When shopping for new screens for your business, it’s likely the term ‘LCD’ comes to mind. LCDs are the most common type of screen on the market today, overtaking plasma displays in 2014. Keep reading to find about the LCD and LED screens.
In this article, we’ll outline how LCD and LED screens work, the key differences between the two, and which variety may be best for your business.
What are LCD screens?
LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. These modern displays generate an image via liquid crystals. A liquid crystal is both a liquid and a solid—the solid molecules in the liquid crystal form simple, geometric shapes, while the liquid molecules form fluid, unstructured shapes.
Liquid crystal molecules begin bunched into dense, unstructured arrangements. When exposed to electricity, however, the molecules expand into well-defined, unified shapes.
LCD monitors feature backlights behind their screens, which emit white light. This light can’t transmit through the liquid crystals while they’re in liquid form. When electricity powers up the monitor, the liquid crystals take on a solid structure, allowing light to pass through.
Standard LCD screens use cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) as backlights. These lights are placed evenly across the screen, so brightness levels remain consistent.
What are LED screens?
LED screens are a type of LCD screen. You could say all LED screens are LCDs, but not all LCD screens are LEDs. Both display types create images using liquid crystals.
The term ‘LED’ actually describes the type of backlighting used. Standard LCD screens use fluorescent backlights, while LED monitors use just that—LEDs, or light-emitting diodes.
The two types of LED backlighting are edge lighting and full-array backlighting. With full-array, LEDs sit evenly across the screen, similar to standard LCDs—except the LEDs are assembled in zones. Each zone can be dimmed, creating more specific illumination and higher picture quality.
With edge lighting, LEDs sit along the edge of the monitor. This type of backlighting is useful for creating thin displays.
Benefits of LCD screens
For computer monitors in office environments, LCD screens are a common choice. They’re more affordable, and because of their wider viewing angle, can be more comfortable to use over prolonged periods. LCDs are also the better choice for people who suffer from eye blurriness following extended PC use.
If your business employs display signage that customers will view up close, choose LCD screens. At a distance, LED signs are a better option.
LCD screens are also less susceptible to screen burn when compared with LEDs.
Benefits of LED screens
LED screens offer higher picture quality and faster response times. LED screens with edge lighting are also much thinner than typical LCDs.
Because of their higher response times and better resolution, LEDs may be the better choice for digital artists and designers.
Conclusion
Overall, LCD screens are the obvious choice for most businesses. The price point is lower, they’re comfortable to use, and they’re the best option for display signage that will be viewed up-close.