Which Plasma TV's is right for you?

By: Sandy Baker

Plasma technology is the latest technology available in home entertainment. It offers an enormous, flat, bright, sharp, flicker-free display that projects rich, life-like color. Plasma TV's have higher resolution, no scan Lines, exceptional color accuracy, wide screen aspect ratio, Uniform Screen Brightness, and Wide Viewing Angle. Today, we're in the midst of a digital video revolution because of HDTV, DTV, DVD-Video, and digital satellite broadcasts. Plasma display technology allows you to fully enjoy the dramatically improved image quality of all these digital video sources listed above. However, as each competing TV screen technology matures and improves, the differences between them become more difficult to detect. The decision to buy which one will depend on your needs. Remember, if you want to go for luxury, go above four thousand; but if you want the most affordable Plasma TV, plan on spending at least thirteen hundred to three thousand dollars.

The average Plasma TV screen has a life expectancy of approximately ten years. Most plasma screens are only a few inches deep, so they require far less space than a CRT television of the same screen size. Plasma tv's, it is made up of thousands and thousands of small pixels with the color scheme RGB (Red, Green and Blue). Plasma Televisions have lower power consumption compared to a conventional CRT television. The big advantages of both kinds of TV monitors is that they are very thin, only a few inches thick.

There are two easy criteria to determine which plasma TV screen quality is the best. First, simply compare the peak panel brightness with other plasma screens. They will help you find a correctly sized set in your price range so you don't have any space or budgetary issues when you take it home with you. Second, look at the resolution. Make sure it's at least 720 pixels, since it's considered a "high definition" or HDTV. Be sure to actually view a plasma TV before buying that particular model and see if the fan noise is a problem.

If you are unsure about spending extra money for the HDTV plasma, make sure you check with your local cable or satellite provider to see what HDTV channels are available in your local area. Also consider whether or not you'll be using your plasma as a PC monitor and if so, what display resolutions you intend to use. This is very important.

You can buy a plasma TV is between a traditional "brick and mortar" retail store, or a an online dealer. If you buy from a brick and mortar location, make sure they are factory authorized, this way your warranty stays in tact. Another good thing about brick and mortar is you can actually view the Plasma TV, so that will give you a better idea for aesthetic reasons. You can also get a Plasma TV from an online retailer. The bid advantage here is the prices are much lower, and you usually don't have to pay any sales tax. The good thing about buying online is you don't have to worry about a pushy salesman. All the information is there in front of you without any sales pressure.

Below are the most popular Plasma Televisons:

• Maxent - 42" HD-Ready Plasma Monitor
• Panasonic - 42" Plasma HDTV
• Samsung - 42" Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV
• Pioneer PDP-5070HD
• Hitachi 55HDM71

What's the big deal with HDTV?

High-definition television is quickly becoming the preferred mode of television viewing. But what makes HDTV so appealing?

Scott Mealiff, production coordinator for TV8-WSCS, Sheboygan's community cable TV station, said HDTV's appeal is in its crystal-clear picture.

"The most obvious (appeal) is it has a sharper image," Mealiff said. "It's a bigger, sharper image with much more resolution than a standard TV."

According to How Stuff Works (howstuffworks.com), standard TV sets, which receive an analog signal, have a resolution of approximately 704 by 480 pixels (the density of illuminated dots on a display screen), while HDTV sets have a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels, giving its picture more clarity.

The set's picture is also formatted differently. The aspect ratio of a normal television is 4:3, a very box-like picture. High-definition's aspect ratio of 16:9, which gives it a look more akin to a widescreen movie theater screen, Mealiff said.

Darryl Hicks, manager of Rex TV and Appliance Center, 1004 S. Taylor Drive, said more and more people have been coming to his store in search of HDTV's better picture.

"Ninety-nine percent of the TVs we sell today are HDTV-capable," Hicks said. "They can run anywhere from $500 to $5,000, depending on size and technology."

HDTV, which is already the standard in other parts of the world, has been available in the area through satellite service providers and from network broadcasters in surrounding markets — Green Bay and Milwaukee. Broadcast television stations have until February 2009 to make the transition to broadcasting completely in digital, at that time everyone will either have to buy a new TV or purchase a converter box to watch broadcast television.

HDTV isn't a perfect system. For television networks, the investment to switch to broadcasting HDTV is expensive, for viewers, HDTV only works if their TV set picks up the entire signal, Mealiff said. So while there are no fuzzy pictures with high-definition TV, if you're not in the station's optimal broadcast range your set won't pick up anything.

"That's just the nature of digital, it's on or it's off," Mealiff said.

Charter's service would provide local customers with a direct connection with the local networks, meaning a more vivid image with no atmospheric disturbance, as well as HDTV offerings from cable networks such as TNT, HBO, Discovery Channel, Cinemax and ESPN.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - HDTV

Digital Cable's Highest Resolution Format

With High Definition (HDTV) programming becoming more available by the day, it's important to know the answers to some common questions.

Is High Definition the same as digital?

Yes and no. High definition is the top-level resolution offered within the digital television category. Digital cable comes in three formats - standard, enhanced, and high definition. Standard has a resolution of 480i, enhanced is 480p, and high definition is 720p and 1080i. Therefore, HD is digital, but not all digital is HD.

My friends bought high definition sets, but they're expensive. Do I really need one?

The need for a HD television is debatable. After all, not all programming is offered in HD, and there is an additional charge for HD programming. If you are wanting to upgrade, but don't want or need the added expense, you can get a wonderful picture with other digital (SDTV and EDTV) televisions.

You could also wait a year or two and see what happens with prices and programming.

How much does a High Definition television cost, and who makes them?

Most television manufacturers make HDTVs in a variety of styles. You can buy HD in tubes, CRT rear projection, LCD, DLP, LCOS, and Plasma. Prices range depending on picture size and technology used, but an average price gap is $500 for a small CRT monitor upwards to $20,000 for the latest in Plasma technology.

Do I have to subscribe to cable/satellite to get HDTV?

No, many network affiliates around the United States already send out high definition signals over-the-air. What you need is a HDTV with built-in tuner, and HD Antenna to decode the signal. However, if you want to receive a non-broadcast station's HD signal (TNT, HBO, ESPN), you will need to order a cable/satellite HD package.

Does my cable/satellite provider offer HDTV? If so, what do I need?

Many cable/satellite providers offer some sort of high definition programming. Usually, they charge an additional fee and require you to rent or buy a high definition receiver. However, you can lower your monthly cost buy purchasing a HD receiver at retail and online outlets. To find out terms of use and costs, contact your local cable/satellite provider.

I have the HDTV package offered by my cable/satellite provider, but don't receive the HD signal. What gives?

You're receiving the signal, but may not have the tools to get it. First, make sure you own a high definition television and receiver. If so, locate the HD channels on your programming lineup as channels are split between HD and non-HD channels. Also, verify the program you're watching is offered in HD. Many HD channels run a non-HD signal when showing non-HD programming. It's also important to note that you might need to check your televisions configurations to make sure it is set at 1080i or 720p. If it's at 480p, then you're not watching HDTV even though the program is offered in HD as 480p is the resolution of enhanced definition.

What kind of programming is offered in HD?

Programming varies from station to station, and please note that not all television stations feature high definition programming. Some of the larger channels transmitting HD programming include the four major broadcast networks, TNT, ESPN, Discovery, ESPN, and HBO.

What does 720p and 1080i mean?

When you watch television, the picture you see is composed of many independently scanned lines. Put together, they compose the image on the screen. Interlaced and progressive are the two scanning techniques used. Lines of resolution vary for digital televisions - 480, 720, and 1080. Therefore, the resolution of a television is defined by the lines and types of scanning. A 720p resolution is a television with 720 progressive scanned lines. A 1080i resolution has 1080 interlaced scanned lines. Side-by-side, progressive scan will show a clearer picture than interlaced, but you'll notice most HD programming is shown in the 1080i resolution.

What aspect ratio does high definition come in?

A high definition signal is transmitted in a 16:9 aspect ratio. 16:9 is also known as widescreen or letter box - like the screen in movie theatres. You can buy high definition televisions with either a standard (4:3) or widescreen aspect ratio. Really, it's a matter of preference, whether you like the square or rectangular screen. Most programming can be formatted to fit whatever aspect ratio you prefer.

What's HDTV

High definition television is the highest form of digital television. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is the same as a movie theater screen. This is possibly HD’s biggest selling point. The other is the resolution. High definition is the best available picture on a television. It comes in three different flavors: 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

What do 720p, 1080i and 1080p mean?

High definition programs are encoded with a type of resolution: 720p, 1080i or 1080p. The number stands for the amount of lines embedded within the signal. The letter describes the type of scan the television uses to display the picture. The ‘i’ means interlaced and the ‘p’ means progressive.

Why does the amount of lines matter?

The number of lines on a television is important because it allows for greater detail in the image. This is a similar concept to digital photos and how dpi determines print quality. The type of televisions all of us grew up watching had 480 visible lines on the screen. By doubling the amount of lines in combination with the type of scan, HD essentially doubles the quality of picture.

Does it matter if the resolution is interlaced or progressive?

The type of scan is arguable considering the amount of lines for each HD format. Progressive scan is a better type of scan because it doubles the amount of times the TV displays the image per one second in comparison to interlaced. Still, the difference between 720p and 1080i is so minimal that is isn’t an issue at all. While 1080p is better than 720p and 1080i, very few programs are made in this resolution so it really isn’t a factor right now…and, it might never be.

Can my television display HD content?

Only high definition televisions can display HD content in the HD resolution. Enhanced definition televisions can display HD content in a 480p resolution, which is DVD quality. All other televisions that are analog of standard digital will not be able to display HD content in a HD resolution because they lack the technology to do so.

How do I get HDTV?

Anyone that owns a high definition television can get high definition content. You have three options: over-the-air signals, cable or satellite. Over-the-air signals are those that a typical rooftop antenna would receive…only these signals are digital and encoded in HD. Over-the-air signals are free to receive. The only cost out of pocket would be for the equipment needed to receive them. To receive HD programming from your cable or satellite provider you would need to subscribe to their HD package. This subscription is not free. The provider might require a minimum length of service.

Does owning a HDTV mean that I am watching in high definition?

No. Owning a high definition television is just the first step in watching HD content. The second step is to acquire a HD tuner. The tuner is either built into the television or an external set-top box. The set-top boxes can be bought in stores, but most will come from the cable or satellite provider. The third step is to either subscribe to a HD package or buy an antenna for over-the-air reception. Once steps one, two and three are in place then it is up to you to turn to the HD channel to get started watching high definition programming. And, this is only when the signal on the HD channel is delivered in high definition.

What is the future of HDTV?

If I knew that I would make my living in Las Vegas. High definition is expensive to produce and not every production company has access to it, but HD programming does have a bright future on television. The image is so clear that it appears as though you are looking at the image in person