Well actually the choice is still only LCD TV or Plasma, the new kid on the block causing a few buzz words in the industry is LED, however these TVs are actually LCD panels with LED lights operating behind the scenes.

LEDs are fairly common in other technologies, I have a little LED torch that sits in my glove box just in case. LED (Light emitting diode) are now being used in high end cars, the latest BMWs and Audis all seem to have LEDs for the simple reason they not only look cool but offer brighter lights as well as break lights that react quicker than conventional car lighting.

So how does LED lighting affect the TV market? Well in theory they work in a similar nature to the cars, by offering brighter and faster reacting lights which means they have the potential to reproduce more colours and importantly blacker blacks. If you read any journalists reviews they are often complaining about the washed out colours produced by flat panel TVs. This is linked to the backlight of the panel which traditionally is a CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps). CCFLs do not have the range of colours/ shades and also not the response times. They are also strips running across the back of the TV. LEDs are more flexible – for example a scene might be very dark in certain areas and then have a very bright light shining through (as I write this I am thinking about a solar eclipse). LEDs can turn themselves off locally where as CCFLs have to balance the lighting – so simply they play it safe and blend the lighting – making it look a little grey rather than black black.

As in cars LED response times are much faster, you will see a BMW 5 Series braking before let’s say an old Ford. The difference is minimal but in TV land response times are important, an LED can go from black to white much faster than a conventional CCFL.

Not that CCFL should be dismissed as a technology, the difference between LED and CCFL would probably only be noticed by a home cinema connoisseur, and there is currently a significant price premium for LED technology. CCFL tubes also require a little bit more space, so if you see a wafer thin LCD on the market chances are its got LED lighting powering it.

Now when it comes to LED lighting there is another twist to confuse the consumer. Some TVs use less LEDs than others, Toshiba’s SV will use LED Local Dimming Technology as opposed to LED Edge Technology. Basically the LEDs on LED Edge technology are around the edge of the screen (surprising really) whereas LED Local Dimming evenly distributes the LEDs behind the screen, therefore offering an even greater spread of dimming, which should in theory offer more detail.

Toshiba’s SV will be available in September with screen sizes starting in 46” and going up to 55”.