Plasma TV Buying Guide for the Big Game
They're skinny, at six inches or less. They're sleek, with some measuring up to five feet long. And they emit an amazing spectrum of hues.
Plasma televisions have become the rage for watching the big sporting event, such as the Super Bowl, or playing a favorite DVD or video game.
A plasma screen is made up of thousands of gas-possessing pixels. When zapped with an electrical charge, the plasma causes phosphors to glow red, green or blue, as ordered by a video signal. The result produces a brilliant array of bright colors.
Many major electronic manufacturers -- such as Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung and Sony -- have staked a claim on the plasma-screen playing field, featuring models of different size and reception quality. And while prices have dropped sharply in recent years, a plasma screen TV can still cost thousands of dollars.
Purchasing a plasma screen TV is not an easy endeavor. To help with the decision, here are a few shopping guidelines:
• Screen types. A plasma TV comes in two types: high definition (HD) and the less expensive enhanced definition (ED). The two differ when it comes to the number of pixels in the display. HD plasma screens generally perform better than their ED counterparts when it comes to converting different reception signals. And while ED sets can convert an HD signal to fit its lower resolution, it will still not match HD quality.
• Size vs. price. There's one simple guideline to follow when checking out a plasma screen TV: the larger the screen, the higher the price.
• Plasma ''burn.'' A static image, such as with a video game or scrolling stock ticker, can lead to plasma TV ``burn in,'' leaving a permanent impressions on screen. Some critical reports also suggest that plasma screen TVs may not last as long as common TV sets. Some assessments also say that plasma screens lose half their brightness around 20,000 hours of use. Still, this adds up to almost 10 years of use, based on 40 hours of viewing per week.
• Live wiring. A plasma TV may need wiring to a cable box, satellite receiver, DVD player, VCR or audio receiver. If you hang the screen, its wiring will probably have to go behind the wall. On a stand, however, the wiring can be tucked behind the unit.
• Installation considerations. Despite the thin profile, plasma screens can weight 80 pounds or more. They require adequate cooling ventilation and mounting brackets. It may be worth the expense to have a qualified technician install the screen.
--CONSUMERS UNION
