| Although plasma TV is a term that's being bandied | | | | If you are planning to use your plasma TV set as a |
| about frequently in the market, many people are still | | | | computer monitor, be aware that if you're looking for a |
| confused as to what plasma TV is all about. If you're | | | | compact plasma TV, you might be better off choosing |
| one of them, here's what you should know to prevent | | | | an LCD TV monitor instead. Plasma TV sets are |
| you from making an uninformed purchase in the future. | | | | generally manufactured with large-sized models while |
| What is a Plasma TV? | | | | LCD TV sets are manufactured with smaller and |
| A plasma TV set makes use of flat screens unlike | | | | compact-sized models. |
| cathode-ray-tube or CRT TV sets, which was the TV | | | | The Difference between LCD and Plasma TV Sets |
| set for older generations. If you're still using an old TV | | | | A plasma TV set obviously makes use of plasma to |
| set in your living room, it's probably a CRT TV set and | | | | display images. A LCD TV set, on the other hand, |
| one way of identifying it is by checking its screen type. | | | | makes use of liquid crystal to create the appropriate |
| If it has a rounded screen, that's definitely a CRT. | | | | images in its screen. Both TV sets are engaged in a |
| Although plasma technology was discovered in the | | | | battle for the honor of being the best TV technology |
| 1960's, plasma TV sets have only been introduced to | | | | today. |
| the market in the 1990's, making any TV set | | | | What and What Not to Expect from a Plasma TV |
| manufactured before that decade is more likely a | | | | Plasma TV sets will definitely produce better images |
| CRT TV set. | | | | than CRT, but whether it can also produce the same |
| The flat screen of a plasma TV set is made up of | | | | results over an LCD depends on your opinion. |
| minute pieces of bubble-shaped glass. Each piece of | | | | Although programs using standard TV formatting will |
| this contains plasma, thus the term plasma TV. Each | | | | look better in plasma TV sets than in CRT, don't |
| piece also represents one pixel. This pixel can be | | | | expect your plasma TV set to perform miracles. It can |
| divided into three parts, represented by one color each: | | | | only make the images look more vivid but it cannot |
| red, blue, and green (yes, yellow, a shade that joins red | | | | correct essential errors where standard TV formatting |
| and blue to make up the triumvirate of primary colors, | | | | is to blame. If you want to make full use of your |
| is not included). These shades make up the acronym | | | | plasma TV set, stick to watching programs that make |
| RGB, and it's a term that will be frequently used in any | | | | use of HDTV formatting. |
| video-related topic. | | | | Unlike CRT TV sets, plasma TV sets can still display |
| Now, for a plasma TV set to show an image, a | | | | rich images even in rooms where there's an abundant |
| current of electricity must first pass through the | | | | source of lighting. If you position the plasma TV set |
| plasma TV set's screen. This will cause the plasma | | | | directly across a window that allows sunlight to filter in, |
| substance inside the pixels to react and cast off | | | | however, sunlight can make TV viewing a problem |
| ultraviolet rays. Each pixel will glow or dim appropriately | | | | even with plasma technology. |
| to form a perfectly vivid image. | | | | Plasma burning is the biggest problem you'll have to |
| The Multitasking Life of a Plasma TV | | | | contend with when using a plasma TV set. Plasma |
| Plasma TV can display images that make use of | | | | burning is any incident in which images freeze within a |
| either standard or HDTV format. This is an advantage | | | | screen for a longer time than what's appropriate. |
| that you can't expect to enjoy with a CRT TV set. | | | | Although recent plasma TV units have added features |
| Plasma TV can also display images straight from | | | | to prevent plasma burning from occurring, there are |
| home-recorded videos. Lastly, a plasma TV set can | | | | also things that you can do to further protect your TV |
| not only serve as a television set but as a computer | | | | set from such occurrences. |
| monitor as well if you so wish. | | | | |