A Guide to Plasma TV Technology

By Ari Guyer

Plasma tvs are a popular choice among tv purchasers. The technology behind the tv may be difficult to understand but the results are spectacular. Plasma tv technology is achieved through hundreds of thousands of pixel cells that are contained between two layers of glass. The gasses in the pixel cells are excited by electrical pulses from the tv. The excitement causes the pixels to produce light coloured blue, green, or red. Together the colours produce and overall picture that is show on your tv screen.

Plasma tv's offer impressive black colours and high contrast levels create a pleasurable viewing experience. This is favourable when watching shows or movies with dark scenes. The brightness, colour saturation, and strong contrast result in sharp, vivid images especially in dimly lit rooms. Plasmas are ideal in rooms with low to moderate lighting. Plasmas have a glass screen which can reflect a lot of light. This can be problematic in a room with a bright lighting from windows, skylights, or other lighting sources. Some manufactures have added glare reducing features to their plasma tvs.

Plasma tvs are known to have a quick response time and the motion blur is negligible. Fast moving images are displayed accurately making plasmas an ideal choice for video gamers, sports fanatics, and movie watchers.

Each plasma pixel produces its own light which allows plasma tv's to have a wide viewing angle. Onscreen images look the same when viewed from the front or the side. Seating arrangement and tv placement is not a concern with plasma televisions.

Plasma televisions used to have a problem with burn-in. Burn in is caused when static images are etched into the plasma screen. Plasma tv makers have now increased the time before burn in occurs which has corrected the etching problem.

People looking for large tv screen will find plasma tvs to be an excellent choice. Until recently plasma tvs were the only affordable upgraded technology with screens larger than 40 inches. A plasma television may be mounted on a wall or placed on a tv stand. If a plasma tv is mounted it must be anchored properly due to the excessive weight. Professional installation is often recommended because a 60 inch plasma tv can weigh over 100 pounds.

The lifespan of a plasma television is approximately 60,000 hours. One could expect a tv to last about 20 years if watched 8 hours a day. When purchasing a plasma television it is important to consider energy usage. Many manufacturers now produce brands that are more energy efficient and emit less heat.

When it comes time to purchase a plasma tv, it is important that you compare brands and do your research. Many electronic stores have knowledgeable staff who can direct you to a plasma tv that fits your needs. Even discount department stores and warehouse shopping outlets offer a large selection of plasma tv's. The internet is also a good source of information. It allows you to research features and compare prices on particular models without the pressure of a sales person. - 29939

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