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Plasma TV Buying Guide
Plasma TVs are flat, super high-contrast TV sets that are offered in very large sizes, which at the extreme end exceeds 60-inches to provide the one of the most immersive theater-like viewing experiences you can get in the comfort of your own home. In addition, plasma TVs are also extremely thin to offer flexible placement options that include the wall of your living room.
Plasma TV Features
Immersive theater-like screen sizes At the larger end of the scale, plasma TVs come in sizes exceeding 60-inch. This helps the plasma TV to provide an immersive, “theater-like” experience right in your own living room!
Space-saving design Though plasma TVs are offered in impressive sizes, their thicknesses are dramatically thin by comparison – only a few inches. This allows plasma TVs to be hung from the wall – a fashionable installation method that opens up the space beneath it for a variety of other gadgets or toys.
Absolute flat screen With the Plasma TV’s perfectly flat screen, picture distortions owing to screen curvature are a thing of the past.
Astonishing picture quality Plasma TVs provide very rich, saturated colors, extremely high contrast ratios and wide viewing angles to maximize your viewing enjoyment. Plasma TVs are often found in high-quality video systems such as high-end home theaters or shop or exhibition screens.
Ready for DTV DTV (Digital TV) is poised to gradually replace standard analog TV. The plasma TV can support DTV signals with a built-in or external digital tuner. Most plasma TVs can support at least EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV, 480p), which provides superior picture quality to regular analog TV.
HDTV Capability Plasma TVs are great for displaying HDTV pictures as they are designed to be HDTV compatible or HDTV ready by featuring a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio and very high native resolutions. Please refer to the Screen Resolution section below for more details.
The Parameters that Matter
Screen size The smallest sized Plasma TV offered is 32-inch. This means that plasma TVs are always large. Currently, the most popular plasma TV screen size is 42”, but larger sizes such as 50, 55, 60 and 65-inch sets are also available. In general, larger screen size will cost more.
The relationship between Screen Size and Viewing Distance Although many of us hope to purchase the largest TV we can afford, this actually isn’t recommended. The proper size TV to purchase should be a function of the distance you sit in relation to the TV screen. For example, a 1 foot distance between you and a 42-inch Plasma TV will most likely feel very uncomfortable. A distance of 5 ~ 10.5 feet from the same 42-inch Plasma TV will provide a much more comfortable viewing experience and still maintain the immersive qualities of the large screen.
The following table provides a quick reference for the relationship between screen size and the viewing distance, measured from the screen of the Plasma TV.
Screen Size (in inches) Viewing Distance (in feet) 37 4.5 ~ 9 42 5 ~ 10. 43 5 ~ 11 50 6.5 ~ 12. 55 7 ~ 14 61 7.5 ~ 15 65 8 ~ 16
These are only recommendations - please find a viewing distance that best suits your own preferences.
Screen Resolution Every displayed pixel on the plasma TV screen corresponds directly to a physical pixel on the plasma panel. Each pixel on a horizontal line multiplied by the number of vertical lines gives you the native resolution of the plasma TV. At current, 852 x 480 is the frequently applied resolution on relatively small plasma TV sets, such as 37” and 42”; while higher native resolutions (e.g. 1024 x 768, 1366 x 768) are available in larger plasma TV sets.
Aspect ratio The aspect ratio of a TV is its width to height proportion. 4:3 is the aspect ratio for standard televisions. This corresponds to 3 inches of height for every 4 inches of screen width.
The majority of plasma TVs utilizes the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. A plasma TV’s native resolution can sometimes indicate its aspect ratio. For example, the native resolution of 1366 x 768 corresponds directly to the aspect ratio of 16:9. In other cases, a plasma TVs featuring the resolution of 1024 x 1024 (not a typo!) can also correspond to the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio because the horizontal pixel pitch (distance between pixels) is wider.
cable provider carries them.
Audio Some plasma TVs come with built-in speakers and generally provide acceptable sound quality. Others models do not provide speakers, and are more suited for use by individuals or families that own independent sound systems. Users also have the option of purchasing optional external speakers. Please be sure to look at the each plasma TV’s detailed specifications carefully.
Choosing the right plasma TV
On a budget Extremely high specs aren’t what we are looking for here, but one of the advantages of the plasma TV is that picture quality is still satisfying without them. Plasma TVs that fall within the range of specs in the table below may make great choices for users on a budget:
Key Features Recommendations Screen size 37 or 42-inch Resolution 853 x 480 Aspect ratio 16:
These specs meet the requirements for DTV (Digital Television) and are at 480p EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV) quality level.
Mainstream Mainstream users want to experience the pleasures of the plasma TV, with its high picture quality and large immersive screen. In addition some flexibility and future-readiness is desired, such as HDTV compatibility. The recommended specs are listed as below:
Key Features Recommendations Screen size 42 or 43-inch Resolution 1024x Aspect ratio 16: HDTV capability HDTV ready or integrated HDTV
Movie Buffs Movie fans are more demanding in terms of picture quality and performance so as to ensure that their TV sets do full justice to the DVDs or High definition content they will display. Also needed is a digital interface to hook up a digital high definition content player. Of course, a larger screen size is always better.
Key Features Recommendations Screen size 50-inch or above
Resolution 1280x768, or 1366x Aspect ratio 16: HDTV capability HDTV ready or integrated HDTV Connectivity HDMI
Gamers Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 and the upcoming Sony PlayStation 3 both support HDTV output. To enjoy the picture quality offered by these next-gen consoles, a gamer’s television set needs to provide high native resolutions and the proper input connectors such as HDMI.
Key Features Recommendations Screen size 42-inch or above Resolution 1280x768, or 1366x Aspect ratio 16: HDTV capability HDTV ready Connectivity D-Sub, HDMI
Computer/HTPC Users LCD TVs are great choices for HTPC (Home Theater PC) users who use their computer primarily for movies and games. As a result, the recommended features and specs are similar to those for movie buffs and gamers. Of course, the LCD TV should provide standard computer connectors, namely the DVI and D-Sub (VGA) ports.
Key Features Recommendations Screen size 50” or above Resolution 1280x768, or 1366x Aspect ratio 16: HDTV capability HDTV ready Connectivity D-Sub, DVI
Office Users Office users typically use TVs for video conferencing, presentations or training videos. Mainstream specs will do fine here, but computer connectors are recommended to allow it to receive a picture from computers as well.
Key Features Recommendations Screen size 42” or above, depending on room size Resolution 1024x Aspect ratio 16: Connectivity D-Sub, DVI
