Plasma TVs to make debut in 2002

Dennis P. Barker, Audio Video Interiors

New generations of plasma technology and falling prices make the dream of owning a flat panel TV not so distant after all.

With the evolution of flat panel plasma displays, television truly is changing. Of course conventional sets offer state-of-the-art technology at reasonable prices; however, many consumers find them too big, too heavy, and too boxy.

Plasma televisions have come a long way in the last year or two. Originally available in only 40- to 42-inches, screen sizes now reach 50- and 60-inches. Along with technological advances, plasmas are becoming more affordable.

The average price for a 42-inch model is under US$8,000, and a 50-inch model is about $15,000 or less. The newer 60-inch models are priced around $27,500.

Some manufacturers are already on third-generation models and see a bright future for plasmas. Prices may be dropping but the technology behind these sets is still cutting-edge.

Plasma display panels (PDPs) consist of two glass plates meshed together like a sandwich filled with an inert gas using electrodes to selectively illuminate gas-filled cells.

If you think of the energy efficient thermapane windows that you now probably have in your home, you get the picture.

Between the glass panels, there can be more than one million three-dimensional pixel cells capable of producing 16.7 million colors.

A plasma TV is basically an array of cells known as pixels, which are comprised of three sub-pixels corresponding to the colors Red, Green and Blue (RGB).

The colored RGB phosphors are illuminated by a process of the gas being excited by voltage running through it (acting like neon or fluorescent lights). Electrodes (one positive/one negative) produce a current that excites the gas and energizes the phosphors, causing them to emit light.

One of the many benefits of plasma technology is that, unlike a conventional picture tube, there is no "hot spot"--all pixels are evenly lit across the screen for uniform brightness.

Also, since they are not affected by magnetic fields, plasma displays can be placed next to any loudspeaker without any disturbances in the picture.

In addition to brightness, contrast ratio is an equally important factor. The higher the contrast ratio, the blacker the blacks.

This makes all colors deeper and robust. Many 42-inch widescreen 16:9 sets feature 800 x 600-pixel resolution or, 852 x 480-pixel count resolution.

These monitors can easily display 480p (progressive). More and more models, however, are now XGA-quality or better--especially the 50- and 60-inch widescreen models that offer 1356 x 768-pixel resolution, 1280 x 768-pixel or 1024 x 1024-pixel count resolutions.

These sets provide HD or near HD-quality resolution and can display either 720p or 1080i images (besides 480p).

Plasma sets feature several connectors including component video, S-Video, RGB, RGBHV, RGBHD, BNC, and standard composite video RCA-type jack inputs/outputs (in PAL/SECAM/NTSC).

Some models may also include IEEE 1394 or DVi input, which may be important in the years to come. Many models include either line doublers or progressive scan converters to further improve overall display image quality.

Brands like Pioneer and Philips, for example, are now placing the electronics that drive the display in a separate box so that as technology changes, the plasma screen does not become obsolete. Prices can range from under $8,000 to almost $35,000 depending on screen size, features included, and higher pixel counts.

For example, Philips' FlatTV can be purchased by itself, or as part of a home theater Dolby Digital system that includes the 42- inch flat panel display, a 181channel NTSC TV tuner, and a powerful A/V receiver--priced well under $12,000.

While it may be one of the most expensive all-in-one Home Theater-in-a-Box plasma systems presently available, it's for the customer who wants the ultimate one-stop shopping.

The year 2002 will see several more 60-inch models from companies like Panasonic, Pioneer, and Zenith with prices in the $25,000+ range.

The beauty of plasma televisions is that many weigh about 100 pounds, sometimes less, and can be wall-mounted, placed on a stand or even mounted in an A/V cabinet.

Sales projections for plasma TVs are expected to rise to seven million units by the year 2005 (according to Strategy Analytics, Inc.). In fact, some experts predict that prices will drop to the $3,000 range for 42-inch screens by 2003.

It's not surprising that many homeowners and interior designers are embracing flat panel TVs. When they're not displaying spectacular film images, these sets double as artwork.

Most are multi-scan monitors with many including VGA & SVGA inputs and can be used for eye-popping video wallpaper. For example, you could display images from your computer's DVD-ROM drive or from a handful of DVD players that playback DVD-ROM (such as the Nuon models from Samsung or Toshiba).

Just think, you could display the great works of art from the Louvre or metropolitan museums in your own living room.

With screen sizes rising and prices falling, a plasma set could well be in your future.