Firstly the fluorescent lamps used in CCFL LCDs are always switched on or always lit. In order to display black areas on screen the light has to be deflected from the LCD panel so that it is not visible. However the methods employed to achieve this are far from perfect and so reproduction of very dark blacks is compromised and only relatively poor contrast levels are achievable (contrast level is the comparison between the level of blacks and whites that are possible).

With rear-lit LED TVs the lighting is provided by a matrix of LEDs situated behind the LCD panel. Each of these LEDs can be individually controlled and can be switched on or off. This allows for areas of dark (LEDs off) and areas of white (LEDs on) to produced on screen at the same time. When compared with LCDs, the reproduction of dark blacks is improved with rear-lit LED TVs and consequently so are the contrast levels.

Next when it comes to color gamut (or the range of color that is possible), the back-lit LED comes out on top. There reason for this is that rear-lit LED TVs use RGB LEDs which are able to produce a whiter light than either CCFLs or the white LEDs used in edge-lit LED TVs. This whiter light (or fuller spectrum range) enhances the colors that are displayed on the LCD panel and so improve the viewing experience.

If you are considering buying a new TV you should compare hdtvs before buying. To see the benefits that LED rear-lit televisions for yourself take a trip down to your local television showroom and view the improvements in contrast levels and color reproduction by comparing a conventional CCFL LCD model to a rear-lit LED TV and judge if the later comes out as the highest resolution lcd tv.