Suggestion:
For LCD I would recommend Samsung LN40C630 40-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV. Good picture quality with high 120,000:1 contrast ratio.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WT3P2?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0036WT3P2
LED is LCD TV with Led back lite which provide better picture quality, deeper black, thinner set and less power consumption. For 40 inches I would recommend Samsung UN40C6300 40-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV or better one Samsung UN40C6500 40-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26redirect%3Dtrue%26ref_%3Dsr%5Fnr%5Fp%5Fn%5Ffeature%5Fthree%5Fbr%5F0%26bbn%3D979929011%26qid%3D1281559223%26rnid%3D724226011%26rh%3Dn%253A172282%252Cn%253A%2521493964%252Cn%253A1266092011%252Cn%253A172659%252Cn%253A979929011%252Cp%5Fn%5Fsize%5Fbrowse-bin%253A1232882011%252Cp%5F4%253ASamsung%252Cp%5Fn%5Ffeature%5Fthree%5Fbrowse-bin%253A2232445011&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
The difference between lcd and led technology is basically the same aside from different technologies making up the image with the back light, Don't be fooled though led technology still requires the use of an lcd screen so there for is still an lcd, Traditional lcd technology uses a bulb that cannot be turned off or dimmed so limits a good contrast ratio along with a good black level but led technology requires the use of either led bulbs going around the frame of the inside of the tv known as edge lit led which allows the led lcd set's to be really thin and perfect for wall mounting and then there's the full led backlit technology which requires more led bulbs to completely light the set from the back of the tv, Each led technology is great and gives off the same kind of quality.
Traditional lcd is aged now unfortunately as the led technology has taken over and shown superior benefits such as inky black levels thanks to the led bulbs being able to be dimmed and turned off completely when necessary, You also save up to 40% less power consumption than traditional lcd.
The led technology makes for amazingly vivid images with bright natural colours and makes it the favoured choice to lcd with contrast's climbing into the millions rather than the thousands that traditional lcd gives off.
Another technology to bare in mind would be plasma as even with these led lcd set's being so highly regarded there still only trying to compete with what plasma has to offer and at ridiculous prices.
For instance plasma gives off instant response times which makes it ideal for sports, fast paced movies and even gaming, With lcd you'd be paying treble the amount for the lcd set to double the refresh rate to make for smoother motion handling.
Plasma gives true black level's and amazing depth, Lcd needed led technology to try to compete with this and charge over the odd's for doing so.
You can pick a plasma up pretty cheap these days in big sizes, For example i payed £700 for a samsung led lcd tv and when it broke i took it back and got an lg 50 inch plasma for the same price which by the way wipes the floor with the led lcd set's
All in all i don't think plasma should be ruled out in your decision but if i had to pick between lcd and led lcd then i'd certainly grab the benefits on offer and snatch up and led lcd tv.
Good luck with your decision.
I just bought my son a Panasonic LCD with a DVD combo that he thought was really sweet. We liked the functionality of the unit and the ease of also being able to watch DVD's as well. The reviews were great and price was competitive with others units in the market.
Vizio is the best.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26scn%3D979929011%26redirect%3Dtrue%26ref_%3Dsr%5Fnr%5Fscat%5F979929011%5Fln%26keywords%3D42%2526%252334%253B%2520LCD%26qid%3D1281573058%26h%3Dc6e5f42c134efe921108b57c0b2b837ed72bf6bb%26rh%3Dn%253A979929011%252Ck%253A42%2526%252334%253B%2520LCD&tag=httpanswerkru-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957
I have a Samsung and I love it! Samsung and LG beat out SONY. Sony is so last decade now.
get a sony ex 40"