In the quest to get the best possible picture, many thousands of consumers will invest in their first plasma screen television this year. Undoubtedly, plasma is a good choice as it offers top of the line color accuracy, vibrancy, and clarity which can enhance a family's viewing experience. However, once the purchase is made and the television is delivered, the quest to have the best possible viewing experience is not over. 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 televisions don't require a great deal of care and concern but observing a few tips can assure years of continued viewing pleasure.
Keep it steady:
Proper mounting or placement to assure stability is important. The screen should be secure and out of the main traffic pattern. Plasma televisions are not very tolerant of falls or collisions.
Give it room to breathe:
Because of the large amount of heat a plasma screen can generate, electrical components within the unit are at risk. Be sure the television has enough open space around it. The manufacturer will provide venting guidelines.
Keep it dry:
To avoid destroying the electrical components and creating corrosion, avoid exposure to excessive humidity, spills, or condensation due to rapid changes in temperature.
Dimmer is sometimes better:
Many rooms have lower ambient light and therefore don't require the same brightness that is used on a show room floor. Brightness levels that are set too high will prematurely age the phosphor lining of the plasma screen.
Avoid excessive heat:
It bears repeating; plasma screens require a cool environment, due primarily to the heat they generate. Outdoor placement of a plasma screen is a not a good option due to the exposure to heat, humidity, other moisture, and dirt.
Clean it with care:
Using the proper tools for cleaning is important. Manufacturers seldom recommend strong cleaners. A micro fiber cloth is often the tool of choice and is often effective in ridding the screen of dust and finger prints. If more aggressive cleaning is necessary there are cleaners specifically made for plasma or PC screens (anti-static cleaners) that can be used. No cleaner should be sprayed directly on the screen; instead it 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.
Avoid static images:
In recent years anti-burn in technology has advanced greatly but 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 a PC up to a plasma screen is also inadvisable as they are often used to display static images.
Be prepared for lightening to strike:
Using a surge protector can save a lot of damage and regrets later.
Preservation:
A plasma screen should be turned off when not in use. This can help avoid accidental burn in, reduce heat, and help to avoid decreased brightness/pre-mature aging.
50 Inch Plasma Television
During the holiday season of this year, millions of consumers will be considering the purchase of a new television. Those beautiful plasma screen displays will scream at shoppers from the display floor with their vibrant, life like colors and detail. But undoubtedly, wary shoppers will have heard the rumors or perhaps have known someone who bought a plasma television in 1999 which has already moved on to television heaven just seven short years later. It seems to a prudent shopper that perhaps a new plasma TV isn't the choice for them if a long term relationship is desired.
But are the rumors false? Has plasma undergone a bit of reinvention? Was this lack of longevity a symptom of a fledgling technology that has now perhaps matured? Is a plasma television now more reliable, a screen to be around for the long haul?
In a word?yes.
With lower power usage and changes with the mix of gases in the panels, the longevity of plasma televisions has been significantly enhanced. The lifespan of a television display is measured in "half life"; the hours of use before the screen has dimmed to only 50% of its original brightness. In recent years, plasma television manufacturers have been touting a half-life which is equivalent to that of other screens such as the higher priced LCDs; around 60,000 hours. From this, consumers can see that the lifespan of a plasma screen is dependent upon how much it is viewed. For instance, if a plasma television is on for 6 hours a day, 365 days a year (2190 hours per year), it should last just over 27 years.
Knowing this, it becomes clear that the life of the screen on a plasma television can be significantly influenced by how it is used. Turning off the television when no one is viewing it could certainly extend its life. Adjusting the brightness is important as well; maximum levels are seldom required or recommended and can unnecessarily cause pre-mature aging of the phosphors.
Additional changes over the years for plasma televisions include technologies aimed at reducing the risk of "burn in"; another significant concern about the "character" of plasma displays that developed during its youth. Features such as pixel shifting, pixel orbiter, and motion adaptation all describe methods of moving the image on a plasma screen which is imperceptible to the human eye but effective in reducing the risk of burn-in. With these added features, many plasma manufacturers now claim their screens have no greater risk of burn in than the traditional CRT, "tube" televisions.
As with anything, consumers need to compare brands as they aren't all created equally. Reviewing the facts from the manufacturer is important. In general, it is best to stick with the more reputable and well known brands as a bargain "off-brand" in the long term may not save money if the quality and dependability are lacking.
There are many excellent technologies to choose from when buying a new television. Which type of display is best is dependent upon each individuals wishes, but plasma televisions certainly deserve the full attention of buyers as they do not warrant the negative reputation developed during their formative years in regards to longevity.
