display - Why does my new LED LCD TV look worse than my CCFL LCD monitor?
2014-07
Fletch
At work we wanted a large 1920 x 1080 monitor to use with a certain program. Since monitors with this resolution seem to currently stop at 24", we went for a LCD TV so that we could have 26", and in fact we bought the LG 26LE5500 which is a LED LCD TV.
I'm sure the screen would be great for watching movies, but the problem we have is that for computer work, the quality is simply much worse than our existing (CCFL i.e. traditional) 19 inch LCD monitors. The main problem is that text does not appear sharp. If I look at black text on a grey background on my old monitor, I see obviously black and grey. On the new TV, I see black, grey, and slight bits of white at the sides of the black text, as if "shining out from behind". Let me clarify that both monitor and TV are running at their correct resolution, so it is not the old problem of having the resolution too low. This problem exemplifies something about the display which makes it really unpleasant to read text on this screen - fine for a minute but not if you want to work all day with the screen.
Additionally even after playing a lot with the controls, the colour reproduction is not as faithful in my opinion, and the white is perhaps "overly flourescent", however these problems would be acceptable, it's the text problem that is the killer.
The question is: What is source of the problem here? Is it something about TVs that makes them worse as monitors? Is it the fact that it's a LED LCD? Is it something brand-specific, LG's poor construction quality? We want to purchase a different screen to solve the problem, so I need to know where the problem lies. Obviously I will test the screens in the shop, but it's good to understand the technology before entering.
harrymc
Most people agree that LED has superior quality as monitor.
From Using HDTV as PC Monitor :
Turn off any noise reduction built into the TV. Noise reduction does nasty things to text and is meant for use with video content only (if at all). Make sure the video card and television are both set to [...] the recommended resolution from the manufacturer.
Yuval
I am in the market for a new monitor. I've been looking around and it seems that the general brightness for monitors is between 250-320 cd/m2.
After hours of searching, I narrowed it down to the LG W2453V-PF vs. the LG E2350V-SN
The W2453V-PF is not LED backlit yet it has a brightness level of 310 cd/m2 and a response time of 2ms. The E2350V-SN, on the other hand, has a brightness level of 250 cd/m2 and a response time of 5ms but it is LED backlit.
My questions are, looking at these overall specs:
Which monitor is better? What makes LED backlight better? Is the LED backlight worth the decreased brightness level?
Thanks!
p.s. if you have any other comparable monitor suggestions (that are not samsung - I read their customer service is absolutely terrible), feel free to share. thanks!
Update: ended up going with the LG W2453V and it's by far one of the best purchases I've ever made. The warm up time is very barely noticable, it doesn't have an annoying flickering light (or any light for that matter) when turned off (so I can sleep with ease in the same room) and it's just all in all a great monitor. Also, I got it for $80 less than the Amazon listed price by buying directly from the Amazon warehouse (the external cardboard box was damaged - the monitor was in perfect, new condition). I'm very happy! thanks for the suggestions.
Hugh Allen
The LED backlight may or may not be more power efficient (check the monitors' power usage). If it is the RGB (as opposed to white) type it can produce a wider color gamut. It also produces less environmental pollution (mercury) on disposal.
See LED Backlights and Differences between LED-backlit and CCFL-backlit LCD displays