With today’s plasma TV technology, the problems associated with CRT televisions have disappeared! In fact, since plasma TVs are widely available and come in many sizes without taking up a vast amount of space, you may now only find CRT televisions in an electronics antique store!

Plasma TVs, as compared with the old CRT sets, have a flat panel display. Available in many sizes, they are remarkably compact; most plasma TVs are only six inches thick. They can be free-standing or mounted on a wall, taking up very little space wherever they’re placed. Customers can choose the size of their plasma TVs to fit their space needs; 32, 37, 42, 50 and 60-inch models are the most widely available and popular sizes.

How do plasma TVs work? The technology’s central element is fluorescent light that is a plasma; this is a gas that creates light and energy like that you’ll find in fluorescent lamps. There are no tubes involved meaning that there’s nothing to burn out that must be periodically replaced. Plasma TVs are a great choice for customers who want high definition (HD) pictures that are remarkably sharp, crisp, bright, and exceptionally well-defined.

When shopping for a plasma TV it helps to know about those that are the highest-rated among electronics reviewers and customers. Favorites include:

• The Samsung LN52A520 50-inch HDTV
• The Panasonic TC 32LX85 32-inch HDTV
• The Pioneer KURO PDP 5010FD 50-inch HDTV
• The Panasonic TH-42PH10UK 42-inch HDTV
• The LG 42PC5D 42-inch HDTV
• The Phillips 50PFP5332D 50-inch HDTV
• The Panasonic TH-65PF9UK 65-inch HDTV

Plasma TVs are a bit pricey, depending upon the size of the model you choose and where you shop; generally, prices range from $800 to $3,000 for a good quality brand. Many on-line plasma TVs sell for much less than an electronics store. When shopping on-line, you don’t get a chance to actually view the picture quality, but these merchants offer a liberal return policy if you aren’t satisfied with your television. You can also purchase mounts, stands, and attractive furniture to house your set; these accessories are often included in the total package of the plasma TV model you select.

Before you invest in a plasma TV, it’s best to do your homework before you shop; study the consumer and electronics expert reviews to find the right set at the right price.

While some people want the largest possible television, other people are on the lookout for the smallest plasma televisions. So, it may be surprising to learn that the smallest plasma televisions are actually only 32”. This isn’t exactly small. This is actually one of the most popular sizes for television sets. Perhaps the CIA has some superspy technology that allows them to use the smallest plasma televisions in their sunglasses or on their watch faces, but this is definitely not technology that is available to the public. That is, if it even exists.

One of the most important factors when looking for the smallest plasma televisions is the thickness, rather than the screen size. Very often, plasma televisions, even the smallest plasma televisions, are hung up on walls. This is a huge space saver and allows you to hang the television at your desired height rather than being stuck with the height of a manufactured television stand. This is why the thickness of even the smallest plasma televisions is important. You want to make sure that the television will hang nicely. This may mean finding studs in the walls or using other measures to secure the television.

It is probable that television manufacturers are hard at work trying to design even smaller plasma televisions. Every home will need one for the kitchen counter and maybe even in the bathroom. Not to mention that the smallest plasma televisions will lead to plasma computer monitors. Technology is forever changing and advancing and this makes it seem likely that some day we will see the smallest plasma televisions in our own homes and those superspies will just have to learn how to share.

Some consider a plasma television a work of art in itself and balk at the idea of hiding a plasma TV, but there are several reasons why people choose to do so. Perhaps the television simply does not fit in with your design aesthetic. Maybe you just prefer a simple look to your room. And some want options for hiding a plasma TV so as not to seem ostentatious. Regardless of your personal reasons, there are solutions for hiding a plasma TV.

One of the best features of a plasma television is how thin it is. Many people choose to hang theirs directly onto the wall. One solution to hiding a plasma TV is to recess the television into the wall. This is similar to many medicine cabinets found in bathrooms. Then, the television can be hidden behind cabinet doors that either open on a hinge or will slide apart to reveal the television when you are ready to watch it.

Many people purchase armoires that are entertainment centers rather than storage or closet space. This is going to work just as well for hiding a plasma TV. This is likely the simplest option as well. There is no cutting into walls or the need to design special furniture. An armoire will keep your room looking nice and uncluttered without you having to forego your entertainment!
Now, if you want to be all James Bond about hiding a plasma TV, then there is furniture that can accommodate this. The television is placed on a lift and placed inside a piece of furniture, such as the footboard of the bed. It is tucked away nicely when you want, but with the push of a button, it will rise up from the footboard and you can watch TV comfortably in your own bed. This can also be seen in hot tubs. Thank you Moneypenny.

Ultimately, hiding a plasma TV comes down to how much money you are willing to spend as well as how much work you are willing to put into it. Cutting a hole in the drywall and safely securing your television may seem like too much work. So, it would be in your best interest to purchase a piece of furniture or pay someone else to do this work!

Another idea is hiding your plasma TV in plain sight. Many people choose to use their television like a piece of art and hang it above their fireplace. This is functional and looks perfectly at home in modern and contemporary homes.

The fact is that you will be spending a good amount of money on a plasma television. There is no reason to skimp on solutions for hiding that plasma TV. When in doubt, head to a custom furniture store and design your own solution for hiding your plasma TV. Then, you know you are getting exactly what you want!

1. Contrast (deeper blacks) – The ability to completely turn off a pixel as opposed to blocking light allows for deeper blacks on plasma. This makes colors appear more vivid and lifelike.
2. Viewing Angle – LCD televisions look best from directly in front. The picture can degrade as you move to the side; plasma televisions have a wider viewing angle, and make a better choice when there are several members in the family who watch together.
3. Fast moving scenes don’t blur with the faster response time of plasma televisions, so if you’re a sports fan and don’t want to miss the details, plasma televisions are the best choice.
4. Some manufacturers offer zero bad pixel guarantees- read the fine print. If you shop carefully you can find a plasma TV with zero dead pixels.
5. Pixel response times are faster, and manufacturers have virtually eliminated phosphor lag (color remnant left by the varying decay time of the different chemical properties of the phosphor coating in plasma cells).
6. Color saturation – Plasma televisions can display millions of colors, and their finer controls on color saturation allows for a finer picture free from washout.
7. Price in larger units – Although they’re getting less expensive, large screen LCDs are still more expensive than plasma.
8. Bigger Screens – Finally, if you’re buying the truly large televisions, you have a better selection in plasma. For the biggest screens on the market, plasma is the only choice.

With a little careful analysis on your size requirements, viewing plans and budget, you can now confidently buy a plasma TV based on its strengths against LCD TV.

Watch Movies, Play Games or View your Pictures

Designed to be friendly to more media as well, you can also use it with your PC, Xbox or PS3 and get great pictures and gaming response. Samsung also did something very interesting with the HPT5064- it comes with a USB 2.0 connector show pictures or play MP3s.

Tuners and Features

The set includes a standard-broadcast NTSC tuner, and ATSC tuner that can capture over-the-air digital broadcasts from local network affiliates. Two of the many decision points in the LCD vs Plasma TV debate are set life and burn in, where LCD traditionally had an advantage. The Samsung HPT5064 has a 60,000 hour panel life, and unlike that LCD you’ll never have to worry about replacing that backlight. Samsung's approach to burn in is clever- they use a proprietary auto pixel-shifting technology, significantly reducing the risk.

Picture Quality

The Samsung Digital Natural Image engine (DNIe) Video Enhancer refines all analog NTSC and wideband video inputs for an overall improvement in picture quality. DNIe:
• Improves Contrast
• Improves White Level
• Improves Picture Detail
• Incorporates Digital Noise Reduction

Technical Specifications:

• HDMI connections: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
• S-Video Inputs: 3 (1 side 2 rear)
• Component Video A/V Input: 2 (rear)
• USB 2.0 Connection: (1 side)
• PC (RGB) input: 1 (rear)
• Composite video input: 1 (side)
• Headphone Jack: 1 (side)
• RF input: 2 (rear)

Still not sold? Check out almost 100 reviews and also take a look out the Samsung Plasma TV Auctions.