Buying a Plasma or LCD TV FAQs

This article focuses on frequently asked questions by buyers of plasma and LCD televisions.

Q: Does the "plasma" in plasma televisions need to be recharged or replaced over time?

A: No. The plasma gases are sealed in individual cells when they are manufactured. There is no way to recharge or replace the gases. However, plasma TVs, when used normally, will last you many, many years (up to 20 years) so you don't have to worry about the screen burning out for a long time.

Q: Are plasma and LCD TVs difficult to install?

A: While you may want to hire a professional electrician to help you with wiring if you are installing your plasma or LCD television on a wall, you can also easily place the television on a stand yourself and place it anywhere you like.

Q: Do plasma and LCD TVs give off radiation?

A: All electronic devices, including televisions, must comply with FDA guidelines (in the United States) and CSA guidelines (in Canada) on radiation emission before being permitted to be sold to the public. While there is radiation emission in the form of ultraviolet light, the amount is negligible and you are unlikely to be affected by it watching the television from normal distances.

Q: What are anamorphic widescreen DVD movies?

A: There are two common ways of recording wide format movies on a DVD: letterbox and anamorphic. Letterbox refers to a video played with horizontal black bars on the top and bottom of the picture. Anamorphic recordings are also commonly labeled "Enhanced for 16:9 TVs". Anamorphic recordings have over 30% more vertical resolution than letterbox format and elimates or significantly reduces the black bars found in letterbox pictures in order to fit to the screen size of 16:9 televisions.

Q: Do LCD's have a burn-in problem?

A: No. Unlike CRT and plasma TVs, liquid crystal displays do not use phosphor and thus have no problems with a still image becoming permanently stored on the screen. Instead, LCD TVs use a backlight on a colored, transluscent liquid crystal screen.

Q: Can I use a game console such as Sony Playstation 2, Nintendo Game Cube or Microsoft XBOX with my LCD TV?

A: Yes. If you intend to use a game console and/or watch standard TV broadcasts over cable, satellite or antenna, an LCD TV is a superior choice over plasma televisions. The repetitive image from games and unused black-filled borders will damage a plasma TV by burning a permanent image into the phosphor.

Q: Will leaving my LCD TV on cause the image to degrade?

A: No. Unlike plasma TV's, this LCD TV does not exhibit aging over time. The brightness of the image remains the same because LCD televisions use a florescent backlight.

Q: Can I mount my LCD TV straight into drywall or plaster?

A: No, drywall or plaster alone will not offer enough support. A structural beam or stud must be used as the anchor for the wall mount.

(c) 2005 Philip Liu - All Worldwide Rights Reserved

Philip Liu is a freelance author and publisher currently based in New York City. Philip publishes regularly on his websites dealing with cell phone reviews and news and plasma, LCD TV reviews and news.

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:48:44 GMT

Hamsters, turtles and other exotic pets can pose danger to kids - New York Daily News


AFP
Hamsters, turtles and other exotic pets can pose danger to kids
New York Daily News - 1 hour ago
Think that furry little hamster spinning on its wheel in your child’s bedroom is just a cute benign pet? Non-traditional household pets, including hamsters, mice, turtles and monkeys actually pose a health risk to young children, according to a new ...
8 Pets That Pose Major Health Threats to Kids U.S. News & World Report
Exotic Pets Pose Health Risk To Children NBC 10.com
AFP - eFluxMedia - The Associated Press - Mom Logic
all 380 news articles

Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:20:52 GMT

What’s Next For OJ Simpson? - WJBF-TV


BBC News
What’s Next For OJ Simpson?
WJBF-TV - 37 minutes ago
OJ Simpson is back behind bars, convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery, and 10 other charges. Jury questionnaires, released Saturday, reveal 5 jurors disagreed with Simpson’s 1995 acquittal for murder.
Video: OJ Jury: We Didn't Need Witnesses to Convict AssociatedPress
Ostler: With a prison term, maybe Simpson can find real killers San Francisco Chronicle
The Associated Press - Los Angeles Times - United Press International - New York Times
all 3,272 news articles

Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:11:20 GMT

Campaign Attacks Intensify in the Wake of New Ads - Washington Post


BBC News
Campaign Attacks Intensify in the Wake of New Ads
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By William Branigin and Michael Abramowitz The campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain went after Barack Obama again today over his past association with a 1960s radical leader, and the Democratic contender struck back by highlighting ...
Video: Palin Defends Terrorist Comment Against Obama AssociatedPress
POLITICS-US: Asian Americans Tilt Heavily Toward Obama Inter Press Service
The Weekly Standard - Christian Science Monitor - San Francisco Chronicle - The Associated Press
all 4,086 news articles

Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:46:43 GMT

Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4 - The Associated Press


Washington Post
Postseason ace Beckett shelled as Angels win 5-4
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
BOSTON (AP) - Josh Beckett waited four extra days for a chance to show his postseason brilliance. That shine wore off with his very first pitch.
Video: Angels, White Sox Each Force a Game 4 AssociatedPress
BoSox attempt to finish off Angels and advance to ALCS Sports Network
Washington Post - Bleacher Report - FOXSports.com - MLB.com
all 3,413 news articles

Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:41:31 GMT

European Researchers Win Nobels for Medicine - Washington Post


Washington Post
European Researchers Win Nobels for Medicine
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Rob Stein Two French researchers were awarded a Nobel Prize today for discovering the AIDS virus, bypassing an American researcher who played a key role in the discovery.
Nobel is postscript to bitter 1980s HIV dispute The Associated Press
Three Europeans Win the 2008 Nobel for Medicine New York Times
Los Angeles Times - MSNBC - Chemical & Engineering News - Daily Mail
all 843 news articles

Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:12:15 GMT

IBM's cloud initiative repackages its familiar offerings - InfoWorld


eFluxMedia
IBM's cloud initiative repackages its familiar offerings
InfoWorld - 1 hour ago
By Ephraim Schwartz Mixing together a mélange of services, software and marketing, IBM's announcement this week of its Cloud Services Initiative is about putting an organizing construct around all of its cloud offerings, according to one IBM executive.
IBM Puts More Tools in the InternetNews.com
IBM unveils cloud computing offerings TG Daily
CNNMoney.com - eWeek - CRN - VNUNet.com
all 52 news articles

Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:22:31 GMT

Brooke Burke: Misty May Is ‘Out of’ DWTS - People Magazine


United Press International
Brooke Burke: Misty May Is ‘Out of’ DWTS
People Magazine - 1 hour ago
It looks like Dancing with the Stars will be down one competitor when it airs Monday night. Misty May-Treanor, 31, has injured herself and is out of the competition, her castmate Brooke Burke confirms.
DWTS: Will Kim Replace Injured Misty? E! Online
'Dancing with the Stars' contestant injured The Associated Press
United Press International - News10.net - Baltimore Sun - Reality TV Magazine
all 179 news articles

Publ.Date : Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:35:17 GMT

Clickbank Affiliate
Work From Home


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

How to Solve Multiple Paper Loading Problem in HP5L and HP6L Laser Printer

Have you ever encountered before the problem of having multiple... Read More

Flyback Transformer-How to Locate the ABL Line

Whenever there is a complaint about monitor contrast problem I... Read More

5 Tips For Buying The Right Laptop Computer

It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models... Read More

DVD ROMs

DVD CD ROMs have become predominantly the most used CD... Read More

How To Buy The Perfect Student Laptop

If you are like most student's, money isn't exactly growing... Read More

Tips To Select Proper Hard drive

Day by day computers are getting advanced. Capacity and performance... Read More

Recordable DVD Formats Explained

Picking your way through the ton of information available on... Read More

Digital Cameras, Media, and Card Readers

With the dropping prices on digital cameras and digital media... Read More

Buying a New Computer

Someone recently asked me "I teach senior citizens in a... Read More

Special Events Recording in DVD Players Age

The proliferation of portable DVD players has dramatically changed the... Read More

How To Buy A Printer That Won?t Break The Bank

OK I confess I've bought at least 10 inkjet printers... Read More

Intel Celeron vs Pentium

The Celeron and Pentium Processors are two of Intel's best... Read More

Discover Everything About Wholesale Bar Code Reader And Software!

It is a given fact that buying wholesale would make... Read More

Hard Drive Selection

Perhaps the biggest mistake people make when building their computer(s)... Read More

Wireless Networking, Part 1: Capabilities and Hardware

Wireless Networking, Part 1: Capabilities and HardwareThese days it isn't... Read More

Setting up a Tape Backup Strategy for your Business

So you know a little bit about tape backup, but... Read More

Which Notebook Computer Has Your Name On It?

Notebook Computers Are Sexy!Granted, the notebook computer may just be... Read More

Whats In An LCD Display?

Who needs an LCD display? Well, if you're like me,... Read More

Understanding Transistor Data and Replacement

If, for some reason, you can't get an exact replacement... Read More

Laptop Computers Instigate Classroom Revolution!

Have you noticed that laptop computers are beginning to dictate... Read More

Video Cards: Is AGP Dead?

If you've been looking to upgrade your computer video card... Read More

Your Hard Drive is Going to Explode ? Why a UPS is Essential

It's most peoples worst computing nightmare. You wake up in... Read More

The Making of Energy Efficient Datacenters

The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron is a... Read More

Give Your PC a Monitor Makeover

Whether you are crunching figures at a front office job... Read More

JunxionBox -- WiFi Access Everywhere

Now you can more easily access the Internet wherever mobile... Read More