The Plasma TV Blog

1080I is a shorthand name that is used to describe a certain video mode. The number 1080 refers to the number of lines of vertical resolution, and the letter I stands for interlaced scan. Interlaced scan is the original method used for the display of an image on the screen. It refers to the fact that each image or frame that is shown is displayed in a series of lines with every other line being empty. When the frame refreshes, the formerly empty line has an image, and the line that previously had an image is now empty. This alternating frame display give interlacing scan its name. The term 1080I is a HDTV mode with a wide screen aspect ratio of 16:9. Interlacing scan uses two terms, field rate and frame rate. The field rate would be expressed as a resolution of 1920 pixels multiplied by the line of vertical resolution, or 1920 x 1080 yielding about 2.07 million pixels. The frame rate, however would be expressed as 1920 x 1080/2 yielding only 1.04 million pixels because of the empty vertical lines in each frame.

The 1080I mode can be used with CRT based HDTV sets, but these models are considered out of date. They are also compatible with the newer progressive scan models, but must be deinterlaced first in order to be displayed.

1080P is a shorthand name for a type of video mode. It is sometimes called “The True High Definition” or “Full High Definition” as it is the video mode that is used in filming of digital motion pictures. The name comes from the fact that there is frame resolution of 1920 x 1080. This mode is most often used with a 16:9 aspect ratio which calculates out to somewhere around 2.07 million pixels. The 1080 refers to the number of lines of vertical resolution, and the letter P refers to progressive scan, or as it is sometimes called non-interlaced.

The reason some refer to progressive scan as being non-interlaced is that the interlaced mode was the standard on television prior to the advent of digital technology. It is still used on some models. It is important to note that some units that use fixed pixels such as DLP and LCD models basically transform an incoming interlaced mode into progressive mode anyway. In short, 1080P means the highest level of picture clarity available today.

720P is an abbreviation for an HDTV video mode. The number, 720, refers to the number of lines of vertical display resolution. The P indicates that it uses progressive scan technology. 720P offers the highest motion resolution possible. It is typically used in a wide-screen format with an aspect ratio of 16:9. 720P has a resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels. Because it utilizes progressive scan technology, 720P is an excellent choice for plasma and LCD TVS. However, if it is used on a cathode ray tube television, it has to be scan converted. The only exception is when the CRT is meant to be used as a computer monitor because then it is set up to be progressive scan only already.

Scanning is the term that is given to the way a picture is displayed on the screen of a television receiving a digital signal. When the signal is presented in what is called interlaced format the picture is displayed in horizontal lines with every other line empty. The next frame contains an image in the blank line, so that if the image is being refreshed 50 times a second, there is actually only 25 complete images per second. Progressive scan does not contain the empty space, but every image is complete. This would produce 50 images per second in the example above. This explains the superior resolution of progressive scan such as you receive with the 720P video mode.

- Blu-ray is a type of optical disc. It is high density and is intended to store high-definition video and data. Blu-ray gets its name from the laser it uses to read and write datea to and from the disc. The laser is a blue-violet color. This color laser has a shorter wavelength than the red laser that is used in DVDs. Because of this, the Blu-ray is able to hold significantly more data than a DVD.

The Blu-ray disc has only been available to the public since June of 2006. It was created to compete with HD DVDs, which also use a blue colored laser. A blu-ray disc is able to hold more information per layer than a an HD DVD. HD DVDs have an advantage over the Blu-ray in terms of where the data is stored. HD DVDs store the data further away from the surface of the disc, which makes it less likely to be damaged by scratches. Blu-ray manufacturers have developed a special coating the prevents damage to the surface of the disc.

The most common size for a Blu-ray disc is 50 GB. At this size, one disc can hold over twenty hours of standard-definition video. When used for high-definition video, it can hold approximately nine hours worth of footage.

Blu-ray has several features that the manufacturers hope will help Blu-ray become more prevalent than DVDs. First, it has worked to incorporate Java technology for things such as menus, replacing the rather simple techniques used on DVD menus. They have also worked to develop digital rights management tools that would help protect the discs from being copied.

The DLP, or Digital Light Processing, TV is the rear projecting version of the new television technology that allows for a larger screen size with less depth than the CRT, or Cathode Ray Tube, TV. In many ways, the DLP is the best choice.

DLP TVs deliver consistently high quality images. Contrast, brightness, and black light are extremely good. The units are very durable, and long lasting. Tests on DLP units simulating 20 years of almost continuous use show virtually no potential problems. The images are good when viewed from almost any angle, and in any lighting. Response times are fast, and fast moving action images show no ghosting or blur. The screen can be very large without any significant loss of clarity.

The DLP has only a few drawbacks. Since it is a rear projection unit, it requires more space than its rival large screen competitors, however, when considering screen size, still much less depth is involved than in CRT TVs. The use of a spinning wheel to produce color sometimes causes what is known as “rainbows” when images are changing rapidly, or when the viewer looks away, and then looks back to the screen. This “rainbow” effect is not even noticed by some viewers, and tends to cause little concern in others. It is recommended to watch a floor model DLP for yourself to determine your own reaction to this issue. DLPs tend to be a bit more expensive, but when one considers the pros of this type of television compared to other technologies, the extra cost might very well be worth it.

LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display, televisions are one of the new technologies that have largely replaced the CRT, or Cathode Ray Tube, televisions in the Home Theater market. The LCD is somewhat familiar to most consumers familiar with computing as it has been widely used in monitors, and the trait that has made them popular in computer monitors is the major advantage in the television also. They can be extremely thin while having larger screen sizes. The elimination of the cathode tube has allowed this, and LCD TVs can be mounted in just about any place a picture could be hung.

Other pros of the LCD are their low power consumption, and the ability to use non-reflective screens which greatly enhances the picture quality in lighted rooms by eliminating glare from the environment. The LCD is also very rugged and less susceptible to damage in shipping and installation than most of its competition. The technology used to produce the light image retains brightness longer as well, and can even be recharged to a degree.

There are some cons. Because the light is reflected to the screen through tunnels directly behind the screen the image is perfect when viewed head on, but suffers a bit from angles. Also, the response time lags a bit, and this produces some blur in fast action images. The maximum screen size lags behind other flat panel technologies also. LCD TVs have a little higher cost to screen size ratio than its major competition.

LCD technology is advancing rapidly, and most of the negatives are being addressed and improved with each new entry into the market.

Plasma TVs represent one of the major new technologies in television that are competing in the home theater market. Lets look at some of the pros and cons.

One of the major advantages of the Plasma is its size. It represents a major improvement over CRT TVs in depth as the cathode tube is eliminated. Plasma TVs come in slim designs that can be wall mounted. They are the choice for those wishing to mount their television on the ceiling over their beds. Also, they can have a much larger sized screen, and still maintain quality picture reproduction. They have a very wide viewing angle, and good color consistency overall. The contrast ratio and response times are very good. This makes for a very clear picture with no “ghosting”, or blur.

As with any new technology there are some downsides. They are extremely fragile which creates problems in shipment and installation. Although like all new technologies, the price is dropping over time, but it is still quite high. They are susceptible to “burn-in”, although various measures have been taken to control and improve this problem. They also have a more limited life span at full brightness, and can not be recharged once brightness is lost. There is also some “noise” problems noted at elevations over six thousand feet.

Plasma TVs are not perfect, but it is an individual’s priorities that must determine if it is the pros or the cons which tip the scale.

It used to be that plasma TVs were considered the clear winner when deciding whether to purchase a plasma TV or an LCD TV. LCD TVs were limited in size and they were more expensive than a plasma TV. However, now the two are very similar both in size and in price.

So which is better? It depends a lot on which characteristics you are looking for.

For instance, a plasma screen TV tends to have better quality color in rooms that are normally lit or are dimly lit. An LCD TV will do better than a plasma when it is placed in a room with bright lighting. Also, if you watch a lot of sports or action movies, you probably will want to go with a plasma. LCD TVs can suffer from a slight lag when confronted with fast moving images.

However, most of the image considerations of a plasma vs LCD TV are rather inconsequential.The biggest pros and cons come when you examine the uses for the TVs.

If you are going to use your plasma or LCD as simply a TV, then you will probably be happy with either choice. However, if you want to use your TV as a computer monitor, then it is probably best to go with an LCD. When used as a computer monitor, plasma TVs are susceptible to having the image burned onto the screen. They also are somewhat unreliable when used to process computer signals.

LCD TVs are also used in airplanes because they are not affected by altitude. Plasma screens are.

Finally, what about how long each TV will last? Both plasma and LCD TVs have a similar half-life, suggested by the manufacturers to be around 60,000 hours. Each has its own problems. The white light lamp in the LCD can become slightly discolored over time, which will alter the affect it has on the colors produced on the screen. The plasma screen’s colors will dim over time. Again, there is no real winner.

Both LCD and Plasma TVs make great television choices. They do not vary enough to designate a clear winner.

LCD and Plasma TVs both represent new technology that have for the most part replaced CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions on the cutting age of the television market. Although CRT technology was capable of producing sharp images, and good contrast, as the demand for larger screens increased the size of the cathode ray tube, especially in terms of depth, increased to unacceptable dimensions.

The differences in LCD and Plasma technology centers around how the video signal is transferred to the screen. LCD televisions use two panels consisting of liquid crystal cells. The panels are offset in what is called an x/y configuration, which prevents light from passing through until the crystal is stimulated by an electronic signal which causes the light to “twist” and pass through the panel and light the pixel. Color is provided by what is called color subtraction where white light, which contains all colors, is blocked until the proper color is all that remains. This allows a wide variety of colors.

Plasma TVs also have panels but they contain what are called noble gases, xenon and neon. These gases are easily put into a “plasma” state by exciting them with electrical charges. When in the plasma state, the gases become ionized emitting free electrons that rush toward the positively charged neutrons, and the collisions between these particles emit the light that creates the image. The back of the cells are coated with what are called phosphors which emit colored light in response to the strength of the signal received.

Of course, this is a highly simplified look at the differences in the two technologies. In many ways LCD and Plasma technology was developed to address similar needs, and they have done so in their different manners.

The smallest plasma screens made today are typically 32 inches. There are some 37 inch models. Once you reach 42 inches, there are a large amount to choose from. NEC, JVC, Gateway, Fujitsu, Electrograph, Panasonic, Vizio, Toshiba, Pioneer, Sampo, Samsung and Sony all make a 42 inch plasma screen TVs.

The next step up is the 50 inch plasma TV. Fujitsu, NEC, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony and Akai all make 50 inch screens. After that are the 58/60/61 inch TVs. They are not very commonly made and are limited to a few manufacturers.

Samsung has announced plans to release a 80 inch plasma screen TV.

There are many options available whether you want to go with a “normal size” plasma television or something that is bound to be the centerpiece of your media room.