TV Terms Explained
Got your eye on a new TV but confused by the technology and acronyms you’re faced with every time you click through to a page or visit a store? We’ve deciphered all the tech talk for you, so you’ll know an LCD TV from an LED TV, OLED TV and even a QLED from now on. Not only will that impress your friends, but it will help you big time when you’re buying a TV in Australia.
Let's break them down
The first thing you’ll notice when you’re buying a TV in Australia is how many options there are. Don’t be dismayed, because they all offer something different, which means lots of choice and great value.
LCD / LED
The most affordable display type on the market, with a screen size to fit every room. LCD/LEDTVs have an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel that is direct-lit or edge-lit by Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Overall, LED screens offer better peak brightness and are ideal for brightly lit environments.
Quantum Dot (QLED)
Similar to LED technology albeit incorporating a filter of Quantum-dot Light-Emitting Diodes – microscopic molecules capable of emitting light in various colours – between the LED back- or edge-lighting and the LCD panel. Quantum Dot TVs, like Samsung’s proprietary QLED, deliver extremely accurate colours with better saturation. Moreover, the image remains clear and vibrant in brightly lit rooms or outdoors.
OLED
OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode – individual pixels that emit their own light. The ‘Organic’ bit is a carbon-based film through which a current is passed to create light. With this enhanced pixel accuracy, OLEDTVs deliver higher contrast levels, perfect blacks and colour definition, as well as a wide viewing angle. They are ideal for dark home theatre rooms. The display panels are thinner than LCD/LED, and sizes start at a generous 55 inches. The Rolls Royce of TVs with a premium price tag, and worth every penny.
Mini LED
This year sees a major leap forward in TV technology, with the next level in LCD/LED displays set to challenge the flagship OLED in image quality and affordability. As screens get progressively bigger, the backlighting has gotten smaller. Mini-LED is a more advanced form of backlighting in LCD panels, offering greater resolution control (particularly with HDR content) to deliver the enhanced colour reproduction and deep blacks boasted by OLED technology, albeit with the greater peak brightness of LCD/LED.
Mini-LEDs, as the name suggests, are a lot smaller than those found in standard LCD panels, measuring 0.008 of an inch across – that’s approximately one fifth the size of a regular LED light. Consequently, there are a lot more of them to do the job – think tens of thousands rather than thousands. Mini LEDs, when densely packed, illuminate smaller areas of the screen where required, resulting in more backlighting control over the brightening and dimming of image zones – crucial to creating the perfect contrast ratio of highlights and shadows, and eliminating the ‘blooming’ or haloing effect on bright objects in dark scenes. Several major manufacturers are already onboard with mini-LED tech. Samsung’s Neo QLED range integrates mini-LED with its Quantum Matrix technology, while LG’s QNED series combines its existing Quantum NanoCell Colour with mini-LED backlighting. Perhaps the best news surrounding the uptake of mini-LED is that these TVs are less expensive to manufacture than their OLED rivals, meaning higher quality at a lower price.
Know what the screens mean
When you’re looking for the best new TV for you and your family, after price, screen resolution is usually high up on your list. Working out what each term means doesn’t have to be too complicated. Here’s a quick list to help you buy a TV online or instore at JB.
Screen resolution and screen quality are all about the number of pixels. However, any good guide to buying a TV should tell you a higher screen resolution doesn’t always mean a better picture. There are other things to consider, including:
- Contrast ratio - The difference between the bright and dark bits of a TV.
- High Dynamic Range - HDR formats are content (movies or TV series) that has a higher contrast ratio.
Find the best new TV for you
When you buy a TV in Australia, you’ll come across three main options - an LED LCD TV, an OLED TV or QLED. We’ve got a big range of all types at JB, and they each offer some impressive technology and picture quality.
- Backlit
- Greater contrast
- Lots of colours
- High refresh rate
- Great black levels
- Big value
- Newer technology
- No backlighting
- Higher response time
- Better contrast and black and colour definition
- Colours are clear and vibrant no matter where you're sitting
- Lighter and thinner
- Ideal for home theatres
- Quantum dot technology means added brightness, making these TVs perfect for bright rooms
- Impressive contrast and black level
- Vivid colour
- Mre options on the market at the moment
- Lots of size flexibility
What's a Smart TV?
Most TVs sold today are Smart TVs, which adds a heap of extra value to your home entertainment. Whether you’re after an LED TV, LCD TV, OLED TV or QLED TV, buying a TV in Australia means being able to choose from a big range that includes connectedness as just one of their impressive features. With just the click of a remote, Smart TVs allow you to:
- Connect to the internet
- Stream TV shows and movies
- Watch YouTube
- Connect with Chromecast
- Use Apps
- Connect your home
