|
The answer to this question depends on several factors:
1) budget 2) application 3) environment. Looking for something compact and stylish with amazing image resolution? A Plasma/LCD is right for you. Whether it's for a theatre, video gaming, or conferencing, Link Your House can provide a Plasma/LCD TV that will add style and save space to any room.
Plasmas perform extraordinarily well under most ambient light conditions. Very bright light does not wash out the image on the screen. The beauty of these flat screens is that, unlike front view projection screens, you don't have to turn off the lights to see the image clearly and easily. Therefore, plasmas are excellent for video conferencing and other presentation needs, which require the lights to remain on.
Another characteristic of a plasma panel is the extreme viewing angles both vertically and horizontally. With 160 degrees viewing angle, people sitting off to the side of the plasma screen will still be able to see the image without losing any of it.
Plasmas tend to be very lightweight in comparison to similar sized standard display monitors and television screens.
No existing display system can compete with the low depths available in plasma panels. The thinness of these systems allows for the monitors to be placed virtually anywhere. Some plasma panels are known to be as thin as 3.5 inches deep.
 They can be hung on walls, mounted to ceilings, flush wall-mounted or placed on a tabletop. Many plasma mount manufacturers are designing more creative ways to mount plasma panels because of the ease of engineering involved.
Plasma panels are also not affected by magnetic fields. CRT TVs have a tendency to turn blue or green when exposed to magnetic energy fields.
Plasmas are easy to use. Almost as easy as plug and play. They tend to accept inputs for both data and video. The main issue is resolution. Be sure to find a panel that works with your resolution needs. All will show standard VGA (640x480) and some will accept signals all the way up to UXGA.
Plasma Screen Displays vs. CRT TVs
The advent of HDTV, DTV, SDTV, DVD, and other new media have created a demand for larger, higher-resolution displays. Plasma Display technology provides several key advantages over conventional CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panels.
Plasma TV versus LCD TV
Both Plasma and LCD TV technologies are advancing rapidly, and prices have fallen dramatically since both were introduced. Both definitely represent two of the best new television technologies and generally offer excellent picture quality. Of course, there are advantages for both Plasma and LCD TV technologies. To help you decide which is right for you, here is a comparison of Plasma vs. LCD.
Screen size
 Currently, Plasma TVs have the advantage of offering larger screen sizes. Commonly available Plasma TV screen sizes include 37-inch, 42-inch, 50-inch and 63-inch models. LCD TVs are currently limited mainly to smaller sizes, ranging from 10-inch to 40-inch models (with 40-inch models just now becoming available). However, manufacturers such as Sharp, Samsung and NEC are currently working on larger LCD models (up to 54-inches), so expect screen sizes to increase considerably over the next few years. It should be noted that the technology behind LCD TVs is more flexible, allowing a wider variety of screen sizes. This may be important if you are looking for a particular screen size.
Cost
Again, currently, Plasma TVs have the advantage over LCDs. Higher production volume allows Plasma TVs to compete very favorably compared to LCD TVs, especially considering screen size. Of course, both technologies are seeing fairly rapidly price decreases as manufacturing technologies and volumes improve. Currently, 42-inch Plasma TV MSRPs range from $2500-$5000, while 30-inch LCD TVs often are priced similarly. Street prices are lower for both of course.
Picture Quality
Currently, picture quality for both Plasma TVs and LCD TVs are very close. The most recent LCD TVs have caught up to Plasma TVs in regards to color saturation and brightness. Many of the most recent LCD TVs will actually perform better in regards to contrast when viewed in a very bright room - something to keep in mind if your viewing room receives a lot of ambient light. Some of the newest LCD TVs actually offer more lifelike color display over Plasma TVs. Additionally, LCD TVs generally hold a resolution advantage over Plasma TVs, especially when comparing similar screen sizes. A greater number of LCD TVs support HDTV as a result. However, both Plasma and LCD TVs offer excellent picture quality (depending on the model of course), so buyers of both should be quite satisfied.
Plasma TV Connections
Here is a list of commonly found inputs on the majority of plasma TVs:
 Composite Video Inputs (RCA or BNC)
The old "AV" standard connector.
 S-Video Inputs
Better than composite video because it separates the luminance (white level) and chrominance (color information). Used on DVD players, TV's, Satellite receivers and Cable TV boxes. Also used on some Computers with TV outputs.
 Component Video Inputs
This is used on most HDTV's and decent or better DVD players. Notice the Red, Green and Blue color coded connectors. RGB is a type of component video output in which red, green, and blue image components are transmitted as separate signals over three separate wires, allowing for full bandwidth for each component.
 VGA (Video Graphics Array) Inputs
VGA inputs are typically used to connect PCs to plasma screens, the type of cable used is a 15 pin VGA cable which is the same type used to connect regular computer monitors to processors. The majority of plasma displays only use the VGA for computer use.
 DVI (Digital Video Interface) Inputs
This can be either a digital only connection or a combination digital and analog connection. Many new DVD's and STB's (Set top Boxes) for Satellite (DSS) or Digital Cable TV will have these connectors this year. Many new HDTV's and Projectors are using this connection already.
 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Inputs
HDMI is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV).
HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.
|
