Modern televisions come in different sizes, resolutions, and use different technologies to meet the needs of consumers. With each passing day, we see newer TV models being introduced in the market. As a consumer, it can be very difficult for you to choose the right TV for your need.
To help you out, we have curated the complete list of the different types of televisions based on various factors.
Table of Contents
Types of Televisions
Television can be classified into many types based on various categories.
Based on the display technology, televisions can be categorized into,
Light Emitting Diode (LED) TVs
An LED TV is basically an LCD TV that uses light-emitting diodes as a backlighting source, instead of cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL). There are four types of LEDs – white, red, green, and blue. The white LEDs are very affordable. However, the other three types produce a rich color range.
Advantages of LED
- They have high energy efficiency and last longer.
- They have a high rating for color rendering index.
- They turn and off instantly without any delay.
- They generate very little heat.
- Their maintenance costs are very low.
- They can operate even at low voltages.
Drawbacks of LED
One of the major drawbacks of LED TVs is that they have a poor contrast ratio in comparison to Plasma TVs. They are also very expensive. Furthermore, it is very difficult to mount an LED TV because of its thicker dimensional depth.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs
LCD TVs have been around for a very long time and still, the most popular option among Indian consumers. These TVs use liquid crystal technology. The molecules of liquid crystals have an orderly arrangement, yet they flow like fluids. LCD TVs deliver images by blocking light, rather than emitting them.
Advantages of LCD
- They are compatible with small and large size screens.
- They do not emit any radiation and come with anti-glare technology.
- They have a more usable display size.
- They have a wider brightness range.
- They are immune to burn-ins.
- They have a longer lifespan when maintained properly.
Drawbacks of LCD
The efficiency of LCD TVs is low compared to LEDs. Furthermore, they have a longer response time and have white saturation. They have limited viewing angle and their brightness is reduced in dim light conditions.
Plasma TVs
The plasma display technology uses small cells of gases trapped between two glass surfaces that light up and produce ultraviolet light. This is achieved by using inert gases like neon or xenon. The cells in the TV screen are coated with a phosphor that converts the ultraviolet light into visible light.
Advantages of plasma
- The plasma TVs have a high contrast ratio and good color saturation.
- They have excellent brightness and high resolution
- They have a wide viewing angle.
- They do not experience any motion blur.
- Since they don’t need backlighting, they are not prone to reflection glare.
Drawbacks of plasma
They are highly prone to burn-in and screen retention. Moreover, they do not come in smaller screen sizes. They consume more electricity and have a shorter lifespan.
Organic LIght-Emitting Diode (OLED) TVs
Unlike LCDs, OLEDs can emit light on their own. Hence, the name Organic LEDs. The pixels in these TVs are made of organic compounds that glow when they come in contact with electricity. Each pixel glows independently from the rest. The more electricity you pass through the pixels, the brighter they glow.
Advantages of OLED
- OLED TVs display deeper blacks.
- They feature the best contrast display at present.
- They have a large field of view.
- They are very thin as they do not use any filters
Drawbacks of OLED
OLED TVs are priced very high compared to others. Moreover, they are very susceptible to burn-in and have only a limited market share.
Quantum Light-Emitting Diode (QLED) TVs
These are the latest additions to the market. These TVs use tiny nanoparticles called quantum dots with diameters of two to ten nanometers. When light falls on them, they emit different colors based on their size. Samsung is the only brand that uses its QLED display technology.
Advantages of QLED
- The QLED TVs have higher brightness. Estimates show that their brightness is 50 to 100 times more compared to LCDs.
- They consume less power. They are twice as energy-efficient as OLED TVs
- They are thin and lightweight.
- They are very affordable.
- They are not susceptible to burn-in, unlike OLED TVs.
- They resist moisture, hence have a longer lifespan.
Drawbacks of QLED
Their major disadvantage is that they are only manufactured by Samsung. They have a poor viewing angle compared to OLEDs. Furthermore, they have slow response rates and poor contrast.
Based on the screen resolutions, TV are categorized into
8K UHD TV
The 8K Ultra High Definition television screen has a pixel count of 33 million. It has a horizontal resolution of 8,000 pixels which is denoted by 8K. At present, this is the highest resolution and offers the sharpest and most crisp images. The 8K screen has a resolution of 7,680 x 4,320.
The 8K display resolution has four times the number of pixels as a 4K resolution and 16 times the number of pixels as a 1080p resolution. As it is a new technology, a lot of video content does not support this resolution.
4K UHD TV
With a horizontal resolution of 4,000 pixels and a total pixel count of 8.3 million, this produces vivid and very clear images. Its resolution is denoted as 3840 x 2160. The 4K resolution has four times the number of pixels as a 1080p resolution.
While in the initial stages, there was not a lot of 4K content, the situation has changed for the better. There is enough digital content in 4K resolution that you can view. These days, even set-top boxes support 4K content that you can opt for.
1080p TV
The 1080p resolution, also known as Full HD, has 1920 x 1080 pixels. The ‘p’ in the 1080p stands for progressive scan. It has a total pixel count of 2 million which results in clear images. Since this resolution has been around for some time, you won’t have any problem finding 1080p content to watch.
720p TV
Also referred to as HD ready or standard HD, 720p resolution has a total pixel count of 9 hundred thousand. It has 1280 vertical pixels and 720 horizontal. The 720p resolution is capable of producing clear images, however not as vivid as the higher resolutions.
There has been a decrease in the price difference between 720p and 1080p, and the gap will only continue to grow narrow. So, if you are planning to get a new TV, it is better to invest in a higher resolution TV considering that 720p is not very relevant in the modern era.
Based on the screen design, TVs can be categorized into
Flat-screen TV
When it comes to screen design, flat-screen TVs are the most popular options.
Flat-screen TV
These TVs created a lot of buzz when they were introduced and are found common in most Indian households. As the name implies, they display content on a flat-screen. They are lightweight and thin, which makes them ideal even for small rooms.
The flat screens are easier to wall mount which further reduces the space it occupies. As flat screens have been around for some time, the flat-screen TVs come with different technologies, sizes, and at different prices to suit your needs.
Curved screen TV
The curved screen TVs are relatively new to the market, however, they are fast gaining popularity. They offer a more immersive experience due to the angles of the curved screen. This makes you perceive the images as more realistic. If you are a gamer, then this is the one you should go with.
Furthermore, they provide a wider field of view and reduce distortion. The curved TVs are easy on your eyes and you can view the content without straining your eyes.
The major drawbacks of curved screen TVs are their difficulty in wall-mounting and higher price range. However, with further technological advancements, it is safe to assume that the prices will get reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions?
The primary difference between an OLED and LED is that OLED uses organic compounds that self illuminate when electricity is passed. On the other hand, in an LED display, light-emitting diodes are used to light an LCD.
Both QLED and OLED have their own merits and demerits. QLEDs deliver higher brightness, last longer, come in larger screen sizes, and are very affordable. On the other hand, OLEDs deliver better viewing angle, cause deeper black levels, and consume less power.
The human eye can not differentiate between 4k and 8k when their viewing distance is more. However, some small details look very sharp when viewed in 8k resolution.
You can play 1080p video content on a 720p screen. However, the video resolution will be decreased automatically to 720p. This happens because the 720p screen can not accommodate all the pixels from a 1080p image and hence, resizes the pixels to 720p.
The cost of camera equipment for filming in 8k is very high. Hence, many film and video makers refrain from filming in 8k resolution. However, with new technological advancements, the scenario might change and you can expect much 8k content.
The curved screen delivers an immersive experience due to the angles of the curved screen. Furthermore, it provides a wider viewing angle and allows you to view the TV without straining your eye.
Conclusion
As explained, you can categorize the TV based on display technologies, screen resolution, and screen shape. In each category, list out the specific features that you need on your TV. Now, it becomes easier for you to find a TV that has a combination of all the necessary features.
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If you feel like we have missed any important TV type, please let us know using the comments section and we will add them.
