Plasma TV or LCD – Which Should You Choose?
When it comes to high quality flat screen TVs, there are a number of choices available these days and the technology is constantly improving. However, as each competing TV screen technology matures and improves, the differences between them become more difficult to detect. And so it is with the comparison between LCD and plasma TVs.
The big advantages of both kinds of TV monitors is that they are very thin, only a few inches thick. Because of that you can choose to either place them on a stand, as you have with televisions you have owned in the past, or mount them to the wall instead. They both also produce stunningly beautiful visual displays, especially when coupled with high definition television programming. But there are some subtle differences that you will want to be aware of though.
Plasma TVs have been in use for many years and they use inert gases that are illuminated to display colors on individual pixels on the screen. Their best feature is the high contrast image that they reproduce. The colors are extremely vivid and sharp and this is mostly due to the fact that plasma TVs are able to exhibit true saturated blacks, whereas other monitors, LCDs included, usually have some compromise in how much true black they display.
Plasma screens are also easily viewed from almost any angle and so if you have a wide room with seating that extends out at an angle from the front of the television set, you may want to consider this advantage, although recently many LCD TVs have been steadily improving in their accepted viewing angle.
One area that plasma TVs have historically had a disadvantage is in the amount of electricity needed to power them and how hot they run. It can cost more to run a plasma TV if you use it very regularly, and it can generate quite a bit of heat inside, enough to warrant most manufacturers making use of a fan to cool them down as they run. This is not a noticeable problem unless the fan makes noise that can be distracting. So be sure to actually view a plasma TV before buying that particular model and see if the fan noise is a problem.
Another quirk of plasma TVs is that they can be susceptible to screen burn-in, which happens when one image is left on the screen for a very long time and it then becomes "burned into" the screen so that you can still faintly see it even when another image is displayed. This can happen on some TV channels that display an image that stays in a certain part of the screen for a long time, and if you play video games, there may also be a possibility that some games can cause this problem. So ask yourself before buying how you intend to use the TV, and if you happen to view programming that may have static screen images a lot of the time, it may be wise to choose an LCD screen as it does not suffer from this problem.
LCD TVs may not produce deep contrasty images like plasma monitors do, but the colors are still very pleasing and they can also be a better choice for brightly lit rooms since their display is not as susceptible to ambient light influences. However, they can tend to get more pricey than plasma TVs once you go above the 40 inch screen size.
All in all though, either type of TV screen technology will do a great job for you. The best recommendation is before you buy, visit a local electronics retailer and view representatives from plasma screens and LCDs. Bring along your own movie that you are familiar with and look for the differences. Then choose the one that makes the most sense to you. There is no need to buy from the store as you can often save lots of money by making your purchase online instead, but by doing your homework you can make a more informed buying decision.
Donât Touch That TV Screen! No, Really . . . Iâm Serious . . . Donât!
So you just bought a flat screen TV and no one told you anything about care and cleaning?
“What do you mean, care and cleaning?” some will say. “I grew up with a TV in the house, didn’t I? Everybody knows how to take care of a TV . . . right? You just dust it off every couple of months and don’t let the kids chew on the power cord. . . right?”
Well-l-l-l, there’s a little more to it than that when you own a Plasma, DLP or LCD flat screen TV. Some of it is common sense, but a lot what you need to know is unique to caring for the new television technology.
Special care must be taken when handling a flat screen TV, especially when touching or cleaning the display screen. Thin sheets of glass hold the Plasma cells on a flat screen TV, if they crack, the screen is ruined and cannot be repaired!
(If you’re not familiar with the differences between Plasma, LCD or DLP TVs, you should Google the "123 Guide To Plasma TV.com")
Bottom line: you need to know what you’re doing if you want to protect your expensive new TV from damage. You’re in luck . . . I’m about to tell you!
1) Avoid Touching The Screen!
Handle the TV only by the sides and bottom. Do your best not to touch the screen; don’t rub, scrub, tap, hit or touch it, since this could scratch, mar or permanently damage the screen. I actually want to encourage you not to touch the screen with your bare hands. (Good luck keeping the kids away from it!)
2) Keep Your Plasma TV Upright!
Whether you’re moving it, installing it, storing or displaying it, you should never lay your Plasma flat on it’s face, even if the directions tell you to. The plasma elements that make up the picture are sandwiched between two thin layers of glass. If these glass panels crack, your TV screen will be ruined. Large LCD and DLP display screens can be just as delicate.
3) Clean Your Flat Screen TV Correctly!
Even routine cleaning can present special challenges. You shouldn’t use dust cloths, chemical cleansers, soaps, sprays, alcohol or aerosols. Please don’t rub the screen, just dust it gently with absorbent cotton or chamois only. Clean the frame with a slightly moist sponge or cloth, don’t use chemicals or soaps. It’s best to unplug the TV before you begin cleaning.
4) Buy A Good Surge Protector!
Spring for a quality surge protector with a reset button and power switch. A phone line or ethernet surge protector for your modem and a coax surge protector for cable TV are great features to look for. If you can’t find these features on a power surge protector you can order them separately. A basic surge protector costs less than $10, and a really good one costs $30 - $50. There’s no excuse for not connecting every major appliance in your house to one. One lightning strike, one power surge and your $2,500 flat screen TV could be fried!
5) Don’t Let Your Big Screen TV Tip Over!
Most table stands are well designed, but be aware! When your teenager tries to imitate Kobe’s fantastic slam dunk or your toddler jumps up to slap Sponge Bob on the head, you don’t want a 150-pound big screen TV toppling over on them. Make sure your TV stand is sturdy, that it’s large enough to hold your TV (6-inches wider than the base) and is positioned against a wall, away from doorways and foot traffic.
6) Make Sure Your Wall Mount Is Properly Installed!
A correctly installed wall mount has little chance of allowing your TV to tip over; just one more reason to get a professional installation. If Harry Handyman from next door installs your Plasma and the mount comes off the wall, you could be facing substantial damage or injury. If you don’t know how to run wiring inside your wall, get a pro to do it.
7) Avoid Screen Burn-In!
Plasma displays have improved recently, but screen burn-in is still possible. Static images that don’t move or change, like video game scores, TV station logos, stock ticker displays and computer programs can burn images permanently into a Plasma screen. It may take weeks, months or years for the damage to become permanent, but it certainly can. LCD and DLP TVs cannot suffer burn-in.
With proper care, your big screen TV will give your family decades of brilliant service and lasting memories. Just tune in to Entourage and enjoy!
It's as easy as 1 2 3!
Ike Ridley is the avid videophile and self-confessed âMovie Nutâ who created the website 123 Guide To Plasma TV. To visit us, click the links or paste this URL into your web browser:http://www.123-guide-to-plasma-tv.com/
Ike has moved to the Caribbean where he clicks away on his laptop under a palm tree.Click Here for more information on big screen TVs in the 123 Guide To Plasma TV.com!
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Flat Screen TV . . . How Big is Big?
Picking the right sized Big Screen TV for your needs can’t be boiled down to a simple formula. There are many things to consider before you’re ready to make a purchase.
How large is the space in your living room where the flat screen TV will go? Is there room around the TV for ventilation and Dolby Surround Sound speakers? How much do you want to spend? How far away will the viewers be sitting?
You’ll also want to know if a Home Theater System fit in the room. Would you have more space if you install a wall mount instead of a TV stand? Do you want to buy a discount or high end Big Screen TV? And most importantly, how jealous will the neighbors will be?
• Measure the space where you plan to install the TV. Subtract one foot from the resulting measurement to allow for the frame and ventilation space. This will give you a rough idea of what sized Plasma TV will fit in the space (a five foot long space is needed for a 50” TV).
• Big Screen TV screens are measured diagonally like all TV screens. The most popular screen sizes are 42-inch and 50-inch, although many sizes are available between 32-inch and 108-inch. Because TV screens are measured diagonally; a 50” screen will have a horizontal measurement somewhat shorter than 50”.
• How high on the wall should your Plasma TV be mounted? A flat wall mount should be slightly above the viewer's eye level. The bottom of the screen should be no more than one foot higher than the eye level of a seated adult. A tilt mount can be installed much higher than that, over fireplaces and even on bedroom ceilings.
• A careful shopper can find a name brand 42-inch HDTV Flat Screen for around $1,000, and a 50-inch for about $2,000. You can spend much more, but the price of Plasma, LCD and DLP TVs has dropped significantly in recent months.
(If you’re not familiar with some of the terms used above: HDTV, Plasma, LCD and DLP, you should Google the "123 Guide To Plasma TV.com")
• A wall mount takes up much less space than a TV stand. Flat Screen TVs are less than 4 inches thick, a flat wall mount adds 2 inches and a tilt mount 4-6 inches. A TV stand can require space varying between 6 inches and 10 inches.
• The Size of Table Stands vary with the style and make. Plan on a table or base with at least 12 inches in depth and a minimum width 6 inches longer than the bottom of the table stand.
• How much viewing space is available in the room? The comfortable viewing distance for smaller Big Screen TVs is 6 to 10 feet; the largest plasmas can be easily viewed from 6 to 20 feet away.
• Consider the space needed for all the accessories your Big Screen TV will require; a TV stand (or wall mount) , a home entertainment system with speakers, a digital cable box and an HD-DVD player.
• Last, but not least, how jealous will the neighbors be when they see your new 50-inch Plasma?
Only you can decide what size Flat Screen TV you want to purchase for your family. Do a little planning, make informed choices, and you’ll be much happier with your new Big Screen TV!
It's as easy as 1 2 3!
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