Mini LED TV vs. OLED TVs

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1When it comes to televisions for a high-end home theater, you want the best quality possible. Fortunately for the consumer, TV technology continues to improve and evolve. While there are a number of competing technologies out there to choose from, two have risen to the top: Mini LED and OLED.

Of course, there is an obvious question: Which one is better? To find that answer, you need to understand what the differences are and determine which technology best suits your needs.

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Let's Start with the LCD

In the 2000s and early 2010s, flat screen televisions for consumers were largely focused around refining the liquid crystal display (LCD). The pixels on these types of TVs are made of a liquid that contains crystals that are then sandwiched between glass layers. Each pixel is divided into three sub-pixels, each or which has a color filter of either red, green or blue. Combining the different colors of the sub-pixels together gives each full pixel its individual color.

The pixels and their crystals are then backlit, creating a glowing color. When the total number of pixels are activated, you get a TV picture.

What is OLED?

In 2013, a new flat screen technology was introduced: Organic light-emitting diode (OLED). It works by using an organic material that glows when you apply electricity to it. In fact, the more power you feed it, the brighter it will glow!

This type of display also offered a true black to its picture quality. Because of the nature of OLED, if you did not apply electricity, then it did not glow at all. So, if it was totally off, it was totally black.

OLEDs don't use a backlight, either. The OLEDs themselves can be affixed to the screen's glass. This makes OLED TVs thinner and lighter, as well.

Newer OLED technologies incorporate a layer of quantum dots with blue OLEDs. This increases the TVs brightness.

What is Mini-LED?

As we mentioned above, the older LCD displays use liquid crystals that are illuminated by a large backlight. The Mini-LED TV takes this idea of the backlight and refines it. Instead of one backlight for all the pixels, this technology features thousands of light-emitting diode (LED) backlights. The advantage is that this technology offers more control over the lighting of the pixels. You see the advantage when objects on the screen are in shadow or there are areas of total blackness.

Color, however, is still produced by sub-pixels with red, blue and green filters, as they are in LCD screens.

For image quality that is superior to Mini-LED, there is Micro-LED. It is currently only available on the most expensive TVs. Mini-LED remains more popular and more available.

Before purchasing equipment, the most important step is planning. Think about the room size, ceiling height, and layout. Will this be a dedicated theater room or a multi-purpose living area? The answers will guide every decision that follows.

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What do you think so far?

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Comparing OLED and Mini-LED

Color Quality

When it comes to the range of colors that the two technologies produce, OLED displays are rated better. The organic material used with this technology offers a broader spectrum of color than what the backlit red, blue and green filters can ever produce. After all, using red, blue and green filters to create other colors is a man-made invention designed to recreate or mimic a true color, because the Mini-LED technology can't create the true color.

OLED is much closer to what your eye sees.

Brightness and Contrast

In the area of brightness, Mini-LED is the clear winner. Thousands of LED backlights make an impact on the brightness of a picture. OLED TVs simply can't reach the same levels.

However, when it comes to contrast, OLED is ahead. That's because they offer deeper blacks, allowing for a greater difference between the dark areas and the light areas on the screen.

Seeing it from All Sides: Viewing Angles

If you plan to watch your TV with family and friends, then having a wide viewing angle is important. After all, people will sit to the sides want to enjoy a good picture, just like the person in the middle.

Here, OLED proves to be the best. They tend to have a wider viewing area than LCDs or Mini-LEDs.

Price

Even though OLED displays have been out for a decade, it is still thought of as a superior technology. On top of that, there are fewer OLED models than Mini-LEDs on the market. These two facts make OLED TVs more expensive than a comparable Mini-LED TV.

Conclusion

If you're looking for superior color, contrast, viewing angles and price is not a factor, then OLED is the great choice. However, if price does play a role and you need a TV that is brighter, then Mini-LED could be the technology for you.

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“People will forgive an imperfect picture, but never bad sound.”

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Getting Started

Are you interested in getting an OLED or Mini-LED TV for your home or office? Then call Phantom Sound today at 513-759-4477. We'll schedule a visit to your home for a free consultation.

Phantom Sound – We offer home automation, security and entertainment systems for discriminating homeowners.