Multisystem Televisions

• Things to know before buying an LCD television?
• What is a multisystem TV?
• Will multisystem TVs work anywhere in the world?
• What areas of the world will a typical multisystem TV not work?
• How are your television delivered?
• Which televisions are stereo?
• Why are multisystem TVs different sizes than regular American TVs?
• Features and Benefits of DLP TVs
• The Features and Benefits of the Multisystem LCD TV
• The Features and Benefits of the Multisystem Plasma TV
• Features and Benefits of Regular Tube TVs
• A Look at the Various Formats of Plasma TV Technology
• A Buyer’s Guide to DLP TVs
• A Buyer’s Guide to LCD TVs
• A Buyer’s Guide to Plasma TV Technology
• A Buyer’s Guide to Regular Tube TVs
• A Look at Today's Innovative LCD TV
• Links to customer reviews available online

What is a multisystem TV?

A multisystem TV is a TV capable of receiving and displaying different video systems like PAL, SECAM and NTSC.

Will multisystem TVs work anywhere in the world?

You'll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country's outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. They can generally be picked up at an electronics store such as Radio Shack for $1.95.

What areas of the world will a typical multisystem TV not work?

France, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay use very rare video systems which require very special types of televisions. France broadcasts in SECAM-L and the only television available in SECAM-L is the Grundig 15". Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay broadcast in PAL-M and PAL-N and the only television available that uses these systems is the Zenith 29".

How are your televisions delivered?

Television which are smaller than 29" will be shipped by UPS. In certain cases when a television is too heavy, it may be shipped via freight even though it's less than 29". Televisions which are 29" or larger are always shipped by freight.

Which televisions are stereo?

Multisystem televisions which are smaller than 29" are generally monophonic only. Most televisions 29" or larger have stereo sound. Please inquire before purchasing regarding a television's ability to output stereo sound or not.

Why are multisystem TVs different sizes than regular American TVs?

Multisystem televisions are generally intended for the overseas market where they use a different method of measuring their TVs. In North America, the measurement is only the visible part of the television tube. The casing of televisions generally cover a small portion of the tube. With multisystem TVs, the measurement covers the entire tube including the area covered by the televisions casing. So even though a multisystem television and an American television look the same size, the specifications may indicate that the screen on the multisystem TV is larger. Also, standard television screen measurement is done diagonally from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.

TV Systems

It’s not so long ago that you were limited in your choice of TV systems. Mainly, the factors affecting your choice were simply the size of screen you required, and whether or not it would fit in with the décor of the room you intended to install it in. Nowadays, though, there are many more options.

Standard television screens are measured diagonally from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.

It should be pointed out, however, that, in some countries, they use a different method of measuring their TVs. In North America, the measurement is only the visible part of the screen; the casing usually covers a small portion of it. With multisystem TVs, the entire tube is measured, including the area covered by the television’s casing. So although a multisystem television, or any other television intended for the overseas market and an American television may look the same size, the specifications may indicate that the visible area on the multisystem TV is larger.

Multisystem TV

A multisystem TV is one capable of receiving and displaying different video systems such as PAL, SECAM and NTSC.

They will operate in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 volt or a 220 volt power supply. In some cases, if the plug isn’t compatible with the power socket, an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. This can usually be bought at a hardware shop or an electronics store such as Radio Shack for about $1.95.

However, there are some countries within which some multi-system TVs will not work. France, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay require very special types of televisions for they use very rare video systems. France broadcasts in SECAM-L; the only television available which will receive SECAM-L is the Grundig 15". Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay broadcast in PAL-M and PAL-N; the only television available that will receive these systems is the Zenith 29".

Televisions smaller than 29" will be shipped by UPS, unless it is too heavy, in which case it may be shipped via freight even though it's less than 29". Televisions 29" or larger are always shipped by freight.

Multisystem televisions smaller than 29" are generally monophonic only. Most televisions 29" or larger have stereo sound. Please inquire before purchasing whether a television can produce stereo sound or not.

Features and Benefits of DLP TVs

The world of television has more acronyms than a military headquarters. We all know CRT and LCD, but a more recent acronym with which many TV buyers are becoming familiar is DLP. This means ‘digital light processing’, and was first developed at Texas Instruments in 1987. It was mainly used in video projectors and similar items, and Texas Instruments remains the main manufacturer of this technology.

However, many other manufacturers make DLP products under license from Texas Instruments, building their products around the TI chipset. DLP techniques are also used in a number of specialized applications such as lithography and imaging.

DLP is different from other video technology in that it utilizes a small digital micromirror device (DMD) to tilt more than 1.3 million of these mirrors. Each of these mirrors is smaller than the width of a human hair, and is moved either towards or away from the light source contained within the DLP device. This process creates the dark and light pixels which appear on the screen.

The light is then filtered through a color wheel, which rotates 120 times every second. This process can produce 1024 different shades of gray; this gradation of color really makes DLP stand out. These are achieved by use of color filters which are backlit with exactly the right intensity of pure white light.

The DLP system consists of four main components. The DMD chip, which controls the mirrors, the color wheel, the light source and the optics.

To produce the picture, the light from the lamp passes through the color wheel filter and into the DMD chip. This switches its mirrors on or off according to the color which is reflected off them.

This technology is rapidly becoming a major player in the world of the rear projection TV, and more than two million of these TVs have already been sold. Over 50 manufacturers sell at least one DLP based television, and in 2004’ had achieved a 10% share of the market.

Small standalone units, known as front projectors, have also become popular items for business presentations and for home theater.

Advantages of DLP Technology

The advantages of DLP technology include:

Smooth Images, free of jitter

Elimination of screen burn in

Good contrast

Good color depth.

DLP rear projection televisions are usually smaller, thinner and lighter than similarly sized CRT televisions. The light source is replaceable, which may provide a longer lifespan than either a traditional CRT televisions or plasma screen displays. The light source is much easier to replace than that of an LCD model; many models feature light sources that can be easily changed by the owner. The newest LED light sources on the market, introduced in April of 2006, have been shown to last 20,000 hours before replacement is necessary.

Disadvantages of DLP Technology

In some single chip DLP designs, viewers may be bothered by the so called “rainbow effect”, which affects how colors are displayed on the TV and seen by the viewer.

It’s not as thin or sleek as LCD or plasma displays, though the weight is similar.

Some models have a noisy cooling fan.

Replacement bulbs can be expensive, ranging from $200 to $500

Competing Technologies

The main competitor to DLP for rear projection television systems is the LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) system.. This produces images by using a stationary mirror mounted on the surface of a chip, and creates the image by using a liquid crystal matrix to control how much light is reflected.

These competing standards are still under development, so it is important to shop around, and read many reviews before deciding upon a purchase.

When shopping for a DLP television, it is important to learn as much as possible about the new technology, It is equally important to shop around for the best possible price. You should to look carefully at the kind of tuner the unit uses.

Many modern television sets are multisystem devices, which means that they are capable of reading the NTSC signal used in North America and Japan, but they can also receive competing standards like PAL and SECAM. This can be an important consideration, so you should ensure that you understand these various formats and how they affect you as a viewer.

Most modern TVs are built to accept signals from cable TV and satellite TV boxes, DVD players, VCRs, and sometimes, computers. A VGA or DVI connection will allow the unit to be used as a computer monitor as well as a television, but caution should be exercised when using any kind of rear pction TV for this purpose. While plasma TVs often make excellent computer monitors, DLP and the like may not be able to provide the depth and resolution to which computer users are accustomed.

Prices of televisions in general, and DLP televisions in particular, have become more affordable in recent years. But, these TVs are still major purchases, and it’s wise to give your purchase the appropriate consideration. Shopping around carefully will help you to obtain the lowest price, and the best overall value.

Features and Benefits of the Multisystem LCD TV

The technological innovation in television in the last twenty years that has most commanded public attention and excitement is the LCD TV. When these flat screen displays first arrived on the market, they were too expensive for all the but the wealthiest customers.. But, like many aspects of technology, their price has come down considerably over the last couple of years.

LCD is short for liquid crystal display and, while LCD technology has been around for several years, only in the last decade did it become suitable for the high quality flat panel television and computer monitor displays we see today.

The most notable feature of LCD is the thinness of the unit, but the power behind that thin design is really quite extensive. The display on an LCD panel is made up of picture elements, or ‘pixels’. The resolution the flat panel display is determined partially by the number of pixels contained in it. Typically, panel displays range from hundreds of thousands of pixels to millions of pixels, and the more pixels there are, the better the picture resolution will be.

LCD televisions come in many different shapes and sizes. They are typically designed to accommodate a 16 to 9 display ratio, which makes them perfect for watching widescreen displays such as DVDs, as well as traditional television shows.

LCD televisions, flat panel computer monitors and similar devices have a number of built in advantages, which have made them so successful with buyers everywhere. These are:

The displays on an LCD television are brighter than on a CRT television, because of the special way they work. A traditional CRT television or monitor uses a tube to create the display; the LCT TV uses pixels, making a brighter display.

The LCD television or computer monitor picture will be free of flicker, since the LCD display will have a constant source of light throughout the entire screen. Once the pixel is turned on it remains on. Compare this with the CRT television, which must refresh the screen periodically with a ray of light moving down the TV.

Another great advantage of the LCD TV is its superior energy efficiency. It will be up to 65% more energy efficient than traditional televisions, helping to protect the environment while saving you money.

The slender design turns heads and catches the attention of buyers. LCD displays can be as thin as 49mm (just over 19 inches), which means that the TV can be placed almost anywhere. Some of them are so thin that they can be hung on the wall, just as you would hang a picture … providing that you have a suitable wall mounting bracket that which will take the weight of the unit.

A Guide to Some LCD TV Terms

The aspect ratio of the TV determines its suitability for watching movies and television programming in true widescreen format. The traditional television has always used a aspect ratio of 4:3, i.e. 4” wide, 3” high, or multiples thereof. The typical LCD television uses an aspect ratio of 16:9, providing a truer widescreen picture perfect for watching DVD and VHS movies, as well as traditional television programming.

The candela is a standard unit of brightness, and is derived from the number of candles required to produce the same intensity of light. Therefore a rating such as 450 cd/m2 means that 450 candles in a square meter area would be needed to produce the same amount of light.

The contrast ratio is the difference in intensity of light between the darkest black and the brightest white on the display. The higher the contrast ratio the sharper and cleaner the picture will be.

HDTV – high definition television, ( HDTV) for short, is quickly becoming the standard for television signal technology, and it is advisable to seek an LCD TV that is HDTV ready.

The TV inputs are essential if you plan to connect a DVD player, VCR, game console, computer or other device to the set. There are many kinds of input, and the TV you choose should provide a number of options for getting signals to the device. A TV with a variety of inputs will allow you to connect a number of different devices to the TV, greatly enhancing its versatility and its value.

You should make sure that LCD TV you select has the proper tuner for playing the TV signal you have coming in to the house. Many plasma screen and LCD TVs will not have a built in tuner, meaning that they will need to pick up that television signal from a cable box, satellite TV box, DirectTV signal or other similar device. Make sure you understand the type of tuner that comes with the TV you are considering, and purchase all the accessories you will need when buying the TV.

Only the highest quality component cabling to connect that LCD display to your DVD player, VCR, Laser Disk player, computer or other device should be used. These will provide the best picture and sound quality, which will further enhance the display of the LCD TV you have chosen.

The suggested retail price of the typical LCD TV will vary according to a number of factors, such as the size of the display, the thinness of the display and the quality of the manufacturer. You should shop around as much as possible, and read the reviews of all the models you are considering. You might also keep an eye out for discounts, sales etc.

The ability to play several different television signal formats, such as PAL, NTSC and SECAM, is a factor to be considered. Different parts of the world use different formats for television signals and video products, and buying one of these multisystem LCD TVs makes it more versatile and useful while getting the best value for your money.

The Features and Benefits of the Multisystem Plasma TV

Of the many exciting developments in the world of television entertainment, the plasma TV has proved to be one of the most popular. Many plasma screen televisions are slim and lightweight enough to hang on a wall, making them perfect for any room of the house.

The price of a plasma screen television has fallen considerably since they were first marketed some years ago. The first flat panel and plasma televisions were too expensive for any but the wealthiest to afford, but now, their price has dropped to such a level that the average buyer can afford them.

The most important feature to ask about when buying a plasma screen TV is its ability to play a number of different formats, including PAL, SECAM and NTSC.

Multisystem plasma televisions have a number of advantages over single format systems, and it is suggested that the buyer shop around for the best combination of quality and value.

Plasma televisions are the latest technology, giving high quality displays and large screen viewing sizes. They use an array of cells, called ‘pixels’ to display their picture. Each pixel is made up of three sub-pixels, corresponding to the colors of red, blue and green. The television uses gas in a plasma state to produce the picture, which reacts with the phosphors within the sub-pixels to produce high quality color.

The phosphors in the plasma TV are the same as those used by a traditional television, but each of the sub-pixels is individually controlled using advanced electronics. This procedure can produce more than 16 million colors, giving a richer color depth in a very slender package.

The screen of a plasma TV is less than six inches thick, making it perfect for any room of the house.

The plasma TV is excellent for home theatres, and since they have become more affordable, many homeowners are building home theatres to enjoy the latest movies and television programs. These plasma displays are rapidly turning into the center of home entertainment, and a number of other devices, such as DVD players, hard drive recorders, HDTV receivers, computers and video games, can be connected to a plasma screen TV.

The multisystem plasma TV can play a number of different formats, and connect to a number of different broadcast signals. Digital TV, and high definition digital TV (HDTV), have been making major inroads into broadcasting, and television buyers are strongly recommended to buy a TV that is HDTV ready.

Digital television has considerably improved both picture and sound quality compared to normal NTSC analog programming. There are two distinct kinds of digital programming – standard analog definition television (SDTV) or high definition television (HDTV).

HDTV provides the highest quality in digital entertainment, providing up to 1,080 scan lines, and it is rapidly becoming format of choice for entertainment enthusiasts.. SDTV is also a great improvement over the standard television signal of today, and the SDTV signal allows television stations to broadcast several different programs using the same bandwidth as the HDTV signal.

The thinness of the plasma TV has allowed these TVs to provide a combination of large size and convenience that was impossible with the traditional CRT television technology. Plasma TVs can be mounted on the wall, providing more flexibility and convenience than traditional TVs. The thinnest plasma TVs on the market are barely more than three inches thick, and they can provide very large viewing areas. Some of the most popular sizes are 37”, 42” and 50”, but some can be more than 60” in size.

Plasma televisions provide a higher resolution than other forms of television, are capable of displaying a wide variety of signals, including HDTV, DTV and traditional television signals. They are also capable of capturing signals from VGA, SVGA and XGA signals from computers, making them even more versatile.

Traditional CRT screens use an electron beam which repeatedly scans the picture tube from top to bottom, and these scan lines can be visible to the naked eye. Plasma TVs, however, include built in line doubling, and this serves to further enhance viewing quality by providing a picture free of visible scan lines.

Unlike traditional televisions, plasma screens offer a perfectly flat viewing surface, with no curvature at all. This true flat screen eliminates the distortion that can occur around the edges of a curved screen..

Considerations for the Plasma TV Buyer

Plasma TVs generally do not come with built in tuners. Buyers must therefore provide a signal from a cable or satellite box. Other signal sources can be a DVD player, a computer or an HDTV tuner and receiver. You should buy upgraded video cables in order to get the most from your plasma TV; it is a major purchase, the highest quality cables should go with it. Use of inferior cables and other items will be much more obvious on a plasma TV than on a traditional CRT screen.

It is recommended that you ensure that the plasma TV you are considering is fully HDTV ready, and can play a variety of different formats, such as PAL, NTSC, and SECAM. It should be capable of accepting video signals from a variety of devices, including computers, DVD players, VCRs and Laser Disc players, if you are contemplating using such devices.

If you are looking for a great plasma TV, you should carefully read the reviews of each TV you are considering. The most popular makers of Plasma TVs include Toshiba, Hitachi, Phillips, Sharp, Samsung, Panasonic and Sony. Although the prices of plasma screen televisions have fallen in recent years, these TVs are still major purchases, and it pays to give it the consideration it deserves.

Features and Benefits of Regular Tube TVs

In spite of the new LCD, plasma and DLP televisions, regular tube CRT televisions still have their place, and consumers would be doing themselves a disservice to assume that new technology is always the best, and discarding or disregarding the old.

It is advisable to consider all the advantages, and the potential pitfalls, of every type of TV. The price to consider the price, and value for money, that each type represents are strong considerations

Traditional tube televisions are called by a number of different names, including CRT televisions, tube televisions or direct view televisions. The features of each TV you are considering should be taken into account., and you should ascertain that the new regular tube TV is HDTV (high definition television) and DTV (digital television) ready.

Traditional tube televisions are available in a wide variety of screen sizes, but most consumers will be looking for the largest size available.

Tube televisions still have a number of important advantages in the modern world, including:

It is hard to get a much simpler television set than a traditional tube TV. All you have to do is put the TV on a stand ‘connect the antenna or the cable TV signal and plug it in. This is much easier than hanging a wall mountable LCD or plasma TV, or setting a up a projector, a screen and a separate audio system.

Even with the advent of the more modern television systems,, traditional CRT televisions are still quite capable of delivering excellent picture quality, and providing the best black level, shadow detail, contrast and color performance of any TV. An HDTV tube television can, in some cases, provide a better image quality than the newer, more expensive kinds.

The prices of plasma and LCD televisions have reduced dramatically, but some of them still sell for thousands of dollars. Traditional tube televisions in 23” and 25” sizes, though, are priced in the hundreds of dollars range. Even a large 36” widescreen HDTV ready CRT TV sells for as little as $1,500, whereas a similar sized 37” LCD TV may be cost as much as $3,500. Certainy, a tube TV offers better value per viewing inch than either plasma, LCD or DLP.

Unlike some other types of television, a CRT television can be viewed with the room lights on, or in a bright room without compromising image quality.

The HDTV ready tube TVs with flat tubes can be viewed from just about any angle with little loss of picture quality. In viewing angle a traditional tube TV can be the same as on a flat screen plasma or LCD TV, has a much better viewing angle than rear projection TVs.

The CRT television has no lamps or filters to change, unlike plasma, LCD and DLP sets. A long life expectancy, and no maintenance requirements are also desirable features.

But, CRT televisions have their disadvantages, too, otherwise plasma, LCD and DLP would not have made such

A typical 36” CRT tube TV measures a good two feet deep and can weigh more than 200 pounds, compared to the 3” depth and 50 pound weight of an equivalent LCD TV. So, it will need much more floor space than a similarly sized LCD or plasma TV and its weight makes it more difficult and cumbersome to move.

The largest tube televisions available have a diagonal size of about 38”; LCD, plasma and DLP TVs can be much larger. Although the maximum size of the newer screens is continually increasing, no further growth is expected in the size of tube televisions, as the size and weight of the CRT makes it very difficult to proceed beyond the current size.

Some people regard the tube television as yesterday’s technology. But, there is nothing wrong with the technology itself. CRT televisions have catered for the needs of millions around the world, and there is no reason it cannot last far into the future, especially with the advent of HDTV and DTV ready models.

When purchasing a traditional tube television it is advisable to look for modern touches such as these. Some televisions allow several different inputs, not only from antennas, cable and satellite systems but from computer monitors, video games and other sources.

As with any purchase, it pays to shop around for the best possible deal.. Despite the growing popularity of LCD, plasma and DLP televisions, the traditional tube television still commands the largest market share, which means there are many models to choose from. Just about every manufacturer of electronics equipment in the world makes tube televisions, so comparing brands and models is simple .

A Look at the Various Formats of Plasma TV Technology

There are many different formats in plasma television technology, and those looking for the ideal plasma TV should ensure that it is capable of playing most of the formats encountered around the world, including PAL, NTSC and SECAM.

You should be aware of other things you may be required to buy besides the television itself. Most of these TVs will not come with their own tuner, so a cable or satellite TV service, DVD, VCR or computer input will be required..

Only the highest quality cables to connect these external devices to the TV. High quality televisions are very sensitive, and using of superior cabling will get the best results from them.

The PAL Format

PAL is short for phase alternating line, a color encoding system used to broadcast television signals in large portions of the world. PAL generally refers to the 625 line/50Hz television system found primarily in European countries, and to differentiate the system from the 525 line/60Hz systems, known as NTSC, used in North America, Central America and Japan. Buyers of DVDs must understand this difference, as not all DVD players are capable of playing both formats.

PAL formats are used in a number of different countries throughout the world, including all of Europe, many parts of Asia and of Africa.

The NTSC Format

The NTSC format is mainly used in Central and South America ,the United States, and Japan. Television shoppers and DVD purchasers should be aware of the differences between the PAL and NTSC formats, to make sure they purchase the right products for their part of the world.

The term NTSC is an acronym for National Television System Committee, the standardization body responsible for the creation of the format.

This was established in 1940 by the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) to resolve conflicts which had arisen over the introduction of a national analog television system in the United States. In March 1941, the committee issued a technical standard for black and while television, based on an earlier recommendation by the Radio Manufacturers Association.

After some years of inaction, the National Television System Committee was re-established in 1950, in order to make a decision about color TV. They approved what is now known as the NTSC color television standard in 1953.

Over the years there have been some changes in the NTSC standard, known as NTSC I, NTSC II and NTSC III. These are as follows:

NTSC I first became the standard in 1941, initially in the US but later embracing Canada. The NTSC I standard was the original black and white broadcasting standard.

NTSC II is the color version of the NTSC standard.

NTSC III was developed to accommodate the new digital televisions, which were introduced in the 1980s. Unlike NTSC all aspects of the NTSC III format are strictly designed.

The NTSC format is used in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as throughout Central America and the Caribbean. It also used throughout South America, and in Japan and many other parts of Asia.

The SECAM Standard

The SECAM standard is commonly used in France. The acronym SECAM means ‘Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire’, or “sequential color with memory”. SECAM is an analog color TV system pioneered in France, and recognized as the first color television standard used in Europe.

Like PAL, NTSC and the other color standards, SECAM is a compatible standard. This means that black and white television receivers that were made before its adoption can still show the programs, although only in monochrome.

This compatibility is achieved by adding a second signal to the basic black and white signal; the signal is designed to carry the color information to the set.

Work started on the SECAM standard in 1956; by the end of the 1950s it was in place. It was still too early, however, for widespread introduction of the devices capable of playing its signals.

The first SECAM standard was introduced in France during the 1960s, but color television was not instantly popular. A year after the final SECAM standard came online, less than a quarter of the expected sales of color sets had been achieved.

The SECAM standard was eventually adopted by Belgium, as well as former French and Belgian colonies. The countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the Soviet Union followed suit. But, with the fall of the Soviet Union came the introduction of competing standards, and many Eastern European countries have changed to the PAL format.

With all these competing color television standards available, it is easy to understand why it can be desirableto choose a plasma TV capable of playing several different formats. The advent of these multiformat capable plasma televisions is one of the most important improvements in electronics, and those looking for a new television set or DVD player would do well to keep these standards in mind.

A Buyer’s Guide to DLP TVs

There are many types of TV on the market today, and sometimes, it seems that a new television technology is emerging daily. This array of choices, from traditional CRT displays to LCD and plasma models, can be confusing and overwhelming, unless a shopper takes the time to educate him or herself about the various types of TVs available. This way, you will be in a better position to obtain the best price and value from your new TV.

DLP technology is one of the fastest growing segments of the television market, and by 2004 had captured 10% of the market. DLP televisions use the same principle used to power projectors and similar devices. The technology that makes DLP televisions possible was invented at Texas Instruments in 1987, and they remain the primary manufacturer of this technology.

DLP television is so unique because it uses a small digital micromirror device, or DMD, to tilt over 1.3 million tiny mirrors, each smaller than the width of a human hair. Each of these mirrors is tilted either toward or away from the light source, producing the light and dark pixels that make up the display.

DLP televisions are rear projection TVs, but they are not as large, as heavy or as bulky as the traditional rear projection televisions of years ago.

Most electronic equipment manufactures make DLP televisions, including such popular brand names as Sony, Samsung, Philips and Toshiba. It is desirable to inspect the models carefully and to read the reviews of the various models contemplated. The quality varies widely from one manufacturer to another and from model to model, so you would be well advised to shop around carefully.

The price of these televisions varies considerably, also. The larger televisions usually cost more than the smaller ones; typical prices for a 50” HDTV ready DLP television range from around $1,500 to just over $2,500. The actual price will vary according to the features offered in a particular model.

DLP televisions can be had in standard or widescreen format, so your own preferences and viewing habits should be taken into account when making your choice. Many viewers prefer the truer theatre quality picture of a widescreen TV, while others prefer a traditional shaped TV.

For those who plan to upgrade to HDTV in the future, however, it should be noted that HDTV signals are transmitted with widescreen viewing devices in mind.

What to Expect from a DLP TV

There are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to enjoying television and movies on a DLP screen. The main competitor to DLP, regarding price and quality, is the plasma TV, and sometimes the higher end of the range of LCD TVs. Any consumer considering buying a DLP TV might well look at plasma and LCD TVs as well.

The technology does come with a number of important features and benefits, including:

Smooth, jitter free images

None of the screen burn in that can plague other types of TV.

Good contrast and good color depth

DLP rear projection TVs are thinner, smaller and lighter than traditional TVs

Long lasting light source – units can have an estimated lamp life of up to 20,000 hours

The disadvantages of DLP televisions include:

They are not as thin or as slender looking as the best plasma displays, even though the actual weight is comparable.

The bulbs are user replaceable and built to last, but they are quite expensive. Most models of bulb cost between $200 and $500.

Some models may have fans that are quite noisy. Listen carefully to the fan before making a decision between models.

DLP or Plasma?

The main competitor to DLP television is the plasma TV, and the quality of the picture, the clarity and the depth of color of both should be considered before making a decision. Both technologies can provide exceptional depth of color and clarity, you should look carefully at the specifications of the TV which interests you. This will tell you a great deal about the quality to be expected.

One of the greatest advantages of DLP is its brightness and its viewing angle. DLP televisions can have an excellent viewing angle, much better than older models of rear projection televisions and often as good as a plasma TV.

DLP televisions are very bright and attractive, and nothing can burn out except a single lamp. These lamps are quite expensive, ranging between $200 and $500 in price, but they are easily replaced, and most of them have a very long life expectancy.

Since they are rear projection devices, DLP TVs are well suited to the larger sizes in which they are available. Even large DLP televisions can often fit well on a tabletop or a stand, and they are available in 40”, 50”, 61” and many other sizes.

In some cases the DLP TV will need nearly as much room as the traditional rear projection television, but in other cases they will need much less space. The TV should be measured carefully, to ensure that it will fit into the space where it is intended it will be situated.

DLP televisions have a definite advantage where price is concerned. The price of a DLP television is less than that of a plasma TV on a per viewing inch basis. It is emphasised you should shop around as much as possible; this will help to ensure you can obtain the lowest price and the best overall value.

A Buyer’s Guide to LCD TVs

The LCD (liquid crystal display) television has been much improved and altered in a short period of time. This changing technology has been able to provide better quality televisions and computer monitors at lower prices than before. But, it has made the process of choosing your television a little bit more complicated. It is advantageous to know what you are looking for, how much you can expect to pay, and what features and benefits you will get for your money.

Naturally, the prices of LCD televisions will vary widely depending upon the size and quality of the display, the resolution of the screen, and the brand name of the television. The price of LCD TVs has come down dramatically, and the smaller models are often available for about $200 at many discount retailers and electronics stores.

At the upper end of the market, however, there is no limit on price. You can buy a room filling LCD or plasma display that can cost $10,000 or more.

Most LCD TV shoppers will fall somewhere in the middle; most consumer sized TVs, that is, those in the 23” to 40” range, usually cost from just under $1,000 to just under $3,000.

LCD televisions are made by some of the world’s most popular manufacturers. Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Phillips, Panasonic and Toshiba are among the brands encountered in this field.. Computer maker Dell produce a line of LCD television displays that have generated much excitement.

LCD televisions still cost appreciably more than traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) models, but there are a number of advantages for this extra outlay of cash.

The curvature built into the display of a CRT television produces some edge distortion and shadows on the screen. The flatness of the LCD screen eliminates this, gives a more steady and reliable display.

Unlike traditional televisions, the LCD display uses an aspect ratio of 16:9. This is the relationship between the width and the height of the screen; display will appear much wider than it is high. The 16:9 aspect ratio is used to send HDTV signals, and in the production of widescreen DVDs and VHS videos. The LCD aspect ratio allows movies to be watched as they were intended to be seen in the theater.

LCD television displays provide a 160 degree viewing angle, and they can be viewed from almost any aspect, horizontally or vertically.

The best LCD displays can produce more than 16 million unique colors, and this depth of color gives exceptional color quality and accuracy.

Many LCD televisions can accept input from many different devices, including computers, DVD players, VCRs, Laser Disc players and satellite and cable TV systems. Multisystem LCD displays are designed to work different television signals, including PAL, NTSC and SECAM, which allows the same television to be used in many different countries, as not all countries use the same television broadcast standards.

Tests of LCD and plasma TVs have found that the average life expectancy for such devices is approximately 35,000 hours. So, if the display was used for four hours a day it should last for about 20 years.

To better understand these advantages, it is helpful to have some idea of how this technology works. The LCD display is made up of a large number of picture elements, or ‘pixels’, the number of which will determine the overall quality of the picture. Pixels used in an LCD display can vary from hundreds of thousands to many millions and the more pixels used, the better and sharper the display will be.

The ideal LCD TV should be able to accept inputs from different tuning sources, including satellite TV boxes, cable TV boxes, DVD players, and VCRs. For those living overseas, it is most important to make sure that the LCD TV you choose be capable of accepting the video signals used in your country. NTSC video signals are the standard in North America and Japan, but PAL and SECAM standards are used in other countries.

While you will probably buy the highest quality LCD TV you can afford, substantial discouts are available for those who take the time to seek them out.. It is not impossible to save hundreds of dollars on the price of an LCD display simply by shopping around retailers, both on and off the internet.

Accessories and cables should be of the highest quality. This will enhance the value and versatility of the television itself, and will vastly increase your viewing enjoyment.

A Buyer’s Guide to Plasma TV

There are many different kinds of television available nowadays. One of these is the plasma TV, which has brought the power and beauty of a true flat screen television obtainable within the price range of many more people.

When the first plasma screen televisions first came on to the market, only the wealthiest individuals and businesses could afford them. As with other technologies,, however, improvements in manufacturing methods over the years have caused an impressive fall in price,, making them affordable to a larger sector of the market.

Manufacturers who make these excellent plasma televisions include Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Zenith, Phillips and Sylvania.

While the prics of these and other plasma televisions has reduced remarkably since their early days, they are still considerably dearer than traditional CRT televisions. Most plasma televisions range in price from $2,000 to $3,500, but the sale prices many retailers often offer sometimes allow consumers to purchase a good quality plasma TV for $1,500 or less.

It is highly recommended that you set out with a good idea of what to look for and what to expect from this new technology. Plasma TV technology is quite different to that used in traditional CRT televisions, and if you understand these differences you may obtain a better deal.

Buying cheap generic cables to connect your input devices to your plasma TVcan ruin the otherwise excellent picture and color quality of even the best models. So, you need to buy only the highest quality cables.

It must be emphasised that in most cases’ the plasma TV will not come with its own tuner, so the signal must be obtained from an external source, such as a satellite or cable TV box. A number of other devices,, such as DVD players, Laser Disk players and even computers and laptops, can be connected to these television sets.

Although the plasma display TV has only recently come into widespread home use, plasma technology has a long history, dating back to research by the University of Illinois in July 1964.

The screens of these first devices were quite small, and the materials used were expensive and hard toobtain. The lower cost of these materials today, , coupled with advances in technology, have brought these TVs into widespread use, and their share of the market is likely to grow as the prices fall.

The secret to plasma technology is found between the two thin panels of mounted glass making up the screen. These panels are made up of pixels, which are small pockets of compressed gas, each consisting of three sub-pixels, made up of blue, green and red phosphors.

What makes the plasma TV unique is that each sub-pixel is individually controlled using advanced electronics capable of producing more than 16 million unique colors. When the pixel receives an electric current, the gas in the television reacts to form a plasma. This produces light, which reacts with the red, green and blue phosphors to provide a higher contrast ratio and a better picture.

There is considerably less flicker on a plasma screen, because all the pixels are emitting light at the same time.

In addition, no backlighting or electron beam is associated with the plasma TV, which provides a sharper, brighter and richer picture with a very thin screen.

The thinnest and lightest plasma TVs are less than three inches thick, and the flat screen eliminates the fading and distortion at the edges that often accompanies CRT televisions.

Plasma TVs provide a much higher screen resolution than CRT televisions, and most sets can display a number of different signals, including HDTV (high definition television), DTV (digital television) as well as XGA, VGA and SVGA signals from a computer.

Plasma TVs have none of the scan lines that plague CRT televisions. The conventional CRT television uses a beam of electrons which scan the picture tube from top to bottom; as the phosphors are lit the image is created. This results in visible scan lines. Plasma TVs have built in line doubling, which further improves the quality of the images, particularly when viewing a standard analog signal such as broadcast television or VHS tapes.

Plasma displays have superior color quality and depth. The screen can display more than 16 million different colors, provide more realistic colors and more subtle gradations within colors.

The displays provide a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, which is the best aspect ratio for widescreen DVD movies and HDTV programming. This wide aspect ratio more closely matches the format of large screen movies, for a more enjoyable and realistic viewing experience.

Those familiar with the limitations of the rear projection big screen TV may wish to know that plasma TVs provide a much more uniform brightness, without the “hot spots” frequently seen in the middle of the screen. The plasma display has none of the corner dark spots found on rear projection televisions.

The thinness of the plasma TV attracts many buyers; many plasma televisions are lightweight and thin enough to hang on a wall, or fit almost anywhere. The old rear projection big screen TVs, on the other hand, could fill an entire room and were very bulky to move.

Plasma TV technology has many advantages over both traditional CRT televisions and rear projection models. The prices of plasma televisions have been steadily falling since they first became available, which has made this new technology more affordable than ever.

A Buyer’s Guide to Regular Tube TVs

Although plasma screen , LCD and DLP TVs, seem to command all the attention nowadays, the regular tube CRT TV remains excellent value for money. In fact, on a viewable inch basis, it is far better value than any of the newer technologies.

While a replacement light source for a DLP TV can cost as much as $500, an entire tube television can be bought for less than that price.

The price of all televisions has been falling, but perhaps none have fallen so quickly and so far as tube televisions. The smallest of these, of 13” and less, can often be bought for under $100. Even 25” and 27” televisions often sell for less than $300.

Even the largest tube televisions cost much less than LCD, plasma and DLP rear projection models. The price of a 36” tube television may still be over $1,500, but the cost of a comparably sized LCD or plasma television would be thousands of dollars more.

As with all things, the buyer would be well advised to shop around, but in general only the largest and most feature laden tube televisions will cost more than about $2,000.

Many tube televisions offer features such as built in VCRs, built in DVD players.

Tube televisions offer true out of the box performance, making them a good choice for those not wishing to set up all the accessories that come with more modern sets.. Usually, buyer only needs to take a new CRT TV out of the box, hook up the cable, satellite or antenna signal, turn it on and use the remote control to find the channels.

Its simplicity may why these televisions continue to command such a large share of the market even after the advent of more sophisticated equipment.

When choosing a new traditional tube television, whether as a replacement for an existing TV or for an additional room, you need look for the right features and benefits in that TV. One consideration is the inputs on the unit. The newest tube televisions come with a number of different inputs. They will accept cable, satellite and antenna signals, and computer inputs. If you wish you to hook up a computer to the TV display , you should look for a VGA connection, a DVI connection, or preferably both.

Other common inputs are from DVD players, VCRs, Laser Disc players and video games. If you want to use any of these, then it is a good idea to go shopping with them in mind.

Many people overlook the type of cabling used to connect that equipment to the television itself. Buying cheap generic cables may save you a little money, but the lower quality will be readily apparent. It is much wiser to spend a little more money and buy the best cables you can afford.

These days TVs are sold almost everywhere, from the deepest discount retailers to the highest end specialist stores and electronics retailers. Shopping online is always a good idea, for televisions of all kinds are sold on the internet too.

When it comes to choosing a brand, there are certainly no shortage of choices. Almost every electronics manufacturer in the world has at least a few models of tube televisions on offer, so shopping around among brands should pose no problem. Manufacturers include Toshiba, Sharp, Samsung, Sony, Daewoo, Sylvania, RCA, Magnavox and Philips

When shopping for any television, whether it is a tube television or one of the newer kinds on the market, you should keep up with, and look for the newest features and developments to get the most value for your money.

It is good advice to look for a television that is HDTV (high definition television) and DTV (digital television) ready, as this will ensure the TV can be used far into the future. One of the advantages of a tube television is its long life, and buying an HDTV and DTV ready model will ensure that the TV remains usable in spite of changes may be introduced in the future.

You might want to choose a tube television with a flat picture tube. This flat screen helps to reduce glare and make e pleasant viewing. These TVs provide many of the same advantages as the more expensive flat screen LCD and plasma TVs, for a fraction of the price.

A Look at Today's Innovative LCD TV

Probably the most exciting development in the world of television is the LCD TV. These slender televisions are good to look at, even when they are not turned on, and the technology they use promises to change our viewing habits.

Although early models had a number of technical problems, those issues have mostly been overcome. These days almost every manufacturer in the world offers excellent quality LCD TVs.

The earliest models often had problems with “ghosting”, especially when displaying fast action or fast moving imaging. These early televisions were best viewed straight on or from a slight angle. However, advances in technology have dealt with these problems, and LCD and plasma TVs are now making serious inroads into the traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) television market.

The prices of LCD televisions have come down remarkably, and the technology they use has continued to improve. These days the least expensive, small screen LCD TVs can often be bought for as little as $200, though the largest displays sell for several thousand dollars.

The largest TVs on the market, can be as large as 65” or greater, and they may sell for over $10,000. If price isn’t a consideration, it is possible to find an LCD TV to suit almost any taste.

The advent of these large screen LCD TVs is an indication of how much the technology has improved in a short time. When LCD television was first being developed, many experts thought that it would be suitable only for small size televisions, and that the LCD would not be able to compete with plasma screens for larger sets. Nowadays, though,, ever larger LCD TVs are being developed and introduced by most of the major manufacturers.

You can do much more than just watch TV with an LCDset. The best sets come with a multisystem tuner, which allows the machine to display the NTSC format common throughout North America, and also the PAL and SECAM signals in other parts of the world. Many LCD TVs incorporate a step down and step up transformer which can use either 110 or 250 volt AC current, as well as universal grounded adapter plugs for added versatility.

Nearly all modern LCD TVs can display the latest HDTV (high definition television) and DTV (digital television) signals, and, by connecting them to a VGA or DVI signal can also be used as a computer monitor. However, if you intend to use this facility, you should be cautious, however, since the quality of the resolution can vary widely between brands and models.

If you want an LCD TV to replace a traditional CRT TV, you should be aware of the differences in the technology, and what those differences mean in terms of viewing pleasure and lasting value.

LCD televisions based on the PVA and S-PVA LCD panel are able to deliver a very good viewing angle at up to 140 degrees, and can provide a good contract ratio for viewing light and dark scenes. The disadvantage of the PVA and S-PVA systems is that they often have problems with “ghosting” when the scene moves between different shades of dark.

CRT televisions to not have this problem, since the phosphor contained in the CRT is charged by the strike of a beam of electrons, and it emits most of the light in less than 1 millisecond, compared to a refresh period of about 20 milliseconds. In an LCD TV, each pixel emits light of a set intensity for about 20 milliseconds, plus the time it takes to switch to the next state, which is between 12 and 25 milliseconds.

This response time can be shortened by the design of the panel, and by using overdriving technology, but it can only be cut down to the length of the refresh period.

Getting the response time equal to the refresh period is usually good enough to watch films and television programs, but there can still be some ghosting issues for videos shot at 50 or 60 frames a second.

But, techniques are being developed which promise to eliminate some of the ghosting and other issues reported by owners of these TVs.

The first solution is to make the backlight of the LCD panel fire during a period of time that is shorter than the refresh period. The aim is to make this period of time as short as possible, and to time it for when the pixel has settled to its intended level of brightness. This, however, introduces the problem of flicker familiar to users of CRT computer monitors. The problem occurs because the human eye is able to see flicker at the typical 50 or 60Hz refresh rates used here.

Another solution to the problem is doubling the refresh rate of the LCD TV, and then reconstructing the intermediate frames using a variety of motion compensation techniques. This method is being studied on the new high end televisions currently being designed in Europe.

No matter what LCD TV technology you decide to buy, it is a good idea to shop around for the best possible price. These days even discount retailers often sell some very good LCD TVs, and of course many electronics stores are replacing CRT TVs with the latest in LCD and plasma screen models. As with any major purchase, it is advisable to shop around for the best deal, and read the reviews of each model considered. As with anything, the quality of an LCD TV can vary widely between brands and models..

FAQs

My TV is in use a lot. Can the network logo, which is always on display in the corner of the screen to superimpose and burn on to a plasma TV?

A burn has no specific time limit. You need not worry about the logo as it may not appear during commercial breaks. Temporary appearance of the logo or ghosting may occur, but it will usually disappear after normal viewing.

Are frequent repairs or servicing required for plasma TVs? Should the warranty be for two or five years?

Plasma TVs do not need frequent repairs or servicing. However, for cheaper models, an extended warranty is recommended because repair could cost nearly as much as the set itself.

I bought a Sony PFM-500A3WU 42" plasma TV for over $10,000.00 just over three years ago. Recently, it began to show fractured colors, then went totally black. The retailer was no help, so the set was sent to Sony who diagnosed it with the codes 12 and 22. Do my consumer rights cover the repair of my set, or will the repairs cost me more than buying a new set?

Most retailers do not cover items bought from them after one month from the date of purchase. After this period, the product will be protected by the manufacturer's warranty. If an extended warranty was bought, the product will be protected for the duration of the contract, providing it follows the terms and conditions set out.

Within the warranty period, repairs will be free of cost, but will be at your expense if the warranty has expired or is otherwise invalid. Owing to rapid advances in technology over the past three years’ it is advisable to obtain estimates for paid repair and compare them with the current price of a new set, before agreeing to repairs.

Your site features many good reviews on the Sony PFM42v1 but does not carry reviews of the Sony PFM models. Is this because these are not consumer models?

The PFM42V1, which is a commercial model, is described on Sony's Broadcast and Professional website.

Can the Sony KE-42XBR900 be operated without using the Media Box (MBT-XBR900)?

It is not possible, because the Media Box does the entire video processing.

I bought a Sony KDE42XBR950 3 days ago, based on your review. The picture quality is excellent, but the screen itself is making a noise; not the fan noise but an electronic one. It varies in pitch according to the picture on the screen. Will this noise disappear with use? It is quite noticeable and appears to come from the two upper corners, behind the panel. This is extremely disappointing considering the amount of money this set cost. Since it was shipped from my brother's store, it would be difficult to return it to a local retailer. Have you any suggestions?

The noise you have described is not a normal or usual problem. Since it is only three days since your purchase, it is well within the warranty period. Try to have a Sony technician inspect your set to identify the problem and suggest suitable solutions.

I want to buy a Sony plasma screen but since I am moving to the UK shortly, I need a screen that can display signals from NTSC and PAL formats. For both formats, the input will be a cable or satellite box and so I may not require a tuner. Would any plasma screen work or do I have to buy one compatible to both formats?

You need a plasma screen that can function on both NTSC and PAL formats if it is used in the US and UK. If you use digital cable or satellite, you will not need a tuner. Checking the mains voltage in advance is advisable.

Where can I buy the Sony Media Box (MBT-XBR900) for a Sony KE-42XBR900 Plasma TV?

You can buy this media receiver directly from Sony.

The audio speakers on my XBR950 Sony have begun to make funny noises. Is this is a problem with the XBR?

If you are still within the warranty period for the set, contact Sony for help and advice. Ifthe system has not been tampered with, the defect could lie in the audio speakers.

The Plasma TV Forum is an accumulation of the replies from Plasma TV Buying Guide. If your query is not listed here, fill in the ‘Ask a Question’ page. You should get a reply within 3-5 days. Queries are addressed by the Editors of the Plasma TV Buying Guide

I have a Sony WEGA KE-32TS2U and was wondering if I can hook my PC to it for short periods of gaming; approximately for 30 to 45 minutes of playing time. If this is possible, how do I do it?

The WEGA KE-32TS2 does not have a PC input. But, you can make the DVI input work this way if your PC has a DVI out. If not, you would need a video card with a video output, or you could use a VGA-component transcoder .

I want to use my Plasma to watch regular cable TV, not HD. Which Plasma has the best-inbuilt scaler/doubler that can convert the 480i signal to 480p? Does the new Sony PFM42V1 have the best scaler as you mentioned in your review? It was not mentioned on any other site.

The Sony has one of the best-inbuilt scalers on the market.

Where can the burn-in on my 42" Sony plasma TV be repaired?

True burn-in can not be repaired.

Does the Sony 50XBR950 have the HDMI connection, and if not, is that significant?

The Sony 50XBR950 does not have an HDMI connection. It has DVI instead. DVI is also digital, but it is not as high in bandwidth as HDMI. It would only be a concern if the other components have HDMI, but since HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI, this should not be an issue.

Does the Sony KDE XBR950 61 inch plasma come with a video scaler? If so, what is the price range? Can the screen burn-in? Does it have built in speakers? On a comparison between a Sony 61 inch and a Samsung HPN6339 63 inch, which comes out better?

The Sony does fare a little better when compared to the Samsung. The Sony comes with a built-in scaler, but removable speakers. All new plasmas are equipped with an anti-burn device these days.

I recently bought a Sony PFM-42V1 and want to ask about connections for it. I need to attach a Time Warner HD box and a non-progressive scan Sony DVD player. The Pioneer HD box has a DVI-D, but may need a HDCP compliant connection. Is the Sony compatible via DVI? If not, can you suggest possible connections for the set? The set top box and the DVD player have component and S-video connections too.

None of the stated specifications mean that the DVI input is HDCP compliant. It will, therefore, work only if the transmitted signal is not encoded. Try a DVI cable connection first, you may be able to use it if the transmission material is not encoded for copyright protection. Or, the VGA input could be used as a component input by applying a VGA-RCA breakout cable. If the DVI connection doesn't function, use it for either the HD box or DVD player, whichever you use more, and apply S-video for the other device.

My KE-32TS2 plasma is connected to a HDTV Cable Box through a Monster DVI cable. It gives satisfactory results, but when I switch channels between 1080i and 480p the screen needs to adjust. During this period the screen goes black and the frequency is displayed, then the channel comes on as usual. This is not as seamless as changing channels with the component cable. Is this normal, or if there is a setting I can be modify to make channel changing smoother?

This is a hiccup that occurs when converting from digital to analog signal. The plasma is attempting to synchronize itself to the different signals, which is the reason for the temporary blackout.

I’m trying to decide whether to go for the Panasonic TH 50PHD, or the Sony KDE50XBR.

Both these models perform well but are designed for different customers. The Panasonic TH 50PHD is better used as a monitor while the XBR is more of a plug and play TV. I would rate them equally, but would select one according to the function I prefer more.

I want to buy a Sony PFM-42V1B, and am considering using it for video (DVD/ Satellite) and Data (Presentations, Excel and sometimes games). Is burn issue a real problem or does the plasma come with an inbuilt anti-burn device?

The Sony PFM-42V1B is equipped with various anti-burn technologies. However, an HDTV with higher resolution is recommended for using Excel, because the set you mention comes with a resolution of 853 x 480, which could make small fonts difficult to read. PC text will also be difficult to read if there is a slit screen with the PC and TV running at the same time.

How do you repair a large burn-in in a Sony XBR plasma?

Unfortunately, the issue of burn-in cannot be resolved. Some of the sets have an intense white screen to eliminate ghosting and others have in-built pictures, designed to pose a negative of the image to dispose of any temporary ghosting. These measures, though, are preventive, and will not help if the burn-in has already happened.

I recently bought a Sony KE50XS910 Plasma TV. The description states that it has a built-in ATSC/POD tuner for HD broadcast. I already have the Sony SATHD-300 HD DirecTV receiver as well as a HD receiver from the local cable company. Do I need all these HD receivers? Does it matter that all of this equipment is connected to a set with a built-in tuner?

You would require the SATHD-300 receiver to decode the DirecTV broadcast. Since that unit is also the media receiver for the XBR, it would be able to decode OTA HD broadcasts. So you can make the most convenient choice if you are using the free airwaves. The built-in tuner does not assist with the satellite reception because you would still require the satellite receiver.

If I purchase a Sony 50" plasma TV, what additional items, such as surge protector, AC Line filter or extended warranty would be a good investment?

The Surge protector and extended warranty would seem to be good ideas to protect your television. You only need an AC Line conditioner or filter if your power source is unstable or unpredictable.

The Sony PFM42B2U review was very useful. Is this model the same as the Sony PFM42B2E, the U standing for US and the E for Europe?

You are correct. U = US and E = Europe. There is very little difference between those two models.

I recently bought the Sony PFV-42V1. Which connection do you suggest for the DVD? Are there any special cables I should obtain?

If you have a DVD with DVI handy, that would be the best situation. If not, the next option is to use a special breakout cable that comes with a VGA D-sub 15-pin connection on one of its ends and three RCA component connections on the other. That way, you can use the PC input on the plasma screen on one hand, and the component output on the DVD player on the other.

I am considering buying the SONY KE-42XBR950 and taking it to Indonesia, but that country only has PAL & 220V. Can I still use the Sony XBR? I can use a DVDO iScan Ultra to change the PAL to NTSC or HD, but would the step down voltage converter affect the picture quality?

A step down voltage converter will not affect the picture quality if the converter itself meets standard specifications.

Which is the better television , the SONY KDE-42XBR950 or the KE42XS910?

The best of Sony's products is definitely their XBR series, so the 42XBR gives better performance than the XS910. However, the 42XBR950 needs a specific separate media receiver box, so it may be unsuitable for you. There is no particular requirement for the 42XS910. The entire set of required connections runs directly to the plasma screen.

We live in Japan and are considering buying a Sony plasma TV. Japan has 110 volt power, and we understand standards between Japan and the USA are different from each other. Is it possible, therefore, that a plasma TV purchased in Japan may not work in both Japan and USA? We would like to ensure that it works in both countries before deciding to buy it.

You must conduct thorough research on the power specifications of the TV you would like to buy. Sony plasma TVs are made in Japan, and so should work there. In order to make sure they work in USA also, look for a unit which functions from 100-120V and 50-60Hz.

When I watch movies on my Sony PFM42V1E, the picture shifts a little to the right and then returns every couple of seconds. Is this normal? If the Plasma has progressive scanning, would it matter if the TV tuner connected with it does not?

The problem you describe seems to be abnormal. Call technical support at Sony and let them figure out what is wrong, and suggest a solution.

The Sony 37XS910 is nearly 12 inches deep. Why is it so thick and is it possible to mount it on the wall?

The actual plasma panel is the usual 3 to 4 inches deep; the extra depth includes the table stand.

I have a Sony TS32U plasma. I receive DirecTV using a Samsung TIVO receiver, but the picture is blurry, unclear and gets ghosting around fonts and images. Is this because I have an S-video connection and will it improve if I change to an HD receiver?

A plasma set emphasizes the good and bad qualities of a signal. You should see a perceptible difference if you shift to an HDTV or if you just decide to change to the component inputs.

Does the Sony 37XS910 come with a personal computer input port, and if so, what resolutions can be displayed?

This model does have a DVI input compatible with a PC. But I do not recommend it and do not know the possible resolution that can be supported.

Sony's manual for the KDE-XXXBR950 plasma, warns that the DVI-HDTV input is "not intended for use with personal computers." Does this mean it is impossible to hook a PC to the plasma, or is just not recommended? What is the reason for such a warning?

The DVI connection can be attached to a PC but it is not recommended by Sony because a PC has a large number of static images such as screen bars and icons which may cause a burn-in into the plasma screen.

I intended to buy the Sony PFM42V1, as I already have Sony stereo components. But, the reviews rate the Panasonic 42PWD6UY higher than this model. I’d prefer a Sony, because I want all the components to match. Is there really a perceptible performance difference between the two models, or is it all right to purchase either of the two?

All the components needn't be from the same brand; it is a slight advantage, but not an indispensable one. There is hardly ever a compatibility issue with different components. In my opinion, you should buy the best product available that you can afford, irrespective of brand prejudices. Comparing the two models you mentioned, they have different advantages, but the difference is not really noticeable. The Sony model gives you better picture quality and detail, whereas the Panasonic does better at black levels, and has a diverse flexibility in the inputs. Using an A/V receiver as a video switcher, you may safely ignore the input issue.

The PFM42V1 has a DVI input with a possible HDCP issue. Is this panel capable of accepting a signal from an HDMI DVD player through its DVI input, provided an HDMI-DVI cable is used?

The DVI input for the PFM-42V1 is not compatible with HDCP. If the DVD player transmits an HDCP encoded signal, it will cease to function.

I am looking at Sony's XBR range of plasmas. I was told that the panels and circuitry of Sony's XBR panels are really those of Pioneer Elite plasmas and Sony styling that makes the only difference. I was also told that Pioneer hands over new panels and technology to Sony nearly a year after these are begun to be sold by their own Elite Pro brand. The salesman told me, that unless I was determined to have a unit with the Sony looks, I could actually get the same performance out of a Pioneer Elite PRO plasma, which would be cheaper because they were on sale at the time. Was this valid advice?

The two companies, Sony and Pioneer are not connected in any way. This was misinformation, and probably an effort on the part of the salesperson to turn around the Pioneers faster, or to cover up a lack of Sony units in the shop.

I want to upgrade my Sony 42XBR900, so that it has some of the additional features of the Sony 42XBR950. Can I just change the media receiver to that of the 42XBR950 to obtain the extra features, and if so, where can I buy it?

The components of the two models are not mutually exchangeable. Changing the media receiver boxes will not gain you the extra features of the XBR950 series.

I lost the media box of my MBT-XBR900 when I moved house. Can I replace it with the MBT-XBR 950 box, because the 950 also has in-built HDTV?

These models are not interchangeable. You would need the MBT-XBR900 receiver box if you have the plasma of the same series.

What is your opinion of the new 42X1 HDTV? Is it better or worse than the 42V1 EDTV? How does the new model work with analog signals? Is the brightness/contrast the same or better? Does it have removable speakers ? What are the inputs at the back?

I checked out the 42X1 at Sony's stall at INFOCOMM. I have not yet been able to perform my own set of tests, but I can tell you from how it looked at the show that it seemed to outperform the B2 by a long way. The new model has higher contrast and color reproduction than the V1, and also has HDTV resolution.

I cannot decide whether to buy the Sony KE-42XS910 or the Pioneer PDP4341HD. How would you rate these two models? Could you tell me about bestbuyplasma.com ?

I prefer the Pioneer because of its 1024 x 768 panel. The Sony has a 1024 x 1024 panel design. Often, when viewing. I can detect numerous scaling artifacts with the 1024 x 1024 Sony panels owing to the low definition signals. I try to avoid electronic or camera stores in New York. You see a lot of gray market and refurbished goods in the Brooklyn stores.

Since the panel on the Sony PFM-42V1 does not have many input options, what is the best way to connect it to a progressive scan DVD player and an HDTV receiver? I wanted to connect the DVD player with a VGA-RCA component cable then hook up the HDTV box over the DVI connection. But I found that the DVI port is not compatible to HDCP. Would the cable box work anyway?

The simplest way is hooking in an A/V receiver with component switching, or to obtain a basic black box component switch. You should note that some brands of up-converting DVD players may not need HDCP compliance through DVI. In this case, the component inputs could be used for the HD and the DVI for the purposes of the DVD player.

My kids left my Sony KE37XS910 switched on, but turned off the H.D. tuner. The set was switched on for about 10 hours, without any signal in video 6 (H.D.Tuner). There were no static images, just snow. How much damage was caused by this?

The kids need not be punished, because any snow on a plasma screen, no matter how much or for how long, will not cause any permanent damage.

Can I remove the base on the Sony KE-32TS2 if I want to mount it on a wall?

Yes! All such models can be easily wall mounted. For directions, consult the owner's manual or wall-mount kit instructions.

I recently purchased a Sony KE-42M1 Plasma YV, and the first time I switched it on, a black vertical stripe appeared on the screen, which suddenly disappeared in a few minutes. After about thirty hours, it returned, once more to disappear after 3-4 minutes. Should I take advantage of the 30-day return warranty, and return the unit for replacement, or is this issue usual in a plasma screen?

These intermittent issues can be very tricky. I recommend that you contact both your dealer and the Sony technical support team in order to avoid problems that may crop up later.

I have just bought a Sony KE42M1 and the black level is not satisfactory. Could this be because when the TV was delivered, it had to be flipped sideways to successfully turn a corner? Would that have ruined the picture?

From your description it is difficult to understand the problem issue with your TV set. But, re-orienting a plasma in any way will not affect its performance; it is only recommended to be kept vertical as much as possible to protect the screen glass from breaks or cracks in transit.

If the Sony PFM-42V1 is not available at retail stores, can I check out a consumer model instead with exactly the same glass, which is stocked in the stores, and if so, which one?

The Sony model with the most similarities that can be seen in stores is the KE-42M1.

I can't find any professional reviews of the Sony KDE-42XS955 I intend to get HD from the cable company, but we normally watch TV signals through our digital cable content; more often, we watch DVDs. I have also considered using the TV as the monitor for my iMac. Since I have a friend at Sony, I could buy it for $3700. How do you rate this TV?

The Sony KDE-42XS955 is a good set. However, I do not recommend any of the ALiS panel plasmas like that used in this model, which offers a 1024 x 1024 resolution. I rate the XBR series much higher than the XS series in the 37" and 42" sizes, because the ALiS panel needs to have a lot of scaling for almost all incoming signals and therefore do not give such a good picture quality.

What do you mean by a multi-system television?

A television is called multi-system if it can receive and display signals from disparate categories of video systems, such as PAL, SECAM and NTSC.

Would a multi-system television function in any part of the world whatsoever?

A multi-system television set should function almost all over the world with few exceptions. These sets feature a dual voltage design which means they can be plugged into either a voltage source of 110 or a 220. In a few instances it is possible for the plug of the television to require an adapter to fit into a particular country's outlet, but there are usually suitable cheap plug-adapters available at electronics stores for as low as two dollars.

In which areas of the world do you expect a multi-system television set to be unable to function?

A few countries like France, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay have very rare video systems, and these need specific categories of televisions. The Grundig 15" is the only sort of television set that can display the broadcasts in SECAM-L mode in France. Similarly, countries like Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay send out signals in PAL-M and PAL-N, and the Zenith 29" is currently the only television that functions on this system.

What is the delivery process for your televisions?

Any television set of a size smaller than 29" will be sent to you through UPS. In other instances where the unit is too heavy, we could ship it by freight despite being smaller than 29". All units 29" or larger would be shipped by freight at all times.

Which of your multi-system television sets come with stereo sound?

Multi-system televisions of a size smaller than 29" usually have solely monophonic capabilities. Stereo sound will be found only in units that are 29" or larger, and in this case it would be better to inquire beforehand on the stereo output abilities of a particular model while purchasing it.

Multi-system television sets come in different size specifications than regular American televisions. Why the size difference?

All multi-system units are usually targeted at overseas markets where the specifications and norms for measuring televisions are not the same as those in USA. For instance, in North America, since the casing tends to cover a tiny portion of the tube, only the visible part of a television tube is measured, but for multisystem televisions, the area covered by the television casing also needs to be considered during measurement. Thus it is possible that for two units, one a multi-system and the other a regular American television, which appear to be the same size, the stated specifications may show that the multi-system screen is actually larger. Please note as well that television screen measurement is generally held to be from the upper left corner to the lower right corner in a diagonal fashion.

DLP Televisions: Characteristics, Pros and cons

For those in the market for new television sets there can be a confusing array of acronyms in store, starting from CRT to LCD and so on, and a new, significant one has now been added to the list: the acronym DLP. DLP stands for digital light processing, a technique previously used in video projectors and similar objects. This technology was first developed in the year 1987 by an organization called Texas Instruments.

Texas Instruments is actually the primary manufacturer of this technology till this day. Several manufacturers make use of this technology by licensing it from Texas Instruments, and build their products around their acquisition. DLP technology finds its application in a variety of fields other than televisions and projectors, and is used for a wide diversity of specific purposes in fields such as lithography and imaging.

The difference between DLP technology and other video technologies is that it is able to employ a small digital micromirror device (DMD) to move and tilt each of the more than 1.3 million mirrors, either in the direction of or in the direction away from the light source that is contained inside the DLP equipment. Each of the miniscule mirrors is tinier than the width of a human hair, and can be tilted in precise, minute degrees. This turning for all the mirrors is able to create the dark and light pixels that show themselves on the projection screen.

The reflected light is subsequently passed through a color wheel rotating 120 times per second, and this is a technique that is capable of making approximately 1024 different shades of gray. This precise and detailed gradation of color, established through the use of color filters that are backlit with the appropriate intensity of pure white light, distinguishes DLP technology from other video technologies.

The DLP system consists of the four major components: the DMD chip, which determines the mirror movements according to the color that is reflecting off them, the color wheel through which the reflected light is filtered, the light source that sets the process in motion and last, but surely not the least, the optics.

DLP technology has several significant advantages when employed in television displays: there is absolutely no possibility of a burn-in as in plasma television displays, and due to the precise nature of the technique the resultant display provides good contrast and color depth. The images have very few errors, are smooth and stable, without any jitters. It also helps that the televisions with this technology of rear projection are usually sleeker than CRT models of comparable sizes: they are smaller, thinner and lighter, which greatly improves their look over the traditional CRT televisions.

A possible additional plus point for the new DLP lies in the fact that the light source used is easily replaceable, much easier than in LCD models. This could ensure a longer lifetime for the DLP unit than the usual CRT or the new plasma screen displays, because several models of DLP television include light sources that can be handily replaced by the consumer. This does not mean, however, that the DLP light source needs to be replaced often, because the LED light sources recently introduced on the market in April of 2006 have demonstrated a life of 20,000 hours or more before needing a change.

All these benefits mean that the DLP technology is fast becoming a popular phenomenon in the area of rear projection television, and over two million of these televisions have already been sold. Over fifty manufactures of televisions feature at least one model of DLP-based television on their list of selling models, and DLP television is known to have gained a 10% market share almost two years back. Moreover, small standalone units, technically known as front projectors, have become the buzzword in the world of business presentations as well as home theater.

But as with all current technologies, the DLP television technology is also not without its share of disadvantages, and those who intend to pick up the latest in the world of television should keep themselves updated on the possibility of adverse qualities such as the “rainbow effect”. Though not the norm for all DLP sets, some of the televisions with single chip designs may produce this effect due to which the display of colors is hampered, which in turn could detract from viewing experience. Besides, some of the models may include noisy fans and although it is practically easy to replace the light source, and replacement is not required often, one should note that some replacement bulbs can be highly priced, starting from 200 and going up to almost 500 USD.

There are various competing technologies in the market of rear projection televisions, and one of the significant ones that can take the challenge of DLP is called LCoS or liquid crystal on silicon. LCoS involves the creation of images through the use of a stationary mirror which is strategically placed on the surface of a chip, and the subsequent employment of a liquid crystal matrix to determine the amount of light to be reflected to project the display. The competing technologies are still in various stages of development, and one needs to go through a lot of reviews, learn as much as possible about the new technology, and make a comparative study of the prices before going for a purchase.

It is also important to note and know about the kind of tuner used by the particular DLP television set prior to purchasing it. A lot of the modern televisions are multi-system, which means they work in almost all countries of the world with few exceptions, and can read PAL and SECAM signals besides the NTSC signal used in North America and Japan. This could be an added consideration, especially if the end user would like the television to work in different countries; one needs to therefore understand the various formats and purchase according to suitable preferences.

Also to be noted are the possible devices and categories of components that may be hooked up with a DLP television. Almost all modern television units are built to accept signals not just from cable and satellite connections but also from other devices like DVD players, VCRs, and even computers. Here one must note that though plasma screens make good computer monitors, DLP displays may not be up to the task of providing the correct depth and resolution required for a computer monitor despite being equipped with a VGA or DVI connection.

Despite falling television prices, a set is still a sizeable investment and it is only wise to weigh the technological and price considerations well against personal preferences before making the final purchasing decision.

Choosing a television. It doesn’t seem so long ago that there were really only two factors to be taken into consideration when choosing a television. These were the size of screen you required, or could afford and whether or not the cabinet would blend in with the rest of your furniture.

Nowadays, though, there’s a far wider selection on offer, and a lot of sometimes confusing technical detail explains why one type is better, or worse than another. So, I’ll attempt, for the not so technically minded, to explain matters as simply as I can.

Multi-system TVs

I’ll deal with multi-system TVs first, as they can be of any type. As trains of one country will sometimes not run on another country’s railways, because of the different track gauges, so televisions designed for use in one country may not work in another, because different broadcasting standards are employed.

North America and Japan use a signal called NTSC. In most of Europe, they use the PAL system, except for France, where they use a system called SECAM-L. Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay broadcast in PAL-M and PAL-N, and very few televisions are available outside these countries which will receive these systems.

It’s not only the broadcast system that needs to be considered. The mains voltage can vary from country to country, too. But, most, if not all, multi-system televisions can deal with this, for they are designed to operate on a variety of voltages.

If your plug will not fit in the power outlet, adapters are available which will remedy the situation, and a good tip here is to find out the configuration of the sockets at your destination and buy the adapter before you leave. You may well find that, although your destination offers adapters which will convert their plugs to fit your sockets, there’s little call for adapters that will do the opposite.

In most of Europe, we don’t have much of a problem. Roberta Jacobson, who lives in Greece, bought her TV in Germany in 1999. Not only can she receive Greek programmes without any modifications, but she can also get Turkish programmes by way of her satellite dish.

‘People who are nearer to the Turkish coast’ she said, ‘such as viewers on the island of Rhodes, can receive regular Turkish television transmissions without use of a satellite or cable’.

And, I recalled when we lived in Germany, we were near to the Dutch border, and preferred to watch English-language programmes from the Netherlands, which were broadcast in English with sub-titles, rather than similar programmes from Germany, which were dubbed.

Immortal phrases such as ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t giveadamn!’ ‘You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!’ and ‘Get on yer horse and get the hell out of here!’ tended to lose something when translated into German.

As I mentioned earlier, the exception is France.

‘Even if you lived on the French coast within sight of the Channel Islands’ said George East, who lived in Normandy for many years ‘ you could not get British TV on a French TV set … and vice versa’

‘There was also a problem watching British videos on French TV sets’ he went on ‘At best they came out in black and white’.

However, he thinks that British people living in France who wish to watch both French programmes and British ones from the Channel Islands can now buy sets which will switch from one system to another.

I used to wonder what use a multi-system TV would be to me. After all, when I travel abroad, a TV set is rarely, if ever, among my luggage!

But, suppose I was still in the Armed Forces, or any other occupation which forced me to change location … sometimes overseas … every three years or so. Would I want to change my television set every time I moved?

(Yes, I was in the Air Force for several years … and the problem never arose, because I rented my television sets from a local store at each new location)

Or, suppose I had a boat, an RV or a caravan, which I took abroad often. I hadn’t thought about it before, but I remember an American family, who pulled on to a campsite in Belgium where I was staying, with their caravan … which looked more like a 707 with the wings pulled off … and asked where they could find a TV repairman.

Maybe they would have benefitted from a multi-system television?

Or, maybe, as we’ve already discussed, you live close to a national border, and wish to receive programmes from the neighbouring country, which has a different system.

Even if you live in Kansas or Nebraska, and your television never leaves your lounge, you can still benefit from a multi-system television. You can play video tapes and DVDs from anywhere in the world … providing your player also has the capability of dealing with them.

Characteristics and Pros and Cons of the multi-system LCD television Though the last two decades have seen an avalanche of innovations in television technology; it is the LCD television that has captured the imagination and attention of the masses. These flat screen monitors entered the market with exorbitant price tags beyond the reach of all but the wealthy few, but technological advancement is a great leveler: the prices of LCD displays have plummeted quite a few notches in the past few years and are more reasonable today than ever before.

What do you mean by an LCD Display?

LCD is the acronym for liquid crystal display, and this technology was available for several years before new development in the last two years lent it applicable for the excellent quality flat panel television and computer monitor displays available today. LCD displays stand out for a remarkable feature, which is the slimness of the unit and the resultant sleek look this affords, but of course a considerable amount of power is required for proper function within the confines of the thin design.

An LCD display consists of picture elements or pixels, and the quality of resolution on an LCD panel partially owes to the number of pixels carried by the display. The higher the number of pixels, the better the resolution. For different models the number of pixels can range from hundreds of thousands of pixels to millions of pixels. LCD panels are available in several categories of shapes and sizes, but they are usually geared to provide for a 16 to 9 display ratio, which enables end users to enjoy a perfect viewing experience of widescreen displays such as DVDs or television shows.

How are LCDs and traditional televisions different?

LCD displays, flat panel computer screens and several such devices have quite a few built-in benefits which give them an edge over competing technologies in the eyes of consumers worldwide. The advantages of LCD televisions include but are not limited to the following:

Brighter display: Displays on LCD televisions tend to be brighter than the ones on traditional CRT television because the LCD uses pixels while a CRT television or monitor employs a tube to produce the display. So while CRTs are flexible with a range of resolutions, there is nothing to beat the performance of an LCD at its native fixed resolution.

Flicker free performance: LCD displays would be flicker-free, since it would have the benefit of an unchanging light source throughout the entire screen because once a pixel is switched on, it remains on. In comparison, the CRT display needs to refresh the screen with a ray of light glancing down the monitor at fixed time periods, leading to flickers onscreen.

High energy efficiency: LCD televisions consume up to 65% less energy than their traditional cousins, thus bringing you a lower bill and conserving the environment at the same time.

Sleek look: LCD displays boast an ultra-thin design and can be as slim as almost 5cm, or nearly 2 inches, which enables them to grace any part of the home with almost contemptuous ease. They can be lugged around pretty easily too, and look totally hip and futuristic in the eyes of consumers.

Wall mountable designs: A lot of end users prefer to hang up their televisions just like putting up a simple picture, and the lightness and slimness of an LCD unit allows them to do just that. A bracket strong enough to handle the weight of the set, and one can enjoy a wall-mounted television.

Useful LCD television terminology In the world of television, it is important to be familiar with a few terms, and their significance for the end users and their preferences, especially in the context of LCD television.

Aspect Ratio - Aspect ratio of a television is a term that relates to its capabilities to suitably display movies and television programs in the true widescreen format. LCD televisions are better suited for widescreen pictures such as DVD and VHS movies along with traditional television programs because it has an aspect ratio of 16:9, that is 16" in width and 9" in height as against the traditional CRT models which use an aspect ratio of 4:3.

Candela - Candela is actually a unit of brightness, it defines a particular intensity of brightness in terms of the number of candles that would be required to produce the same intensity: for instance, a reading such as 450 cd/m2 indicates that it would require a gathering of 450 candles in an area of one square meter area to show up the intensity of light under measurement.

Contrast Ratio - The contrast ratio is a term used to signify the difference in intensity of luminosity between the darkest shade of black and the brightest shade of white on the display. The picture on display will be of a better quality in terms of sharpness if the contrast ratio is high.

HDTV - HDTV stands for high definition television, and is today becoming a widespread standard for broadcasting signal technology. Any prospective LCD purchase should be HDTV compliant, in order to be able to receive HDTV signals.

Inputs - Input connections allow the end user to connect various devices like DVD players, VCRs, game consoles, computers and so on to the display panel by providing various options for the reception of signals into the device. The greater the number and type of inputs allowed, the better value the display will provide to the consumer. It is thus important to check out the possibility of inputs on a particular television keeping in mind the devices planned for subsequent connection.

Other points to check out before a purchase decision:

Before a purchase it is important to understand the type of signal that would be available to you, and check its compatibility with the television you are planning to purchase. The LCD television you have chosen should have a tuner that accepts the signal available to you. Alternatively, since many televisions today do not come with a built-in tuner you must consider buying a compatible tuner, because televisions usually do require a cable box, satellite TV box, DirecTV signal or other similar device in order to pick up the signal. All required accessories should be bought along with the purchase of the television.

As far as accessories are concerned, it is advisable to purchase the best quality component cabling on the market to hook up your LCD display to a DVD player, VCR, Laser Disk player, computer or any other such device. Quality cables would produce exceptional picture and sound quality, which would be an added enhancement for the LCD of your choice.

The price tag is important too, because it is ideal to get the best goods in the market for the price range in your budget. A typical LCD would vary in price according to size, thinness, and brand name, so a prospective buyer needs to do a proper survey on the televisions available on the market, read up all available reviews from experts as well as current owners, do a comparative study of prices and features, and then pick up the one best suited to personal preferences. Last, but not the least, if the end user travels often and has to live in different countries in a limited span of time, it makes sense to consider the multi-system option. A multi-system television can play signals from broadcasting stations as well as devices like DVD players in different formats prevalent in various countries, such as PAL, NTSC and SECAM. This way the television is a better value for money as it does not have to be discarded or exchanged when one has to shift to a different country.

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Characteristics and Pros and Cons of the multi-system plasma television

Technological breakthroughs in the world of television are common enough, but with their slender, futuristic design, plasma screens are here to stay as one of the most popular displays. They are sleek enough to be put up on any wall in any room, have excellent display capabilities and can come in a large variety of screen sizes, all of which explains their appeal for homeowners. These screens entered the market with a hefty price tag far beyond the grasp of all but a wealthy few, but with technological advancements these have now become affordable enough for a large portion of end users.

Of the many important considerations while buying a plasma screen television, the most significant is its capability to receive and display several different formats such as PAL, SECAM and NTSC, which make it a multi-system television. Multi-system plasma televisions feature a number of benefits absent from single format systems, and it is thus important to figure out the perfectly suitable multi-system in order to get the best value plasma at the best price.

What do you mean by a plasma television and what are its plus points?

Plasma televisions are televisions with plasma screens which are a maze of red, green and blue phosphors (each triad forms a single pixel or picture element) placed between two thin layers of glass, which when activated with small electrical pulses, emit color information and light to produce a display of high quality. Since all the excited pixels react simultaneously the viewer does not see any flickering.

The viewer is instead able to feast on a bright display with a predominance of rich color, because the advanced electronics controlling the red, green and blue sub-pixels is able to produce more than 16 million colors. This comes along with a wide viewing angle going up to 160 degrees in a sleek package a bare 4" thick (some are even as thin as 3 inches), weighing in under 67 pounds for a 40" display, which makes these televisions the ideal choice for home theaters. It helps that the sizes of the screens can be considerably larger along with the thin build, popular sizes include 37", 42" and 50", but some models can be more than 60" in size.

The technology behind traditional CRT screens requires an electron beam to be used to scan the picture tube from top to bottom at regular intervals. In the course of playing a traditional NTSC signal the viewer may be able to actually see these lines, but since a plasma television comes with built-in line doubling, this increases picture quality and the viewer is not distracted by visible scan lines. The plasma screen is also totally flat, free of any curvature whatsoever and therefore free of edge-distortion, which makes plasma televisions a combination of large size, convenience, and high performance seldom seen before in the era of traditional CRT television technology. Plasma technology also ensures a better resolution than older models of television, which is an indisputably significant environment.

Special home theaters are now being created in a lot of discerning homes in order to enjoy not only the sleek, big-screen viewing of television programs but also to enjoy DVD players, hard drive recorders, HDTV receivers, computers and video games, to name but a few, because a plasma screen can be easily connected to a lot of devices. Home entertaining never had it so good, because the prices of plasma screens are on the way down, and this, along with the features it possesses, makes it the best bet for a weekend home, or for an evening's enjoyment.

Importance of multi-system plasma television

A multi-system plasma television is able to receive signals and display images from several different formats and read various broadcast signals, and this capability is very important in a world where technologies like digital television are becoming increasingly relevant in terms of broadcasting.

Digital television is finding wider acceptance because of the dramatic improvement it brings to both sound and picture quality as against traditional NTSC analog programming. Digital programming is available in two distinct categories: standard analog definition television (SDTV) or high definition television (HDTV). HDTV is known to provide the best levels of performance in digital entertainment, serving up to 1,080 scan lines, and is thus fast becoming popular with entertainment enthusiasts across the globe. SDTV is not far behind, being in itself a significant improvement over the standard television signal prevalent today. The SDTV signal allows television stations to broadcast several disparate programs employing the same bandwidth as the HDTV signal. With the growing prevalence of HDTV in the world of broadcasting, it is important for all television buyers to purchase a TV that is HDTV ready, which is where plasma televisions come in.

Plasma televisions can display a wide variety of signals, including HDTV, DTV and traditional television signals. Moreover they can capture signals from VGA, SVGA and XGA from computers, making them very good value for money indeed. Multi-system plasma televisions are thus an added advantage because they accept signals from various formats as well, making the plasma capable of functioning almost anywhere with a number of devices, using different broadcasting signals.

Considerations before buying a plasma television

Several things need to be considered before the purchase of a plasma television, because despite falling purchase prices, plasma is still a significant investment. These televisions do not usually come with built-in tuners, so the end user needs to provide a signal from either a cable box or a satellite box. Also important are the connecting cables: these needs to be of the highest quality because they have a significant effect on the quality of performance of plasma, as compared to their effect on a CRT model. Not only the video cables which connect to the tuner but also those that connect to other devices like DVD players, VCRs and other video devices should be the best available in the market.

The crucial thing is to ensure that the plasma television under consideration for purchase is completely HDTV ready, and can play several formats, including PAL, NTSC, SECAM and so on. It should also be able to accept video signals from different devices, including computers, DVD players, VCRs and Laser Disc players.

Last, but not the least, is definitely the reputation of the brand of television to be bought. This can be decided based on various reviews, and could include names like Toshiba, Hitachi, Phillips, Sharp, Samsung, Panasonic and Sony. A plasma television is a major purchase and the discerning buyer needs to give it the time and consideration it deserves.

HIGH DEFINITION TVS

The thought of a HDTV came from wide-screen movies. As soon as the wide-screen was introduced, It was seen, that individuals who were seated in the first few rows enjoyed the effect much more, having a level of participation in the action. This was not seen in case of the conventional movies. A greater feeling of 'being there' is felt with the wide-screen occupying a greater field of view, especially peripherally.

High-Definition Television (HDTV) was launched in the market in the year 1998. If stating the reference of HDTV to a common man, it is all about a superior resolution and digital surround sound quality in the new state-of-art television95 – HDTV. It refers to the broadcasting of signals with much higher resolution than before. Today around 80 other devices are sold in the market as HD but in actual they are not HD ready products. They may be good quality TVs, but they lack one necessary condition of being High Definition This is a High Definition Multimedia Interface adaptor which automatically lets the TV set handle the high resolution images all by itself.

Until now, the working of a TV involved some analog signal and a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) unit. The incoming signals were electronically processed into a picture and sound, displaying the picture on the TV screen. This conventional CRT set has a display of about 480 lines of pixels and all the signals worked well for years till the idea of higher resolution evolved. A higher resolution signal for better quality and more clarity could not have worked on this old model of CRT. Also, the conversion of the signals lowered the quality leading to more degradation in the class of the display and sound, in the traditional model of CRT.

The new HDTV is almost incomparable to the Standard Definition Television (SDTV) in many terms, like, HDTV has twice the resolution in comparison to that of the SDTV, providing higher picture clarity.

Further, the range of broadcasting signal for HDTV can also handle higher ‘aspect ratio’ pictures of higher resolution, without the use of ‘letter boxing,’ thus further increasing the over all resolution for such signals. An aspect ratio is the measurement of the image displayed. It is the width of the image divided by the height. A traditional SDTV uses an aspect ratio of 4:3, while a HDTV has a much higher aspect ratio of 16:9 which helps the HDTV to handle bigger pictures and there is no need to compress them as well. HDTV also avoids the use of letter boxing; therefore, one can view the images in their original for wide form. Letter boxing is the technique of compressing the widescreen images to video formats.

The highest resolution of a SDTV is the lowest resolution of HDTV. For the reader’s information, the highest resolution for SDTV is just 704 x 480 pixels, while the highest resolution for HDTV is 1920 x 1080 pixels. Thus a High Definition TV can display 10 times more pixels than an analog SDTV set. The frame rate in seconds, which is best described as the frames per second, or the number of frames required to form a complete picture per second. The technology in a HDTV has a frame rate of 60 per second.

To express the advantages of HDTV purely in non-technical terms here are some of the points listed below:

1. Since High definition TV is digital in nature, it receives the transmitted digital signals. Either there is a signal or none signal at all. There will no blurred signals or weak signals, or signs of signal interferences. An HDTV will either deliver an excellent picture, a still picture or no picture at all. You would never get a snowy or washed out image from a weak signal, effects from signal interference, such as herringbone patterns, or vertical rolling.

Most HD programming TVs are presented in the 16:9 proportioned aspect ratios, with wide screens. These screens have some amount of empty space left out at its margins which can be used up easily in case of wide images. This displays the full width of the image.

There is also an option of enlarging the screen if the user wants to. In addition to this facility, the images can also be enlarged to fill up the whole screen; however this option will display a distorted, stretched-out picture.

A larger bandwidth is used for transferring signals for HDTV, so a very realistic image is formed with true colors. The reason behind this is that, the different colours lie in different ranges of the bandwidth. Therefore, if the bandwidth is increased, so will be the definition of the colours, and naturally better picture quality will be achieved.

Since the number of scanning lines are much more in a HDTV, providing a higher resolution, overall visual information is about 2-5 times more detailed in comparison to the normal SDTV. The spaces between scanning lines are smaller or invisible so a better quality is obtained. The increased clarity and detail make larger screen sizes more comfortable and pleasing to watch for the user. Dolby Digital 5.1 sounds are broadcasted along with standard HDTV video signals thus allowing full surround sound capabilities, where-as the broadcasted signals for SDTV are just the basic audio signals.

This new invention of HDTV is surely a noticeable leap in the technology, giving a higher standard to visual as well as sound quality. The true high-definition standard, in contrast, has brought in significantly greater resolution for everybody to enjoy. The up coming new models of HDTV- 720p and 1080i formats, which are very common in today's HD television sets, brings in image clarity several times higher than the standard definition TV model. For the time being, 1080p, the most highly developed and sophisticated HD standard model, is claiming to have images of higher clarity details than anything else out there in the market. All of the HD set-ups are designed for 16x9 widescreen televisions, just like today's movies. So just get out there and enjoy!

In short, HDTV has been termed as the technology of the future. In comparison to a standard analog TV, it features a much higher resolution, clarity and over twice the resolution of DVDs.

Fifty percent of the consumers in U.S. intend to buy a HDTV for their next television. Among the HDTV owners, more than 66% indicate HDTV as their next TV purchase. it is interesting to note that, by law, as from 17 February, 2009, U.S. TV stations will stop analog broadcasting. People continuing with their standard analog TV, will have to procure digital-to-analog converters.

PAL LCD TVs

Are you on the lookout for a new television set? Is your wallet ready to dump your old and bulky CRT television? Perhaps, you are a technology newbie who wishes to explore the visual wonders of cutting-edge TV’s. Or maybe, you simply would like to experience crispier and more realistic encounter during the World Cup finals.

If you are bent on buying a new state-of-the-technological-art TV set, my choice would be the LCD television that is compatible with the PAL broadcast standard.

PAL, or phase-alternating line, is the standard broadcast system used in most parts of the globe, including Asia. To those residing in select countries of Asia and Europe in particular, it is important that their television sets be PAL compatible. Otherwise, their TVs would not be able to capture the video and broadcast programs. In other words, the television would have no signal and it will not work.

The PAL system is an analogue broadcast standard using some 625 alternating lines, and operates in most countries on the 50 HZ frequency. It is basically a system of encoding colours to produce greater picture details and broader colour luminance.

PAL is the broadcast standard use in Asia and Europe, in contrast to the NTSC system in the United States, Japan and others. The other or the oldest television standard is SECAM, which is still being adopted by a few countries, like France. First commercially used in 1967, PAL has eight different and generally incompatible types in use, throughout much of the world—types B, G, H, and also D, I, K, N and M. Asian countries on the PAL standard include China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Laos, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand. It is also used in the United Kingdom and most European countries and in some countries in South American and Africa.

A number of these new television models are out in the market, and fortunately, these are configured to work with the different world television standards. The so-called “multi-system” TVs invading the high-end market are able to receive broadcast systems from either PAL, NTSC or SECAM standards. Most of today’s advanced models are generally portable because they are lightweight, and you could even bring your very own TV along, to watch any local broadcast when traveling to almost any point in the globe.

Now, whether you opt for a multi-system model or not, we suggest that you choose a set with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor. LCDs offer a wealth of advantages not previously possible with conventional television.

Such a TV utilises the liquid crystal technology for its visual output. This technology is generally based on Thin Film Transistor (TFT). Early LCD TVs had certain inherent problems relative to the traditional visual display systems. It displayed 'ghosting' images with fast moving action and was best viewed looking perpendicular to the screen or from a slight angle. In the recent years, these problems have been over-come, and LCD TVs, along with Plasma displays, have become dominant TV products in the world market.

In October, 2004, the market saw the entry of LCD TVs with 40 to 45 inches screen, while Sharp announced the successful launch of a 65 inch panel. Consequently, in March, 2005, Samsung came out with an 82 inch LCD panel.

LCDs belong to the new breed of high-definition television that gives very sharp pictures and amazingly vibrant colors. Because of the vibrant images displayed on the monitor screen, LCD televisions can appear to give off superb contrast as well. This kind of television especially gives off captivating images during bright light situations. Backlight is built into each monitor to provide brightness.

Compared to the traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions, LCD monitors are flat. They are light in weight, unlike the CRT models that are very heavy and bulky. LCDs are so slim and flat that they can make to blend with the interior design of a room and can even be hung on the walls.

LCD or liquid crystal technology use millions of crystals trapped in a liquid base. When electricity is turned on, the heat-sensitive crystals, encased in between two panes of glass, allow light to pass through. In an LCD monitor, this property is manipulated in varying degrees so that the screen produces pixels of a broad range of colors and thus be able to display images. It is the light behind the glass panel that beams light through the monitor display. The liquid crystals, when subjected to electric current, block the light, resulting to patterns of gray and transparent crystals. The most commonly used type of liquid crystal is the twisted nematic or TN liquid crystal.

The tiny transistors are laid on a polarized glass substrate, and specific rows are turned on to allow an electric charge to reach a target column. This way, only a particular capacitor at a particular pixel is charged. This process is done in minutely exact increments, resulting in an amazing range of over 256 shades or levels of brightness for each color pixel.

LCD television traces its history to as far back as 1888 when Austrian scientist Friedrich Reinitzer first discovered the phenomenon of liquid crystallization. However, it was only in 1968 when the earliest LCD was developed by the RCA television company.

LCD monitors used to be available under-20 inch sizes. However, manufacturers have been utilising scientific advances to come up with better and bigger-sized LCD monitors. Certain models now reach up to 50 inches in width.

As LCD technology improves, so does the pricing. Where these TVs used to be more expensive than their Plasma counterparts, LCD televisions are now priced competitively and come in various sizes to choose from.

A very good feature of LCD TV is that its monitor can last up to 25 years or over 60,000 hours of normal use. This is so because its light source is replaceable. It also evades the occasional problem of burning-in, that can affect the other kinds of television. This is owing to the fact that unlike Plasma TVs, LCDs do not use phosphor dots; instead colour filters—red, green and also blue—are utilized in the layered active matrix panel.

The LCD televisions that first appeared in the market did not produce good visuals when compared to CRT TVs. The early models had "ghost" images when displaying fast acting scenes. Today, however, LCD viewing has become a pleasurable experience, and even highly anticipated. Pictures viewed are very smooth and clean because of the so-called "reverse pulldown" correction, that the television does to the distortions caused by the process of transferring film into video for broadcast purposes.

LCD television of all brands and sizes have flooded the market. Among the big manufacturers are Sharp, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Hitachi, JVC and LG Philips. Generic LCDs, which naturally come at lower prices, are readily available through the Internet. Prices can run as low as under $200 and as high as over $1,000, depending on its brand, features widescreen or standard aspect ratio and size. LCD TVs come in flat panel, rear projection and now, even in wireless or portable models.

Before buying your new LCD television, however, it is best to remember certain things. Firstly, try to visualize the placement for your TV. Capitalise on the fact that LCD models are sleek and compact. An LCD monitor is actually more of a decorative fixture rather than a mere home appliance. If you are buying a flat panel model though, installing it should be a breeze and almost like a painting to behold. Wall or ceiling mounts and table stands can also be used to display your LCD television.

Also, decide where to buy your new digital TV. It might be better to purchase your LCD unit in an established dealer around your residence to facilitate easier or quicker access to after-sales service. Take note that prices can vary, with stores offering the best prices likewise offering the least quality service. But whether you are shopping via the traditional route or via the Internet, always try to background check a retailer; and find out more about its policies and record of service. Do not forget the insurance.

Aside from the visual experience and the sleekness of designs, LCD technology has made possible, perhaps the important feature of LCD television, is its practical offer of reduced power consumption. LCD TVs are very, very energy-efficient and, inch for inch with CRTs, consume over 50 percent less electricity. In other words, you can bring in to your home big-screen experience sans the extra cost of added electricity. And because “burn-in” is not an issue with LCDs, your family can practically watch your entire favorite broadcast programs or DVD movies nonstop.

A Buyer’s Guide to DLP TVs ?

The world of digital projection is quite a new technology. If you are new to this world, it will not be very long before you discover that 'LCD' and 'DLP' refers to two different technologies. You may very well ask, which one is better?

DLP TVs are based on the concept of DLP technology, which essentially has every pixel position displayed on the screen. Due to the very small distance between the micro-mirrors, the pixels remain invisible to the eye and thus the picture display in these TVs render a smooth viewing, having no or little effect on the ambient light.

The new display technology in TV display has begun to catch the headlines. In 1970, Larry Hornbeck, of Texas Instruments (TI), developed the first version of the DLP technology, which was made available for commercial use in the year 1996. Since that time DLP TV has been meeting increasing demand in the market, being less expensive, though no less capable, large screen TVs. After having experimented for years, with micro-chips, that hold millions of mirrors, TI finally came out with the product, which has been growing in demand. The DLP is now the heart of many DLP TVs manufactured by well known manufacturers like RCA, RCA, Samsung, LG, Toshiba, Zenith, and Panasonic, to name a few. With so many manufacturers taking on the DLP technology, DLP TV is expected to account for quite a substantial share in the whole of the TV market.

The basic technology of the DLP YV lies with the rear-projection unit. These manipulate light and create the picture. This light originates from a centralised source and is projected on to a screen. DLP TV monitors work by deflecting light, in which they utilise a complex system of mirrors, which is used to reflect or deflect red, green, and/or blue light through a optical projection lens, which goes on to the screen in front of you. In order to reflect the light fully, the mirrors switch on and switch off when the light needs to be deflected. By switching on and off with great speed, the DLP technology is able to reproduce gray scale at a staggering accuracy.

The micro-mirrors are called Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD) and the functional base of the DLP technology is these mirrors, which is referred to as the Binary Spatial Light Modulator. These mirrors are arranged into square grids, which depend on the DMD's aspect ratio. With this 1 mm being invisible to the eye, the complete assembly looks like a solid thumb-nail sized of a mirror, containing millions of micro-mirrors arranged in a grid pattern.

The micro-mirrors on a DMD is independent of its neighbour on the grid and is capable of reflecting light in two directions, viz., either 10 deg toward or 10 deg away from a lens. The light gets reflected on an optical lens, which projects that light on to a screen at a definite pixel. When the micro-mirrors deflect light away from the levs, a light absorber absorbs the light. Hence light does not reach the screen and instead, it produces a dark square pixel image at that particular pixel.

The DLP technology assigns a series of Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cells within, to hold the data input to the system. This data is fed to the micro-mirror modules, which enables tilting of the mirrors in the desired directions. These signals are in the form of binary digits. where 1 would signify a +10 def tilt and a 0 would make the mirror tilt -10 deg. These are termed as ON and OFF switching. If the light is reflected by the mirror, it is directed towards a projection lens, where it is amplified, and then cast on to the back of the screen. If the light gets deflected, it gets absorbed and that pixel part of the screen remains dark. In this fashion, each pixel position of the screen gets mapped directly corresponding to the micro-mirror behaviour,

A coloured wheel is used in DLP composed of red, green, and blue filters, which direct individual pulses of colored light toward the DMD. This is utilised for gray-scale processing. This would mean that at any one time only one primary colour is hitting the DMD and as the filter system, within DLP, spins fast enough, approximately at the rate of 120 rpm, the colours appear blended into a full colour digital image.

What is the advantage of owning a DLP TV?

First of all DLP TV is pleasant to watch. Since it is a reflective technology, the TVs are brighter than other display technologies. The DLP technology features higher-than-average light efficiency, and as such a DLP TV will perform exceedingly well under most ambient light conditions. Brightly lit rooms will never make the display dull. Due to its reflecting and deflecting technology, DLP TV can achieve deeper, more realistic shadows and blacks than other fixed-pixel display technologies.

One of the disadvantages of DLP TV is that, while it can be watched with shifts of 70 to 75 degrees in the horizontal plane, any such shift in the vertical plane makes the viewing very dull. The TV dos not have those annoying vertical scan lines as you get in the conventional CRT display TVs. This is because the technology utilises pixel position and has its own optical equivalent in the DMD chip itself, giving you a smooth, evenly lit image through out the length and breadth of the display screen. The DMD switches on and off at the rate of 50,000 times per second and produces pictures with no moving streaks or any motion artifacts. This makes DLP TV well suited for gaming.

A DLP TV monitor is capable of displaying HDTV, standard TV, and home video and accepts, which makes texts and graphics look especially sharp one or more RGB inputs from a computer. DLP TV has a very high resolution and perfect geometry of DLP and it is one of the best ways to display data, graphs and web-based contents.

The DLP TV monitor has a very long life. The only element that wears off is the light source, which lasts between 8,000 to 10,000 viewing hours. This can be replaced at an approximate cost of $250, which makes the DLP TV inherently reliable. Multisystem TVS

All the world's TV receivers do not work the same way. There are different standards set for the different countries in the world. Countries all over the world use one of the three main TV broadcast standards. These three standards are - PAL NTSC and SECAM. But these three standards are incomplete with the other. The first ever colour broadcast came to USA in 1953. This was based on NTSC - National Television System Committee standard. NTSC is being used by many countries in the American continent and as well as in Asia too, in countries including Japan. NTSC runs on 525 lines/frame. The Phase Alternating Line (PAL) system was introduced in early 1960s and was available in most European countries except France. PAL utilises a wider channel-bandwidth than NTSC, which provides a better picture quality. This system runs on 625 lines/frame. Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire or Sequential Colour with Memory (SECAM) standard was introduced in early 1960s and was implemented in France. SECAM transmits colour information sequentially but uses the same bandwidth as PAL. The standard runs on 625 lines/frame.

The reason for using these different standards is based on that the TV receivers require a source of field tinning reference signals to receive the images. At first it was thought that the Mains power supply frequency will be a good source for this field timing. This divided the world in two frequency zones, 50Hz and 60 Hz, which are the ones widely used in different countries. So, the TV standard was divided into 25 frames/second (50 Hz) and 30 frames/second (60 Hz). The designers slightly modified the 60 Hz category and converted it to 59.9 Hz, when they added colour to the signals. The main compatibility between the two categories of TVs remain related to be the field rate and this has not been solved as yet.

A solution had to be found to enable the TV to work on any of the standards available in the world.

This saw the introduction of a multi-system TV capable of working in a variety of video standards, such as PAL, NTSC and SECAM. This TV will work in almost all the countries in the world, with certain exceptions. Some parts of the world use a very rare video system which requires a special type of TV. These countries are - France Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. France broadcasts in SECAM-L, which is the only country doing so, while Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay broadcast in PAL-M and N, which are not found in any other part of the world.

The question often arises whether my NTSC TV can be modified to PAL standard or other way round. The horizontal scan rates for both the standars are nearly identical - 15,734 Hz for NTSC and 15,625 Hz for PAL. Therefore this is not likely to be a problem. If these differed significantly, there would have been large cost issues coming into the design. The problem remains with the vertical scan, with 525 line/60 Hz NTSC and 625 line/50 Hz PAL. But its easier to modify the vertical deflection to accommodate a modest variation in rates.

As far as commercial multi-system TVs are concerned, there are not too many seen in U.S. because of lack of demand. These TVs are mainly manufactured for the international markets and are available in abundance in such places.

On the other hand, you can view all the standards of video inputs, viz., PAL / SECAM / NTSC, automatically. These are based on auto voltage sensors, switching from one main power of 240 volts, 50 Hz to 100 volts, 60 Hz, or vice-versa, automatically. Most of these TVs allow you to tune with cable or antenna channels in most countries in the world.

Different concept is followed in measurement specifications for multi-system TVs. In North America, the measurement is done only on the exposed screen of the TV, while in case of a multi-system TV, the encasing, covering the small edge of the screen, is taken into account. Although an American TV will be of the same size as a multi-system TV, the specifications would differ in the sizes of the two TVs as far as the screen is concerned. The screen measurement in a standard TV is done from the upper left corner to the bottom right corner of the screen.

GUIDE TO WORLD TELEVISION STANDARDS

Broadcast Television Systems

ATSC Standards (Advanced Television Systems Committee)

BTSC Multichannel sound decoder including digital expander

NTSC USA and many other countries worldwide, see below

NTSC-J Japan only.

SECAM Many countries worldwide, see below

SECAM-L France broadcasting frequency only.

PAL B/G/D/K/I Many countries worldwide, see below

PAL-M Brazil only

PAL-Nc Argentina only

PAL-N Paraguay and Uruguay only

PAL-L Hotel internal distribution systems and similar closed systems