Author: Trafficblast

From panel technology to refresh rates, there are a lot of things to consider when looking for a new gaming monitor. To aid you on your journey for the perfect setup, we’re breaking down two of the most common display technology terms: LED and LCD. Here’s what you need to know about LED and LCD screens, what the terms stand for, and how they factor into modern gaming monitors.

What is LCD and how does it work?

LCD stands for liquid-crystal display, which refers to how the monitor works. Behind the screen, liquid crystals are sandwiched between two layers of glass and used to change the colors of pixels to create the images that you see. The whole process is a lot more complicated, but that’s the gist of how LCDs function.

In the past, some LCDs were backlit by CCFLs (cold-cathode fluorescent lamps). LCDs with fluorescent backlighting have been around longer, so if you can find one, they will be cheaper than LED monitors. However, if you’re a gamer looking for decent refresh rates and response times, it’s going to be hard to find a monitor with fluorescent backlighting. They’ve almost completely been replaced by LCD monitors with LED backlights.

PROS OF LCD*

• None: You probably won’t find a decent gaming monitor with fluorescent backlighting at this time.

CONS OF LCD*

• Scarcity
• Uses more power
• Contains mercury, so contributes to pollution at the end of its lifecycle
• Lower contrast in graphics

*with fluorescent backlighting

What is LED and how does it work?

LEDs work in a similar way; in fact, you can consider LEDs a subcategory of LCDs. The only difference between some LCDs and LEDs is the type of backlighting: LEDs use LED (light-emitting diodes) backlighting.

In contrast to fluorescent backlighting, LED backlighting generally provides brighter colors and sharper contrast. The monitors are also thinner in size and, in the long run, more energy efficient than LCDs with fluorescent backlights. LED backlighting is the newer technology and the current standard for monitors with high refresh rates and fast response times. When you see LCD in product descriptions, they’re almost always LCD monitors that use LED (as opposed to fluorescent) backlighting. For example, BenQ’s EL2870U monitor is listed as an LCD, but it’s an LCD with LED backlighting.

There are different types of LED backlighting: edge-lit and array-lit. In edge-lit monitors, the lights are placed around the edges of the monitor. Light guides are then used to diffuse the light evenly across the screen. In array-lit monitors, lights are placed behind the screen in a pattern.

The tricky thing, however, is that it’s pretty much impossible to tell what type of backlight and how many backlights a monitor has based on a typical product description. Some manufacturers will share that info, but generally they won’t unless the backlight setup is a premium feature you’re paying for.

For example, some edge-lit and array-lit LEDs have local dimming capabilities, a feature that can selectively dim certain zones of LED lights. Local dimming improves contrast ratio and provides deeper blacks in dimly lit scenes. These monitors, however, tend to be pricey. Some well-reviewed options include the Samsung Odyssey G7 and Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB, both of which are edge-lit monitors with partial local dimming capabilities. The Acer Predator X35 is an (expensive) full-array monitor with full local dimming (FALD) capabilities.

PROS OF LED

• Ubiquitously available: Modern gaming monitors will generally be LED.
• No mercury, so easier to recycle
• Better color contrast and thinner monitor size
• More energy efficient than monitors with fluorescent backlights

CONS OF LED

• …None, until the next, better display technology becomes more widely available

So which is better for gaming: LED or LCD?

You won’t have much of a choice between LED or LCD. Most monitors, regardless of whether they’re marked as LED or LCD, will use LED backlights. LED backlights became the new standard because they allow manufacturers to make thinner, more energy-efficient monitors with better graphics. It’s not worth going out of your way to find an LCD with fluorescent backlighting, unless you really, really hate LED lights.

Which backlights a monitor has isn’t as important as other factors such as panel technology, refresh rates and response time, G-Sync vs. FreeSync, and HDR –those are the characteristics you should pay more attention to when choosing a monitor. If you’re not looking to break the bank, a couple of great LED monitors at excellent price points we can recommend are the Asus VP249QGR, a nice budget 1080p monitor, and Acer XF250Q Cbmiiprx 24.5, a well-reviewed budget 240Hz monitor.

Check out our guide to the best cheap gaming monitors for more budget options; plus, see our picks for the best monitors for PS5 and Xbox Series X, best 144Hz monitors, and the best 4K gaming monitors for more LED displays worth picking up.

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On the heels of the recently released Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, writer-actor team Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo are currently writing an untitled, live-action musical comedy about Cinderella’s evil stepsisters. News of the project and the pair’s involvement was first reported by Deadline, who is also indicating that due to the movie’s early stage, it’s not yet known whether Wiig and Mumolo will also be starring in the film.

Together, Wiig and Mumolo made a huge impact in writing the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids. While Wiig is likely best known for her time as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, since leaving the sketch and variety show in 2012, she has gone on to prove herself as a multifaceted performer–ranging from Barbara Minerva/Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984 and the moody 2014 drama The Skeleton Twins to the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters.

Mumolo has appeared in Judd Apatow’s This Is Forty, Bad Moms, The Boss, and also had a recurring role on Amazon’s Transparent. She and Wiig have been friends for decades, dating back to their meeting at the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings in the early 2000s.

Will Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum are producing the movie via Gloria Sanchez Productions.

In related news, later this year Netflix is expected to release a stop-motion musical reimagining of Pinocchio, directed by Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water, Hellboy). That movie’s cast includes Tilda Swinton, Christoph Waltz, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and Cate Blanchett. Disney itself is developing a live-action version of Pinocchio as well, which recently added Welsh actor Luke Evans, who is set to play the villain.

Image credit: Getty Images/Todd Williamson/NBC

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Oculus Quest is getting subscription options in several of its popular apps, giving active users more content across fitness, workplace, music, and meditation programs. The system is not one-size-fits-all, offering additional content in certain apps while being required to use others. However, anything you already purchased from an existing app will still be available, no matter what.

“With app subscriptions, some of your favorite developers will be able to seamlessly deliver new, exciting content, tools, and features to subscribers,” Facebook said in a blog post. “App subscriptions will give you access to exclusive content from some of your favorite titles.”

Thus far, the following apps are supported:

• FitXR (formerly BoxVR)
• Rec room
• Tribe XR
• vSpatial
• VZfit
• TRIPP

FitXR has existed in a few different forms for years, and the subscription service option will give you access to a different class every day. You’ll also get multiplayer workout access, and there is a free week trial to see if you like it. Those who own the game have this trial extended to 90 days. Interestingly, the app itself is a free download now and the paid version is gone, so those who didn’t buy it already have to get a subscription.

Rec Room Plus, meanwhile, is a premium service that gives you access to $10 in tokens per month along with new items and an exclusive section of the game’s store. All content already in the game will remain free. The membership costs $8 per month, so those who were already buying items could actually be spending less via a subscription.

It extends to workplace management, as well, such as the vSpatial app. With a subscription, you can have 15-person meetings, virtual cameras and microphones, and WAN remote connection, while other content remains free.

It seems like this could be a contentious decision, depending on how developers implement it. Several comments on FitXR’s page express concern with the plan, particularly how it now handles DLC.

Friday morning, WWE announced that Pat McAfee will debut as the new commentator on Smackdown, joining Michael Cole at ringside. This comes after Corey Graves moved to Raw, to join Byron Saxton and new commentator, MLB and NHL announcing veteran Adnan Virk, on that show’s new announce team.

Previously, ring veteran Samoa Joe was a member of the Raw commentary team but was recently released, along with other WWE superstars. Tom Phillips will head to being the backstage voice of 205 Live as well as continue to be senior manager of on-air talent. In addition, Phillips will oversee special projects for WWE’s programming on Peacock and at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

McAfee dropped the news with a huge social media announcement to WWE fans.

“For as long as I can remember WWE has been a company that I have admired, both for its incredible staying power of creating riveting entertainment and for its ability to connect people all over the globe,” McAfee said. “I’ve been fortunate to try a lot of cool professions but working for WWE was the one I looked forward to most.”

He also stated how “incredibly honored and grateful for the chance to give back to the business” he now has. McAfee said he’s excited to sit “at the same table that legends have graced” and he’s ready to get to work.

With a resume that includes being a popular stand-up comedian and former All-Pro punter for the Indianapolis Colts, McAfee is also the host of The Pat McAfee Show, which is simulcast both on YouTube and on Sirius XM Channel 82 Mad Dog Sports Radio. Additionally, McAfee hasn’t shied away from getting into altercations with WWE performers. Last year he was involved in a feud with NXT Champion, Adam Cole.

After a sweet and somber season one finale, Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest is back with a special episode featuring Anthony Hopkins and an unusual-looking team building exercise. The episode, titled “Everlight,” comes three weeks ahead of the show’s season two premiere on Monday 7, and wraps up the current quarantine arc established in the season one special. According to executive producer Rob McElhenney, “Everlight” seeks to address “the practical and emotional difficulties of returning to normalcy.”

Written by Ashly Burch (who also plays game tester Rachel in the show), “Everlight” picks up several months after season one ends and follows the developers behind fictional MMO Mythic Quest as they return to the studio after a long and stressful period of working from home. In order to unify the team following their separation, creative director Ian Grimm (McElhenney) plans a day of live-action role-playing for the staff in the shape of an annual holiday called “Everlight.” However, in classic Mythic Quest fashion, Ian and his now-fellow co-creative director, Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicado), have very different ideas as to what the celebration is about and hijinks ensue.

Despite airing ahead of Mythic Quest’s sophomore season, “Everlight” was shot towards the middle of season two’s production in an effort to adhere to guidelines established to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, this wasn’t completely effective, and McElhenney admitted transmissions did occur on set, adding a very unfortunate weight and authenticity to the show’s quarantine arc.

For those unfamiliar with Mythic Quest, which first came to Apple TV+ February 2020, the half-hour comedy show follows a game studio as they struggle with the press, bugs, and each other. Written and produced by several of the folks from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia–and co-starring Dany Pudi of Community–it feels a lot like a strange combination of both, and it works. The entire first season, as well as “Everlight,” are available to stream on Apple TV+ now.

This week’s GTA Online update has gone live, and for anyone looking to celebrate 4/20 Day before it goes up in smoke, there’ll be plenty of worthwhile rewards. Green clothing, an SUV that will make nearly everyone jealous, and automobile wrestling were all detailed in the latest blog post from Rockstar Games, which you can read the highlights of below.

Triple Rewards On Classic Sumo Modes

If you’re interested in taking part in the ancient Japanese sport of wrestling but with cars instead, then this week’s Sumo event will be well worth venturing into the ring for. Just like the real sport, you’ll need to stay in the ring, using either pure horsepower from a heavy-duty vehicle or a more nimble strategy with a sleek and sporty car to take control of the zone.

Survive and you’ll earn triple the usual cash and respect points in Sumo and Sumo Remix until April 21.

Double Rewards On Biker Business Sales

The market is blazing right now with contraband sales, and any completed biker sales in this joint will see a double cash and reward points payout.

Double Rewards On RC Bandito Races

More double rewards can be had with RC races over the next week, leaving you free to drive like a maniac without having to worry about injuring yourself in the process. Weekly time trials–including the RC time trial–will also pay out double for the next seven days.

4/20 Day Gifts And Bonuses

To celebrate the cloudiest and hippest day of the year, visit Ammu-Nation to collect the rare High Flyer parachute bag. Binco, Ponsonby’s, or Suburban shops will hand out the Green Space Horror Suit for free, and you can grab free green tire smoke on the house from LS Customs. Anyone who logs into GTA Online this week also gets the Fake Vapid T-shirt and the black Rockstar camo shirt for gratis, but you only have until April 20 to claim them.

Visiting Cayo Perico will net you double the cash payout as well for any weed smuggled in your loot bag. A free Vaper’s Den T-shirt and Dark X-Ray Emissive mask can also be grabbed for free until April 21.

On The Podium This Week: Albany V-STR

Pay a visit to the lobby of The Diamond Casino & Resort and you could stand a chance to win the Albany V-STR, a luxury sedan that only the rich and famous can normally afford. If you fail to win that coveted prize, you still stand a chance to claim to walk away with cash, reputation points, clothing, mystery prizes, and more this week.

Discounts

• Progen PR4 racing car – 40% discount
• Ocelot R88 racing car – 40% discount
• Karin Kurama armored vehicle – 50% discount
• Grotti Brioso vehicle – 30% discount
• RC Bandito – 40% discount
• Invade and persuade tank – 40% discount

Prime Gaming Bonuses And Benefits

Prime Gaming members will receive The Kosatka submarine’s Sonar Station for free, $200,000 in GTA cash, 80% off both the classic Grotti GT500 sportscar and Pfister Comet Safari off-roader, and can save 70% off the price of the Pegassi Zorrusso.

Now Playing: Grand Theft Auto 5 PS5 Trailer | Sony PS5 Reveal Event

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British actor Fabien Frankel (The Serpent, NYPD Blue) has joined the cast of House of the Dragon, the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series, according to Deadline. Frankel will play Ser Criston Cole, a “common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven… all he has to his name is his honor and his preternatural skill with a sword.”

Frankel is part of a cast that includes Doctor Who actor Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, and Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. It’s been rumored that the series will have five lead characters, so it’s possible these actors will fill those roles.

House of the Dragon is co-created by author George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal (Colony, Rampage). Miguel Sapochnik (Trainspotting, Game of Thrones) will serve as showrunner along with Condal. Joining them as a writer and executive producer will be Sara Lee Hess (Orange is the New Black, Deadwood).

Check out our rundown of everything we know so far about House of the Dragon. Greenlit in 2019, the show’s first 10-episode season is set three centuries before the events of the Game of Thrones series, which means most fan-favorite characters won’t be making an appearance. As of this writing, it’s unclear whether this will be a limited-run event or something the creators hope will go for multiple seasons. HBO is also currently exploring the possibility of three other spinoffs.