Tips on Finding the Best Plasma TV
An article in ArticleCrux.com shows tips on finding the best plasma TV. According to this article, customers should be considering a number of factors in choosing a Plasma TV. With the variations of Plasma TVs in the market, there are several factors that can be considered in making a choice on which Plasma TV to purchase. Enumerated are size, brand, style, price, and other features explained in this article.
Knowing the main features and elements that you want in a high definition plasma tv will shorten the field of availability that you have to look through. This way you know that you will select the one that you is right for you.
You just need to weigh on whether you would prioritize quality, or you would need to consider the price because of a tight budget.
More LCD vs. Plasma
We previously wrote a guide comparing the two prevalent technologies in slimline displays: LCD and plasma. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. I happened to chance upon more arguments for either side on digitaladvisor. This time, it’s more of what your requirements are, and how you plan to use your flat screen TV.
Some points of note:
- LCD has a longer life span.
- Home theatre buffs would appreciate plasma’s higher contrast.
- Energy conservation buffs would prefer LCD’s more efficient use of electricity.
- D-I-Y buffs can mount LCD screens themselves, while plasma screens need to be mounted professionally (they’re heavier and more delicate).
- If you plan to watch in large groups, plasmas are better, because of the wider viewing angle.
LCD and Plasma Go Head-to-Head in Competition
LCD and Plasma always had their own niches in the television industry. Each had its status for being ideal in certain situations. LCD displays, for instance, were great for monitors and smaller-sized television panels. They were also good for applications where Plasmas wouldn’t survive, such as for displaying static images (plasmas have burn-in problems especially prevalent with static images or even black bars in wide-format DVD videos).
Plasma displays were great for large sizes. And plasmas were always better at contrast. Dark was dark. Light was light. Plasma had none of the washed-out image problem some LCDs sometimes still exhibit.
Until recently the technologies weren’t really in direct competition, as plasma was more suited to bigger screens while LCD had the edge on smaller ones. Giant LCD sets were available, but they relied on bulky image-projecting equipment behind their screens, and thereby lacked the fashionable thinness of plasma flat-screen units.
But LCD technology is evolving as manufacturers turn out increasingly larger flat-panel units. LCD manufacturers can now make a flat-screen TV as big as 46 inches without compromising picture quality. And they say even bigger sets are in development.
However, the issue these days is not as much about the capabilities and applicability of either plasma or LCD technology. Advocates of environmental conservation are warning against the implications on energy consumption of television sets getting larger and larger, be they LCD or plasma.
“If we could cut the energy use of a TV when it’s on by 25 per cent, we could cut the electric bill in the U.S. by a billion dollars a year, and prevent 7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year — (carbon dioxide being) a key contributor to global warming … We really want manufacturers to get ahead of the curve here.”
While there is apprarently a misconception that plasma televisions consume more energy, this is apparently because they are generally larger in size than their LCD counterparts. With this in view, TV manufacturers are trying to assure consumers and advocates alike that they are addressing the energy/conservation issues by developing and producing new models that are more energy efficient than their predecessors.
A Girl’s Best Friend? Try Plasma TVs!
No longer a girl’s best friend
Here’s some good advice to you gentlemen out there looking to woo your lady–perhaps you’re looking forward to your anniversary or engagement. Diamonds are out! Tech is in. According to an article by Reuters, recent research shows that while women are traditionally viewed as disinterested with technology, they are in fact as enthusiastic (or addicted?) as men with high tech gadgetry.
Diamonds are no longer a girl’s best friend, according to a new U.S. study that found three of four women would prefer a new plasma TV to a diamond necklace.
…
The study found 77 percent of women surveyed would prefer a new plasma television to a diamond solitaire necklace and 56 percent would opt for a new plasma TV over a weekend vacation in Florida.
The survey was commissioned by US cable provider Oxygen Network and conducted by market research firm TRU among 1,400 women and 700 men aged 15 to 49. According to the research, majority of the women surveyed are interested in acquiring (or upgrading) digital cameras, televisions, camera phones, and increasing activities in email, text messaging and instant messaging over the course of the next five years.
Attention TV manufacturers: time to snap up market share in this demographic!
Panasonic 103″ Plasma
If you have $50,000 in spare change just lying around in your pocket or at the bank, you might want to check out the 103-inch plasma television that Panasonic showcased at CES this January. So far the largest Plasma television, this model will sport a full 1080p high definition resolution and the same HD high-speed pixel drive found in Panasonic’s TH-65PX500 65-inch 1080p Plasma TV.
Manufacture of plasma panels larger than 100 inches (diagonal) is faced with technical difficulties, though, especially with maintaining stable discharge and high picture quality across the entire surface. Panasonic has announced it has overcome this hurdle.
Panasonic has overcome these technical hurdles by developing a new rib* and phosphor for these super large panels. The 103-inch 1080p plasma panel, equivalent to four 50-inch panels in size, features consistent and uniform discharge, delivering the same accurate images from the center to every corner of the screen and brightness as the current 50-inch HD model (TH-50PX500). The panel incorporates Panasonic’s 1080p HD high-speed pixel drive. The same high-speed pixel drive is used in the TH-65PX500 65-inch 1080p Plasma TV, which has been well received in Japan since its introduction last November, and the 50-inch 1080p Plasma unveiled at CEATEC JAPAN 2005 in October 2005.
The 103-inch model is set to retail in Japan this September 2006 for the equivalent of $50,000. A US/Europe release has not yet been announced, though.
Philippine Market Shifting Towards Large-Screen Flat-Panel TVs
Contrast: affluence in the face of
a struggling economy.
According to a news report by inq7.net, the Philippine market is getting ripe for the picking for flat-panel TV manufacturers and retailers.
For now, though, the demand and interest for flat panel TVs is still limited within the upper income classes who prefer–and have the means–to bring the theatre experience home into their living rooms.
“These buyers want to recreate theater experience. They watch DVDs on their TVs or they like to play video games in large screens. Some TVs are also used as both a TV and a computer monitor, which is a better option than having two separate screens,” Lim said.
… Put of the 200 respondents, 187 are wishing to buy large screen TVs while 69 of that are already planning to buy.
… Prices of LCD and plasma TVs have declined nearly half their price since these were introduced in the country several years back. From about 400,000 pesos ($ 7,500), LCD or plasma TVs larger than 40 inches now cost between 150,000 pesos (and 250,000 pesos (between $ 2,800 and $ 4,700).
While the market is not as mature as more developed countries in the West and likewise in Asia, this is a good sign, since people with relatively higher disposable income are opting to spend on good audio-visual equipment. This could be an indication tha they expect better times ahead.
One concern, though, is the absence of any legal provisions requiring networks to switch to purely digital signals in the future, nor are there any moves at present to implement video-on-demand or Internet-based television (IPTV).
Still, this is a good start.
Going Flat - Flat Panel Display Technologies Compared
“Flat panel television.”
The very mention of the phrase “flat panel TV” exudes class and leisure. After all, after more than half a century of consumer televisions being of the cathode-ray tube (CRT) variety, sleek designs that seem to say “cool” and “expensive” are what flat panel TVs have become. Lately, though, flat panel televisions are gaining traction in the market because of prices ever getting lower and screen sizes ever getting larger (though thinner and thinner). Gone are the days of bulky and heavy television sets. Now you can even mount the TV set on your wall and do away with having to set it on furniture.
What does “flat panel” denote, really? In truth, there is no one single technology or television variety that the term “flat panel” can be solely associated with. Flat panels come in different shapes, forms and sizes, from tiny eight-inch portable LCDs, to large 100-inch Plasma displays. There are also less commonly used techonogies, such as liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), and Organic LED (OLED), among others.
What’s common among flat panel screens and televisions is that they are less than 4 inches thick.
A comparison
Let’s have a look at the more popular technologies in flat panel televisions today, namely LCD and Plasma. These two are often pitted against each other to compare advantages and disadvantages. It’s generally a rule of thumb that Plasma displays are usually more expensive. But in some cases, LCD may still be the preferred choice.
Let’s first have a quick definition of how each other works. Plasma displays are in essence a mixture of inert gases sandwiched in between two flat glass panels. The display works by inducing each pixel to light up by passing electricity onto the plasma. The display uses the plasma itself both as the source of the image and the light.
LCD, on the other hand, displays images images using liquid crystals (as the name implies) sandwiched in between two plates of glass. When electricity is passed through each pixel, the liquid crystal can change position, pattern and color to form the desired onscreen image. LCDs do not emit light themselves, and must be lit up from behind (or sometimes the sides) with while lamp that is shone through the screen.
So how do they fare against each other?
Maximum size
Plasma televisions can come as large as 103 inches in diagonal measurement. LCDs max out at 73 inches.
Viewing angle
Plasma is the clear winner when it comes to flexibility in viewing. LCDs usually require that a viewer be directly in front of the screen in order to see accurate and consistent color reproduction and brightness. If viewed from an angle or from the sides, LCD displays usually come out discolored or sometimes even non-visible at all. Plasma doesn’t have this problem, since viewing from any angle is perfect.
Life span
In terms of life span, LCD has the advantage. Plasma screens and televisions have a lifespan of about 30,000 hours, or up to four years, until the plasma ceases to work. Plasma screens are also prone to burn in—that is, if a static image is displayed in a continuous manner, the plasma will leave a permanent imprint on the glass. LCD displays, on the other hand, can display both static and moving images without any problem. This is why Plasma is not ideal for use with computer monitors, as computers usually display static images most of the time.
LCD displays have about 50% longer life span than Plasma.
Power consumption
LCDs are ideal for use in portable devices because they consume very little electricity. Plasma, on the other hand, needs more electricity especially since it’s the screen itself that lights up.
Picture quality
Brightness and contrast are still among the basic criteria for judging picture quality. In terms of flat panel televisions, you can’t get the best of both worlds. LCDs will be brighter than Plasma displays, especially since LCDs have external lighting while Plasma has to light itself up in each pixel. However, contrast-wise, Plasma has the advantage because of the contrast range it can produce. You get the whitest of whites and blackest of blacks with Plasma.
So in purchasing a flat panel television, you would usually be torn between LCD and Plasma. Both have their advantages and as well, their respective disadvantages. In summary, you should opt for LCD if you are energy-conscious and if you want your set to last longer than usual (about seven years service life). You should go for Plasma if you want a larger screen and if you are particular about color reproduction and contrast.
[ Source: Flat Panel TV ]
Panasonic Launches 58″ High-Definition Plasma - “Most Advanced” in its Class
Panasonic has announced two new models in its high-end plasma television line. Both the TH-58PX600U and TH-58PX60U are 58-incher plasma panels, and support High Definition content. Both models have Panasonic’s HDAVI (EZ-Sync) technology, and have a maximum resolution of 1366×768 and a contrast ratio of 10,000:1. Both models feature integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners, 2 HDMI inputs, and an SD memory card slot.
The higher-end TH-58PX600U will additionally have support for CableCARD and have analog PC input.
The TH-58PX600U will retail for US$ 5,999.95 while the TH-58PX600U for US$ 5,499.95.
Plasma vs. LCD - all about the size
CNet reports on the basic criteria in choosing whether to go for plasma or LCD: the size.
Plasma should continue to be the choice for sets that are larger than 45 inches or so, while LCD TVs are quickly replacing CRT sets smaller than around 35 inches, Alessi said. The battle lines have been drawn in that middle ground, which coincidentally is expected to be the average TV size toward the end of the decade.
At this point, it’s all about the cost. Large LCD displays are still pretty expensive, but the performance and ergonomics considerations should have LCD at an advantage, especially when the cost lines are blurred and large-screen LCDs become cheaper.
Philips to fix 12,000 plasma TVs for fire risk
If you own a Philips flat-panel plasma television set, you might want to contact your local service center and check whether your set is one of the models affected by the fire risk.
Reuters reports that the electronics company is set to repair 12,000 of its 42-inch and 50-inch sets. The problem is said to be restricted to the US because the faulty capacitors involved were used only in assembly for US-bound sets.
Dutch company Philips Electronics will make house calls to repair almost 12,000 flat panel plasma TV sets in the United States because they are liable to overheating, it said on Friday.
Several incidents of overheating have been reported in the United States but Philips said materials used in the television sets were all flame retardant and there was no risk that they would catch fire.
At any rate, it would be wise to have fire extinguishers on hand at home, plasma TV notwithstanding.