What You Should Know About Plasma TVs
Oct 14 '01
The Bottom Line Here is what you should know about Plasma TVs. Be careful!
Some people have heard of plasma TVs, and most haven't... Or are plasma TVs refered to only as a fantasy object of the future. No, it's here, it's today, and it's one big market! The plasma TV market is very expensive, and you have to be very careful when buying a plasma TV. So read this guide to learn all of the plasma TV basics.
-The Screen-
*Just like most HDTVs, the plasma display is in a 16:9 ratio. This in other words is widescreen. The smallest screen size is 42" or so, and then the screen sizes move up to being 50". Like other TVs, you want to make sure that there is distance between the monitor and your viewing area. You don't want to see actual pixels if you sit up close. Choose the screen size based on room size, larger isn't always better.
-The Prices-
*The prices for plasma TVs are anything but low. You should expect to pay $6,000 at the very least for a 42" plasma TV. Then you can pay $10,000 or more for a 50" plasma TV. If you want the plasma TV to have HDTV capabilities, it will cost you another $4,000 or so! Very expensive market, and you really should be careful. Some plasmas aren't actually good because of cooling fan problems, or anything else. So you really should see what you are buying, and look at it very carefully.
-The Video Formats-
*The plasma TVs have NTSC, SECAM, and PAL video formats. Most of the plasma TVs on the market can handle all three video formats. However, in Europe, they use PAL and SECAM video formats. So if you live in Europe, you want to make sure that the plasma TV that you are buying can handle PAL and SECAM formats.
-DVD Video-
*Obviously, the plasma TVs will handle DVD video very well. Using component video jacks, you will get superb picture quality. If you have a DVD player with progressive video output, you will receive a simply amazing picture. Overall, the picture provided from the plasma TV is the sharpest that you will be able to find.
-Audio-
*Not all plasma TVs come with built-in speakers. If you buy a plasma TV without speakers, you should have a home theater system that includes a receiver, speakers, etc... However, some companies offer speakers that you can add to the sides of the TV. But in my opinion, if you're already paying so much for a TV, you shouldn't stop there, you should go ahead and make this the best home theater possible. Buy a surround sound hook-up! You won't regret it!
-In Conclusion-
*Plasma TVs will offer you the best possible picture quality that you can get. However, plasma TVs are not cheap at all. The cheapest are around $6,000, and the more expensive ones can range all the way above $20,000! Some of the best players in the low-price market is Sony, then another step up is Pioneer and Marantz. So before you buy a plasma TV, do your research, and actually see and use the TVs before you buy them! Once you get one, your entertainment life will never be the same, it will be countless times better!
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