How To Shop For Plasma TVs Online

Consumers can either shop online or at retail for plasma TVs, but there are a few ways to ensure that, no matter where you purchase, you will get exactly what you paid for. With the internet auction craze gaining in popularity, consumers should be aware that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Low pricing for such expensive technology is just one of the red flags that consumers should be wary of. Warranties, when offered, sometimes require consumers to return the television at their own cost and may not even be an American warranty. Anytime a consumer deals with online auctions, they should purchase only from a reputable dealer after researching feedback and asking questions prior to getting locked into a purchase agreement.

When shopping for plasma TVs, consumers should also watch for very low pricing with extremely high shipping fees. With any electronic purchase, consumers can expect to pay larger shipping, but only within reason. Again, this is a situation that outlines the importance of only buying plasma TVs from a reputable online or local dealer.

Before making any purchase, including that of plasma TVs, always check out the business's reputation with the local Better Business Bureau in their area. Any reputable business should always provide contact information, including a physical address (not a post office box), a telephone number and e-mail address. If communication is lacking or telephone calls go unanswered, consumers are urged to consider purchasing very carefully. If purchasing plasma TVs from a business that fails to answer their phone, or return calls, customer service after the sale will certainly not improve.

Before purchasing plasma TVs, learn about the company's return or exchange policy. What happens if the unit is damaged upon arrival or begins to show a problem after minimal use? With such an investment, consumers should always make themselves familiar with a company's customer service policy before purchasing anything. In addition, avoid any salesperson who is pushy or seems overly anxious to make the sale. This is a sign that something may be wrong and they are trying to sell as much as possible in a hurry. Even if the business is legitimate, a rushed sale is never a good idea in any situation.

If you ultimately decide to purchase Plasma TVs online, do it with a credit card. This will enable you, the consumer, to reserve your right to file a dispute with the credit card company if the product is not as advertised, is not delivered or the company refused to honor their agreement to repair the product. The majority of credit card companies allow their customers to file a dispute, in writing, regarding a purchase that was made with their credit card. This dispute must outline a variety of factors, including the date purchased, the total purchase price and the circumstances leading up to the dispute. Upon receiving notification of your dispute, the credit card company will investigate the complaint and typically refund the money back to your credit card.

Find more about plasma screen TVs, plasma TVs consumer guides and many other plasma TV resources on http://www.buyplasmascreentv.com/

Plasma TV for $5.57? Lowest Bids Nab Pricey Items at SilverTag Online Auctions

Where can you buy a 42" LG Plasma TV for $5.57? Or a PlayStation 3 for $1.68? At SilverTag (www.SilverTag.com), a new online auction site where winners are determined not by the highest bid, but by the lowest unique bid placed on a given item.

"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Rosanne Bryant of Oklahoma City, Okla., upon hearing the news that her low bid of just $1.68 was good enough to win the PlayStation 3 auctioned on SilverTag.com in mid-December.

Bryant is just one of many who are bidding on and winning big-ticket merchandise at SilverTag Auctions. Other winners include Guy F., who paid just 40 Cents for an iPod Nano Red, Keturah H., who paid just 15 cents for a $100 Sephora Gift Card, and Jim R, who paid just $5.57 for a 42" LG Plasma TV. At SilverTag, winners are determined not by the highest bid, but by the lowest unique bid placed on a given item.

Members of SilverTag, which launched on December 1, 2006, are calling it "the most addictive auction site in the world." Upon winning the $100 Target Gift Card for 15 cents, Brian L., a SilverTag member from Castle Rock, Colo., exclaimed, "SilverTag is for real and it is totally amazing and fun! It's a whole new way to enjoy auctions. I'll be buying some new CDs and gifts for friends!"

The overwhelmingly positive reception to the Texas-based SilverTag thrills President and CEO Robert Jones. "I always envied the radio deejay who was able to tell caller number 14 that she had just won a car or $500. Now I get to do it everyday! I love calling the winners and hearing the excitement in their voices."

SilverTag members aren't the only ones who reap rewards from the site's online auctions. "Each month, members nominate and we select two charities, which receive 100 percent of the auction proceeds," notes Jones. "During the first month, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and LiveStrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, will receive a minimum of $1,000 each."

What makes SilverTag unique is that, instead of the highest bidder winning the item, as is the case with eBay, a SilverTag winner is the one with the lowest unique bid. Simply put, when the auction ends, the bidder that places the lowest bid that no one else has placed wins the auction and can purchase the item for the price of their low bid.

SilverTag is a membership site where users have the opportunity to bid 20 times each day on any listed item. "It's free for the first three days, and then is only $9.95 per month for 20 bids a day," says Jones. "That's 600 bids and a lot of fun for less than ten bucks."

Placing bids is easy and fun. It takes two seconds, and the automated SilverTag Auction Manager lets the bidder know immediately whether or not her bid is unique. "Members are having a blast with bidding frenzies," says Jones. "As the value of the items up for auction increases, they're going to have even more fun."

Jones promises that, as the site gains momentum, the retail price of the auction items will also increase. "We plan to auction a car in January and give away a house next summer," he says. And, as is always the case with SilverTag online auctions, the lowest unique bid will take the prize.

Kris Nickerson is the Editor-in-Chief of Press Direct International (http://www.pressdirectinternational.org), a global information website that provides reliable information tailored to professionals in financial, media, and corporate markets. His thorough knowledge of industries ranging from health care and travel to real estate and financial investing enables him to quickly grasp the nuances of emerging markets and technologies.

Plasma TV Care 101

Many thousands of people purchase their first plasma screen TV each year. They invest a significant amount of money to obtain a plasma screen which offers top of the line color accuracy, vibrancy, and clarity to enhance their family's viewing experience. Once the television is delivered however, it's important for plasma buyers to take the time to become familiar with the proper care of the screen to assure many years of trouble free viewing enjoyment. Plasma screens aren't really "high maintenance" but observing a few tips offered here can extend the life of the screen.

* Provide a solid foundation: Be sure the plasma screen is placed (or mounted) in an area where it will not be "knocked around" or will accidentally fall.

* Let it breathe: Plasma screens generate a lot of heat which can speed the demise of the electrical components of the unit. Be sure the TV has enough open space around it. The manufacturer will provide venting guidelines.

* Stay dry: Exposure to excessive humidity, spills, or condensation due to rapid changes in temperature can destroy electrical components and cause corrosion.

* Tone it down: Rooms with lower ambient light require less brightness. Brightness levels that are set too high will prematurely age the phosphor lining of the plasma screen.

* Keep it cool: As alluded to above, plasma screens require a cool environment, due primarily to the heat they generate. Outdoor placement of a plasma screen is a no-no due to the exposure to heat, humidity, other moisture, and dirt.

* Use a little "elbow grease"- but not too much: Keep the screen clean with the proper tools. Manufacturers seldom recommend strong cleaners. Most often a micro fiber cloth is recommended which is effective in ridding the screen of dust and finger prints. When more aggressive cleaning is necessary cleaners specifically made for plasma or PC screens (anti-static cleaners) are used but should never be sprayed directly on the screen. The cleaner should be applied to the cloth. Use of paper towels, Kleenex, or any other abrasive type cloths should be avoided as they can damage the anti-glare coating.

* Don't get burnt: Although anti-burn in technology has advanced greatly over the years, it is best to avoid leaving static images on the screen. This means that images should not be paused on the screen for extended periods of time and stations which present a static block/image on the screen should be viewed on a limited basis as well. Hooking your PC up to a plasma screen is also inadvisable as they are often used to display static images.

* Help your plasma TV weather the storm: This is just common sense; use a surge protector.

* Prevent pre-mature aging: The final word of caution; turn plasma screens off when not in use. This can help avoid accidental burn in, reduce heat, and help to avoid decreased brightness/pre-mature aging.

Christine Peppler shares information on home entertainment and home electronics products, including plasma televisions, on her website at: http://www.homemedias.info.

How To Mount A Plasma TV On A Plaster Wall

After purchasing a plasma or LCD television as well a corresponding wall mounting kit, determining the wall on which to mount it, and making sure all of the necessary tools are available, the next step in mounting the television to a plaster wall is to choose the exact spot on the wall where the mount should be attached.

It is absolutely essential that the television mount is placed in a spot that has a stud or studs directly behind it. Anchor bolts will be used to secure the mount to the stud(s).

Obviously, a plaster wall alone cannot support the weight of a plasma or LCD mount and television, and at least one stud is necessary to ensure that the mount and the television are safely installed. Anchoring the mounting unit to two studs is more secure than using just one, so if there is a location on the wall where two studs are located and can both be used for the installation of the mount, this spot should be seriously considered for the placement.

Beginning the Installation:
It is recommended that the mounting kit be opened and the instruction and installation manual be thoroughly read and understood prior to beginning the installation process. Make sure that all the pieces are present and that all the necessary tools are within reach. Every brand and model television mount is slightly different from the next, so it?s important to follow the directions that come with the one that will be used.

Even if the instruction manual does not list this first, it?s a good idea to place the mounting rails into position on the back of the plasma or LCD television that will eventually end up on the wall. This will help ensure that the television will sit on the wall in its originally intended place. (Sometimes the brackets end up pushing the television up or down an inch or two. If the brackets are put in place first, a better placement estimation can be determined.)

Next, it?s time to mark the wall with indicators as to where the anchor bolts will be drilled into the wall. In addition, the locations where the cable will go from the television to the electrical outlet should also be notated on the wall.

After drilling holes where the anchor bolts will be placed and cutting out spots on the wall where the cable will enter and exit the wall, the next step is to the get the mount ready to affix with the anchors.

Prior to tightening the bolts, make sure that everything is nice and even, using a level. If everything looks good, it?s time to tighten the bolts so that the mount is fastened very snugly to the wall.

After fishing the cable from the cut hole near the mount down (or up) to the electricity source, the television can be added to the mount. Since many plasma and LCD televisions are extremely heavy, it?s recommended that at least two people help to lift it to the mount. After this is completed, all of the cables can be attached to the television, and the television can finally be turned on.

Jason West is the owner of the UK's leading Wall Bracket supplier http://www.tv-wall-brackets.co.uk.

Tips On How To Buy A Plasma TV

Plasma TV Buying Tips

Plasma technology seems to be the buzz these days and its popularity continues to grow as HDTV, DVD-video, DTV, and digital satellite become more commonplace. These plasma TV buying tips will help you make the right decision.

Plasma resolution is higher than traditional TV sets and it?s capable of HDTV, DTV, as well as VGA, SVGA, and XGA. A plasma television will have a display of 1366 x 768 and it will provide much more vibrant colors and clarity than anything we?ve seen in the past.

Plasma is measured diagonally just like other televisions. The smallest screen is 32 inches and the largest is 63 inches. If you are recessing your TV, you need to leave 3 inches of space at top to provide proper ventilation. You will also need 6 inches on each side for your speakers.

You need to make sure your plasma will allow for proper viewing from all directions. Don?t just purchase the largest screen because it?s a good price. Purchase a size that works best with your room.

Thirty-two to thirty-seven inch screens are viewed best from 6 to 10 feet. Forty-two inch screens are viewed best from 10 to 14 feet; and 50 inch screen are best viewed from 12 to 16 feet. Screens that are over 50 inches should be viewed from at least 15 feet away.

The flatter the tube is on the television the less glare you will get from windows, doors, and lamps. You?ll also get less distortion on the screen. If you are going to the expense of buying a plasma television, go for the flat screen right away. It?s definitely a smart investment.

Make sure the TV has at least one set of audio video inputs and at least one set of audio output. More is better if at all possible. Also check for RCA composite, component video inputs, and S-video. If you are going to use HDTV, then check for the HD component firewire.

When it comes time to go shopping you can choose to purchase from a local retail outlet or you might want to have a look online. There are often some great buys to be found online. Of course, as with any purchase, use common sense. If the price sounds too good to be true it usually is. Always buy from a reputable dealer that you know you can trust.

There are several pricing portals online such as Nextag, Pricegrabber, and Bizrate. These sites are a quick way to see what is available at different sites online. Remember the only sites you?ll find on these portals are paid advertisers but it?s still a good place to start looking.

Be sure to check the warranty on the television you are looking at. If an extended warranty option is available it?s definitely worth considering if it?s reasonably priced.

Follow these plasma TV buying tips and you?ll be well on your way to buying that new TV!

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for PlasmaGeeks.com. For more Plasma TV Buying Tips and HDTV Reviews, visit us.