If you've been wanting a plasma TV but don't have a good reason to buy one, there are many good reasons to do so. First is, of course, how good the picture is. Because plasma TVs are made up of pixels, each pixel can show any of billions of different colors. This makes images look more real. Second, plasma TVs are versatile because they can show regular TV, DVD movies, game images, and, of course, HDTV. Third, plasma TVs don't take up much room. You don't have to have a four-foot-deep home theatre system anymore. Plasma TVs are usually less than six inches deep and are easy to hang from the ceiling or mount on a wall. Fourth, plasma TVs are just the way things are done now. Why waste the little free time you have watching muddy pictures on an old TV when you can watch your favorite shows, movies, and games in bright, clear color?
How do you choose from the many plasma TVs on the market, though, once you've made up your mind to buy one? Here are five things you should think about:
- Screen Size: When it comes to plasma TVs, bigger is better only if you have enough room. In this case, "enough room" does not mean the space where you will mount your plasma TV. Instead, it means the space between you and the TV. For example, there should be at least 8 feet of space between the viewer and a 37-inch plasma screen and at least 15 feet of space between the viewer and a 50-inch plasma TV.
- Connections: You should choose a plasma TV that has the type and number of ports you need for the rest of your home theatre system. Component video, high-definition multimedia interface, A/V jacks, digital visual interface, and S-video are some of the connections that can be used.
- High definition: Some plasma TVs have high-definition tuners built-in, while others are just HDTV-ready. High definition is the way to go if you're going to buy a plasma TV. Check that the second number in the resolution description is at least 720. For example, a 1024 x 768 resolution on a plasma screen is high definition, but a resolution of 853 x 480 is not.
- Mounting: There are many ways to mount a plasma TV. Decide if you want to put it on a stand, flat against a wall, or hang it from the ceiling, and then make sure you have the right hardware.
Enjoy! Once you've chosen one of the many plasma TVs on the market and put it in your home theatre, be sure to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new purchase for many years to come!
