LED 3D TV vs. LCD 3D TV

by Jack Burden

One of the major differences between the older technology CFL backlit (flourescent) LCD TVs with 3D compatibility and those with LED backlighting is that there just will not be as many of them. Manufacturers of all stripes are choosing to present the 3-D ready feature as a premium feature for 2010 and this means that it will be included on their higher priced premium TV models. LED backlighting is probably a much better technology for 3D reproduction anyway. The deeper blacks and longer lasting brightness of the technology will lend itself well to 3D content.

One of the major differences between the two will also be Hz rate. An LED TV with 240Hz rate (and the faked 480Hz rate) will show an 800 lines per eye 3D picture, while a 120Hz rate LCD or LED will show around 600 lines of resolution. Since almost all 240Hz rate LCDs have LED backlighting this will be an advantage for LED 3D TVs.

Depth perception from the 3D content will be better matched with the LED backlighting which produces a deeper black.

From a value perspective there is a clear separation intent from manufacturers to differentiate LED backlighting, higher Hz rate, and now 3D compatibility with the lowly CFL backlit LCD. Much of this has to do with competition against some of the superior characteristics of plasma TVs (see plasma 3D TV vs. LCD 3D TV), while other aspects have to do with keeping the technology moving onward and upward, in order to keep those prices higher than what was left behind.