Flat Panel TV FAQs
Q: Does the "plasma" in plasma televisions need to be recharged or replaced over time?
A: No. The plasma gases are sealed in individual cells when they are manufactured. There is no way to recharge or replace the gases. However, plasma TVs, when used normally, will last you many, many years (up to 20 years) so you don't have to worry about the screen burning out for a long time.
Q: Are plasma and LCD TVs difficult to install?
A: While you may want to hire a professional electrician to help you with wiring if you are installing your plasma or LCD television on a wall, you can also easily place the television on a stand yourself and place it anywhere you like.
Q: Do plasma and LCD TVs give off radiation?
A: All electronic devices, including televisions, must comply with FDA guidelines (in the United States) and CSA guidelines (in Canada) on radiation emission before being permitted to be sold to the public. While there is radiation emission in the form of ultraviolet light, the amount is negligible and you are unlikely to be affected by it watching the television from normal distances.
Q: What are anamorphic widescreen DVD movies?
A: There are two common ways of recording wide format movies on a DVD: letterbox and anamorphic. Anamorphic recordings are also commonly labeled “Enhanced for 16:9 TV’s”. Anamorphic recordings have over 30% more vertical resolution than letterbox format.
Q: Do LCD’s have a burn-in problem?
A: No. Unlike CRT and plasma TVs, liquid crystal displays do not use phosphor and thus have no problems with a still image becoming permanently stored on the screen.
Q: Can I use a game console such as Sony Playstation 2, Nintendo Game Cube or Microsoft XBOX with my LCD TV?
A: Yes. If you intend to use a game console and/or watch standard TV broadcasts over cable, satellite or antenna, an LCD TV is a necessary and superior choice over widescreen plasma and CRT televisions. The repetitive image from games and unused black filled borders will damage a plasma TV by burning a permanent image into the phosphor.
Q: Will leaving my LCD TV on cause the image to degrade?
A: No. Unlike plasma TV’s, this LCD TV does not exhibit aging over time. The brightness of the image remains the same. Sufficient airflow is important to maintain a cool operating temperature.
Q: Can I mount my LCD-TV straight into drywall or plaster?
A: No, drywall or plaster alone will not offer enough support. A structural beam or stud must be used as the anchor for the wall mount.
More articles at our Flat Screen TV Articles page.
