NetMarket USA

Plasma televisions are an innovative new technology that provides flat screen displays. Using a variety of noble gases encased in small compartments (pixels), plasmas work by converting the gases into plasma. This plasma radiates light and forms an extremely clear picture. Liquid crystal displays (or LCDs) are also flat screened TVs. However, these use liquid crystals with backlighting to form pictures.

Plasma TVs are easier to maneuver than traditional CRT televisions (also known as tube televisions). They are flat, with a width of 5 inches, and lightweight, weighing approximately 100 pounds each. In contrast, CRT televisions are much heavier and bulkier. This gives consumers more flexibility when deciding where to place their plasmas; they can be hung on walls or put on stands that support less weight. Manufacturers have even designed plasma televisions that weigh only 45 pounds and are only an inch thick.Plasma televisions (and flat screen TVs in general) are extremely easy to handle. Due to their very nature, plasmas are flatter than traditional televisions (also called CRTs) and thus, are lighter as well. Currently averaging 5 inches in width and 100 pounds, their size will soon be reduced to an inch in width and 45 pounds. This lack of bulk has heralded in a new era of television placement; consumers can now mount their plasmas on the wall without worrying about ruining the wall.

Resolution, the quantity of pixels on the television screen per square inch, is also a key component of televisions. Flat screened televisions boast a much higher resolution than CRT televisions, which yields clearer images on the screen. High definition plasmas have resolutions that range from 1024×768 to 1920×1080. This is much better than even the maximum resolution for tube televisions, a mere 480 lines.

Plasmas even last longer than other types of televisions. Manufacturers and companies stress that an average plasma television has a life span of 60,000 hours. That is equivalent to a life span of almost 7 years, if the plasma is left on 24/7. Compared to a tube television’s estimated lifetime of much less than 5 years if left on 24/7, the plasma television is the best choice.

Color reproduction and contrast ratio are two important components of a clear picture. Plasma televisions excel in both; they produce richer, more vibrant colours and truer blacks than LCDs. Due to the backlighting in LCDs, any pixel that should be black will have some light leaking through, which spoils the contrast.

Viewers may also have to take into consideration the angle at which they look at the television. Plasmas can be viewed from either side, the top, or the bottom without significant change in the image. LCDs, on the other hand, cannot; their backlighting causes problems with large viewing angles.Plasmas also have a wider viewing angle than LCDs. When viewing the television from the side, higher above, or lying on the floor, plasmas retain their crystal clear picture much better than LCDs do. Due to the shutter effect caused by the backlighting on LCDs, the larger the viewing angle is, the more brightness variation an LCD television viewer will experience.

In older models of plasma TVs, the burn-in effect posed a significant problem. When an image (for example, a paused movie) is kept on the screen for too long, the image could be burned into the screen and still faintly visible afterwards. Plasma TV companies have worked to eradicate this problem with much success; while it is still possible for images to burn in, on newer plasmas the possibility is almost negligible.Plasma TVs have been criticized because of the possibility of burn-in images. The burn-in effect happens when a still image is shown on the plasma’s screen for long periods of time (for example, when a DVD is paused and the plasma is left on, burn-in might occur). A ghost of the image may remain on the screen after the image has been changed. However, this effect has almost been negated in the newer models of plasma televisions.

Unlike tube or LCD TVs, plasma TVs are not limited in size. Consumers (with large enough budgets) can order plasmas up to any size. However, CRTs and LCDs are usually restricted to about 52 inches in diagonal.

For more information and cheap deals on Plasma TVs click these links Best Plasma Tv Deals or 50 Inch Plasma Tv Deals or Plasma Tvs Cheap