Edge lit TVs have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a sleek and slim design that many consumers find appealing. However, there are concerns surrounding their performance, particularly when it comes to picture quality and viewing angles. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of edge lit TVs, exploring the pros and cons, and ultimately answering the question: are edge lit TVs bad?
What are Edge Lit TVs?
Before we dive into the good and the bad, it’s essential to understand how edge lit TVs work. Unlike traditional LED TVs, which use a full array of LEDs behind the screen, edge lit TVs use a restricted array of LEDs along the edges of the screen. This design approach allows for a thinner and lighter TV, making it easier to mount on walls and reducing overall weight.
The LEDs along the edges of the screen emit light, which is then distributed across the panel using a light guide plate. This plate is designed to scatter the light evenly, ensuring a consistent brightness across the screen. While this design approach has its advantages, it also has some significant limitations.
Pros of Edge Lit TVs
Despite some of the concerns surrounding edge lit TVs, they do offer some benefits. Here are a few of the key advantages:
Thin and Sleek Design
One of the most significant advantages of edge lit TVs is their sleek and slim design. The reduced thickness makes them ideal for wall-mounting, and their lightweight construction makes them easier to handle and transport.
Energy Efficiency
Edge lit TVs are generally more energy-efficient than traditional LED TVs, which can help reduce your electricity bill and minimize your environmental impact.
Affordability
Edge lit TVs tend to be more affordable than OLED or QLED TVs, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Cons of Edge Lit TVs
While edge lit TVs have some benefits, they also have some significant drawbacks. Here are a few of the key disadvantages:
Viewing Angles
One of the most significant limitations of edge lit TVs is their restricted viewing angles. Due to the way the light is distributed across the screen, the picture quality can deteriorate significantly when viewed from the side. This can lead to a poorer viewing experience, particularly in rooms with multiple viewers.
Black Levels and Contrast Ratio
Edge lit TVs often struggle to produce deep black levels and a high contrast ratio, which can result in a washed-out picture. This is because the LEDs along the edges of the screen can’t be completely turned off, leading to a persistent glow that reduces the overall contrast.
Local Dimming Limitations
Edge lit TVs often lack effective local dimming, which can lead to a loss of detail in bright scenes and a reduced overall picture quality. This is because the limited array of LEDs can’t be precisely controlled to match the on-screen content.
Comparison to Other TV Technologies
To better understand the limitations of edge lit TVs, it’s essential to compare them to other TV technologies. Here’s a brief comparison:
OLED TVs
OLED TVs use an emissive technology, where each pixel produces its own light. This approach allows for true blacks, an infinite contrast ratio, and a wider viewing angle. OLED TVs are generally more expensive than edge lit TVs but offer a superior picture quality.
QLED TVs
QLED TVs use a similar design approach to edge lit TVs but with some key differences. QLED TVs use tiny crystals to create colors, which can produce a more accurate color gamut and a higher contrast ratio. QLED TVs tend to be more expensive than edge lit TVs but offer a better picture quality.
Real-World Performance
While the technical limitations of edge lit TVs are well-documented, it’s essential to consider their real-world performance. In our testing, we found that edge lit TVs can still provide an excellent viewing experience, particularly in bright rooms or when watching standard dynamic range (SDR) content.
However, when it comes to watching HDR (high dynamic range) content or in rooms with limited lighting control, edge lit TVs can struggle to keep up. The limited contrast ratio and black levels can lead to a washed-out picture, and the restricted viewing angles can become more apparent.
Conclusion
So, are edge lit TVs bad? The answer is not a simple yes or no. While they have some significant limitations, they can still provide an excellent viewing experience in certain scenarios. If you’re looking for a slim and affordable TV for bright rooms or SDR content, an edge lit TV might be a good option.
However, if you’re looking for a more immersive viewing experience with better picture quality, you might want to consider alternative technologies like OLED or QLED. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
| TV Technology | Viewing Angle | Black Levels | Local Dimming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edge Lit | Ristricted | Poor | Limited |
| OLED | Wide | True Blacks | Precise |
| QLED | Wide | Good | Better |
We hope this article has provided a comprehensive overview of edge lit TVs, highlighting both their advantages and disadvantages. Remember, when choosing a TV, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences, as well as the limitations of each technology. Happy TV shopping!
What are Edge Lit TVs?
Edge Lit TVs are a type of LED TV that uses an array of LEDs along the edges of the screen to illuminate the display. This design allows for a thinner and more energy-efficient TV, but it also has some limitations. Edge Lit TVs are often cheaper than other types of LED TVs, but they can suffer from uneven backlighting and limited viewing angles.
In an Edge Lit TV, the LEDs are arranged along the sides or bottom of the screen, and the light is diffused across the panel using a light guide plate. This design allows for a more compact and lightweight TV, making it ideal for wall-mounting or placing on a table. However, it can also lead to a decrease in picture quality, particularly in terms of contrast ratio and black levels.
Do Edge Lit TVs suffer from poor viewing angles?
Yes, Edge Lit TVs are known to suffer from poor viewing angles. Because the LEDs are arranged along the edges of the screen, the backlighting can become less uniform when viewed from the side. This can lead to a decrease in contrast ratio and a washed-out appearance when watching the TV from an angle. In contrast, other types of LED TVs, such as Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) TVs, use a grid of LEDs behind the entire screen, which allows for more uniform backlighting and better viewing angles.
While some Edge Lit TVs may have better viewing angles than others, they generally can’t compare to FALD TVs. If you have a large family or like to watch TV with friends, an Edge Lit TV may not be the best choice. However, if you’re a solo viewer or always sit directly in front of the TV, the viewing angles may not be as much of an issue.
Are Edge Lit TVs worse for gaming?
Yes, Edge Lit TVs can be worse for gaming due to their potential for higher input lag and lower response times. Input lag refers to the delay between when you enter a command on your controller and when it’s reflected on the screen. Response time refers to how quickly the pixels can change color. Because Edge Lit TVs often use a lower-quality panel and may not have features like G-Sync or FreeSync, they can suffer from higher input lag and lower response times, which can be a problem for fast-paced games.
However, it’s worth noting that not all Edge Lit TVs are created equal, and some may be better suited for gaming than others. If you’re a serious gamer, it’s worth doing your research and looking for an Edge Lit TV with low input lag and fast response times. You may also want to consider other types of TVs that are specifically designed with gaming in mind, such as OLED TVs or FALD TVs with G-Sync or FreeSync.
Can Edge Lit TVs produce true blacks?
No, Edge Lit TVs are not capable of producing true blacks. Because the LEDs are always on, even in black scenes, the backlight can still be visible, which can lead to a greyish or bluish tint instead of true black. This can be particularly noticeable in very dark scenes or when watching the TV in a dark room.
However, some Edge Lit TVs may try to fake true blacks by using features like local dimming, which can dim or turn off certain areas of the backlight to create a more realistic black level. However, this is not the same as true blacks, and the backlight can still be visible in very dark scenes. If true blacks are important to you, an OLED TV may be a better choice, as they can truly turn off individual pixels to produce perfect blacks.
Are Edge Lit TVs worse for HDR content?
Yes, Edge Lit TVs can be worse for HDR (High Dynamic Range) content due to their limited ability to produce true blacks and high contrast ratios. HDR content is mastered to take advantage of the higher contrast ratios and color gamut of HDR-capable TVs, but Edge Lit TVs may not be able to fully take advantage of these features.
Because Edge Lit TVs often have lower contrast ratios and may not be able to produce true blacks, they can struggle to display the full range of colors and contrast in HDR content. This can lead to a less immersive and less engaging viewing experience. If you want to get the most out of HDR content, a FALD TV or OLED TV may be a better choice, as they can produce higher contrast ratios and true blacks.
Can Edge Lit TVs be used for professional video editing or color grading?
No, Edge Lit TVs are not suitable for professional video editing or color grading due to their limited color accuracy and gamut. Professional video editing and color grading require a high level of color accuracy and a wide color gamut, which Edge Lit TVs are not capable of delivering.
Edge Lit TVs are often optimized for consumer use, with a focus on brightness and color saturation rather than color accuracy. They may also use lower-quality panels and may not support features like 3D LUTs (Look-Up Tables) or wider color gamuts like DCI-P3 or Rec. 2020. If you need a TV for professional video editing or color grading, a high-end reference monitor or a broadcast-grade TV may be a better choice.
Are all Edge Lit TVs created equal?
No, not all Edge Lit TVs are created equal. While they all use a similar design, different manufacturers may implement it in different ways, with varying levels of quality and performance. Some Edge Lit TVs may use higher-quality panels, better backlighting systems, or more advanced features like local dimming or HDR support.
When shopping for an Edge Lit TV, it’s important to do your research and read reviews to get a sense of how well a particular model performs. You may also want to look for features like higher peak brightness, lower input lag, and wider color gamut to ensure that you’re getting the best possible picture quality. Additionally, some manufacturers may offer higher-end Edge Lit TVs with more advanced features and better performance, so it’s worth considering those options as well.