solderic.com Edge-lit TVs position LEDs along the screen's edges, offering a slimmer design but often less precise local dimming control compared to Full Array Local Dimming (FALD), which places LEDs directly behind the screen for enhanced contrast and deeper blacks. Understanding these differences will help you make an informed choice about which technology best suits your viewing preferences--explore the rest of the article to dive deeper.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Edge-Lit LED | Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) |
|---|---|---|
| Backlight Placement | LEDs positioned on edges of the screen | LEDs spread evenly behind the entire screen |
| Brightness Control | Limited zones, less precise | Multiple zones, precise local dimming |
| Contrast Ratio | Lower contrast due to light bleed | Higher contrast with deeper blacks |
| Black Levels | Less accurate, slight grayish blacks | True blacks, improved shadow detail |
| Cost | More affordable | Higher price due to complex backlighting |
| Thickness | Thinner design possible | Thicker due to full array LEDs |
| Power Consumption | Generally lower power usage | Higher power consumption |
| Image Uniformity | Possible edge brightening or clouding | Uniform brightness and color across screen |
Introduction to Edge-lit and Full Array Local Dimming
Edge-lit and Full Array Local Dimming are two advanced backlighting technologies used in LED TVs to enhance picture quality by controlling light distribution. Edge-lit backlighting places LEDs along the screen's edges, offering thinner designs but often less precise light control, while Full Array Local Dimming uses a grid of LEDs behind the entire screen, enabling deeper blacks and improved contrast. Understanding these differences helps you choose a TV that balances design aesthetics and superior picture performance.
How Edge-lit Backlighting Works
Edge-lit backlighting uses LEDs positioned along the edges of the TV panel to illuminate the screen, relying on light guides to distribute brightness evenly across the display. This design allows for thinner screens and lower production costs compared to full array local dimming, which places LEDs directly behind the entire panel for more precise light control. While edge-lit models offer slimmer profiles, they often result in less uniform brightness and contrast, especially in scenes with varied dark and bright areas.
Understanding Full Array Local Dimming Technology
Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) technology enhances your TV's picture quality by placing a grid of LEDs directly behind the entire screen, allowing precise control of brightness and contrast across different zones. This method drastically improves black levels and reduces light bleed, resulting in deeper blacks and more vibrant highlights compared to Edge-lit displays, which only have LEDs along the edges. Understanding FALD helps you make an informed choice for superior contrast performance and immersive viewing experiences.
Key Differences Between Edge-lit and Full Array
Edge-lit displays use LEDs positioned around the screen's edge, relying on light guides to illuminate the entire panel, resulting in thinner designs but less precise lighting control. Full array local dimming employs a grid of LEDs directly behind the screen, allowing for zone-specific brightness adjustments that enhance contrast and black levels. Key differences include uniformity of brightness, contrast performance, and price, with full array models generally offering superior picture quality at a higher cost.
Picture Quality: Contrast and Black Levels
Full Array Local Dimming offers superior picture quality with deeper contrast and richer black levels by illuminating LEDs directly behind the entire screen, allowing precise control over brightness zones. Edge-lit panels tend to have less precise dimming, leading to potential light bleeding and less distinct black areas, impacting overall contrast. Your viewing experience benefits significantly from the enhanced depth and realism provided by Full Array Local Dimming technology.
Brightness and Uniformity Comparison
Edge-lit LCD TVs position LEDs around the screen's perimeter, often resulting in uneven brightness and less precise local dimming, which can cause halo effects and reduced contrast in dark scenes. Full array local dimming (FALD) features LEDs spread evenly behind the entire panel, enabling superior brightness control and uniform illumination, leading to deeper blacks and more accurate contrast. Your viewing experience improves significantly with FALD due to enhanced brightness consistency and better overall picture uniformity.
HDR Performance: Which Is Better?
Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) offers superior HDR performance by providing more precise control over brightness and contrast, resulting in deeper blacks and brighter highlights compared to Edge-lit LED displays. Edge-lit screens tend to have less uniform illumination and can suffer from halo effects around bright objects, which diminishes HDR quality. For your HDR viewing experience, Full Array Local Dimming delivers more vivid colors and improved dynamic range, making it the better choice.
Energy Efficiency and Thickness
Edge-lit LED TVs typically consume less power due to fewer LEDs positioned along the screen edges, resulting in improved energy efficiency compared to full array local dimming (FALD) models. Full array local dimming enhances contrast by using multiple LED zones behind the entire screen but often increases panel thickness and power consumption due to the higher LED density. Thinner profiles are more achievable with edge-lit designs, while FALD provides superior image quality at the expense of increased device bulk and energy use.
Pricing and Value for Money
Edge-lit LED TVs generally offer a more affordable price point compared to Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) models, making them a budget-friendly option for consumers. FALD technology provides superior contrast and deeper blacks by independently controlling multiple zones of backlighting, which justifies its higher cost for users seeking premium picture quality. For value-conscious buyers prioritizing picture performance and dynamic range, investing in FALD displays delivers significantly enhanced viewing experiences despite the increased price.
Choosing the Right TV: Edge-lit vs Full Array
Edge-lit TVs use LED lights positioned along the screen's edges, offering thinner designs and lower costs but often with less uniform brightness and contrast compared to Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) models. Full Array Local Dimming TVs feature a grid of backlight zones that independently dim or brighten, providing superior black levels, enhanced contrast ratios, and improved picture quality, especially in dark scenes. Selecting between Edge-lit and Full Array depends on priorities for budget, brightness consistency, and superior HDR performance, with Full Array preferred for high-end cinematic experiences.
Edge-lit vs Full Array Local Dimming Infographic
