July 31, 2010

Why You Should Buy A Plasma Television

The plasma television has many advantages and benefits for you and your entertainment needs and wants. The plasma tv gives you incredible picture quality, it has a sleek design, and it is HDTV compatible.

Plasmas provide sharper images and more vibrant colors. You can display both HDTV and DTV signals as well as computer signals such as XGA, SVGA, and VGA.

Plasmas Superior to Both CRT’s and LCD

Plasma screen televisions provide sharp, clear pictures, plus no image distortion. CRTs can’t match this. Plasma tvs have brighter pictures and provide a better viewing angle at 160 degrees, than LCDs. For the best technology in display panels, choose plasma technology.

High Resolution

Plasma display televisions have higher resolution than most standard TV sets. They are able to display full HDTV and DTV signals as well as XGA, SVGA, and VGA signals from a computer. If a plasma has a resolution of 1024×1024 it can display images from 1080i and 720i HDTV resolution, plus 480i and 480p HD signals.

Flat Screen

Plasma display televisions have screens that are completely flat. There is no distortion of the image even at the edges and corners. Plus to increase your viewing fun, the flat plasma screen tv provides an amazing 160-degree viewing area.

Ultra Thin Design Saves Space

Plasma televisions can hang on almost any wall. You can even hang them from your ceiling. Other advantages of plasma screen tvs are high ambient light tolerance, distortion free images, entirely digital techology, not affected by magnetism, and can be attached to a ceiling or wall, or used as a freestanding fixture.

About The Author

Jeremy Hier

Find out about the top plasma televisions by reading our reviews at http://www.best-plasma-televisions.com

July 30, 2010

A Plasma Television or an LCD TV Set Which is better

A Plasma HDTV or a LCD Television Is this your dilemma? This is a rather difficult and complicated comparison between two technologies that process the image in a totally different manner.

A Plasma HDTV or a LCD Television Is this your dilemma? This is a rather difficult and complicated comparison between two technologies that process the image in a totally different manner.

This article highlights the pros and cons of plasma versus LCD as applicable to a television display. It also presents a set of guidelines to help you determine where either of these two flat panel display technologies fit best.

Plasma or LCD Which type of display is right for you?

Though both LCD and plasma displays come in the form of slim flat panel displays, yet from a technology perspective, these two flat panel displays process the image in a totally different manner.

Plasma uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells that are charged by precise electrical voltages to emit light and hence to create the picture image. Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) panels - work by trapping a liquid crystal solution between two sheets of polarized glass. When an electric current is passed through the liquid crystals, they change the polarization of the light passing through them in response to the electric voltage as a result of which, more or less light is able to pass through the polarized glass on the face of the display.

It is not the scope of this article to go into the actual details of how these different display technologies process the image after all, what really matters is not what is going behind the screen but rather how these different display technologies perform as a television screen. At the same time, it is worth taking note that it is these same differences that gives each of these display technologies, its strengths and weaknesses, and that therefore renders one more suitable than the other in certain circumstances.

The list below highlights the most important differences between these two flat panel display technologies:

Size: For the time being, collision between plasma television and LCD TV occur in the 40 to 50 inch screen range. In reality, LCD TVs top out at around 45 meaning that for bigger screen sizes, a plasma display is your only real option if what you are after is a direct-view TV system. On the other hand, at the smaller end of spectrum, namely 15 to 36 TVs, LCD is the way to go if what you want is something stylish and slim (at under 4-inches in depth).

Picture Quality, Contrast and Color Saturation: Both plasma and the latest TFT-LCD flat panel displays are capable of producing excellent picture quality with bright, crisp clear images.

However, plasma flat panel displays are more suitable for basic home theater usage than LCD. The gas cell structure within a plasma display is such that there is no light leaking between adjacent cells (or pixels). This renders plasma displays capable of displaying deeper blacks hence better contrast and detail in television and movie scenes where lots of dark and light content is shown simultaneously.

In comparison, the nature of LCD technology where a backlight shines through the LCD layer means that it is hard for it to achieve true blacks (i.e. true absence of light) as there is always some light leakage from adjacent pixels.

This does not mean that LCD panel s are not suitable as TV screens; todays LCD TV sets make use of extreme high contrast panels that are capable of displaying deeper blacks, yet the latest plasma TV sets still have a slight edge over LCD when it comes to contrast levels.

The situation is somewhat similar when it comes to color saturation. Again, it is the different display structure between LCD and plasma that is the reason behind the difference between the two technologies in this respect, and though both are capable of handling color in an exceptional manner, yet plasma displays still lead in this respect - producing more accurate and vibrant colors.

Viewing-angle:
Plasma Television sets like their CRT TV counterpart - typically have better viewing angles than LCD. The viewing angle represents how far one can sit on either side of the screen away from the center, without experiencing significant deterioration in picture quality mainly as a result of color shifts and reduced contrast.

Though recent developments in LCD technology means that this is less of an issue with some of the latest LCD TV sets boosting a viewing angle of 160 to 170 degrees vertically and horizontally, yet it is always best to check. The tendency especially with cheaper sets is that the deterioration in picture quality is more accentuated with LCD than with plasma displays.

Burn-In: As with all phosphor-based displays, plasma displays are prone to burn-in, or image retention. Screen burn-in occurs when an image is left for too long on the screen resulting in a ghost of the image burned on the screen. Surely, keeping the brightness and contrast levels down will help reduce the risk of burn-in.

While some brands of plasma displays are more prone than others to burn-in, yet in general, plasma screens are more prone to suffer permanent burn-in during their first 200 hours of use; the reason being that fresh phosphors burn more intensely as they are ignited.

Technically speaking, burn-in is the result of a damaged pixel, whose phosphors has been prematurely aged and therefore glows less intensely than those of surrounding pixels. The presence of a static image for more than half-an-hour is enough to cause temporary burn-in; temporary burn-in or image ghosting, should not be cause for alarm as normally this will wash out after several hours of use.

Worst still is the prolonged presentation of static displays, such as the use of black or gray bars to view a 4:3 picture in its original format on a wide screen display; this will result in a permanent burn-in. Once permanent burn-in occurs, the damaged phosphors cannot produce the same levels of light output as the other phosphors around them do.
In these circumstances, an LCD display may be a better choice.

Viewing distance:
It seems that the pixel size and shape of an LCD panel renders a smoother picture than an equivalently sized plasma panel for the same pixel count.

This means that even if your viewing distance falls within the recommended distance of approximately twice the screen width, if this is less than at least nine feet, most probably you will be better off with an LCD TV.

Life-time: The rare gases used in plasma display panels have a life and will fade over use. Earlier plasma TV sets had a quoted half-lifetime of between 20,000hrs, following which the image brightness will fall to half its original value. However, the latest plasma displays can boost anything between 30,000 and 60,000 hours. On the other hand, LCD displays have a guaranteed lifetime of between 50,000hrs and 60,000 hours. This degradation in image brightness takes place gradually over time.

Now, the average household in the US replaces their TV set every 7 years. Taking a conservative figure of 30,000 hours for either technology, this corresponds to well over 6hrs usage a day - every day - for over a period of 14 years! In other words, both plasma and LCD displays are extremely stable and reliable devices. This means that life-time should not be an issue with either display technology.

At the same time, keep in mind that there is no way to re-generate the gases in a plasma display or to repair any dead pixels in an LCD display the only option in such circumstances will be to replace the display.

Response: Some LCD panels especially on older generation models - had a tendency to blur images particularly during fast moving scenes in movies and sports. However, recent advancement in LCD technology means that response times are such that there is no noticeable difference in performance between LCD and plasma TV sets in this regard.

Power requirements: The advantage here goes to LCD panels as these consume less electricity. Estimates show that the use of LCD panels can result in some 30% power savings for the same screen size than plasma display.

Price: Price is always a big issue when it comes to choosing your TV display. Although prices online vary considerably, yet LCD TV sets tend to be more expensive than Plasma Televisions. The main reason behind this price gap is that the production process for plasma technology still supports a better yield and thus carries a pricing advantage especially at the large screen end of the market.

This contrasts heavily with LCD display technology where an estimate 30 to 40 per cent of all manufactured panels will have to be discarded as a result of defects leading to what are known as ‘bad-pixels’.

Making the Choice:

There is a market for both plasma and LCD displays - Plasma gives you a bigger screen for your dollar, deeper blacks, but then LCD do not suffer from burn-in and at the smaller end of the market (less than 40-inch screen size), LCD is your only way forward if you want something slim and stylish.

It is all a question of knowing what are the advantages and limitations of each with respect to your specific needs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Editor & publisher of www.practical-home-theater-guide.com - a comprehensive home theater guide to home theater systems, product reviews and home theater design.
This article is an excerpt from a series of guides appearing under the Plasma Television section of the site.

July 29, 2010

July 28, 2010

Get That Plasma Television At A Cheap Price

Plasma Television is certainly the latest craze in television technology. Its patrons have grown into a great number that manufacturers have been receiving many orders from them. Since the demand for the unit has turned into an enormous number it is very likely that prices will be go down.

Plasma TVs are the new type of display that uses technology that is different from other television models. Although it is an innovation that was formulated decades ago, it was only in recent times that the technology has been manufactured in cheap price.

Plasma Television has been on the market for quite sometime now and it had enthralled many home viewer aficionados because of their size and weight, but the first ones were very pricey and lacked picture quality unlike the ones that are manufactured today.

However, with the help of technological advancements, manufacturers were able to generate the same type of display but definitely far way superior than the first releases.

Cheap plasma televisions are now out in the market with a variety of sizes as well as with larger displays. There has also been a remarkable enhancement on the part of picture quality like the sharpness, black, levels, and brightness.

Aside form these developments, it should also be noted that prices have come down enormously that many shoppers consider it cheaper to buy than other displays that are out in the market.

However, we must not be overwhelmed with this fact. Oftentimes, cheaper prices get the attention of the buyers that they tend to forget the quality of the product that they are planning to buy.

To help you look for one that is of high quality but it is definitely economical, here are some tips that you should always take note of:

? Online retailers are just a click away. With these, you will be offered with many alternatives in buying lone. You can seek for their help in looking for cheap plasma televisions but with great quality. You may also the reviews about the items that you are viewing to guide you in choosing where to venture our penny.

? Some prices may be too good to be true so better make some inquiries about the product through its retailer before you close a deal.

? Almost all Plasma TV manufacturers sell through their authorized dealers, so make it sure that your unit is from a certified one. These retailers may have better prices than what others may have, but there customer support system is not good enough, and it is not very likely for manufacturers to accept or honor warranties of units which are bought through an illegitimate traders.

? You can also check out great prices on auction sites, but be very cautious because although auction traders may appear to be good, there are still some out there who pretends to be real sellers but are actually swindlers.

Purchasing a television before used to be so easy since there are only small considerations to think about like the screen size and other stuff.

However, as time progressed and technology constantly advances it turned out to be a bit intricate. Because of the sophistications brought by these changes, it had already changed the concept of home entertainment specifically television presentation.

To think, looking for an item that is definitely cheap yet guaranteed good is not really that complicated. The above-mentioned tips may guide you in looking for one. Try it to so that your can prove it by yourself.


About the Author: John Rivers is the owner of Cable TV Center. Jonh offers information on Cable TV and tips for your Plasma, LCD projection and home theaters. Visit Cable TV Center

July 26, 2010

The Wholesale Plasma Television Guide

You’ve finally made the decision to purchase that wholesale plasma television that you have been dreaming of, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money. What do you do? Here’s a simple, straightforward guide to buying your plasma television at wholesale prices.

There are many advantages to owning a wholesale plasma television. They have great resolution and incredible colour definition. You can finally enjoy that big game or your favourite film on a larger than life screen. But buying one costs a fortune, right. It doesn’t have to, if you know the right places- and when- to shop. The first thing that you should do is to check out your local chain television stores, like Best Buys or Circuit City, and see what their prices are. If they are too high for your budget, you might want to sign up to receive their sales fliers, so that you know when they will be on sale.

If you don’t want to wait for a sale price to purchase your plasma television, you could check to see if there are any outlet stores in your area. Before you say that you don’t want to purchase a refurb- wait. Yes, many outlet stores stock home entertainment equipment which has been returned and repaired, before making its way to the sales floor once more. However, many name brand shops also maintain outlet stores that sell ‘dented and scratched’ models, at unbelievably low wholesale prices. You can sometimes find great plasma TVs for up to 75% off and they come with a money back guarantee, so you can be sure that if it doesn’t meet your standards, you can get your money back.

However, if a ‘dented and scratched’ model is not for you, try getting some price comparisons online. There are many reputable sites that offer wholesale plasma television comparisons for plasma televisions, like Nextag and Overstock.com. Just type the make and model into the search engine on their sites, and you will see a side by side comparisons of prices.

All you have to do is decide which one you want!

About the author:
Tom Ace is the founder of Plasma tv Resources a website providing information on plasma televisions

July 25, 2010

July 24, 2010

The Wholesale Plasma Television Guide

You’ve finally made the decision to purchase that wholesale plasma television that you have been dreaming of, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money. What do you do? Here’s a simple, straightforward guide to buying your plasma television at wholesale prices.

There are many advantages to owning a wholesale plasma television. They have great resolution and incredible colour definition. You can finally enjoy that big game or your favourite film on a larger than life screen. But buying one costs a fortune, right. It doesn’t have to, if you know the right places- and when- to shop. The first thing that you should do is to check out your local chain television stores, like Best Buys or Circuit City, and see what their prices are. If they are too high for your budget, you might want to sign up to receive their sales fliers, so that you know when they will be on sale.

If you don’t want to wait for a sale price to purchase your plasma television, you could check to see if there are any outlet stores in your area. Before you say that you don’t want to purchase a refurb- wait. Yes, many outlet stores stock home entertainment equipment which has been returned and repaired, before making its way to the sales floor once more. However, many name brand shops also maintain outlet stores that sell ‘dented and scratched’ models, at unbelievably low wholesale prices. You can sometimes find great plasma TVs for up to 75% off and they come with a money back guarantee, so you can be sure that if it doesn’t meet your standards, you can get your money back.

However, if a ‘dented and scratched’ model is not for you, try getting some price comparisons online. There are many reputable sites that offer wholesale plasma television comparisons for plasma televisions, like Nextag and Overstock.com. Just type the make and model into the search engine on their sites, and you will see a side by side comparisons of prices.

All you have to do is decide which one you want!

About the author:
Tom Ace is the founder of Plasma tv Resources a website providing information on plasma televisions

Should Your Next Big Screen TV be a Plasma HDTV?

Are you looking for a new big screen TV? There are several choices of different technologies for your next big screen TV. Right now one of the best and most popular items available is the Plasma HDTV technology. But how do you know which model is the right one for you? Here are some brief descriptions of the CRT technology, LCD screens, Plasma HDTV, and projectors so you can better understand your options for your next big screen TV.

CRT TVs

While it may not be as high-tech as a Plasma HDTV screen, you can still get a big screen TV with the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) technology (small cathode ray tubes that produce color to create images), also known as direct-view televisions. CRT is the basic technology for televisions that everyone is familiar with and is most commonly available. While they are bulkier and do not have the same image quality as the newer technologies, CRT screens still provide good color, have a long life, can be viewed in brightly lit rooms, and are available for decent prices. CRT screens exist in wide screen and flat screen options. CRTs are built to last, with picture quality that does not fade. A CRT is a good economical choice. However, when Plasma HDTV becomes less expensive in the future the CRT TVs will probably become extinct.

LCD TVs

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens consist of two polarizing transparent panels with a liquid crystal solution in the center that is in a state between solid and liquid. LCD is flat and lightweight, which makes the LCD technology popular for laptop and even some desktop computer screens. The biggest detriment of this type of TV is its limit in size (about 40 inches). The LCD screen is a good choice if you are not interested in getting a large screen.

Plasma HDTV

Plasma HDTV is one of the best and most impressive technologies in the market right now. The plasma screen consists of tiny gas plasma cells that are charged at exact electrical voltages to make a picture. It uses a digital technology that has a higher resolution than the CRT TV screens. The Plasma screens can be produced to have the resolution to watch HDTV. As of now, Plasma HDTV is still superior to LCD screens in displaying blacks which means it has better contrast and picture. They also have better viewing angles than the LCD screens.

The Plasma HDTV not only gives you superior picture quality but it is also smooth and sleek. These screens are flat and light (but not quite as light as the LCD screen) and can be hung on the wall like a picture and are not limited in screen size as the other models are. However, this new technology is still very expensive.

Projectors

Projectors, although not technically a television, are a popular way to get the big screen experience. Quality projectors will give you a good picture and they are excellent for watching movies or playing games. However, you need to have a blank wall or screen and lights have to be dimmed or off to watch it since the projectors light is dim.

With a better knowledge of the CRT technology, LCD Screens, Plasma HDTV, and projectors you can make a better decision on what type of big screen TV you want to have. With so many choices it is important to know what you are selecting from. If you are serious about your television watching experience, than you will want to get Plasma HDTV for your next big screen TV purchase. This will give you the sharpest image out of all your choices.

About the author:
Kaitlin Carruth is a client account specialist with http://www.10xMarketing.com More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. To learn more about plasma HDTV, please visit
http://www.dishnetworkproducts.com/articles/plasma-hdtv.phpor for more information about a big screen TV, visit http://www.dishnetworkproducts.com/articles/big-screen-tv.php.

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