming zones). Therefore, by deactivating all pixels, we can talk about ideal, infinite contrast.
True, the color in OLED TVs is formed by blue and yellow LEDs, the light of which is then passed through red or green filters to create all colors, including white. In general, color formation is not straightforward.
Plus OLED TVs are known to have lower peak brightness than the best LCD/LED. But, firstly, everything changes, and secondly, due to the ideal black level, even a “dull” OLED TV creates much better perceived contrast. Now that the technologies are outlined in basic detail, it's time to compare them based on screen image characteristics.
Black level and contrast
Let's start with the most important pair of characteristics for the quality of a 4K TV screen: contrast and black level. In LCD TVs, these can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, panel type (mostly IPS vs VA) and the presence of local dimming technology. OLED TVs have near-perfect black levels and correspondingly infinite contrast ratios.
On today's QLED TVs (the same applies to LCD TVs, but with less variation), most models use VA panels, which are known to deliver much better black levels than IPS competitors.
Overall, if you want perfect contrast, perfect black levels, and perfect local dimming, there's no way an OLED TV will beat out an LCD or any type of QLED TV. However, if you can't afford the typically higher prices of some OLED TVs, then a 4K LED TV with VA display will give you a typical contrast ratio of 4000:1 or higher, and the best 4K HDR LED TVs with VA panels will Today they will provide a black level from 0.016 to 0.020 nits.
All QLED TVs are VA models, so they offer the same levels of contrast and blacks or better. Local dimming in premium 4K LCD TVs allows some dark areas of the TV screen to reach very deep black levels.
However, the precision is not comparable to what can be achieved on OLED displays, where any pixel can be turned off, even if the surrounding pixels are lit. Regular IPS 4K LCD TVs, especially those without local dimming, have about 4 times worse black color and contrast parameters even in the best models with HDR.
Brightness QLED, OLED, LED
Brightness levels are not as important as black levels on any 4K TV and even HDR models. Why? Yes, simply insufficiently high peak brightness values can be compensated by deeper black tones, which enhance the perception of bright highlights on the screen. However, the main race among today's manufacturers of virtually all high-end 4K TVs of any type is for panels that reach hitherto unprecedented levels of maximum brightness.
The winners in this area are, without a doubt, LCD TVs and QLED TVs. The best among them can reach brightness between 1400 and 2000 nits. This is actually a lot, and brings us much closer to a realistic picture on the screen than anything else in home television technology.
Most 4K LCD/LED TVs rarely peak brightness above 500...700 nits, and many mid-range LCD TVs only reach 400...500 nits even when using their built-in HDR contrast enhancement feature.
Due to the fact that all QLED TVs belong to the top model segment, they offer us very high brightness levels of 1000 nits or more, and the Samsung Q9F model offers almost 2000 nits of peak brightness in 10% of the screen area. That's truly impressive, and can only be matched by the top 4K LCD TV, the Sony ZD9, which has roughly the same specs.
OLED TVs are a little more difficult to tie to brightness. On the one hand, OLED has traditionally been associated with lower peak brightness levels due to limitations in the current development of the organic light-emitting diodes that produce brightness in these TVs. But on the other hand, because OLED TVs produce perfect blacks and virtually infinite contrast in the right places, their bright highlights look much more impressive than on any LCD screen or QLED panel.
What's more, while some of LG's earliest OLED TVs could barely achieve a maximum brightness level of 300 nits, the latest HDR models like the flagship LG OLED65W7V offer a maximum brightness of nearly 1,000 nits, to the chagrin of many LCD TVs. However, in absolute terms, the best and brightest LCD or QLED TVs are still massively brighter than the best OLED TVs.
Color rendering QLED, OLED, LED
The color rendering of all types of TVs is largely similar. Additionally, in the era of HDR's reign of increasing color tones, all premium 4K TVs with LCD or OLED displays have a wide color gamut with more than 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, and therefore more saturated, bright and realistic colors.
In other words, when we buy a TV with multi HDR (which is all QLED TVs and most OLED TVs), we get amazing color, especially on HDR content. And yet, from our reviews of OLED, LED and QLED TVs, you can see that Samsung's QLED technology with nanocrystals (quantum dots) does indeed provide noticeably brighter color levels compared to those specified in OLED TVs or other high quality HDR TV.
OLED TVs, on the other hand, deliver true-to-life colors, and their superior black levels improve the perception of color brightness, so they're definitely a hair above even the top-end LED TVs we're all familiar with.
Motion blur
Moving objects on a 4K TV screen may experience some degree of blur as the pixels that make up their images try to change colors dramatically. The response time of these pixels, or the rate at which color changes, is the parameter that has the most impact on whether a TV renders fast motion images smoothly or does so with a blurry effect that is sometimes even painful to look at.
Faster response time means less blur. LED TV response times can vary greatly, with some low-end 4K TV models suffering from a lot of blur when objects move quickly, and many premium 4K HDR LED TV models delivering excellent blur performance (or lack thereof).
Therefore, film QLED TVs show excellent ability to control rapid pixel color changes, especially with fast response times by LED TV standards. We are not talking about real QLED TVs yet due to the lack of them on the modern market.
However, OLED remains unbeatable when it comes to motion blur. Due to the nature of light and the color of the emitting OLEDs, the pixels in these TVs can change colors almost instantly, exhibiting extremely fast response times.
