How to Buy a Plasma TV

Investing in a plasma television brings you to the next level of picture quality with low picture distortion and a space saving flat screen. There are lots of plasma TVs on the market these days, so use these steps as a guide when you buy a plasma TV.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide on screen size. The optimal screen size depends on where you'll be setting up your plasma TV. Measure the room and the space where you'll be setting up the TV. Make sure there is 3 inches of open space around the top of the TV and an additional 3 to 6 inches if you plan on attaching speakers. Allow 6 to 10 feet of space between you and the TV for a 32-inch to 37-inch screen, about 10 to 14 feet for a 42-inch display and about 12 to 16 feet for a 50-inch screen.

2. Consider HD. High definition TV is considerably more expensive than Enhanced Definition, but the actual picture quality depends on the input signal and quality of the manufacturer. HDTV units will look better with PC inputs or an HD tuner, but for regular cable, DVDs and satellite, an EDTV plasma TV may perform better.

3. Choose your audio options. Generally, you have 2 basic choices: built-in or external. External usually provides better sound quality and is best for home theater setups that require a lot of wattage. Currently, Phillips and Sony are the only manufacturers that provide built-in speakers. This is best for general TV viewing and space-saving. You can also buy flat, slim speakers that attach to the sides of the TV.

4. Make a decision on mounting. Flat wall mounts are the most common and affordable option. These attach directly onto the wall, adding 2 inches or less of depth and work well for almost any setup. A tilt wall mount can be used when the TV has to be positioned higher up on the wall, allowing you to angle the display. A table stand is a more traditional setup and allows for flexibility since nothing is permanently affixed. There are also more options for special setups, such as an articulating wall mount, TV cart or a ceiling mount.

5. Choose a brand and model. This is possibly one of the most important factors in determining quality. Currently, the Panasonic TH-42PH9UK is the top rated 42-inch TV with Panasonic, Samsung and Phillips models trailing close behind. Read up on some consumer reviews and compare prices and features to make this decision.

6. Find a dealer. You have a couple options here: a brick and mortar "big box" retailer such as Best Buy or a smaller, specialty store that offers more models and has better trained staff but higher prices. There are online dealers which offer much lower prices, but reliability is significantly more questionable. Few online dealers are authorized and few offer an extended warranty. It is strongly recommended that you read some of the resources on online dealers before purchasing from one.

Tips & Warnings

• When looking at specs, consider: high contrast ratio is good (typically 10,000:1), panel life of about 60,000 hours or more is ideal, high resolution (1920x1080p is ideal) is better, and a 1 year warranty with parts and labor is standard.
• Be sure to read reviews from consumers as well as magazines and other publications. The best reviews come from people that have actually bought and used that particular model for every day purposes.
• If a plasma display is labeled a "monitor," that means it does not include speakers. Make sure you have external options.
• Almost all plasma TVs are labeled "HDTV ready" or "HDTV compatible" but this does not necessarily mean that it has a built-in HDTV tuner.

[kristinasan]

on 10/31/2009 http://www.4-less.biz