Jim Johnson asked:


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.

Warren Thompson asked:


Over the years, I have grown really attached to my home theater system. I must say, of all the rooms in the house, my own little movie theater is the one I could not live without. I am absolutely in love with my home theater system and, if you are anything like me, I am sure you will love yours too. I found, when I was initially building my system, that there was so much information to absorb. Every product out there seemed better than the next, and I found myself unsure about which to buy. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a new home theater projector.

There are two main types of projectors on the market; DLP and LCD. DLP stands for digital light processing. It was invented by Texas Instruments, and utilizes a microscopic array of over 2 million mirrors. DLP has a higher contrast than LCD, but there are some unfavorable consumer reports that note something called the “rainbow effect”. The “rainbow effect” is noticeable when looking from one side of the screen to the other, and is characterized by a sudden burst of color.

LCD stands for liquid crystal display. These projectors have three distinct glass LCD panels inside; one for each component of the video signal (red, green, and blue). While DLP chips reflect light, the LCD panels allow light to pass through them. LCD projectors produce brighter images, and they are known for having excellent color saturation. In the end, you will be hard-pressed to notice a great difference between the two types of projection systems.

When shopping for a new projector, keep your particular needs in the forefront of your thoughts. As I mentioned above, it is really easy to lose yourself in the minutiae of each particular system. Connectivity is a definitely something to be mindful of. Make sure that you are able to connect all of your components, including your gaming system. Nothing beats playing Halo in real-life size! Contract ratio is another important factor; the higher the ratio, the better the picture will be.

The brightness of your projector is another thing to consider. Light output is measured in ANSI (American National Standards Institute) lumens. You will want to avoid a projector that produces anything shy of 1000 lumens. As you are likely aware, the projection resolution is extremely important. This refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen. Go for something that is no less than 1024×768, as this will allow you to fully appreciate the depth and quality of HDTV. In the end, you should buy the projector that is in line with your needs and your budget. Soprano’s is coming on right now! Time to go!

George Chao asked:


If you are looking to buy a home theater projector, the best place to buy one is from a store that specializes in selling them. If there aren’t any of this kind of store where you live, you can get online and look at several online stores that sell home theater projectors.

Take care when you are shopping for a home theater projector. You must have a basic understanding of how home theater projectors work so that you can be in a better position to purchase one that will exactly suit your needs. The three things you need to consider when purchasing a home theater projctor are price, brightness and aspect ratio.

Price

Good home theater projectors range between $1500 and $8000, even more. If you are on a budget, consider the BENQ PB6100, Mitsubishi HC3 or the Epson Powerlite Home 10. Each of these home theater projectors are a great way for you to start viewing movies and enjoy gaming if you don’t have the budget or can’t afford a more expensive home theater projector. However, if you have the space and the income, the Sanyo PLV-WF10 is the way to go if you want to experience the quality that larger home theater projectors can deliver.

Brightness

ANSI lumens home theater projectors set the standard for brightness.Most models generate 700 to 2000 lumens. This is considered to be the regular range for brightness for home theater projectors. A home theater projector that has 1000 lumens is all right for a dedicated home theater room because darker rooms only need about 1200 lumens. However, well-lit rooms need at least 2000 lumens because the natural light that may come in from the windows may create a glare on the screen.

Aspect Ratio

Home theater projectors can be manufactured with two different aspect ratios. The first ratio is the 16:9 aspect ratio, which is better for watching movies in letterbox format. The second is the 4:3 aspect ratio, which is designed for watching regular broadcasts. Aspect ratio simply refers to the ratio of width and height of the picture that is being viewed. The preference depends upon what you watch most on your home theater projector. For example, movies on DVD usually look better in a 16:9 widescreen format. Gamers, however, may prefer the 4:3 aspect ratio. Any way you look at it, a home theater projector is an exciting purchase.

John Pawlett asked:


The Panasonic 42 plasma TV TH-42PWD7UY has the best gradation in the industry as well as superior contrast. This Panasonic 42 plasma TV screen is long-lasting compared to other tvs. Consumers are able to get an excellent picture without the use of hdtv.

The TH-42PWD7UY is reviewed as one of the top in the market. The picture quality is well worth the money spent. Because it is an industrial line model it doesn’t come with a speaker or a remote. It might be complicated for beginners to understand the hook ups of this Panasonic 42 plasma TV. You’ll get an amazing picture and top quality, but newbie’s may want help to install it.

Beginners you may easily want to have the store set it up for you. Most retailers will do this. In conclusion this Panasonic plasma TV will give you the best for your money. The special features on this model are advanced beyond the average features offered. This is a tv that performs above the rest.

I have wanted a new plasma television for years now, but up to this point, I did not know what it even was. All I knew is that plasma televisions are the newest in high tech, and that they have a picture that is out of this world. I do not know what it was that inspired this craze for a plasma screen television, but it is certainly not the first time that I have had a serious high tech jones in my life. I have always been a sucker for the latest electronic gizmo, be it plasma screen television or personal computer, and I guess that this is just simply one more case of the same.

I will not bore you with all of the technical details, but it turns out that plasma screen televisions are really quite as good as I had always thought. Although it is true that a plasma screen television is not the end all and be all of high tech, it is also true that it is one of the best ways to go. But lately, I have been questioning my priorities.

I have known for some time that my old color television has to go. It could scarcely even be called a color tv anymore, because the quality of the picture has degraded so far. But what should I use to replace it with? Do I really have to spend the thousand bucks or so that it will take to get a nice, big plasma screen television? A couple years ago, I would have said yes without even a second thought.

I would be watching that plasma screen television instead of writing this, but then a couple years ago, all I did was to sit on my fat behind and watch movies. I think that I can do better than that now, but I do not think that a plasma screen television will really encourage me in the right direction with my life.

Then again, a new plasma screen television has its advantages. No one ever comes over to my house to watch the big game because my old tv is so lousy, but with a brand new plasma screen television, I would be the hit of the party. Everyone would be dying to watch all of the plays in sharp detail on the new plasma screen tv. I guess that, in that way, the plasma screen television would really improve my life. Maybe I should buy a plasma screen television after all.

Trevor Kronk asked:


Plasma screen televisions are only a few inches thick. This provides installation options that were not possible to do before. In addition to table-top stand mounting, you can hang your plasma television on a wall or from the ceiling, allowing you to enjoy home theater impact from a TV that doesn’t dominate floor space.

Conventional televisions by comparison take up far more space and are much more limited in placement flexibility. Current Plasma television models start at 3.25″ deep, and range in size from 37″, 42″, 50″, and now over 60″.

A plasma screen TV is sometimes called an “emissive” display because the panel is actually self-lighting. This TV display consists of two transparent glass panels with a thin layer of pixels sandwiched in between. Each pixel is composed of three gas-filled cells or sub-pixels, one each for red, green and blue.

A grid of tiny electrodes then applies an electric current to the individual cells, causing a gas (a mix of neon and xenon) in each cell to ionize. This ionized gas, or plasma, emits high-frequency UV rays, which stimulate the cells phosphors, and causes them to glow the desired color.

Here are some of the top brands that use plasma screen TV technology on their TV’s:

• Hitachi

The Plasma Screen TV is ideal for business applications including system displays for public facilities, traffic information services and related monitoring and control purposes. Hitachi displays are also being used in an increasing number of industrial sectors such as CAD/CAM, distribution, financial services, medicine and manufacturing, especially for presentations and as a multimedia-based educational display technology.

• NEC

These offer outstanding plasma screen TV image quality, wide source compatibility, complete input options and built-in audio, making the NEC HDTV Plasma flat screen TV a very effective multimedia presentation tool.

• Panasonic

The Plasma Screen TV offers unmatched visual superiority with the maximum level of brightness and 16.77 million colors. The plasma screen TV display makes sure your viewing is the best possible.

• Philips

Their plasma TV allows exclusive installation potential and a level of expediency never before seen in big screen televisions. Plasma display can be hung from the wall like a painting, or mounted on a stand for easy movement and optimal placement.

• Pioneer

Pioneer Plasma screen television utilizes new technologies, such as true medium imaging.

• Sony

Original plasma Screen TV displays include a lightweight, flat screen design increasing your adaptability and flexibility. This also includes a built-in scan converter, reproducing your images with digital accuracy.

Advantages of Plasma Screen Television:

1. Plasma screen TVs can be mounted on walls, hanging from ceilings etc.

2. Plasma TV screens can accept PC input, making them very versatile.

3. Plasma Screen Televisions have twice the pixels of a normal TV. That means ultra-sharpness when playing computer games or watching high-quality DVD video on your Plasma TV.

4. Plasma TV is viewing angle beats all other TV sets.

5. They have twice the resolution of normal Television.

6. Plasma TV screens are light and are usually 2-3 inch deep. This allows fitting of plasma TV screens to walls, ceilings and from suspended mounts from ceilings.

A person owning a Plasma TV would never go back to conventional TV sets. Not only do they perform very well and are very versatile, they also look really great. Not only is it a piece of an entertainment equipment, it’s also a decorative piece in your home.

Warren Thompson asked:


Over the years, I have grown really attached to my home theater system. I must say, of all the rooms in the house, my own little movie theater is the one I could not live without. I am absolutely in love with my home theater system and, if you are anything like me, I am sure you will love yours too. I found, when I was initially building my system, that there was so much information to absorb. Every product out there seemed better than the next, and I found myself unsure about which to buy. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a new home theater projector.

There are two main types of projectors on the market; DLP and LCD. DLP stands for digital light processing. It was invented by Texas Instruments, and utilizes a microscopic array of over 2 million mirrors. DLP has a higher contrast than LCD, but there are some unfavorable consumer reports that note something called the “rainbow effect”. The “rainbow effect” is noticeable when looking from one side of the screen to the other, and is characterized by a sudden burst of color.

LCD stands for liquid crystal display. These projectors have three distinct glass LCD panels inside; one for each component of the video signal (red, green, and blue). While DLP chips reflect light, the LCD panels allow light to pass through them. LCD projectors produce brighter images, and they are known for having excellent color saturation. In the end, you will be hard-pressed to notice a great difference between the two types of projection systems.

When shopping for a new projector, keep your particular needs in the forefront of your thoughts. As I mentioned above, it is really easy to lose yourself in the minutiae of each particular system. Connectivity is a definitely something to be mindful of. Make sure that you are able to connect all of your components, including your gaming system. Nothing beats playing Halo in real-life size! Contract ratio is another important factor; the higher the ratio, the better the picture will be.

The brightness of your projector is another thing to consider. Light output is measured in ANSI (American National Standards Institute) lumens. You will want to avoid a projector that produces anything shy of 1000 lumens. As you are likely aware, the projection resolution is extremely important. This refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen. Go for something that is no less than 1024×768, as this will allow you to fully appreciate the depth and quality of HDTV. In the end, you should buy the projector that is in line with your needs and your budget. Soprano’s is coming on right now! Time to go!

Samantha Kay asked:


The fun and excitement of the home theater system is to have a perfect picture. The perfection in the picture can be brought by using a home theater system with a projector and an actual screen. Therefore, you can easily have real fun and excitement of theatres by having perfect home theatre with a projector and a screen. But it is always recommended that before going to have a perfect home theatre projector or a screen, you should always survey the market as there are many companies that offer different types of projectors and screens.

Types Of Home Theatre Screens

The following are the three different types of home theatre screens in the market with varying features to meet your requirements.

1 – Fixed Home Theatre Projector Screen: Fixed Home Theatre Screen is a simple type of a screen which is used commonly. It is designed in such a manner that it can be easily mounted permanently on the wall. The disadvantagee of this screen is that you cannot change its setting or position after it gets fitted or mounted on the wall. It is composed of a fabric stretched onto a wooden or an aluminum frame held with fasteners giving rise to a smooth and wrinkle free surface.

The mounting of this screen on the wall helps in hiding the connected wires and cables; hence giving rise to a very neat and clean connection. In this screen, the speakers are present either at the back side or at its side. If you are planning to keep the speakers at the back side of the screen, then go for a transparent screen fabric as it will help in maintaining the acoustic sound by the passing of sound through the transparent fabric of the screen.

2 – Tripod Home Theatre Projector Screen: These types of screens are portable; that is they can be carried as they are attached to a tripod and can be folded easily. These types of screens are generally used for presentations in meetings, trainings, etc. These screens are not designed for movie watching. They are cheaper as compared to the standard home theater projector screen.

3 – Wall Mounted Retractable Home Theater Projector Screen: These are the wall mounted screens that can be pulled down when required. These screens can even be mounted to the ceilings. These screens are bit expensive as compared to that of fixed home theater screens. They are best for less spacious homes or area. These types of screens are generally used in schools by using an overhead projector.

Big Screen TVs

As compared to home theaters, big screen TVs are affordable by an average person therefore their demand is increasing tremendously. There are three types of big screen TVs.

1 – Big Screen Digital Projection TV: It gives crystal clear and bright pictures. One can easily get a 100 inches TV screen for approximately $ 2000.

2 – LCD TV: These types of TVs are ultra thin and light weight. There are many models of LCD TVs that can be mounted on the wall. They are expensive as compared to digital projection screen TV.

3 – Plasma TV: Plasma TV ranges from 40 inches to 60 inches and their picture clarity is marvelous.

It is always recommended to have a proper survey of the market before making a purchase of a projector or a big screen TV to make sure your purchase is from a reputable company.

Jim Johnson asked:


The technology behind DLP TVs has actually been around for a few yaers now, but only recently has it started to really come into it’s own. DLP stands for Digital Light Processing, and suffice it to say that the way it produces a screen image is a perfect match for the HDTV standard that will soon become the accepted method of television broadcasting.

If you haven’t heard much yet about DLP TVs, you will soon. But here are some of the advantages to their design:

1. They are great in brightly lit rooms. Because they use a reflective technology to produce the screen image, a DLP screen is less affected by ambient light than many other monitors. It can also produce a picture that has more contrast because it can produce deeper blacks than for instance, LCD TVs.

2. DLP TVs boast a very high refresh rate. The refresh rate is how often the screen is redrawn each second. The faster the refresh rate, the easier you eye can put the images displayed into a seamless picture in your mind. What this means for you is that if you like to watch sports or play fast action video games, the screen will appear smoother and more realistic with a DLP TV because of it’s fast refresh rate.

3. DLP monitors are usually compatible with almost any video source that you want to connect them to. They can even be used as a computer monitor too. Just be sure that a DLP monitor has all of the necessary connections present to be mated with the video sources that you intend to use.

There are however a few disadvantages to DLP TVs that you should be aware of too:

1. DLP screens can be viewed from a fairly wide angle from the center of the television with no problem, but they absolutely must be viewed at eye level for the best picture as the brightness of the picture falls off rapidly when viewed either above or below eye level. This can restrict where you place them for best viewing position in your room and should be a point taken into consideration before purchase.

2. Although the DLP monitor itself can last almost forever, the light source that produces the image only has an average lifespan of about 10,000 hours. That is of course, still a lot of TV viewing time, but if you have your TV on for several hours a day be aware that the clock is ticking on the light bulb and when you do replace it, you may be spending over $200 for a replacement.

All in all, DLP monitors represent a great advancement in the field of television viewing though, and the technology is being rapidly accepted and improved on. But as with any TV purchase it is best to actually demo a particular model in person before ordering it online if you choose to do so.

Tom Sample asked:


There used to be a time when a home theater was a reserved experience for only the most wealthy – those who could afford private reels of movies and who had the space to dedicate an entire room to the effort. Now, home theater projector models have become more and more affordable, providing a new option for watching not only movies, but also regular television, cable and even computer presentations.

Deciding to turn a room into a home theater is a big decision, but one that can pay off for those who are seriously into entertainment. Nothing other than an actual movie theater can compare to a home theater that’s properly set up. Surround sound, good seating, a huge screen and other amenities can make this room a home’s centerpiece.

With this in mind, many people choose to go for projectors for their home theaters. The reasons behind the choice are many, but are most certainly not limited to the fact the screen can be huge. Up to 300 inches of huge, in fact.

When choosing a projector, a consumer will quickly find out the options are staggering. In general, there are two types of projector systems. The first is LCD, which means it operates using three crystal display devices and a series of mirrors and lenses. The second is DLP, which uses a silicon chip instead of three LDCs. These projectors have become very compact and lightweight, providing buyers the ability to conceal them in out of the way locations. The screens themselves can be very thin and placed directly on a wall. This saves the space a big-screen television will take up.

The basic advantages to projector over television include:

Portability. A projector can be taken anywhere.

Picture size. With many offering great visibility on screens up to 300 inches, this can’t be beat by a regular television.

Bright image. New technology has enabled the use of projectors in bright rooms. Even if the lights are on, the image should still be clear and crisp.

Movie theater experience. These screens really help bring the theater experience home.

When choosing a home theater projection system, the most important things to look for are quality, guarantees and formatting sizes. Since most people who shop for projectors want the real theater experience in their home, the widescreen or 16:9 format is the most sought after. This is the format that’s meant for HDTV and it comes in three basic resolutions – 854×480, 1025×576 and 1280×720. These are more commonly known as 480p, 576p and 720p.

When dealing with modern technology, any of the resolutions should provide some incredible viewing opportunities. Since DVDs generally only provide 480 lines of resolution, the lower setting should work fine. The other options do provide for great viewing as well, especially when you’ll be sitting closer to the screen. Detail on the higher resolutions doesn’t break up as much when viewed from a closer distance.

No matter the projector make or model you end up with, remember a home theater is an investment in some quality movie watching. A room set up correctly can become the primary spot for family living.

Jim Johnson asked:


Television technology has been essentially static for several decades until just recently. The old CRT tube TVs reigned supreme for years simply because the broadcasting technology could not allow for anything better to come along. Even if you had sophisticated monitors and sound systems, they wouldn’t be of much use because the TV signal couldn’t transmit enough information to reaaly make use of them.

But HDTV has changed the whole TV viewing horizon, and there is no better time to make the switch from analog to HDTV. Here are five reasons why a HDTV DLP should be in your future soon:

1. The FCC has passed a law that requires all TV stations to broadcast in digital format by the end of 2006, and that means that almost all broadcasting will be done in HDTV by sometime in 2007. After that, if you want to be able to receive over the air TV signals on your old analog TV set, you will need a digital to analog converter box to do that. So why not be ready for that change by getting the necessary equipment in place now as prices have fallen dramatically lately?

2. HDTV not only means improved picture resolution, but it also makes use of the widescreen format that is more compatible with the way that movies are actually filmed, so you get to see the whole screen image instead of having some of it cut off by an incompatible screen ratio.

3. HDTV also enhances the sound capabilities as it even supports Dolby 5.1 surround sound that is used by many movie theaters today. This makes true home theater sound easy to achieve.

4. DLP TVs employ newer screen technology to be able to display much brighter, sharper, and color dense images than has ever been possible before. They run cool, use relatively little electricity, and can come in very large screen sizes if you wish.

5. DLP TVs also are thin, making them a perfect choice for those with limited space. Because of their thin configuration they can be placed closer to the wall or even mounted right on it, allowing more viewing area in the room that would not have been possible with older bulky TVs.

All in all, HDTV and DLP TVs are a great choice for the ultimate in home television viewing. If you haven’t actually seen a demonstration of a DLP HDTV, why not visit a local electronics retailer and ask to see it for yourself? Many people just don’t understand what all the fuss is about until they actually see it in person, but once you do, you will no doubt come away very impressed. Just be sure that you don’t let this wave of the future in home entertainment pass you by!