Most people don’t realize that magnets have played a key role in television technology for decades. From older, box-style televisions to today’s ultra-thin screens, magnets have played an important role in how images are created and how sound is delivered for decades. 

How Older TVs Used Magnets

If you ever owned a bulky television before flat screens became the norm, you were using a device called a cathode ray tube (CRT).

Inside those TVs, images were created by firing a beam of electrons toward the screen. To turn that beam into a picture, it had to be precisely directed across the surface—line by line, pixel by pixel. That’s where magnets came in.

Electromagnets inside the TV generated magnetic fields that guided the electron beam, steering it to the exact location needed to form an image. By rapidly controlling the beam’s position, the TV could create the moving pictures you saw on screen. This is why if a magnet ever came near an old tv, the image on the screen would become wavy.

Magnets in Modern TVs

Today’s televisions no longer use electron beams or magnetic fields to draw images on a screen. Instead, they rely on advanced display technologies like LED and OLED, which create images using light at the pixel level.

Most modern TVs are actually LED-backlit LCD displays. In these screens, a layer of liquid crystals controls how much light passes through each pixel. OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TVs take this a step further. Instead of using a backlight, each individual pixel produces its own light.

But just because magnets are no longer used for image display doesn’t mean they’re not part of TVs anymore. Magnets are still important in sound systems and internal components that support motion and sensing.

Speakers and Sound Systems

Every TV uses speakers, and speakers rely on magnets to work. Inside each speaker is a permanent magnet that interacts with an electrical signal to create vibrations. These vibrations produce the sound you hear. Whether you’re watching a movie, your favorite show, or playing a game, magnets are helping deliver that audio experience.

Internal Components and Sensors

Magnets are also used in various internal components, including small motors, sensors, and connectors. These parts help control movement, positioning, and functionality within the device. In these cases, magnets help convert electrical energy into motion or provide reliable, non-contact detection.

The Invisible Technology Behind Everyday Devices

Magnets are easy to overlook because you can’t see them working, but they are part of many devices you use every day, including your TV.

At Apex Magnets, we work with the same types of materials used in electronics and everyday technology. Whether for industrial applications or simple projects, magnets are a powerful and practical solution.

To learn more about how magnets are used in everyday life, check out our blog.

If you ever have any questions about magnets, contact our team for friendly and personalized assistance. 

Safety Warning: Children should not be allowed to play with neodymium magnets as they can be dangerous. Small magnets pose a choking hazard and should never be swallowed or inserted into any part of the body.

Magnets can be dangerous. Neodymium magnets, especially, must be handled with care to avoid personal injury and damage to the magnets. Fingers and other body parts can get severely pinched between two attracting magnets. Bones can be broken by larger magnets. Visit our Magnet Safety page to learn more.