IntroductionIn six short sections, we’ll help guide you towards making informed choices on buying the plasma TV you need for your home theater or living room, tradeshow application, business or retail display, or executive and corporate boardroom. The sections in this Buying Guide are arranged in an order and progression that we feel is most helpful in imparting key information towards a plasma TV purchase. First, we’ll take a look at the kind of environment in which you are setting up the plasma display. Next, we’ll see what kind of content you intend to watch on the TV and what sort of A/V devices you’ll be using to determine the plasma type for your needs. Then, we’ll check out important plasma specs you should know about and installation issues to pay attention to. Lastly, we’ll take a quick look at pricing and other cost issues that you may want to consider. Ready? Let’s begin. The Plasma TV EnvironmentCalculating the Correct Distance In setting up the environment for your plasma TV, a primary consideration is to determine the screen size to match the floor plan or available space where the plasma will be displayed. Plasma monitors are measured diagonally across the screen, just like any other television set. You can typically choose from the following sizes: 32″, 40″, 42″, 46″, 50″, 61″, or 63″. Bigger is not always better, and a certain distance must be maintained between the plasma TV and the viewing area for optimal viewing experience. Sitting too far away diminishes the overall impact. Sitting too close, however, could also present its own problems as when you start seeing the screen’s “structure”; i. e. , the dots or pixels that make up the plasma display. The right distance depends on the size of your TV. – For 32″ to 37″ TVs, 6 to 10 feet from the screen is needed. – For 42″ to 46″ TVs, 10 to 14 feet from the screen is needed. – For 50″ TVs, 12 to 16 feet from the screen is needed. – For 60″ and larger TVs, at least 15 feet of space from the screen is needed. In determining the appropriate TV size for you, you should also consider the space required to install the unit itself. When recessing a plasma display unit, allow at least 3 inches of open space at the top of the unit and adequate ventilation space of at least 2 inches behind it as well. Remember, too, that most plasma displays do not have built-in speakers, so you’ll need to allow space enough to attach speakers. Viewing Angles: More on TV Placement Viewing angle is another factor that affects the viewing experience. Today’s plasma TVs offer viewing angles approaching (and sometimes exceeding) 170 degrees. This is much better than viewing angles for LCD displays and rear-projection TVs, and the wide viewing angles for plasma displays translates to a bright, clear picture for anyone in the room no matter where they’re sitting. Room Lighting and the TV Picture Lighting is also important in the area where your plasma TV is set up. Plasma TVs generally do a fine job in rooms with regular indoor lighting, but optimal viewing may not be possible in areas with too much direct sunlight. Thus, windows that let in direct sunlight should have easily adjustable blinds or curtains that can eliminate reflections off the screen. Light from a window behind the TV also makes it difficult for the eyes to adjust to the very brightness of the screen, and window treatments are recommended in such cases. A little bit of controlled background lighting could also be helpful, as the background light gives the black portions of the picture a deeper, darker look. Altitude May Increase Noise Levels If you live in Denver, Santa Fe or other areas above 6,000 feet, be aware that some plasma displays may start exhibiting operational noise. This is due to increased pressure on the gases contained in the glass substrate of the plasma, a phenomenon that makes the unit work harder to cool the display element. Check to see if the manufacturer has a maximum altitude rating if you are setting up the plasma in high-elevation areas. What You Can Watch on Your Plasma TVYou can choose between HDTV (High Definition TV) and EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV) for your choice of plasma display. Which type you prefer depends on the kind of material you intend to watch on the plasma. EDTV is the perfect entry point into digital television, with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and an image resolution that is 200% better than today’s analog televisions. On the other hand, HDTV has up to four times the resolution and colors compared to EDTV, offering the ultimate visual and sound experience. At present, only a limited number of programs are broadcast in true high-definition format (all major networks broadcast HD counterparts to their regular analog-signal broadcasts). In fact, if you plan to use a plasma HDTV for regular TV programming, you may be surprised to find that regular TV programming may even appear slightly worse, as the big screen exaggerates the flaws in standard TV programs. DVD images from most of the currently available DVD titles on the market today also do not fare as well on true HD plasmas. In fact, these DVD images appear better on EDTV plasma units, because the image resolution of a widescreen DVD (nominally 740 x 480) more closely matches the actual resolution (852 x 480) of the EDTV plasma display. Why bother with a High Definition TV at all, you may ask? Because HDTV, paired with a true High-Definition or high-quality source, can produce truly stunning images. With a progressive-scan DVD player paired with, say, any of the recently released HD-DVD or forthcoming Blu-ray DVD titles (encoded in true HD format), your plasma HDTV can come to spectacular life and bring out unrivaled image quality. And as more TV programming becomes available in High-Definition format with the looming of the FCC deadline for switching to all-digital broadcasting, plasma HDTV sets will have more TV content to show. One thing’s for sure: Your HDTV won’t be obsolete anytime in the next few years. Devices for your Plasma TVWith today’s plasma TV models, almost all of them will have multiple inputs that allow connection of various devices, with 32″ or larger screens having inputs for connecting six or more different A/V components. Which video components do you have now, and which do you plan to add in the future?At the very least, you’ll probably want to connect your antenna or cable box, plus a DVD player and perhaps a VCR. Other possibilities include a satellite TV receiver, video game system, or TiVo hard disk recorder. And if you use a camcorder, you will definitely want a set of front-panel A/V inputs on your new TV. The newer plasma TVs will include digital inputs such as HDMI or DVI, which can accept HDTV signals from your cable box or satellite (and even some DVD players) in an all-digital format. Some plasma TVs also include a VGA or DVI PC input, which allows your plasma unit to pull double-duty as a PC monitor. Connection tip: If you route your video signals through your home theater receiver, you can connect even more video sources. Most home theater receivers provide Composite Video inputs and outputs to enable video switching, making it easy to choose from among your video sources. If yours does, you may be able to connect your video components to your receiver, which will then send the selected video signal to your TV. Many receivers have S-Video connections as well, and some even include Component Video switching. Plasma TV Specifications When comparing plasma TV sets, it’s important to know what to look for to make sense of the specifications you’re presented with. Below is a quick rundown on the necessary specs that you need to weigh before making that all-important purchase decision. Resolution: Resolution is a determining factor in selecting a plasma TV. Do you want HDTV or EDTV? HDTV, with a resolution of at least 1024 x 720, is the ultimate visual and sound experience, but what is available for viewing on HD is currently restricted to a few HD channels on cable, as well as the newly emerging and necessarily few DVD titles from the HD-DVD and Blu-ray DVD formats. On the other hand, most of the currently available DVDs actually play better when viewed on EDTV, because the image resolution of a widescreen DVD (nominally 740 x 480) more closely matches the actual resolution (852 x 480) of the EDTV plasma display. Choosing the type of plasma TV that you want, therefore, is a question that should be considered along with the type of content you frequently watch or will be watching on your plasma. Inputs: A plasma television should work with any existing video component with standard A/V, S-Video, or Component Video outputs. In addition, most plasma TVs have DVI or HDMI connections for use with high-definition sources. Some plasma TVs also have VGA input connections that allow them to be used as monitors for a PC. At the minimum, look for the following specifications on a plasma connection: DVI-I or DVI-D, Component, RCA or Composite, and S-Video. Take into consideration your current component set-up such as your satellite system, cable box, DVD player, and external stereo components and see what kind of inputs or connectors they use. Tuner: Check your plasma to see if it is HD-ready or HD-integrated. An HD-ready plasma TV is essentially a monitor that needs an external tuner source before it can function as a TV. An HD-integrated panel has a tuner built into the set and is ready for use. If you receive your HDTV programming via cable or satellite instead of over-the-air, you may not need a tuner at all, as you will be using the set-top boxes provided by your cable/satellite service to receive HDTV programming. Check with your cable or satellite providers for more details. Some cable/satellite companies do away with set-top boxes and provide their subscribers with cable cards instead. Check with your cable/satellite provider if they provide cable cards and the cable-card type that they offer, and then check the specification on the plasma for cable card slots. Contrast Ratio: Contrast ratio is the measurement that determines the variation between the whitest and darkest parts of the image. This is an important specification, since plasma TVs with a low contrast ratio will make dark images look muddy and gray while making light images look washed out. A good measure of contrast ratio is 1,000:1 or higher. Anything less than 1,000:1 especially on a set that is 42″ or larger may not provide optimal viewing experience. Brightness: Without sufficient brightness, your image will look muddy and soft even in a dark room. Viewing distance, screen size, and ambient room light will also affect the need for more brightness capability. A brightness rating listed at 550 cd/m2 or higher is good, but don’t get bogged down with the technical number listed. Instead, make sure that the screen is bright enough for your needs as you conduct your own visual inspection. Panel Life: Look for a minimum of 60,000 hours of panel life in your plasma specifications. This is the rating on how long it would take before your panel has half the brightness compared to when it was new. A 60,000-hour spec translates to approximately 20 years of viewing at 8 hours per day. (This approximation may vary, depending on the source and type of content, settings, environment, and use of your plasma TV. )Anti-burn-in/Pixel Shift: Burn-in refers to the remnants burned on to the screen after a static image has been left on the plasma for a long period of time. To minimize or prevent burn-in, determine if the plasma panel utilizes burn-in protection, such as power management settings, full-time picture or pixel shift (both vertical and horizontal) technologies, or automatic screensaver functions. Speakers: If you plan to use an external surround sound system, you won’t need audio speakers, but most plasma TV sets include speakers that rated anywhere from 7-12 Watts Pre-amp which is much better than that of conventional TVs and sufficient for most viewing. Check your plasma’s specifications to see if it comes with speakers and if the speakers are removable. Universal Remote: A universal remote can take the place of having one remote, so that it controls all the various components of your TV system, such as the DVD player, audio, cable/satellite etc. If you plan on buying a universal remote, check to see if it’s supported by the plasma set of your choice to make sure the plasma accepts universal remote devices. Power Consumption: Power consumption for plasmas range from 240 watts to over 500 watts, If you’re concerned with how much energy a plasma set may use, check its specifications to determine power consumption. Units tend to have higher wattage requirements as the screen increases. A good rule of thumb is to compare similar-sized units together; units with higher wattages tend to use inferior components as a rule. Installation and Mounting OptionsThere are basically two options for installing a plasma TV: Displaying it on a table stand, cart, or similarly equivalent horizontal surface; or hanging the Plasma TV (on a wall or from a ceiling, using wall mount fixtures). One of the major benefits of plasma TV is the flexibility of mounting and installation options that are available. However, because of the sheer size of the TV, mounting presents its own sets of issues that need to be taken into account. For wall (or ceiling) mounting, you will need two people (ideally), with at least one having enough experience to determine the strength of the wall, what is behind the wall, and the proper hardware to use; e. g. , anchors, screws, etc. The last thing you need is to have your new Plasma TV fall off the wall and smash into bits because of improper wall mounting. Professional installation is highly recommended in this case. Below are various TV mounting options you might consider: Table Stands are popular for displaying plasma units. These units, however, are not one-size- fits-all appliances. Sometimes one is included with the TV itself; other times you have to purchase the stand separately. Most consumer-oriented plasma TVs come with their own matching table stand, used whenever there is enough tabletop space to support the TV. These units are custom-made to manufacturers’ specifications, as each plasma display has its own requirements on how the stand fits the plasma. The table stand allows for maximum flexibility, as nothing is permanently affixed to the wall. (Add graphic) Plasma TV Carts are typically used in business applications for trade shows and in-house presentations. Table carts are often used in a courtroom setting or to mobilize up to the edge of a boardroom table for maximum visual presentation. The table cart may include a platform for placing a DVD player, laptop computer, or VCR. (Add graphic) Flat Wall Mounts maximize the space-saving benefits of plasma technology. This is generally the least expensive option, and it adds less than two inches to the total depth of the plasma unit. It is used in home theaters, living rooms, or company boardrooms to achieve and maximally offset the sleek appearance that plasma displays are known for. (Add graphic) Tilt Wall Mounts let you place your plasma TV above eye level, keeping the unit out of the way but allowing it to be readily viewable from anywhere in the room. A tilt wall mount typically allows 15 to 20 degrees of tilt (depending on the brand of the wall mount). This option is often used to install plasma displays above fireplaces and in bedrooms, and is also used for overhead displays in retail or industry (with or without an attached ceiling bracket). The tilt wall mount adds from 4 to 6 inches to the depth of the mounted display. (Add graphic) Articulating Wall Mounts use swivel arms to render the plasma unit flush with the wall and out of the way when the unit is not in use. Pulled out, this mounting device allows you to turn the display 120 degrees to either side and as much as 10 degrees up or down. It adds between 3 or 4 inches to the depth of the plasma mount (depending on the manufacturer of the wall mount), and is used for maximum flexibility in sports bars, library studies, and commercial display operations. (Add graphic) Ceiling Mounts enable you to mount your plasma TV where you want it in case a wall isn’t available. This option is generally coupled with a tilt mount, so that the display can be adjusted downward for easier viewing. Lengths of ceiling mount poles vary according to customer needs, but standard lengths are from 24 to 43 inches. Ceiling mounts are usually used for airport displays, checkout counters, hospital rooms, and bedrooms. (Add graphic)Pricing and Other CostsPlasma TVs are expensive, but they do fall into a few distinct categories. Below is a rough guide to retail and online pricing for plasma units (current as of this writing, May 2006). – $1,000 to $1,500 buys you a plasma TV up to 42″- $1,500 to $3,000 buys you a plasma TV up to 50″- More than $3,000 buys you a plasma up to 65″Also: – Under $1,500 buys you a refurbished EDTV plasma- Under $2,000 buys you an EDTV plasma- More than $2,000 buys you an HDTV plasmaIn addition to the cost of the plasma TV itself, you may want to factor in the price of accessories, such as cables, surge protectors, additional audio equipment, furniture, and room treatments to arrive at a realistic cost outlay for your plasma TV purchase. Lastly, be aware of “standard” charges that apply to your purchase: a sales tax when the TV is bought at a brick-and-mortar establishment; shipping charges (especially if the TV is bought online); and delivery and/or set-up charges. Check and compare the manufacturer warranties for various plasma TV brands; extended warranties are always extra.

Im thinking of buying a new HDTV. Im between two choices: Either a Samsung 40 inch LCD 1080 p with a contrast ratio of 15,000:1 or a Samsung 50 inch DLP 1080 p 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Don’t know exacly the difference between LCD and DLP. The LCD set is about 200 dlls extra. Which television should I buy???

The Office is my all time choice sitcom at the present and I was so upset when it was temporarily cancelled due to the writer’s strike. I realize that everyone wants more money but what about what the viewers crave? Anyway,
I heard the strike is over and the writers are returning to write. This means that the tv show will be back on air in Apr and I couldn’t be any more happier. I am not only joyful the show is coming back but I also have a nice new HDTV that I cannot wait to try out on The Office.
A couple weeks ago, my nasty old 19 inch gave out and I knew it was time to take a switch into the 21st century by finding a shiny new HDTV. All of my friends have been on my case trying to get me to buy a newer tv but I never saw the need for it since my 19 inch was perfectly sound enough for my taste.
Since I had to buy the new television, I decided on the HDTV as my friends recommended. Apparently, I didn’t research it well enough because I didn’t know that in order to get HDTV channels I would have to pay my Satellite Co. more money a month!
As if I do not pay enough money as it is and now after laying down a grand on the television, I will have to pay even more per month. Instead of just succumbing to the realisation that I would just have to deal with paying for it, I went online to see if there was a way around it.
I am so pleased I did because I found antennas that will recognize the signals I obtain from my cable company. I was amazed to see the antennas were not a ton of money so I purchased one. Anyway, I am looking forward to watching The Office on my new TV. Maybe Jim and Pam will get hitched, probably not.
Whom I love the best is Michael on the program because he reminds me so much of my old superior. It’s amazing how some of things that rise out of his mouth sounds a lot like something he would say. Not only that, a lot of the things he says is such a shock that you just can’t help but laugh.
Now that I have a new television to view and many new shows starting up, I just know that it’s going to be the best television watching experience I have had in a rattling long time.

There was a time when the cost for the purchase of an LCD was prohibitive, and most people who wanted a home theater experience, decided to plasma or a projection TV. However, prices of LCD TVs have been falling, so that more affordable for people who want a LCD TV at their home. If you’re in the market for an LCD TV, you should do a little research before making a purchase. Like any TV, various brands, sizes and options that make a difference in your viewing experience. Here are some tips for buying a LCD TV: Do you know what size you want? Before you go out to buy an LCD TV the general idea is about the size you need. In general, this sieze shoud be adjusted based on the distance between you and your TV and also your budget. (Smaller TVs cost less. ) Guidelines are vary, but consider for a rough estimate, the following information: • For screens of 30-37 inches, you should sit about four to nine feet from the TV. • For 42-50 inch screens, you should sit around eleven-fifty-five feet from the TV. Currently, LCDs that are larger than 45 inches are often costly, and some are still having problems with image quality. Stick with a good resolution: If you need a great image quality, high resolution LCD TV. You should search for that, 1024×768, 1366×768 or 1080p’s. These are often the common features of HDTVs, so you should have no problems finding it. Look at it from all sides: If you are in the store, on one side and see how the image is displayed. As a “perspective”, some known LCDs have a better image of the page than others. In most cases, will start the image appear dimmer as it moves toward the side of the screen. Some, however, the soft start before others. If you have a large room or have guests often watch television with you, what you want for the LCD TV that provides the search for increased viewing angle.

Since this tv cost a lot and i want to be sure it’s really good before i buy it. Any pros or cons about it? or any suggestion or anything from people that own this tv or are planning to buy one?

Each type of TV has positives and negatives. Before purchasing a possibly expensive piece of furniture for you home it would be wise to learn a little about each technology. This may prevent you from making a big mistake when you are ready to buy. Once you understand which type of television is right for you it’s a lot easier to take the plunge.

If you are more than 10 years old you probably grew up watching television on a CRT type of TV. CRT stands for cathode ray tube. These televisions are still very popular due to a few advantages they still hold over the newer plasma televisions and other newer types.

If you’ve ever watched a plasma or LCD TV from the side you have probably noticed that the picture is darker from that angle. One of the great things about CRT televisions is that they are still bright even when viewed from the side. Sure, the LCD or plasma television has a great quality picture from the front, but if you plan on placing your TV in an area that will be viewed often from the side you should be testing out all of the different models in that regard. It would be very disappointing to see the great plasma picture quality at the dealer and then get it home and have a darker picture from your viewing point of view.

Another positive with regard to CRT displays is their price. They are more inexpensive than the more modern types of televisions while still producing a very clear and bright picture. They also show the color black truer than most newer models and have no danger of burn-in. On some of the newer models it’s possible to have a bright picture burn into the screen and be faintly visible for the life of the TV.

With all of these positives why are the CRT displays diminishing in popularity? There are two main reasons. One, these television sets are usually bigger, bulkier and heavier. And two, if you want a large wide screen TV that is 42 inches, 50 inches, 60 inches or larger you just cannot find a CRT display that big. So if you have a big wide screen TV in mind you won’t be able to go with the older CRT units.

The last deciding factor about CRT televisions concerns whether you should buy a flat screen or curved screen model. The flat screen versions can be viewed from the side better than the curved screens. The curved screens can distort the picture while the flat screens let you see the picture as it was intended to be seen. The difference may not be apparent when viewed alone, but put them side to side and you will certainly see the difference.

The next type of technology we will look at is the flat panel LCD displays. These come in HDTV (high definition television) or wide screen. If you want to see your DVD movies as you saw them in the movie theater you need to purchase a widescreen TV. LCD is a liquid crystal display and is not only used in televisions, but in computer monitors as well.

LCD displays have a flat screen and are relatively thin in width and lightweight. They have an exceptional picture viewing quality and as with the CRT displays will not produce burn-in. These TVs have high resolution that creates a superior picture.

The biggest problem with LCD flat screens is the fact that their viewing angles are lessened when compared with traditional CRT models. If you get too far off to the side the picture becomes extremely dark. They are also incapable of creating true blacks, another disadvantage when compared to older CRT models. Plus, the larger models can become rather expensive. However, if money is not your major concern and you plan on viewing the TV from directly in front you may decide that this is the best choice for you.

Plasma television sets, also known as plasma HDTV displays, have come way down in price over the last two years. Their prices used to exclude people from buying them, but their prices are now comparable to LCD models.

These TVs have become popular because not only can you get it in a very large screen size, perfect for your favorite movie or sporting event, but it has an excellent picture quality that is also viewable from wide angles. This is a plus over the LCD technology. This TV will give you the perfect “movie experience” at home in your own theater room.

Plasma television displays are great when it comes to picture quality and viewing angles, but their prices may still be slightly higher than other types. They also have a small potential for burn-in. But the big negative is their life span. They are basically not repairable when their bulb burns out. Depending on how much you watch TV you could end up with an expensive unit that will only last a few years. Once the bulb has burned out the TV is generally history. This is not the case with an LCD display where the bulb may cost in the neighborhood of $200, but it can be changed.

Rear projection models also have their positives and negatives. Rear projection CRT HDTV’s are cheaper than the larger plasma and LCD displays, plus they have a flat screen and great picture. The negatives are their size and weight and smaller viewing angles. They are too heavy to hang on a wall and are much wider than the more narrow plasma and LCD units. Also, in a well lit room their picture can seem a little less bright than what is considered ideal.

There are other types of rear projection HDTV units too. The most popular are the LCD and DLP models. Both have flat screens with wide viewing angles, are thin and lightweight which means they can be wall mounted, will not produce burn-in and have terrific picture resolution and quality. Also, when the bulb burns out they can be replaced, unlike the plasma television models. However, they can both be a bit on the expensive side.

Now that you know the differences it’s time to go down to your local electronics store and try them out. A little bit of viewing can go a long way in your determination of what’s best and what’s not. One more piece of advice: when looking at the varied assortment of models at you local store you’ll notice that some have bright pictures and some do not. Do not base your opinion solely on that one thing. The store models will not have their brightness controls all set the same and it’s possible that a dim picture on one of their televisions could easily be adjusted into a magnificent picture.

Each type of TV has positives and negatives. Before purchasing a possibly expensive piece of furniture for you home it would be wise to learn a little about each technology. This may prevent you from making a big mistake when you are ready to buy. Once you understand which type of television is right for you it’s a lot easier to take the plunge. If you are more than 10 years old you probably grew up watching television on a CRT type of TV. CRT stands for cathode ray tube. These televisions are still very popular due to a few advantages they still hold over the newer plasma televisions and other newer types. If you’ve ever watched a plasma or LCD TV from the side you have probably noticed that the picture is darker from that angle. One of the great things about CRT televisions is that they are still bright even when viewed from the side. Sure, the LCD or plasma television has a great quality picture from the front, but if you plan on placing your TV in an area that will be viewed often from the side you should be testing out all of the different models in that regard. It would be very disappointing to see the great plasma picture quality at the dealer and then get it home and have a darker picture from your viewing point of view. Another positive with regard to CRT displays is their price. They are more inexpensive than the more modern types of televisions while still producing a very clear and bright picture. They also show the color black truer than most newer models and have no danger of burn-in. On some of the newer models it’s possible to have a bright picture burn into the screen and be faintly visible for the life of the TV. With all of these positives why are the CRT displays diminishing in popularity? There are two main reasons. One, these television sets are usually bigger, bulkier and heavier. And two, if you want a large wide screen TV that is 42 inches, 50 inches, 60 inches or larger you just cannot find a CRT display that big. So if you have a big wide screen TV in mind you won’t be able to go with the older CRT units. The last deciding factor about CRT televisions concerns whether you should buy a flat screen or curved screen model. The flat screen versions can be viewed from the side better than the curved screens. The curved screens can distort the picture while the flat screens let you see the picture as it was intended to be seen. The difference may not be apparent when viewed alone, but put them side to side and you will certainly see the difference. The next type of technology we will look at is the flat panel LCD displays. These come in HDTV (high definition television) or wide screen. If you want to see your DVD movies as you saw them in the movie theater you need to purchase a widescreen TV. LCD is a liquid crystal display and is not only used in televisions, but in computer monitors as well. LCD displays have a flat screen and are relatively thin in width and lightweight. They have an exceptional picture viewing quality and as with the CRT displays will not produce burn-in. These TVs have high resolution that creates a superior picture. The biggest problem with LCD flat screens is the fact that their viewing angles are lessened when compared with traditional CRT models. If you get too far off to the side the picture becomes extremely dark. They are also incapable of creating true blacks, another disadvantage when compared to older CRT models. Plus, the larger models can become rather expensive. However, if money is not your major concern and you plan on viewing the TV from directly in front you may decide that this is the best choice for you. Plasma television sets, also known as plasma HDTV displays, have come way down in price over the last two years. Their prices used to exclude people from buying them, but their prices are now comparable to LCD models. These TVs have become popular because not only can you get it in a very large screen size, perfect for your favorite movie or sporting event, but it has an excellent picture quality that is also viewable from wide angles. This is a plus over the LCD technology. This TV will give you the perfect “movie experience” at home in your own theater room. Plasma television displays are great when it comes to picture quality and viewing angles, but their prices may still be slightly higher than other types. They also have a small potential for burn-in. But the big negative is their life span. They are basically not repairable when their bulb burns out. Depending on how much you watch TV you could end up with an expensive unit that will only last a few years. Once the bulb has burned out the TV is generally history. This is not the case with an LCD display where the bulb may cost in the neighborhood of $200, but it can be changed. Rear projection models also have their positives and negatives. Rear projection CRT HDTV’s are cheaper than the larger plasma and LCD displays, plus they have a flat screen and great picture. The negatives are their size and weight and smaller viewing angles. They are too heavy to hang on a wall and are much wider than the more narrow plasma and LCD units. Also, in a well lit room their picture can seem a little less bright than what is considered ideal. There are other types of rear projection HDTV units too. The most popular are the LCD and DLP models. Both have flat screens with wide viewing angles, are thin and lightweight which means they can be wall mounted, will not produce burn-in and have terrific picture resolution and quality. Also, when the bulb burns out they can be replaced, unlike the plasma television models. However, they can both be a bit on the expensive side. Now that you know the differences it’s time to go down to your local electronics store and try them out. A little bit of viewing can go a long way in your determination of what’s best and what’s not. One more piece of advice: when looking at the varied assortment of models at you local store you’ll notice that some have bright pictures and some do not. Do not base your opinion solely on that one thing. The store models will not have their brightness controls all set the same and it’s possible that a dim picture on one of their televisions could easily be adjusted into a magnificent picture. 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Nowadays, there are many big brands making Big Screen TV’s which are very popular everywhere. Big Screen TV like high-quality 5. 1-channel surround sound systems would definitely pull you into the movie action or TV show’s story line just the way big movie theater screens and sound systems do. But at the same time sometimes a too-large TV can really overpower a room. To get the right big-screen TV for your needs, you’ll need to consider screen size, the display technology, your budget, and also the viewing preferences. TV screens are being made much bigger, so that they are similar in shape to movie screens and the picture quality is being improved by technical tricks so that new projection sets will provide superior images even from standard broadcasts and videotapes.
While buying a big screen TV for your home it is important that you choose the screen size according to your room size. Your seating distance will determine your sense of picture clarity and detail as well as the quality of the viewing experience.
Big Screen TV’s are available in both Plasma and LCD. Plasma screens use a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells charged by precise electrical voltages to create a picture. LCD-Liquid Crystal Display screens are in layman’s terms sandwiches made up of liquid crystal pushed in the space between two glass plates. Images are created by varying the amount electrical charge applied to the crystals.
Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses. For home entertainment, plasma TV screens have a slight edge over LCD TV’s that’s because plasma TV screens can display blacks more ac-curately than LCD TV screens thus they give better contrast and detail in dark-colored television or movie scenes. In LCD technology a backlight shines through the LCD layer which makes it harder for it to achieve true blacks because there is always some light leakage from between pixels.
These cool plasma and LCD flat panels which are only a few inches thick are alluring, but budget, screen size, and your need for optimal HDTV clarity are big factors you must consider. You may have to pay as high as $8,000 USD in order to get full HDTV resolution on a plasma panel which would mean getting a 50-inch diagonal screen but if you are willing to compromise with the flat panel and accept a more conventional box you can get full HDTV resolution for a fraction of that amount. However if you still like the flat panel and can do with a good but not true HD picture quality, you can save a lot of money on a smaller LCD or plasma display.
So, folks set your budget, decide on what you want and get the perfect Big Screen TV for your home. Invite your friends and enjoy the next game with loud cheers and drinks!!!

Consider This When Thinking About Buying Big: 1. Choose the Right Screen Size for your Room Your seating distance will determine your sense of picture clarity and detail as well as the quality of the viewing experience. If all you watch are true HDTV images, then you can sit as close as twice the diagonal screen size? about 8 feet away for a 46-inch or a bit more for a 50-inch diagonal screen. But sitting that close may not be practical, because until the final conversion to all-HDTV broadcasting is completed (that?s at least 5 years away) a lot of your TV viewing may well be conventional analog TV, and those images may look fairly crummy up close. (Remember early big screen TVs?) If you watch regular non-HD TV sitting too close to a big screen, you?ll see all the flaws. 2. Flat Panel or Box Those futuristic and very cool plasma and LCD flat panels that are only a few inches thick are appealing, but budget, screen size, and your need for optimal HDTV clarity are big factors you must consider. To get full HDTV resolution on a plasma panel means getting a 50-inch diagonal screen, and that?s expensive (about $3,000 USD and up). If you are willing to abandon the flat panel and accept a more conventional box (one that?s no more than 14 inches deep), you can get full HDTV resolution for a fraction of that amount. A 50-inch diagonal DLP rear-projection set that?s only 14 inches deep and weighs about 75 pounds would be $3,200. Also, you will still get a bright, stunningly good HD picture, minus the ultra-cool flat-panel appeal, of course. If you still like the flat panel and are willing to accept good but not true HD picture quality, you can save a lot of money on a smaller LCD or plasma display. 3. Do You Really Need HDTV Resolution? Let?s say you won?t give up on the thin flat panel display, that you simply must have it. If you are satisfied with DVD clarity? it?s called Standard Definition (480 lines).

hi i am thinking of buying the samsung plasma 50 inch ps50b551 has anyone bought one of these and what is it like thanks