LED vs. LCD screens

[Cyberduke]

My 19 inch flat screen that I bought second hand a few years ago started giving problems so I am in the market for a new screen.

What is the difference between LED and LCD screens?

[THE_STIG]

Let me first correct you. LCD refers to the monitor itself(you get a few different types of LCD: TN, IPS.....) and LED is the type of back-lighting used


So your question should read: "What is the difference between CCFL and LED"


Well CCFL monitors use cold cathode tubes as back-lighting and LED monitors uses LED's as back-lighting. So LED monitors will have much higher contrast ratios and richer colours; they should also last longer, use less electricity and be slightly thinner than traditional CCFL monitors

Here are some better explanations:
http://www.cnet.com.au/led-vs-lcd-which ... 295938.htm
http://www.geek.com/hdtv-buyers-guide/backlighting/
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ccf ... ,2930.html

[SykomantiS]

Drat, stig beat me to it...


The back-lighting. Both screens are LCD screens, but the LED refers to using white LED light as back-light while traditional LCD screens used cold cathode tube lighting.

Basically you want to get yourself an LED screen, as there is no reason to settle for LCD (read: old) tech.

[THE_STIG]

+1, if I were buying a new screen I would go straight for an LED backlit model.......I just cant understand why so many of them have moved the PSU out of the monitor and into an annoying external power brick

[SykomantiS]

Space constraints on your desk, also makes the unit less bulky and removes heat from the display
I much rather prefer it that way.

[THE_STIG]

Yes it does make the monitor much thinner and I suppose if it does blow the you can go and get a new power brick(but I doubt this). But I still dont like it, I much prefer having it integrated into the monitor.....less stuff to carry around when lanning.

[SykomantiS]

You have a bag in which you carry your k/b, mouse, psu/ dvi cables, yes? Problem sorted.

Also, like I said- heat. It's bad for electronics.

[THE_STIG]

True, but you usually have to use a two pronged plug with those.....I usually only use one 3 pronged plug as I have one of those splitter cables. Besides they dont produce that much heat(as long as it has sufficient ventilation and maybe some heat-sinks)


But back to the original question......LED FTW

Edit: Btw I have just noticed something, it looks like the title says "IED...." what are you planing on blowing up But now that I look closer I do actually see the "l"

[RuadRauFlessa]

Then why in the name of Zeus did you change it

[Cyberduke]

Thanks thats some very helpful info there.

And another thing i've noticed at the wide screens in that in windows there is black bars at the sides. What is the use of wide screens then? Do you use the whole screen in gaming?

[StarBound]

There shouldnt be. But if the person uses a 4:3 the screen might be scaling with a ratio so that the image isnt stretched. Not all games support 16:10 or 16:9 and playing 4:3 stretched looks terrible.

I think the only way to get ratio scaling to work is using your DVI or HDMI cable and port.

[THE_STIG]

Thanks thats some very helpful info there.

And another thing i've noticed at the wide screens in that in windows there is black bars at the sides. What is the use of wide screens then? Do you use the whole screen in gaming?

As SB said that should really not be happening. If you have an nvidia card then go to the "adjust desktop size and position" menu and set the scaling to be performed by the monitor and make sure it is set to "Aspect Ratio" in the "scaling mode" section.

I have had the problem before and that usually solves it, but certain versions of the drivers will continue to cause the problem so just update to the latest one if that is the case

Then why in the name of Zeus did you change it

I did not change it at least I think I did not