LED, OLED, QLED, and Micro RGB… the world of televisions can seem quite complicated to many of us. A flood of technical jargon mixes with purely marketing terms. How do you cut through the noise and make an informed choice?
Comparing different types of TVs isn't easy when you aren't familiar with the terms used by manufacturers. To make the right purchase that fits your needs, you need to understand the benefits each display technology has to offer. We will break down current technologies into three major families: LED TVs, OLED TVs, and Micro RGB TVs.
Which Technology to Choose?
Current technologies have a major impact on your TV's image quality. Some offer advantages that others don't. It's up to you to decide which one fits you best based on your usage, needs, and viewing habits.
LED Technology
The majority of televisions on the market today use LED technology (Light Emitting Diode). This process is the evolution of LCD technology (Liquid Crystal Display), which was developed in the early '70s but wasn't used in consumer products until the late '90s.
How It Works
The LED (and LCD) process relies on filtering light projected behind a liquid crystal panel, which aligns when supplied with an electric current. They are also able to alter the polarization of light.
The LED panel is made up of a layer of liquid crystals placed between electrodes. Polarizing filters control the light horizontally and vertically. The light comes from behind the liquid crystal panel, which is known as backlighting. When the electrodes do not send an electric charge to the liquid crystals, the vertical polarizing filters remain aligned (or "closed") so that light cannot pass through. The pixels then remain black. The horizontal polarizing filters determine the tilt of the liquid crystals, controlling the intensity of the light that passes through to reproduce grayscale tones—from the deepest blacks to the brightest whites. Colors are displayed by controlling three distinct cells associated with each primary color. These cells (or "sub-pixels") contain liquid crystals that only allow the light needed to reproduce the desired color to pass through.
The Two Types of LED Panels
There are two types of panels specific to LED technology: IPS (In-Plane Switching) and VA (Vertical Alignment).
IPS panels use horizontally aligned cells. The primary advantage of IPS panel TVs is the very wide viewing angle they offer. Image quality and color reproduction remain excellent even when the viewer is not sitting directly in front of the screen. IPS panels also deliver rich color reproduction and natural hues.
On the other hand, IPS panels have more difficulty blocking light across certain angles, which can result in less shallow blacks (more noticeable in a dark room). This shortcoming can be corrected with local dimming.
VA panels use vertically aligned cells. They are better at blocking light, delivering deeper blacks. Consequently, a VA panel offers better contrast.
The drawback of VA panels is a narrower viewing angle compared to IPS panels. As the viewer moves away from the center of the screen, color richness gradually fades.
Backlighting
There are different types of backlighting possible for LED TVs. All of them influence image rendering. Brightness, contrast, and the ability to reproduce solid blacks are all affected by the different types of backlighting.
Edge-lit backlighting uses rows of LED lights placed along the sides of the screen (or top and bottom on some models). Reflectors are then placed behind the panel to redirect light toward the liquid crystals. This type of lighting allows for thinner televisions. However, achieving uniform lighting with an edge-lit TV is more challenging. In more affordable TVs, dark or cloudy patches (clouding) can form in scenes that are more difficult to reproduce.
More advanced TV models offer local dimming backlighting. In this setup, we find several separate lighting zones behind the panel. Brightness is therefore controlled by section. Brighter portions of an image can benefit from boosted lighting without negatively impacting the reproduction of darker tones in the dimmer parts of the screen display. The more distinct lighting zones there are, the more precisely brightness is controlled, resulting in higher image quality.
Finally, top-tier LED models feature a backlighting technology called "back-lit" or "full-array back-lit." This type of backlighting consists of a full layer of LED lights directly behind the liquid crystal panel. TVs equipped with this technology deliver optimal brightness control, producing incredibly deep blacks and strikingly natural contrast. These televisions are, however, a bit thicker.
QLED
QLED technology was developed and patented by Samsung for their 4K QLED television series.
A standard LED TV uses a white backlight. As mentioned above, primary color sub-pixels allow the necessary colors through to reproduce the image. This technology does not allow for the recreation of every nuance in the color palette perceived by the human eye.
QLED TVs integrate a quantum dot filter between a blue LED backlight and the television panel. Cadmium selenide nanocrystals are stimulated by the lighting and emit light with a wavelength determined by their shape and size. Colors that are harder for a standard LED TV to reproduce, like greens and reds, are then enhanced to achieve extra brilliance.
The quantum dot filter in QLED TVs provides better backlighting efficiency, significantly increasing the overall brightness of the television. These high-contrast TVs can cover nearly the entire spectrum of colors perceptible to humans.
What to Make of Neo QLED?
Neo QLED TVs represent an evolution over QLED screens. The biggest difference between the two display technologies is that QLED panels use traditional LED backlighting, while Neo QLED TVs use mini-LED backlighting.
As the name suggests, mini-LEDs are much smaller than classic LEDs, meaning you can pack in far more of them and group them into multiple dimming zones.
With a greater number of LEDs and dimming zones, Neo QLED's light control can be subtle and precise, resulting in a better contrast ratio across the screen. You don't get as much of a halo effect around a bright object on a dark background.
In 2022, Samsung pushed research even further by introducing the new Micro-LED technology. However, we will have to wait before enjoying its benefits, as Micro-LED is currently only offered on a single, exceptional model—a 110-inch television retailing for $150,000 USD.
OLED Technology
OLED technology has been used in cell phones since 2008 and in very small television screens reserved for the Asian market around the same time. Several years of expensive research and development delayed the arrival of large-format OLED TVs. It wasn't until 2014 that 55-inch OLED televisions reached the North American market.
How It Works
The acronym OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. It is a display technology where organic light-emitting diodes create light when supplied with an electric current, meaning each pixel produces its own light independently. When a diode receives no current charge, it remains completely turned off, allowing OLED TVs to create perfect blacks. Consequently, a backlight layer is not necessary. The absence of this backlight layer also allows OLED TVs to be thinner and lighter.
An OLED TV panel is therefore made up of thousands of OLED diodes. The back of the OLED panel is covered with a thin-film transistor that carries the electric current to the OLED diodes. As with LED TVs, each pixel consists of sub-pixels to recreate colors, but because there is no backlight, a white sub-pixel is also present in OLED televisions.
The Advantages of OLED Technology
As mentioned above, OLED TV pixels produce their own light source, meaning that when a pixel is turned off, absolute black is achieved. Compared to LED technology where a backlight is always running, there will always be some residual light visible—even when the cells close. An OLED screen can display true blacks and consequently offer far more nuance and detail in dark colors. The contrast of OLED TVs is therefore superior to that of LED models. Another advantage tied to self-lit pixels in terms of brightness is that OLED TVs consume less electricity since turned-off black pixels require no charge.
The viewing angle of OLED televisions is also much wider than on LED TVs (where the viewer needs to be positioned perfectly in front of the screen for optimal image quality). With OLED screens, the viewer's position has no influence on brightness and color rendering. The image quality remains the same, no matter the angle from which you view the television.
The pixel response time of OLED TVs is also faster than that of LED TVs when switching from black to white. We are talking about a response time of 0.1 ms for an OLED panel versus between 1 and 5 ms for an LED. Movements will therefore be crisper, without blur or trailing effects.
There is, however, one disadvantage to consider. OLED panels, made of carbon-based diodes, can suffer from burn-in when a static image remains displayed for too long, similar to plasma technology televisions, which disappeared in 2014. However, unlike plasma, once burned in, an OLED panel cannot be "un-burned" in any way. Rest assured, though, the phenomenon of burn-in is quite rare during regular use of an OLED television.
The New MicroLED Technology
Developed by Samsung, this new type of diode is similar to OLED diodes. MicroLED also does not use a backlight to operate the pixels. The difference between OLED and MicroLED is that no organic elements are used in manufacturing MicroLED panels. Where OLED uses carbon, MicroLED panels feature gallium nitride. Capables of higher brightness, MicroLED diodes offer performance superior to OLED diodes, giving MicroLED technology better contrast. Being more stable, MicroLED diodes are not subject to the burn-in phenomenon.
However, there are still no MicroLED televisions widely available on the market. The first model was introduced in January 2018. It is a 146-inch Samsung model named The Wall.
The New Micro RGB Technology
Micro RGB technology represents the latest breakthrough in the world of television displays. Developed by Samsung, it distinguishes itself from MicroLED by combining miniaturized red, green, and blue backlights, each individually controlled. This approach allows for the production of exceptionally pure light without relying on a white backlight like on LED or QLED TVs.
Thanks to this architecture, each primary color is generated at the source without a white backlight, ensuring unparalleled color fidelity and precision.
3 Advantages Provided by Micro RGB Technology:
- ultra-realistic hues
- deep blacks
- controlled brightness across the entire screen surface.
The first television to integrate this technology is the Samsung MRN115MR95FXZA, presented as the world's very first Micro RGB screen. It covers 100% of the UHD color spectrum (BT.2020) and features VDE certification for its color accuracy. By eliminating reflections thanks to its Glare Free technology, it delivers a remarkably clear viewing experience, even in bright environments.
Powered by an artificial intelligence engine (Micro RGB AI Engine), this TV adjusts contrast, brightness, and details in real time based on the content being watched. The image becomes more natural, deep, and fluid, positioning Micro RGB as a major evolution between QLED and the upcoming MicroLED.
In short, Micro RGB marks a pivotal step in the evolution of displays, combining the color precision of QLED, the brightness of MicroLED, and the light control unique to artificial intelligence.
Technical and Marketing Terms
A flood of terms associated with the world of television is used by various manufacturers to describe their products. Some more technical mentions can be ignored by consumers, while others are highly relevant to choosing a TV. Other designations, however, have a marketing slant to attract buyers without necessarily being incorrect. It is therefore important to see clearly to understand exactly what we are buying.
Resolution
- 720p: standard high-definition progressive image resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.
- 1080p: full high-definition progressive image resolution (Full HD) of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
- UHD: ultra-high-definition image resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Most ultra-high-definition televisions display this resolution.
- 4K: ultra-high-definition display resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels.
- 8K: ultra-high-definition display resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels.
Fluidity and Motion
- Refresh Rate: The native scan frequency of a TV panel. This number expresses how many frames can be displayed within a set period. The higher the number, the smoother and more accurate the image will be. Televisions offer native refresh rates of 60Hz or 120Hz.
- Motion Index: A number indicating the perceived smoothness delivered by a television. The higher the number, the smoother and more accurate the image. However, it is important not to confuse this rating with the panel's native refresh rate. The motion index is actually a frame interpolation created by the TV's processor to improve motion handling. More marketing-focused terms are used to describe this process, such as Motion Rate, Clear Motion Rate (CMR), and Backlight Scanning.
The Different Types of HDR
- HDR: short for High Dynamic Range. The dynamic range of an image represents the spectrum of colors reproduced by a screen, from the darkest to the brightest. An HDR image contains a wider dynamic range than an image with a standard dynamic range (SDR, for Standard Dynamic Range).
- HDR10: An HDR standard capable of reproducing higher brightness (1000 nits for LEDs and 540 nits for OLEDs). HDR10 requires a 10-bit panel and must reproduce the Rec.2020 color space.
- Dolby Vision: A proprietary Dolby technology that uses 12-bit quantization and real-time dynamic range management.
- The terms HDR1000, HDR Plus, HDR Pro, and Active HDR are marketing labels used by different manufacturers and do not have actual technical classifications.
UHD, 4K, 8K… Which TV Resolution to Choose?
Resolution will have an impact on your TV's image quality. We talk about three major categories on the market today: HD, 4K, and 8K.
HD and Full HD TVs
With the arrival of UHD 4K televisions, one might think high definition is obsolete. Yet, HD TVs still hold a place in the market. Smaller TV sizes and more affordable models feature an HD resolution.
HD represents a 720p format and Full HD a 1080p format. This resolution works fine for small sizes, but as you increase the screen size, pixelation becomes visible. Only buy an HD television if you want a small screen!
How to Properly Choose Your 4K or Ultra HD TV?
What is a 4K television, concretely? 4K resolution matches Ultra HD. The quality of a 4K television will perform four times better than a classic 1080p HD TV.
The choice of resolution will therefore depend on your standards. 4K is becoming the standard and is increasingly affordable. Investing in a TV with this resolution makes sense, since most series and movies produced today are available in 4K. The show will be far more entertaining and the immersion real.
As for 8K, it comes down to a personal choice of being ahead of the curve or not. Because 8K resolution is still very recent and rarely used in current television programming, it remains scarce and expensive.
HDR or High Dynamic Range
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range imaging, which helps greatly improve the detail and colors of displayed images by adjusting lighting contrast as optimally as possible.
This technology is compatible with previous ones: you can thus choose a QLED HDR television to get highly precise rendering. Samsung QLED TVs are notably HDR certified.
What Are the Best TV Brands?
It's impossible not to mention the giant Samsung when talking about the best television brands. Samsung possesses a wide array of televisions and is the very creator of the QLED designation. Samsung QLED TVs always deliver high quality and are constantly pushing technological innovations.
Another renowned brand in the TV field is Sony. Known for their incredible sound quality and rich, natural colors, Sony OLED TVs never disappoint. If you are looking for total audio immersion, you will definitely want to look into what this brand has to offer.
How to Choose Your TV Size?
The choice of a TV size depends on several factors, including:
- The size of the wall where you want to place your television;
- The size of your TV stand to prevent your TV from overhanging and risking damage;
- The distance you can maintain from your screen based on the room's volume;
- Your desire for immersion—a larger screen fosters a more enveloping atmosphere.
Here are the distances we recommend based on the diagonal measurement of your future screen:
| Recommended Distance | HD TV | UHD 4K TV |
| Less than 2 meters | 40 inches and under | 50 inches and under |
| Between 2 and 3 meters | 40 to 55 inches | 50 to 65 inches |
| More than 3 meters | 55 inches and up | 65 inches and up |
A screen will always look smaller in the store than at home: your interior is generally smaller, and in those cases, it is better to aim for exceptional resolution and image quality in a reasonable size.
Check Your Smart TV Compatibility
Like the majority of televisions manufactured today, devices offered on the TV market are "Smart TVs." This means they can connect to the Internet, giving you access to a wealth of content and applications.
To learn more about what a smart TV is, take a look at our article "What is a Smart TV?".
Ensure the Connections Meet Your Needs
Current televisions are capable of decoding all HD and standard sources. Note that some 4K TV models only offer HDMI connections. It will therefore not be possible to hook up sources with analog connections (VCRs, DVD players, older video game consoles).
However, to choose a good flat-screen TV that will perfectly match your needs, always take the time to check that it will allow you to connect your other electronic equipment hassle-free.
Can I Plug a Pair of Headphones into My TV?
Few smart TV models will have a headphone audio output for wired headphones, but all TVs come equipped with an optical digital audio output allowing you to connect a wireless TV headphone system.
Trust Fillion Électronique to Choose Your Television
In conclusion, choosing the right television comes down to precisely identifying your needs and having a solid understanding of these devices. Hesitating before such a purchase is completely normal: that is why, at Fillion Électronique, we remain entirely at your disposal to advise you on selecting TV models, and much more.
Or come visit us at our Montreal store. Our advisors are ready to welcome you and properly evaluate your needs to recommend the equipment that best fits your profile.
