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What is a Plasma TV?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A plasma TV is a high definition (HDTV) alternative to the standard cathode ray televisions sold today. It provides sharp images and vibrant colors, especially when used in conjunction with high definition broadcasts. Quite often a plasma screen is designed in a 16:9 ratio for wide screen movie formats, as opposed to the box-like 4:3 ratio of standard televisions. A quality plasma TV is not cheap, however. Units start at $2,000 USD and can be as high as $15,000 USD or more.

One of the chief selling points of a plasma TV is a flat screen, which allows it to be mounted directly on a wall without a lot of clearance required. Investors in this type of TV may also employ surround-sound theater speakers and high-end receivers to complete the feeling of luxury. Plasma televisions have become status symbols among technophiles and other wealthy consumers.

A plasma TV is a high definition, flat screen television that provides sharp images and vibrant colors.
A plasma TV is a high definition, flat screen television that provides sharp images and vibrant colors.

The science behind a plasma TV is very complicated, so welcome to the wiseGEEK school of oversimplification. 'Plasma' is a scientific term referring to gases like neon and xenon which glow when exposed to an electrical field. Plasma is sometimes called the fourth state of matter, after liquids, solids and gases. Think of a neon sign or fluorescent light bulb to understand plasma as it applies here.

Some plasma TVs can be hung on the wall.
Some plasma TVs can be hung on the wall.

Televisions in general rely on thousands of small 'picture elements', abbreviated as pixels. With any color television, a bundle of three separate colors comprise one pixel, usually red, green and blue. By controlling the level of each color, all of the other colors of the spectrum can be produced in each pixel. The viewer is usually so far from the screen that the individual pixels blur into each other and the illusion of motion is created as they change color. This is true of any television system, plasma or otherwise.

Flat-screen plasma TVs have individual pixels made of tiny containers of an inert gas, such as neon or xenon.
Flat-screen plasma TVs have individual pixels made of tiny containers of an inert gas, such as neon or xenon.

In a plasma TV, the individual pixels are made from three tiny containers of an inert gas such as neon or xenon. There are literally hundreds of thousands of these tiny tubes on an average plasma screen. All of these individual pixels are sandwiched between two electrically-charged plates. Remember that plasma glows when exposed to an electrical current. A computer processing unit receives signals from a cable or broadcast antenna which tells it how to reassemble the entire picture hundreds of times per second.

The computer controls the electrical field down to individual pixels, allowing different combinations of colors to glow. The viewer is usually not aware of all the changes, because his or her brain is processing all of the information as a continuously moving image. Because a plasma TV screen contains quite a few more pixels than a standard television, the image is noticeably sharper. Each pixel combination can reproduce an exact hue, not a quick approximation. This means the colors are usually deeper and richer.

The main drawback of a plasma TV system is vulnerability to damage. If a hard object strikes the screen, hundreds of individual gas-filled tubes instantly lose their ability to glow. Replacing all of those elements is a time-consuming and expensive process, if it can be done at all. Owners of plasma systems should always consider purchasing insurance and extended warranties, since the most common fix appears to be total replacement of the screen. Because the gas forming the plasma can leak or become less reactive to electrical charges, plasma TV systems do have a limited shelf life. It may take several years before a noticeable change in picture quality, but the cumulative effects are similar to what happens in neon and fluorescent lighting-eventually the gas inside the tube will begin to flicker instead of burning steadily.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon926332

In the UK it doesn't matter what Samsung would say regarding warranties not existing. You would simply take it back to the shop where you bought it where the shop is legally obliged to swap it for another, per the sales of goods act.

anon327628

According to Samsung, if your plasma screen is damaged in any way, such as it has the smallest of chip or indentation, even if it was there when purchased new, the screen is not guaranteed at all and any such guarantee is non-existent in the first place. They have a warranty card which is not a card but an actual part of a page of the manual, which has four conditions, but does not state what is void under the warranty.

anon273657

What is in a smart/normal tv?

anon109061

I just got a 50 inch Plasma today, LG brand. Anything I should look out for?

FrameMaker

@ Snappy- Plasmas have some advantages in screen refresh rates, and image quality, but they are often only noticeable to the videophile. Although the plasma has slightly better picture quality, they are notoriously fragile and they use a large amount of energy.

The cost of owning a plasma television is much higher than the cost of owning a comparable LCD. You will likely spend as much in energy expenses on a plasma television as you would spend on an energy efficient refrigerator. They are also thicker and heavier than an LCD, and repairs are more expensive.

snappy

I'd been told by a friend that plasma TV's can get an image "burned in" but other than the price that was the only bad thing I'd heard.

The salesmen (of course) never mentioned anything about how easily damaged they are OR that they wear out after a few years!

Thankfully we decided that the plasma cost too much for something that is essentially for entertainment. We went with an LCD and are very happy with it so far!

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    • A plasma TV is a high definition, flat screen television that provides sharp images and vibrant colors.
      By: Pavel Losevsky
      A plasma TV is a high definition, flat screen television that provides sharp images and vibrant colors.
    • Some plasma TVs can be hung on the wall.
      By: Kirill Kedrinski
      Some plasma TVs can be hung on the wall.
    • Flat-screen plasma TVs have individual pixels made of tiny containers of an inert gas, such as neon or xenon.
      By: naypong
      Flat-screen plasma TVs have individual pixels made of tiny containers of an inert gas, such as neon or xenon.