LED TVs can be manufactured in one of two forms, Dynamic RGB LEDs and White Edge-LEDs. With Dynamic RGB, the LEDs (light emitting diodes) are positioned behind the main panel, while with White Edge-LEDs; the light emitting diodes are positioned around the outer rim. In this instance, a specially designed fusion panel is utilized in order to spread the light evenly over the rear surface area of the screen.

RGB Dynamic LEDs Potential Advantages

With the use of RGB Dynamic LEDs, the backlighting will allow dimming to occur in specific, local areas of the screen - thereby creating dark sections which show up as truer blacks. With this technology, the picture will have darker blacks and brighter whites at a significantly higher level of contrast ratio - with less detail loss regarding small white objects projected against a black background. This would show up, for example, as clear stars against a night sky.

White Edge-LEDs Potential Advantages

With the use of White Edge-LED technology, the advantage will lay in the fact that television units can be manufactured to be very thin - thus taking up less room. This will also provide better aesthetic appeal, when mounted on a wall. Here, the light will be diffused by a specialized panel and the uniform range of colors will be projected across the TV's screen.

LED Technology Developments

Sharp has developed an LED technology that allows for backlighting which aligns the LEDs on the rear of the TV (similar to RGB Dynamic backlight), but it doesn't have the local dimming feature. This has proven to be a disadvantage, since the more desirable darker blacks are absent with this type of lighting.

Which is the Better Technology?

As with most things, the "better" technology is dependent upon the needs of the user. There is a difference in cost factor with the two technologies as well as a visual and aesthetic difference. If a slimmer unit is desired, then the edge technology TVs would be considered to have the advantage. However, if sharp contrasts with darker blacks and brighter whites are the main focal points, the RGB Dynamic LED units would be preferable.

As long as a potential buyer has all the facts at their disposal, then comparison shopping becomes a much easier affair. It's necessary to understand the differences in technology to have a clear understanding of why some units are much more expensive than others.