The differences between LCD and LED

An LCD (short form of 'liquid crystal display') is a passive device with no lights to display text or media. Instead of its lights, LCD uses fluorescent tubes that help produce the lights and lighten the picture. The lights are always placed behind the screen panel. LCD produces the contents on the screen in the form of a dot matrix or segments. A liquid crystal filament is filled between the transparent electrodes, and the current is passed through it to energize the filaments. This eventually helps to emit visible lights.

What is the LED?

An LED (short for 'light-emitting diode’). These diodes are usually referred to as the semiconductor light sources that produce lights when a current passes through them. This diode mechanism in LEDs produces pictures.  LEDs operate distinct RGB-colored light. This eventually helps achieve clearer, sharper, and natural colors.

Difference:

1. Picture quality
Image quality is one of the most contentious issues when it comes to the LED vs. LCD video wall debate. LED displays generally have better picture quality compared to their LCD counterparts. From black levels to contrast and even colour accuracy, LED displays usually come out on top. LED screens with a full-array back-lit display capable of local dimming will provide the best picture quality.
In terms of viewing angle, Normally, the LED display can have wider viewing angle than LCD display. The latest technology Mini-LED even can do 180°.

2. Bezel
One of the main differences and biggest considerations when picking between an LCD and an LED video wall is the bezel.
The LED display can do seamless video wall, the bezel less than 1mm. But the LCD video wall normally more than 3mm.

3. Resolution
Resolution affects the sharpness and clarity of the content displayed on a screen. This is particularly important for video walls as it will determine the appropriate viewing distance.
A higher resolution will keep your content looking clear while being viewed up close from a short distance away, while a lower resolution video wall will be better viewed from further away. 
With a much higher resolution, this makes LCDs ideal for indoor viewing. They’ll be able to maintain a clear and detailed image while being viewed from a short viewing distance, for example in a security and control room, simulation room, education facilities and more. But, the LED display can do smaller and smaller pixel pitch as well. This advantages for LCD is not big now.
LED video walls are a great choice for outdoor locations where the display will be viewed from a distance, meaning that the resolution is less important.

4. Pixel pitch
Pixel pitch is the distance between each pixel on an LED panel. The higher the pixel pitch the greater the spacing between the LEDs which will result in lower image quality, while a lower pixel pitch will offer a higher image quality. This will be especially noticeable in close-up viewing environments such as a board room or reception because the details of the content will be lost and viewers will begin to see individual pixels and not a clear cohesive image.
Understanding what pixel pitch you would require for an LED video wall in your chosen location typically requires input from technical specialists. However, here are two you can calculate this yourself.
Multiply the pixel pitch of an LED display by 3 to get the minimum distance in feet a viewer must be from the wall to be able to interpret the content
Multiply the pixel pitch of an LED display by 10 for the ideal viewing experience
For example, an LED display with a pixel pitch of 5mm would require a viewer to be 15 feet away to make out any details in the video wall and 50 feet away to clearly view the content.

5. Brightness

Where you will be displaying your video wall will inform you of how bright you need the screens to be.
Higher brightness will be needed in a room with large windows and lots of light. Especially in outside. And LED display can reach more than 10,000nits if needed.

6. Contrast
Contrast is also something to consider. This is the difference between the screen’s brightest and darkest colours. The typical contrast ratio for LCD displays is 1500:1, while LEDs can achieve 5000:1. LED display can offer high brightness due to the backlighting but also a truer black with local dimming.

7. Carbon footprint
The environmental effects on the planet are now at the forefront of many companies’ minds when making decisions. You could be looking for a video wall solution that has a smaller carbon footprint or complies with your green policies.
Commercial LCDs consume less power than commercial LED displays. This is because LEDs require more energy to power their high-brightness capabilities. LCD panels produce an evenly lit display but don’t reach the same level of brightness that LEDs do. As a result, LCD video walls are able to consume much less energy.
A 55″ LCD display will typically consume around 250W of power at its peak, while a 55″ LED cabinet will consume around 600W.
But the lifespan of LED display can be 100,000 hours, which means the longer life cycles.

If any other questions about LED or LCD, please feel free to contact our team.