Hang on the Wall Plasma TV. At 4 inches deep, television displays that can
be hung on the wall utilize a new technology called plasma. Like
a neon light, gas is energized by electrical signals to produce
light. When a plasma TV is manufactured, all of these neon lights,
have to work. A 3 dimensional photographic etching process is
used to manufacture plasma TVs. Once a plasma TV has been manufactured,
defective pixels cannot be replaced. Until the manufacturing yield
reaches 100%, plasma TVs will remain expensive. Very complex circuitry
is found in plasma TVs. Standard 480 line TV signals have to be
upconverted and High Definition 1080i broadcast signals have to
be down converted. Additionally all these neon pixel lights have
to be powered, so a heavy duty power supply is needed. Plasma
TVs are in huge demand, and that keeps prices high too.
Not all plasmas are created equal. Like any product, it's
not the design, but the execution of the design that determines
the quality of a product. Plasma TVs vary in the number of pixels,
the ability to digitally process signals, and their ability to
reproduce deep black. Some plasma TVs are TVs with speakers, but
some are only monitors. Computer companies, trying to take advantage
of the booming TV business and declining computer business have
recently offered plasma TVs at dramatically cheaper prices. But,
these new lower price sets do not have enough pixels to display
a High Definition picture.
Advantages of Plasma. Plasmas are fixed pixel displays.
Each pixel is exactly where it is supposed to be and cannot move.
The pixels to the right or above or below are always exactly in
position. There is no misconvergence or misalignment. View a plasma
way off axis, even at 170 degrees and the picture is bright with
high contrast.
The Sony TS Series. Even Sony has 3 different levels of plasma
TV... good, better, best. Sony is known for their advanced digital
technology. Sony uses a pixel by pixel to convert the analog signal.
Sony TVs have always been considered the best. And customers around
the world can attest to the long life of their Sony TVs. The Sony
TS models are one-piece TVs with standard NTSC tuner, built-in
stereo speakers, and table stand. Both need an external HD cable
box or sat tuner to display HD pictures.
KE32TS2 867x1024 32 in 16:9 HD plasma
$4000
44 2/3 in wide 27 1/4 in high 11 1/4 in deep with stand 74 lbs
KE42TS2 1024x1024 42in 16:9 HD plasma $6000
/2 in wide 29 2/3 in high 11 1/4 in deep with stand 78 lbs
The Step-Up to XS. Shown, above left, is the new XS series plasma.
It is a one -piece plasma with NTSC tuner. Side mounted speakers
increase stereo separation. Sony's advanced Wega Engine digitally
process the signal improving picture quality. A digital pixel
generator processes and converts the video signal digitally. Contrast
is improved too. Sony's stunning floating glass design give XS
a high tech look.
KE37XS910 1024x1024 37in 16:9 HD Plasma $5500
44 2/3 in wide 27 1/4 in high 11 1/4 in deep with stand 74 lbs
KE42XS910 1024x1024 42 in 16:9 HD Plasma $7000
48 1/2 in wide 29 2/3 in high 11 1/4 in deep with stand 78 lbs