Plasma Screen Television

When buying a plasma screen television, be wary of display schemes

Not all plasma TVs are created equal. There’s a reason why retailer viewing rooms are dimmed and recessed. Dimly lit viewing rooms enhance the quality of any plasma set and the recessed alcoves screen out ambient store light. You won’t have the same conditions in your home, unless you have a dedicated room. Most folks will place the plasma sets in living rooms where ambient light sources can interfere with picture quality.

Base your decisions between HD and ED televisions by viewing the same program displayed side-by-side on a shelf. Stand back. If you’re too close, you're likely to spot individual pixels which can make the displays look coarse and grainy.

Check the specs

Don’t be wowed by retailer specs and use them to make sure that the sets you’re checking out are true HD and not Enhanced Definition ED TVs. How To Buy a Television Resolution is important with plasma sets. If you note the set specs are 1,024x768, the second number or vertical resolution is the key to set identity. Any number 720+ means the set is a true HD. Anything lower means that it’s ED. Lower-end plasma screens have difficulty reproducing near-black or near-white image, which will affect contrast and picture quality, so get the highest vertical resolution you can.

Manufacturer specs lack specifics standards about obtaining them. The best way to choose a plasma TV is to compare brightness, contrast, picture quality and viewing angles of different TVs in a store.

Accessories not always included

Some plasma sets lack speakers or a tuner. Tuners aren’t necessary if you have cable or satellite. But you’ll need to buy a home theatre sound system if you currently don‘t have one. Using cheap speakers with a quality screen will destroy the viewing experience. Purists consider it blasphemy. The choice is yours, but why waste home theater enjoyment just to save a few bucks? By the way, if you live in an apartment or condo complex, use speaker stands to raise the speakers off the floor. This prevents bass frequencies from traveling through walls and floors, which can greatly add to your neighbors’ peace of mind.

Choose the features you need

The best way to do this is a quick search on Plasma TV, check weekly ads, then comparison shop to determine which features you need and which are nice options. Avoid commissioned salespeople who will steer you toward manufactures sets that pay the highest commissions. Choose non-commissioned retailers and find a knowledgably salesperson. But watch out for plasma screen television evangelists quick to spend your money because they like every feature under the sun.

Buy from local retailers

Internet deals are sometimes cheaper, but shipping a television subjects it to shipping damage. Heavy electronics generally do not fare well in transit. Retailers have the advantage of lot container shipments transferred to truck. Choose a retailer with a liberal return and repair policy because what you see in the store may not be what you get at home where viewing conditions differ. Make sure that they deliver, especially if you live on the second floor or above. These things are heavy.

Size and location matters when buying a plasma screen television

How big you can go depends upon the size of the room that will house your set. When shopping, check the distance that must be maintained from the screen in order to get optimum viewing quality. Take a tape measure along to measure the distance, then measure the available space to your home.

Wall mounts

Plasma screens can be wall mounted, but must be connected to wall studs. Wallboard won’t hold up to a set’s weight.

Don’t overdo it

Shopping for plasma screen televisions can bring on an onset of analysis paralysis. Promotions will change. Prices will fall as newer and “better” designs appear on the market. Fear not. Make a choice. And keep in mind that no matter what set you choose, it will be already outdated by the time you get it delivered. So don’t sweat it. Enjoy. And plan you’re next purchase for a few years down the road.

Where to buy plasma screen televisions

• Best Buy
• Wal-Mart
• CompUSA
• CostCo
• Hidefster HDTV
• Sam’s Club