Buying a Plasma or LCD TV FAQs

This article focuses on frequently asked questions by"Enhanced for 16:9 TVs". Anamorphic recordings have
buyers of plasma and LCD televisions.over 30% more vertical resolution than letterbox
Q: Does the "plasma" in plasma televisions need to beformat and elimates or significantly reduces the black
recharged or replaced over time?bars found in letterbox pictures in order to fit to the
A: No. The plasma gases are sealed in individual cellsscreen size of 16:9 televisions.
when they are manufactured. There is no way toQ: Do LCD's have a burn-in problem?
recharge or replace the gases. However, plasma TVs,A: No. Unlike CRT and plasma TVs, liquid crystal
when used normally, will last you many, many yearsdisplays do not use phosphor and thus have no
(up to 20 years) so you don't have to worry about theproblems with a still image becoming permanently
screen burning out for a long time.stored on the screen. Instead, LCD TVs use a
Q: Are plasma and LCD TVs difficult to install?backlight on a colored, transluscent liquid crystal screen.
A: While you may want to hire a professionalQ: Can I use a game console such as Sony
electrician to help you with wiring if you are installingPlaystation 2, Nintendo Game Cube or Microsoft
your plasma or LCD television on a wall, you can alsoXBOX with my LCD TV?
easily place the television on a stand yourself andA: Yes. If you intend to use a game console and/or
place it anywhere you like.watch standard TV broadcasts over cable, satellite or
Q: Do plasma and LCD TVs give off radiation?antenna, an LCD TV is a superior choice over plasma
A: All electronic devices, including televisions, musttelevisions. The repetitive image from games and
comply with FDA guidelines (in the United States) andunused black-filled borders will damage a plasma TV
CSA guidelines (in Canada) on radiation emissionby burning a permanent image into the phosphor.
before being permitted to be sold to the public. WhileQ: Will leaving my LCD TV on cause the image to
there is radiation emission in the form of ultraviolet light,degrade?
the amount is negligible and you are unlikely to beA: No. Unlike plasma TV's, this LCD TV does not
affected by it watching the television from normalexhibit aging over time. The brightness of the image
distances.remains the same because LCD televisions use a
Q: What are anamorphic widescreen DVD movies?florescent backlight.
A: There are two common ways of recording wideQ: Can I mount my LCD TV straight into drywall or
format movies on a DVD: letterbox and anamorphic.plaster?
Letterbox refers to a video played with horizontalA: No, drywall or plaster alone will not offer enough
black bars on the top and bottom of the picture.support. A structural beam or stud must be used as
Anamorphic recordings are also commonly labeledthe anchor for the wall mount.