I picked up few quote on HDTV /plasmas from the net for all my friends confused over their buying as well as auditioning a Plasma
HDTV Guide for Plasma TV buyers
High Definition Television is the new buzzword in the world of television. More often, the word HDTV is in a sense analogous to higher resolution. As a result, we indulge in a simple calculation: the greater the resolution, the better the picture quality will be. As a result, we go for flat panels which have high native resolution like 720p or 1080p. But, is the resolution only one criteria for judging the picture quality of a display? It is true that the higher resolution ensures sharper pictures. However, there are also other features like colour reproduction, brightness and contrast which are equally, may be, more important than resolution as the over-all picture quality is the hybrid of all these features.
While you go through plasma reviews, the specification of the TV often provides you with essential information like resolution, contrast ratio, response time etc. If you are already familiar with these terms, you may often find yourself in a better position to choose the best Plasma TV to suit your taste. It is also a good idea to navigate through the features listed in the review. Double check, whether the plasma TV which lures your attention with its stylish design and excellent specs, has been provided with anti-glare technology as the plasma screens have a natural tendency to reflect light in ambient conditions. Especially, when you plan to install your plasma tv in a bright room, this feature is often useful.
Well, how to evaluate the performance of a plasma TV? As a thumb of rule, branded Plasma TVs often render great pictures. However there is a maze of specification which may often bewilder you if you are not so familiar with. Fortunately, it is not be- all and end-all.
You may still become a better judge of plasma TV than a reviewer using these simple techniques:
Check how the colours look on the screen. Do they look natural and accurate? How is the colour saturation? How do the nearest hues appear distinct?
Next important consideration is the black levels achieved by the TV. Play a DVD and watch dark scenes on the screen. You should be able to see the darkest objects without graying. It is a good idea to test this feature in a little dark room instead of bright room.
Test the sharpness the pictures by reducing the brightness settings as the maximum brightness may often hide the flaws. Reducing the brightness and contrast to 50 % of their original settings often help you to judge the picture quality.
Most Plasma TVs boast of their HDTV capabilities. It is wise to put them under a test before you invest money. If the retailers cannot provide HDTV broadcast, a Blue ray disc or a DVD often makes best video material to test the performance of the TV.
Be familiarized with the remote and meddle with all the pre-sets which modify how the images look on the screen. Some of the Plasma TVs have come up with a myriad of useful presets which may add greater value to your money
Enjoy and CHEERS!
