How to Compare Plasma TVs

Boasting about your plans to buy a new plasma TV can make you look a fool in front of your buddies if you don't know what you are talking about. Plasma TVs are different from other TVs. For starters, the term "plasma" denotes gases like neon and xenon, which have a tendency to glow in the presence of an electric field. When selecting a plasma TV, here are some things to consider:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check the reputation of the brand. Currently, the market offers two types of Plasma TV—High Definition (HDTV) and Enhanced Definition (EDTV).

2. Compare the array of screen sizes by the different companies. Screen size is one of the major factors in choosing the right model. Consider the size of your room when selecting screen size. Be careful when choosing a TV with larger screen size. The picture resolution might not be as good.
   

3. Consider the aspect ratio of the model you are choosing. The width to height ratio is usually 16:9. Horizontal stretching of the picture is likely for all LCD TVs with an aspect ratio width of 16:9.

4. Select your plasma TV according to its audio system. Some Plasma TVs have in-built speakers while others need additional audio systems. Built-in speakers might consume more wattage than externally attached audio systems.

5. Understand the difference between EDTV and HDTV. EDTV plasma TVs are cheaper, but display at a lower resolution then HDTV sets.

6. Compare portability, weight, scalability and integration, picture quality and audio options when deciding between plasma TVs with almost the same specifications.

7. Compare prices. EDTV models are more expensive than HDTV. Prices of LCD TVs vary with brand, features and company promotions. Some companies offer buyback and exchange packages.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose user-friendly models whenever you zero in for comparison.
• Coarser images appear if you sit too close to EDTV.