Your Guide to Plasma TV
Plasma TVs have been around for a few years now and what sets them apart from the old conventional TV is the size. A normal TV has to accommodate a cathode ray tube and the depth is usually around two feet or so.
Thin Screens
A Plasma TV on the other hand can be only inches thick and can have large flat screens due to the technology used in building it. Although it is quite an involved process that makes the Plasma TV work, in simple terms the screen is made up from an arrangement of gas filled chambers. These chambers are used to create red, blue and green dots of light that combine to give many colours and help create a picture. Plasmas also have much larger screens than conventional televisions and with prices continually dropping they are now becoming far more accessible to many consumers.
Because Plasma televisions are so thin they can actually enhance the design of a living space, as the TV can be hung on walls or positioned on stands up against walls and don't take up as much floor space.
Plasma TV Advantages and Disadvantages
Plasma TVs have some really good features for instance-they have completely flat screens. Some CRT televisions also have flat screens, but a Plasma screen is completely flat and doesn't have any distortion of the image near the edge of the screen. They're also compatible with high definition signals. High definition broadcasts are now available on digital satellite and offer a clearer more realistic picture that enhances the viewing experience-or so the blurb says. With large screens up to 60 inches and more, they are ideal for getting the best from HD broadcasts.
On the downside they are prone to screen burn and the contrast (difference in brightness between dark and light areas of a picture) can be poor especially in some of the cheaper models,
What to Look For When Buying Plasma
If you're thinking of buying a Plasma TV try and go for one of the newer models if you can afford it, as the technology is still advancing and the quality of picture is improving all the time.
Look for a TV that can handle High-Definition pictures. (A HD ready logo is normally displayed)You should be aware that not all plasma TVs come with speakers, you may have to buy a speaker system separately.
Look for quick response times. (The lower the time in milliseconds the better) Slow response times can lead to blurred images on screen.
There are plenty of Plasma TVs out there to choose from, but you should be wary of any really cheap sets, as these are usually of vastly inferior technical quality.
