LED TV Backlights

LED is an abbreviation for Light-Emitting Diode.

A Light-Emitting Diode (LED) is an electrical device with two electrodes, an anode, and a cathode.

It allows electricity to flow in one direction (from anode to cathode), that is from positive to negative.

LED lighting devices utilizes semiconductors to emit visible light in the form of photons when an electrical current passes through them.

LED TV backlights are a popular choice for enhancing the viewing experience by:

• Improving ambiance.
• Reducing eye strain.
• Adding a touch of style to the entertainment setup.

Being the commonly used LED lighting options, you can choose between LED strip lights and the LED light bars depending on your preference and required ambiance.

LED strip lights are a versatile choice for TV backlighting. They are flexible, allowing you to bend them around corners. It is easy to customize the length of the strips as they come with cut marks. You can even cut and rejoin segments of LED strips if needed.

While LED bar lights are also suitable for backlighting behind the TV as they can be easily positioned to create backlighting effects, LED strip lights are preferred for a more concealed effect.

Speaking of preferences and ambiance requirements, you might still find yourself choosing between RGB and RGBIC LED Lights. RGB displays only one color at a time while RGBIC is capable of displaying various colors at the same time. An RGB LED light strip can be cut and cheaper unlike an RGBIC LED light strip which cannot be cut and are expensive but they have more features that offer value for the money.

RGB represents Red Green Blue.

RGBIC represents Red Green Blue Integrated Circuit.

While RGB LED produces red, green and blue lights only, RGBIC is capable of producing all three lights as well as any combinations of the three. RGBIC is basically an improvement of the RGB LED.

You might also come across RGBW AND RGBWW. This are just the basic RGB then adding White light and RGB+White+Warm White lights respectively. They can be differentiated only by the color intensity of the white color.

Installing TV LED Backlights

Both LED Strip Lights and LED light bars can be easily installed behind your television without the need for professional assistance.

Materials Needed to Install LED Lights Behind Your TV

1. LED Lights Kit

An LED kit contains: – pre-cut LED strip lights,

• including a mini-controller.
  •  A USB power plug.
  •  A remote,
  • 3M self-adhesive backing tape.
  • Connector cables.
  • Either of LED bars or a set of LED strip lights.
• Micro-fiber cloth
• Masking tape
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

Installation Methods.

Method 1: Cutting LED Strips to Fit the Measurements.

If you have LED light strips that need to be cut, ensure your kit includes at least four corner connectors and the correct number of connector clips. You’ll use corner connectors to attach two cut pieces of strip lights when reaching a corner. Begin by connecting the power source and ensuring it reaches the starting point of the LED strip. Then, install the strip on the side where the TV’s power connects, usually on the right. Measure the first strip from the bottom to the top corner, where it will link up with the corner connector. Once you’re satisfied with the length, cut the strip lights at the nearest marked cutting point. Secure the connector clips, peel off the adhesive backing, and attach each piece to the TV and corner connectors. Finally, join the power supply and test the remote functions before putting the TV back in place.

Method 2: Attaching LED Strip Lights Using the Folding Method

If you prefer not to cut the LED strips, you can use the folding method:

1. Corner Fold: Fold the strips at a 90-degree angle and hold them together using super glue.

• Ribbon Bend: Bend the strips in a looping style to make a 90-Degree Pitch and use adhesive tape or super glue to attach them to the TV.

• Accordion Folds (The Curve): You just create small folds in the strips and connect them using adhesive, ideal for round corners.

Method 3: Connecting Pre-Cut LED Strip Lights

When using pre-cut LED light strips, attach the four individual strips together using three-connector cables. Ensure the arrangement forms a rectangle. Align the LED strip lights’ conductors with the connector cables’ markings and attach them to the back of the TV. Once positioned correctly, remove the adhesive backing and stick the strips to the TV one side at a time. Connect the power source and test the remote-control functions as you work your way around the TV.

Method 4: Attaching LED Bars to the Back of Your TV

For LED bars, simply connect the power source and position them behind or beside the TV. LED bars offer features such as preset modes, music synchronization, color options, scheduled optimization, and voice assistant compatibility.

Installation steps:

Step 1: Get TV Measurements.

determine the length of LED light strips needed for installation by measuring the dimensions of your TV.

Step 2: Decide where to place the LED lights behind your TV.

You can choose to outline the perimeter of the TV or create a custom design.

Consider factors such as cable management and power source location.

You can consider placing the lights an inch from the edge of the TV.

Step 3: Clean The TV

ensure that the back of your TV is clean and free of dust and debris. Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface clean and dry for optimal adhesion.

Step 4: Unroll the Strip Lights

Carefully unroll the LED strip lights on a flat surface to ensure they are organized and ready for installation.

Step 5: Install the LED Light

Carefully adhere the LED light strips to the back of your TV according to your planned layout following the manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation.

Remember to start the process where the first part of your LED strip can reach the USB port and connect to the mini-controller and USB adapter and to ensure that the adhesive sticks securely to the surface.

Step 6: Connect the LED Lights

Depending on the brand of LED lights you purchased, connect them to a power source or an HDMI outlet. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper connection.

Advantages LED TV backlighting:

LED TV backlights provide a range of benefits that contribute to an improved viewing experience, enhanced aesthetics, and increased comfort for users.

These benefits can be:

1. Ambiance and Mood Lighting: LED backlights allow users to customize the ambiance of their viewing environment with various colors and lighting effects, adding a touch of style and enhancing the mood of the room.
2. Bias Lighting: LED backlights behind a TV serve as bias lighting, helping to reduce eye strain and fatigue by providing soft ambient light that balances the brightness of the TV screen with the surrounding environment.
3. Energy Efficiency: LED technology is energy-efficient, consuming less power compared to traditional lighting options, which can result in energy savings over time.
4. Enhanced Viewing Experience: LED TV backlights improve the overall viewing experience by reducing eye strain, enhancing perceived contrast, and creating a more immersive atmosphere.
5. Longevity: LED backlights have a long lifespan, typically lasting between 40,000 to 60,000 hours or more, ensuring reliable performance and durability over an extended period.
6. Aesthetics: LED backlights add a modern and stylish aesthetic to the TV setup, making the TV stand out as a focal point in the room and enhancing the overall decor.
7. Easy Installation: LED TV backlights are relatively easy to install, often utilizing adhesive strips that attach to the back of the TV, making them accessible to users without specialized technical skills.
8. Reduces Glare: Installing lights behind your TV helps minimize glare, creating a more comfortable viewing experience by reducing distracting reflections on the screen.
9. Alleviates Eye Strain and Headaches: Backlighting behind the TV helps diminish eye strain and headaches, particularly when watching for extended periods in a darkened room. The soft ambient light provides a balanced contrast between the screen brightness and the surrounding environment.
10. Enhances Visual Quality: LED lights behind the TV improve the visual quality of the content being displayed, enhancing perceived contrast and color vibrancy. This contributes to a more immersive viewing experience with richer and more vibrant visuals.
11. Flexibility and Customization: LED backlights offer flexibility in terms of color options, brightness levels, and lighting effects, allowing users to tailor the lighting to their preferences and create unique visual experiences.
12. Convenient to Purchase and Install: LED lights designed for placement behind TVs are readily available for purchase and easy to install. They typically come with adhesive strips or mounting options that allow for quick and hassle-free installation without the need for specialized tools or expertise.

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Considerations:

1. Limited Impact on Picture Quality: LED TV backlights primarily enhance the ambiance and reduce eye strain but have limited direct impact on the picture quality itself. While they can improve perceived contrast and color vibrancy, they may not address issues such as motion blur or pixelation.
2. Installation Challenges: While LED TV backlights are generally easy to install with adhesive strips, achieving optimal placement and alignment to evenly distribute light around the TV can be challenging, especially for larger screens. Careful planning and adjustment may be required to ensure a satisfactory result.
3. Power Requirements: LED TV backlights require additional power, which may necessitate the use of power adapters and additional cables. Managing these cables and ensuring they are concealed neatly can be a consideration, especially for users aiming for a clean and clutter-free setup.
4. Color Accuracy: Depending on the quality of the LED backlights, there may be variations in color accuracy and consistency. Lower-quality backlights may not accurately reproduce colors, potentially affecting the overall viewing experience, particularly for color-sensitive content.
5. Durability: While LED backlights are generally long-lasting, lower-quality products may suffer from durability issues such as adhesive degradation or premature LED failure. Choosing high-quality backlights from reputable manufacturers can help mitigate these concerns.
6. Compatibility: LED TV backlights may not be compatible with all TV models or may require additional accessories for proper installation. Ensuring compatibility with the specific TV model and verifying the necessary accessories are included or available separately is important.
7. Customization Options: While many LED TV backlights offer customizable color options and lighting effects, the level of customization may vary between different products. Some users may find the available customization options limited compared to more advanced lighting solutions.