Light-emitting diodes brighten new HDTVs

LED LCD TVs from Sony, Samsung, LG and others have joined the parade of garden-variety LCD and plasma TVs on the shelves of retailers. But before you say, "Not another acronym!" consider the energy savings and enhanced picture of this new breed of LCD HDTV.

"Almost every customer who looks at the LED-lit HDTV for the first time immediately says, '"Wow! How did they do that?' " says Best Buy Product Process Manager Andre Sam. "The most important advantages for consumers are deep blacks, shadowy details, smooth motion, vivid colors — all with much less heat and energy consumption."

LED, short for light-emitting diode, refers to the method of backlighting or illuminating the screens of these new TVs. Traditional LCD models use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps as the lighting source. These are thin fluorescent tubes with a panel that diffuse the light throughout the screen evenly.