Video

Emissive Displays

Emissive displays such as OLED and Plasma TVs emit light through individual pixels. Since plasma TV technology is no longer sold to consumers we'll focus on OLED technology. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) creates picture by sending electrical current to each diode. The more current the more light output, if no current is sent the diode is off  and therefore creates a perfect black pixel. OLEDs ability to create a black pixel separates it from all other current TV technologies. 

LG and Sony are the only manufacturers selling OLED TVs to US consumers. LG has been in the OLED business the longest starting consumer sales in 2013. Sony is shipping their first consumer OLED this year.  LG is supplying the OLED panels to Sony and Sony is adding their own secret sauce to differentiate the TVs. Panasonic announced an OLED TV at CES 2017 but we don't have a shipping date yet. They have been shipping OLED TVs in the UK since 2015. Sony and Panasonic are adding their own secret sauce to differentiate televisions. 

This level of this is what give OLEDs their superb picture quality. Our eyes are tuned for contrast, so the more contrast a TV has the better the picture looks. 

Transmissive Displays

Transmissive displays such as LED/LCD displays have a LCD backlight that shines through a panel striking the pixels which create the picture. The backlight could cover the entire screen or sections of pixels called zones. More zones equals greater ability to create contrast and therefore better picture quality. The blacks aren't as inky as OLED.  

All the major TV manufacturers have LED/LCD TVs including Samsuns QLED (a version of LED technology).