Things you need to consider before you buy a Plasma TV
July 20, 2007
Choose the size of your plasma screen and search the plasma TV that gives the best picture:
Making a choice between plasma TV and LCD TV always put many customers in a dilemma as these different technologies offer a wide range of features which are unique to them. Once you decide over the size of your TV you like to buy, you need to make a complete research into the TVs available in the market with an aim to find out the TV that can give best image quality.
Facts about HDTV resolutions available with your Plasma screens
Another major consideration should be whether you like your TV should support HDTV resolution or you will be content with EDTV resolution of the plasma TV.
Usually, some of the high end models of the larger Plasma TVs (50“or above) come with any of the two standard HDTV resolution – 720p and 1080i and you may not find smaller Plasma TVs with High Definition resolution.
Most of the Plasma TVs available in the Plasma TV market boast of HDTV features but you need to watch out for the difference between truly HDTV plasma TV and HDTV Ready. A true HDTV feature enables your TV to display 1080i resolution without any scaling of pixels. On the other hand, HDTV Ready, although it is capable of displaying all HDTV resolutions – 720p or 1080i, its native pixel resolution is just 720p and it usually converts other resolutions to fit into its native resolution.
To find out which Plasma TV maker offers the best Plasma TV
Today’s Plasma TV market is flooded with the broadest line of TV models from the major Plasma TV makers like Panasonic, Pioneer, Hitachi and Samsung. The latest advancements in Plasma technology combined with fast dropping of the prices attract many consumers as the market for standard television sets is slowly falling by this impact.
These major Plasma makers usually specialize in certain sizes of plasma TV. So, you will find Hitachi has some unique models in 55” plasma TVs while Samsung produces some of the best 63” Plasma TVs in the market. Pioneer Plasma TVs are quite popular in 42” section and they are quite unique for true black levels and enhanced brightness. All these makers offer numerous models with the same screen size but each one constantly updating its feature with every new model. Some of the high end Plasma TVs from these companies come with enhanced video processing and scaling features. They usually come with high price tags, but their superior picture quality and superb performance add value to your money.
Todays’s Plasma TVs come with better longevity and innovative technologies
Many consumers tend to have misconception that Plasma TVs do not long last and that they suffer from screen-related problems like screen burns. This view does not hold any truth as far as today’s Plasma TVs are concerned. Latest plasma TVs come with anti-burn protective layer on their plasma screens and rarely susceptible to burn ins.
Similarly, the half-life time of plasma TV varies between 30000 hours and 60000 hours. In other words, you can watch your TV eight hours a day for ten years. This is relatively better longevity when compared with standard CRT television. If you have any fears over leaking of gas in a plasma TV, it hardly happens or becomes a serious issue. It is true that Plasma TV develops some annoying problems related to high altitudes such as buzzing or over-heating. The happy news is you can go for Plasma TVs that come with in-built features that can handle this problem efficiently.
Useful tips to enhance picture quality of the Plasma Television
July 16, 2007
Newer Plasma TVs come with technologies which are constantly getting updated. To match with the performance of such plasma TVs and to get the optimum performance, you need to use upgraded video cables and upgraded video sources. As HDTV creates such hype in the present world, television broadcasts and home video devices are more and more adopting this new format for transmission of video to your plasma TVs. For example, HD DVDs like Blu-ray discs have taken the picture quality of home videos to their pinnacle.
Use high quality video cables
If your plasma TV comes with in-built features that can support HDTV format, that alone cannot assure of better picture quality unless you use compatible, high quality video cables. Your plasma TV, if it supports HDTV, usually will have a few inputs like component or Digital Video Interface (DVI), or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). The number of inputs that come with a Plasma TV varies from one model to another. A few plasma TVs offer two or three HDMI inputs depending on the make. Usually these inputs can be found both on rear and side panels so that you can connect more than a device without requiring extra hardware. It is always better to buy a plasma TV that provides as many convenient options for use of HDTV materials in your TV. It is also suggested that you use as much short cable as possible. This not only helps your TV from looking messy, also ensures better picture quality.
Use videos sources like DVDs and HDVDs
DVDs use progressive scan video images which look certainly better than standard pictures from your CD players. DVD players also come with 3:2 pulldown which offers movie-like experience when watched on plasma screens. It should be remembered the picture you see on your plasma screenlargely depends upon the video source. Higher the picture quality your external video device offers, better your TV viewing experience.
Latest blu-ray discs and other HD-DVD players are best options available that can enhance picture quality thereby providing superior visual experience.
Proper Installation of your TV and room light conditions
You cannot have better picture quality, if the room is flooded with external light like sunlight or some fluorescent facing your TV. This leads not only to annoying reflections on the screen, but it also dims the picture quality by taking away the colours and brightness of your TV.
It is highly recommended that you install your plasma TVs in a place where it does not face windows or doors. If your room has windows, use blinds to obstruct sunlight thereby making room little darker. For comfortable viewing in dark settings for a longer period, you may use some dim lamp behind the TV which may be soothing for your eyes.
Take care of the plasma screen
Plasma screens are made of glass which often gets fingerprints, dust, or dirt if you don’t clean it quite often. Cleaning the plasma screen does improve the picture quality to certain extent. There are some do’s and don’ts while you clean your plasma screen. Please follow them.
JVC PD-50X795 Plasma TV Review
July 9, 2007
JVC PD-50X795 Plasma TV is a HD plasma TV which has come with a lot of impressive features and outstanding specs. The Digital Image Scaling Technology (D.I.S.T) enhances the pictures of different resolution to match high quality High Definition output. Another innovative feature - High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) allows this TV to accept various digital video sources like DVD ,DTV and other home videos. This HDTV-enabled Plasma TV can be placed on a good-looking table top stand which is supplied along with, when you buy. You have also got options of either choosing floor stand or an adjustable wall bracket.
When you examine its design features, you cannot help marveled by the glossy screen surrounded by black frame. Suitably, the 4-way Speaker System which consists of 2 angular cone and 2 bass speakers are placed on the bottom of the screen. The design of the remote has a special word to mention.. The buttons are indeed smooth to operate and you can find a number of options for fine-tuning this TV, but you need to go through the manual pdf provided by JVC.
Main Features:
- 50� wide screen
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Native resolution: 1024 x 768 pixels
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Brightness: 430cd/m2
- Digital Image Scaling Technology (DIST) to upgrade resolution of image
- One HDMI input
- PC Input
- 3 SCART sockets
- One S-video input and an AV input
- AP (Picture and Picture) feature
- 4 way Speaker System
The specs of this wide-screen Plasma TV are impressive. The native resolution of the screen is 1024 x 768 pixels. The Digital Image Scaling Technology (D.I.S.T) enhances the pictures you receive from sources by scaling up their pixels using its unique technology. So, the images look much sharper, more detailed and impressive. This JVC plasma TV excels in colour reproduction. Its Super DigiPure, a 32 bit video processor produces pictures of excellent colour saturation and black levels. Since the contrast ration of this TV is 3000:1 and brightness setting of 430cd/m2, the pictures have an exceptional depth and clarity even when darker scenes are displayed. The input options that this TV offers are quite heartening. There is a HDMI interface for accessing uncompressed digital video sources from DVD, DTV and HDTV channels. There are three SCART sockets, one S-video slot, one AV slot and a PC input in this TV.
Audio features of this TV are on par with some of the high end Plasma TVs available in the market. Certainly, the credit goes to BBE Sound system and two bass speakers. JVC PD-50X795 plasma TV also features Picture in Picture which enables you to see more than a source on the screen.
Panasonic TH-58PZ750U Plasma TV Review
June 27, 2007
Panasonic TH-58PZ750U Plasma TV is upgraded version of TH-58PZ750U which we have reviewed earlier. Both the Plasma TVs display beautiful images with their 1920 x 1080 resolution on their High Definition panels. With a similar design, their beautiful screens are surrounded by rectangular, piano-black frames which captivate our attention. The most striking feature of Panasonic TH-58PZ750U Plasma TV is its Studio Reference Mode which enables the replication of colors that can be best enjoyed on large monitors just like in professional film editing rooms. The 4-way speakers which sit pretty on the side panel of the TV provide the best possible auditory experience for the viewers. As the previous version, this TV also has come with Anti-Reflective Coating on its glossy screens to ensure glare-free display in ambient conditions.
Main Features:
- 58 wide screen
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Five aspect ratios for HDTV
- Compatible with 480p/720p/1080i/1080p
- 68.7 Billion Displayable Colors
- Contrast ratio up to 5000:1
- Three HDMI inputs
- NTSC, ATSC and QAM tuners
- Motion Picture Noise Reduction
- Built-in SD Card
- Three S-video inputs
- Two Component Video Input
- 4-way Speaker system
- 3-D Trusurround sound system
This Plasma TV is capable of producing superior details and outstanding HDTV reproduction without having to perform pixel conversion for the 1080p video signals processed by the video circuitry. However, it is also compatible with SDTV, DVD and all HDTV formats (480p/720p/1080i/1080p) and make them to fit the screen by its scaling techniques.
A set of aspect ratios settings are available with this unit for viewing both HDTV and non-HDTV video materials. You can also find numerous options available with regard to tuning the contrast, brightness and other picture settings. If you wish, you can also select the suitable colour-temperature preset out of the presets available with this unit. The 2:3 pull down feature reduces the artifacts and the fast movements on the screen have some remarkable quality.
This Plasma TV comes with a plenty of input options. There are three HDMI inputs for connecting DVD or HDTV channels and you have 3 S-video inputs. You have a NTSC tuner to access SDTV analog signals while the in-built ATSC/QAM tuners process SDTV or HDTV signals to present you high quality pictures. You can also download and view digital photos by using the built-in SD card slot.
The audio features of this Plasma TV are quite outstanding. The 4-way speakers and the audio features of Trusurround system impresses with their treble and bass effects. You can also find a noise reduction feature in this wide-screen Plasma TV. This feature enables better and smoother display when some bright pictures are shown on the screen.
Hitachi 55HDS69 Plasma TV Review
June 18, 2007
Hitachi 55HDS69 Plasma TV incorporates many innovative and advanced plasma technologies to present crisp, sharp and realistic pictures on its wide screen. Its colour reproduction is outstanding thanks to its 16-bit video processor. Together with separate day and night memory features provided in this Plasma TV, this Plasma TV offers stunning picture quality in all light conditions. Another highlight of this TV is its ability to enhance pixel coverage over the screen to show a true-to-life pictures. Its advanced Pixel technology and its Hitachi’s unique PictureMaster High Definition video processing technology make the pictures look smoother, sharper and natural. Its sleek design is characterized by its glossy, silver frame and the matching silvery base. This TV come with two options - manual swivel tabletop base and fixed tabletop base. The two side speakers are designed to have thin profile and well fit into the overall design. Main Features:
- Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- PictureMaster HD III processing technology
- 16 Bit video processor
- Four HD aspect modes
- 4-Step Black Enhancement
- 10-Bit Digital Comb Filter
- 3:2 pull down menu
- 3 Color temperature settings
- Picture in Picture (PIP)
- NTSC/QAM tuners
- Three HDMI interfaces
- Two S-video inputs
- Five AV inputs
- Three component video inputs
- 3-Way Speaker System
This 55-inch plasma TV is definitely one of the state of the art large screen plasma TVs in the market. With its 768p high definition resolution, it provides an unparallel viewing experience. The colour reproduction of this TV is quite amazing and we are highly impressed by vivid and realistic pictures that can show more than 281 trillion colors on the screen due to its use of special phosphor and gases. The Picture Master HD III Processor also eliminates motion lag or ghosting and enhances picture quality. There are also separate day and night picture settings to adjust the brightness of the display to match any lighting condition. All you need to do is to use remote to use these setting according to light conditions of the room. There are many settings that come with the memory in this TV and you can choose to get the optimum performance. There are various colour temperature settings and aspect modes to fit different video formats and light conditions. Similarly, you have 3:2 pull down menu to get picture quality as in a theatre. There is picture in picture option (PIP) which you can use if you like your Plasma TV to show two different images on the screen. There are digital tuners like NTSC/QAM and various ports like HDMI, S-Video and SCART that enable you to use this TV as an output for any video material SDTV or HDTV. These connectivity options truly make this TV versatile and ideal for home theatre.
