With the rapid pace of technological progress, we're always wondering what certain electronics acronyms mean. In the case of TVs, there are several: LCD, LED, QLED, HD, Full HD, 4K, 8K, etc.
So, in a simple and general way, we've put together a guide to help you understand what it is and what each type of product can mean to your experience. Whether it's watching TV channels, series, movies, surfing the web or playing video games, each TV has its own particularity. Shall we get started?
Contents
Now, let's talk about TV screen technology. That is, the specifics of TV panel assembly. At present, there are a number of technologies, and we've highlighted the main ones below.
You may not even remember the last time you heard this phrase. Younger readers of this guide probably don't even know what it is exactly. The fact is, plasma TV was a great evolution in imaging, so it was a bestseller at the beginning of the last decade.
This model of television caught the public's attention because it was the originator of straight screens, which enable better viewing from several angles in the same space. Today, this model is no longer sold, and has given way to the much better-known LCD technology.
Think of a crystal plate with a light source emanating from behind, which passes through the plate and then produces the colors. This is how an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) works. Almost all the digital equipment we know today is made with this technology: clocks, signs, display panels, monitors and, of course, televisions.
In their case, those with this technology are known for low power consumption, even spending half of what a screen spends with the previous technology.
What's more, LCD TVs do not emit electromagnetic waves. In other words, exposure to this type of screen is not harmful to health, unless it is manifestly excessive.
We could classify the LED screen as an advanced LCD. Indeed, their structure is quite similar, but the difference lies in the LED panel, which adds and enhances color formation and visualization.
Experts say that consumers perceive big differences in televisions larger than 32 inches, as these dimensions allow for greater picture diffusion.
Another point is that, in the case of the previous screen, more technical people notice dark spots that are visible due to lack of light, whereas in this type of TV the screen becomes even brighter.
Despite the similar name, QLED and OLED technologies are not the same. Both are evolutions of LED, OLED technology being owned by LG, while QLED is produced by Samsung. There are other brands that sell products with both technologies, but only these companies manufacture the respective screens.
In addition to the LED concept, which we've already explained, the "O" refers to the organic nature of OLED screens. In this case, televisions are produced with organic diodes that emit and control the light itself. That is, as images pass through the TV, the equipment itself is responsible for adjusting the light to enhance the experience of those watching. These televisions are notoriously thick, up to the size of a cell phone.
The "Q", on the other hand, refers to the quantum dots present on the TV. In this case, the QLED screen itself generates these dots, which can faithfully produce colors. These TVs are renowned for their luminous intensity and performance in environments with all types of lighting.
They joined words "picture "and "element "and formed the term pixel "which means "picture element". It refers to the composition of the image on a screen. The digital image is made up of dots which, together, give us a complete picture.
Think, for example, of a camera, whether digital or mobile: the more you zoom in, the closer the image will be to the target. However, with each zoom application, the "little squares" that make up and form the image become more visible.
The pixel is present on every screen, from smartphones to giant digital billboards. And to complete the screen with an image, the TV uses these pixels, sizing them according to their size.
As a result, the greater the number of pixels, the better the image definition. In fact, the more "little squares" a TV has, the less it will have to resize the displayed image to deliver a complete picture to viewers.
Below we separate each degree of screen resolution and the corresponding number of pixels. When reading, consider the first number to refer to the width and the second to the height of the screen.
HD resolution was a revolution in the market, as it was inserted alongside "flat screen" TVs. Compared to analog resolution, which was the current resolution until then, it has twice the quality. Here, the TV must have at least 1280 x 720 pixels, reaching almost 1 million pixels spread across the screen.
Even with good resolution, technology companies wanted to develop products that would give even greater definition to images. That's where Full HD resolution comes from, with over 2 million pixels (1920 x 1080), twice as many as before.
Today, most screens sold worldwide are manufactured with this resolution. What's more, almost all streaming and media players support this resolution. Here, it's 3840 x 2160 pixels, an impressive total of 8,294,400 pixels on the screen.
8K resolution is the highest index of quality and sharpness on the TV market today. More than 33 million pixels, divided into 7680 x 4320, form the image of this screen. Normally, TVs with this resolution are over 50 inches and have the highest sales value.
Despite this, very little content is already available in this resolution. Currently, productions are mainly made in HD or Full HD, and now, little by little, productions are being created for 4K resolution.
Here we enter a concept not necessarily related to the previous ones. A Smart TV is an intelligent device that can be connected to other devices via the Internet.
In the case of TVs, the Smart TV is a type of gadget that has access to various applications, and some even have the Android system installed. With this type of TV, you can access several streaming video services - such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video - and music, in addition to surfing the web and mirroring your smartphone screen.
It's important to note that to enjoy all the benefits of a smart TV, the device needs to be connected to the internet, either via cable or Wi-Fi. Otherwise, you'll only be able to use the device's basic functions, leaving you like an ordinary TV without intelligence.
There are accessories on the market that turn a basic TV - with HDMI input - into a smart TV, such as Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick, and they're very attractively priced for those who don't yet want to buy a new smart TV.
I'm in my thirties and I'm what's commonly known as a "Big Geek". I spend my time testing high-tech gear and playing my good old retro consoles. If one of my tips has been useful to at least one person... well, it's better than nothing 😉
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