| Calculating the Correct DistanceIn setting up | | | | TVs also have VGA input connections that |
| the environment for your plasma TV, a primary | | | | allow them to be used as monitors for a PC. |
| consideration is to determine the screen size | | | | At the minimum, look for the following |
| to match the floor plan or available space | | | | specifications on a plasma connection: DVI-I |
| where the plasma will be displayed.Plasma | | | | or DVI-D, Component, RCA or Composite, and |
| monitors are measured diagonally across the | | | | S-Video. Take into consideration your current |
| screen, just like any other television set. | | | | component set-up - such as your satellite |
| You can typically choose from the following | | | | system, cable box, DVD player, and external |
| sizes: 32", 40", 42", 46", 50", 61", or 63". | | | | stereo components - and see what kind of |
| Bigger is not always better, and a certain | | | | inputs or connectors they use.Tuner: Check |
| distance must be maintained between the | | | | your plasma to see if it is HD-ready or |
| plasma TV and the viewing area for optimal | | | | HD-integrated. An HD-ready plasma TV is |
| viewing experience. Sitting too far away | | | | essentially a monitor that needs an external |
| diminishes the overall impact. Sitting too | | | | tuner source before it can function as a TV. |
| close, however, could also present its own | | | | An HD-integrated panel has a tuner built into |
| problems - as when you start seeing the | | | | the set and is ready for use. If you receive |
| screen's "structure"; i.e., the dots or | | | | your HDTV programming via cable or satellite |
| pixels that make up the plasma display.In | | | | instead of over-the-air, you may not need a |
| determining the appropriate TV size for you, | | | | tuner at all, as you will be using the |
| you should also consider the space required | | | | set-top boxes provided by your cable |
| to install the unit itself. When recessing a | | | | satellite service to receive HDTV |
| plasma display unit, allow at least 3 inches | | | | programming. Check with your cable or |
| of open space at the top of the unit and | | | | satellite providers for more details. Some |
| adequate ventilation space of at least 2 | | | | cable/satellite companies do away with |
| inches behind it as well. Remember, too, that | | | | set-top boxes and provide their subscribers |
| most plasma displays do not have built-in | | | | with cable cards instead. Check with your |
| speakers, so you'll need to allow space | | | | cable/satellite provider if they provide |
| enough to attach speakers.What You Can Watch | | | | cable cards and the cable-card type that they |
| on Your Plasma TVYou can choose between HDTV | | | | offer, and then check the specification on |
| (High Definition TV) and EDTV (Enhanced | | | | the plasma for cable card slots.Contrast |
| Definition TV) for your choice of plasma | | | | Ratio: Contrast ratio is the measurement that |
| display. Which type you prefer depends on the | | | | determines the variation between the whitest |
| kind of material you intend to watch on the | | | | and darkest parts of the image. This is an |
| plasma.EDTV is the perfect entry point into | | | | important specification, since plasma TVs |
| digital television, with a widescreen 16:9 | | | | with a low contrast ratio will make dark |
| aspect ratio and an image resolution that is | | | | images look muddy and gray while making light |
| 200% better than today's analog televisions. | | | | images look washed out. A good measure of |
| On the other hand, HDTV has up to four times | | | | contrast ratio is 1,000:1 or higher. Anything |
| the resolution and colors compared to EDTV, | | | | less than 1,000:1 - especially on a set that |
| offering the ultimate visual and sound | | | | is 42" or larger - may not provide optimal |
| experience.At present, only a limited number | | | | viewing experience.Brightness: Without |
| of programs are broadcast in true | | | | sufficient brightness, your image will look |
| high-definition format (all major networks | | | | muddy and soft - even in a dark room. Viewing |
| broadcast HD counterparts to their regular | | | | distance, screen size, and ambient room light |
| analog-signal broadcasts). In fact, if you | | | | will also affect the need for more brightness |
| plan to use a plasma HDTV for regular TV | | | | capability. A brightness rating listed at 550 |
| programming, you may be surprised to find | | | | cd/m2 or higher is good, but don't get bogged |
| that regular TV programming may even appear | | | | down with the technical number listed. |
| slightly worse, as the big screen exaggerates | | | | Instead, make sure that the screen is bright |
| the flaws in standard TV programs. DVD images | | | | enough for your needs as you conduct your own |
| from most of the currently available DVD | | | | visual inspection.Panel Life: Look for a |
| titles on the market today also do not fare | | | | minimum of 60,000 hours of panel life in your |
| as well on true HD plasmas. In fact, these | | | | plasma specifications. This is the rating on |
| DVD images appear better on EDTV plasma | | | | how long it would take before your panel has |
| units, because the image resolution of a | | | | half the brightness compared to when it was |
| widescreen DVD (nominally 740 x 480) more | | | | new. A 60,000-hour spec translates to |
| closely matches the actual resolution (852 x | | | | approximately 20 years of viewing at 8 hours |
| 480) of the EDTV plasma display.Why bother | | | | per day. (This approximation may vary, |
| with a High Definition TV at all, you may | | | | depending on the source and type of content, |
| ask? Because HDTV, paired with a true | | | | settings, environment, and use of your plasma |
| High-Definition or high-quality source, can | | | | TV.)Anti-burn-in/Pixel Shift: Burn-in refers |
| produce truly stunning images. With a | | | | to the remnants burned on to the screen after |
| progressive-scan DVD player paired with, say, | | | | a static image has been left on the plasma |
| any of the recently released HD-DVD or | | | | for a long period of time. To minimize or |
| forthcoming Blu-ray DVD titles (encoded in | | | | prevent burn-in, determine if the plasma |
| true HD format), your plasma HDTV can come to | | | | panel utilizes burn-in protection, such as |
| spectacular life and bring out unrivaled | | | | power management settings, full-time picture |
| image quality. And as more TV programming | | | | or pixel shift (both vertical and horizontal) |
| becomes available in High-Definition format | | | | technologies, or automatic screensaver |
| with the looming of the FCC deadline for | | | | functions.Speakers: If you plan to use an |
| switching to all-digital broadcasting, plasma | | | | external surround sound system, you won't |
| HDTV sets will have more TV content to show. | | | | need audio speakers, but most plasma TV sets |
| One thing's for sure: Your HDTV won't be | | | | include speakers that rated anywhere from |
| obsolete anytime in the next few years.Plasma | | | | 7-12 Watts Pre-amp - which is much better |
| TVSpecifications When comparing plasma TV | | | | than that of conventional TVs and sufficient |
| sets, it's important to know what to look for | | | | for most viewing. Check your plasma's |
| to make sense of the specifications you're | | | | specifications to see if it comes with |
| presented with. Below is a quick rundown on | | | | speakers and if the speakers are |
| the necessary specs that you need to weigh | | | | removable.Universal Remote: A universal |
| before making that all-important purchase | | | | remote can take the place of having one |
| decision.Resolution: Resolution is a | | | | remote, so that it controls all the various |
| determining factor in selecting a plasma TV. | | | | components of your TV system, such as the DVD |
| Do you want HDTV or EDTV? HDTV, with a | | | | player, audio, cable/satellite etc. If you |
| resolution of at least 1024 x 720, is the | | | | plan on buying a universal remote, check to |
| ultimate visual and sound experience, but | | | | see if it's supported by the plasma set of |
| what is available for viewing on HD is | | | | your choice to make sure the plasma accepts |
| currently restricted to a few HD channels on | | | | universal remote devices.Power Consumption: |
| cable, as well as the newly emerging - and | | | | Power consumption for plasmas range from 240 |
| necessarily few - DVD titles from the HD-DVD | | | | watts to over 500 watts, If you're concerned |
| and Blu-ray DVD formats. On the other hand, | | | | with how much energy a plasma set may use, |
| most of the currently available DVDs actually | | | | check its specifications to determine power |
| play better when viewed on EDTV, because the | | | | consumption. Units tend to have higher |
| image resolution of a widescreen DVD | | | | wattage requirements as the screen increases. |
| (nominally 740 x 480) more closely matches | | | | A good rule of thumb is to compare |
| the actual resolution (852 x 480) of the EDTV | | | | similar-sized units together; units with |
| plasma display. Choosing the type of plasma | | | | higher wattages tend to use inferior |
| TV that you want, therefore, is a question | | | | components as a rule.Microtek Lab Inc. is a |
| that should be considered along with the type | | | | consumer electronics company focused on |
| of content you frequently watch or will be | | | | scanners, plasma and lcd televisions, digital |
| watching on your plasma.Inputs: A plasma | | | | projectors, lcd monitors, digital cameras, |
| television should work with any existing | | | | home theatre equipment, and accessories. You |
| video component with standard A/V, S-Video, | | | | can view their online store at Use of this |
| or Component Video outputs. In addition, most | | | | article is permitted provided that the |
| plasma TVs have DVI or HDMI connections for | | | | article is used in its entirety. |
| use with high-definition sources. Some plasma | | | | |