I want to update my old 32" LG TV to either a 40" LED or LCD. Which is the better picture? Also, I believe that LG and Samsung are the two best brand choices now, correct?

By far the best choice is LED, if you can afford it! They use less power and give a better picture of higher definition.

First thing to understand is that in the size screen that we are talking about the 'LED TV' is actually a LCD panel TV. The difference between LED and LCD is the way the screen is lit.

The LCD tv's are lit by miniature fluorescent tubes behind the panel while the 'LED tv's are lit by LED's either behind the tv panel or along the left and right edges.

The advantage of the led tv is it uses less power (and less heat) and further the edge lit leds allow a thinner TV to be made.

The led screen may give a better picture. Almost all new tvs of the 40 inch upwards size are now 1920x1080 resolution.

For further info this CNET report might help http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57337192-221/why-led-does-not-mean-a-better-picture/

Led is better and a 40 inch Led tv from LG or Samsung doesn't have to be more than 20,000 baht.

Of course it also on what kind of extras you want on the TV, like playing 3d movies.

Just to add...

LED ..long term reliability should be better (led lights v cold cathode fluos.)

Most new models seem to be LED rather than LCD.

Price difference reducing day by day

Seen today at Lotus both Samsung and LG 40 inch LED models just under 18,000 baht (just as price guide)Did not check facilities but both 1920x1080.

Thanks for all the good advice, LED it is.

Hmmm, are you going to be watching a lot of movies?

If so, I'd recommend a plasma, instead of an 'LED TV'.

Most LED TV's in Thailand at the moment are actually LCD TV's with 'edge-lit' LED panels.

I honestly believe the improvement in image quality is not that much, over regular LCD, and a top-end plasma will probably have better viewing angles and deeper blacks as well.

If a true LED TV is what you want, then 'Back-lit LED TV's with local dimming' are the answer.

However, the choice is limited because they're still very expensive.

See below:

http://www.sony.co.th/product/kdl-40hx855?site=hp_en_TH_i

This is probably one of the best out there at the moment, and one of the few TV's worthy of being classified as a true 'LED TV.

Don't get caught up in the hype of edge-light LED TV's, they might have a nice form factor (very slim), but are still basically, glorified LCD TV's.

I'd say save the dosh and wait to get a proper LED TV, or just get a 55" plasma (they're getting cheaper by the day)

+1 for plasma, bought a Samsung HD 51" plasma for 25K, love it. It can play 10GB blueray movies from large ext. HD's.

Okay no 3D and no Wi-Fi but never mind, in a couple of years you can most likely buy 3D TV's without having to use the glasses

and they have also started to make super HD TV's with app. 4 times more pixel than a current HD TV.

I glad I "only" spend 25K bath on my TV then I can upgrade in 2-4 years time without watering my eyes too much.

With the recent announcement of digital TV a must have feature will be a digital and an analog tuner. Wikipedia shows 48 channels going digital this year and analog being phased out in 2015. If you are running off a AV or component input (sattelite etc) then it does not matter as these bypass the tuner.

Of course as this is being done by the same people as the 3G auction the analog may still be alright for a few more years, cannot have to much progress can we

Cheers

I bought a Samsung LED screen but I will say that comparing the TV's side by side, the plasma had the better picture. The LED picture is very good and if not seeing the LED and plasma side by side I doubt you could tell the difference if you did not know.

I have a Samsung LCD and a Samsung LED and the picture on the LCD is visibly better. The LED has better form and is much thinner and more stylish but the deficiencies in the picture quality are obvious.

The more you spend on the TV the better the picture will be.

Plasmas tend to use more power, are a lot bigger (thicker) and will emit heat from the screen.

Many manufacturers are stopping plasma TV production; Panasonic have just announced they will stop making plasmas this year.

+1 for plasma, better picture quality and cheaper unit cost.

Check out the refresh rate for the screen

It should be 200 or 400Hz to avoid pixellation.

I have Samsung 40" and am very happy with it