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.

The Facts About DLP VS Plasma TVs

With advancing technology revolutionizing the television viewing field, consumers have more choices than ever before. And as is often the case with electronics, it can be confusing. Terms and acronyms are used in the electronics industry that you just don't find anywhere else, and if you aren't careful it can keep you from buying newer technology simply because you don't understand it well. That can certainly be the case with modern TV monitors.

The old analog TV sets of yesteryear did not have to have a very advanced monitor because the TV signal was only so good anyway, So CRT monitors lasted as the screen choice for decades. But now with HDTV moving the entire viewing experience forward in dramatic fashion, better ways of producing the on-screen image is in full production.

Two of those competing screen technologies are plasma TVs and DLPs (digital light processing TVs). Both types of screen technologies have been around for a while, although DLPs have only become commonplace in recent years. They use completely different means of displaying a TV picture and so each has it's own peculiarities, both for good and bad. So you as the consumer need to weigh the differences and determine which will best fit your own needs.

Plasma TVs are well-known for their high contrast images and vivid colors, and they are generally cheaper than DLP TVs in the larger screen sizes. They have a wide viewing angle, and would make an excellent choice for many people. The drawbacks include less longevity and faster wear rate at higher altitudes above 6,000 to 7,000 feet, and the fact that they tend to run hot and need internal fans to cool them down that can sometimes be noisy depending on the model that you choose. They also can suffer from screen burn-in when an image is left on the screen for a very long time, producing a faint ghost image even when viewing something else.

DLP TVs are are capable of painting the screen with high contrast, color dense images too, although the nod still has to go to plasma TVs in general in this area. They are also easily used as a monitor for almost any digital video source that you have, including your computer. They use a reflective technology to display the screen image and so their picture is very bright and easy to see even in brightly lit rooms. However, they must be viewed at eye level, since the brightness falls off rapidly as you view them from either above or below eye level. The DLP will last almost indefinitely, but the light source must be replaced every 10,000 hours and that will cost over $200 when you do.

Actually either will make a fine choice to use with today's emerging television technologies. Just be aware that each has it's own drawbacks, so choose the monitor that will fit your own particular needs and uses best.