New LED LCDs from Sharp

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10282421-1.html?tag=mncol;txt' target='_blank'>http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105...l?tag=mncol;txt</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The LE700 series features a "full array of LEDs" behind the screen, but doesn't have local dimming, a technology that allows different areas of the screen to brighten and dim separately. Past TVs we've reviewed with local dimming exhibited superb black levels, but we haven't tested any LED-equipped sets without local dimming aside from Samsung's edge-lit models, which didn't perform as well as the local dimming displays. Also, while Sharp is touting the LE700's native 120Hz refresh rate, a number of its LED competitors are already pushing 240Hz sets. Other than its energy-saving capabilities, it's not entirely clear how this kind of LED backlight offers much of an improvement over standard LCDs, so we'll have to look into it when we get our hands on the LE700 series."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1247276422.usr10.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>Although quite a bit more than non-LED Aquios sets, the starting prices for these are pretty competitive with other LED sets.&nbsp; But, without local dimming, I'm curious if these sets will have the bang to go with the buck.</p><p><em></em></p>

[Felix Torres]

1- The Samsung LED/LCD sets with side-lighting don't do local dimming and they're nonetheless stunning. LED backlighting by itself provides a better light spectrum (for more saturated, more realistic colors) and is easier to dynamically adjust the brightness on a full-frame basis, so they are a clear improvement over all but the very best CCFL backlights.

2- Of note, Sharp has put the LED backlight even on their 32" model. I think that is a first. Sounds like they're serious about transitioning to all-LED backlighting. We'll have to see what comes next, probably with the 2010 lineup...

3- The way it's shaking down LED backlights should take over the HDTV panel business; properly designed, it is a cheaper technology that is better for the viewer and the manufacturer. And it readily allows for the vendors' preferred "good-better-best" product line alignment. Entry models without without local dimming, mid-range models with local dimming of white LEDs, and high-end models with local dimming of RGBW LED clusters.

4- If bang for the buck is the desire, Vizio (who else) is doing local dimming on *their* LED-backlit models due in the Sept-Dec timeframe. Lots of bang, not so many bucks. (But that would be a different story, no?) ;)

5- Sharp *is* coming in cheaper than other LED-LCD vendors and, to their credit, aren't trying to snow customers, pretending they are an all-new tech distinct from LCD; just the next evolution of the mainstream HDTV tech.

6- I just wish they'd get the price of their 65" LED-lit model down to the merely expensive range... ;)