Plasma has been the pinnacle of awesome TV since Fujitsu showed its first in-home unit in the late '90s. That product didn't just show how cutting egde a homeowner could be, but also how much they were willing to spend on a TV. The starting price was a very cool, very expensive $15K for a standard def TV all of 42 inches in size!
Thankfully, technology marches on. Today, plasma technology is a whole lot bigger, a whole lot thinner, a whole lot prettier -- and also pretty affordable.
The difference between plasma and other types of displays is not just in the picture, but how it makes that picture. Plasma displays use reflective glass and a mixture of gasses to make those high definition images happen. Because plasma pixels are self-emissive (self-illuminating) a plasma TV does not require a backlighting source and, as such, a plasma TV can produce deep rich blacks without the backlight bleed that can plague its archnemesis, LCD TV. Plasma TVs also can create deep saturated colors and fine edge details without any hint of haloing or ghosted edges and without the motion blur that can also cause problem for LCD sets. However, before you grab your wallet, there are a few important things to know about this type of technology.
Size Matters
We're talking about your room size, here, but that's directly related to screen size. The great thing about plasma is that it's big. If you are looking for a TV for your teeny bedroom, bathroom or any other cramped space, plasma might not be your best choice. While some people don't mind counting the pores on Brad Pitt's face up close, others find a big screen in a small room to be overpowering, if not blinding. It's not just a preference thing, but there is a science to screen versus room size. That said, you're not going to find a small plasma screen -- from any manufacturer. This year's sizes start at 42 inches and go up from there.
When plasma first hit the market, it not only had high prices, but also its share of issues. One of those was burn-in. Burn-in could occur when images remained fixed on a TV for a long period of time. Well, not any TV, just phosphor-based TVs, such as plasmas and CRTs. Thankfully, this is not an issue with today's plasmas. With advances in phosphor technology, and preventive measures built into just about all current plasma models, burn-in is really no longer an issue. Some temporary image retention can still occur (such as when the CNN logo is on-screen for hours or a videogame health-meter is present during a marathon gaming session) but these residual images fade quickly and will not cause any permanent harm.
If you're looking at HDTVs and notice that some have anti-blur technology, such as a 120Hz or 240 Hz refresh rate, you are not looking at a plasma. Plasmas don't need this technology. This is something that LCD and LEDs need in order to keep up with fast-moving images. Plasma's faster screen refresh rate makes this type of image technology unnecessary. Recent plasmas have a 600 Hz "sub-field drive" which basically means that the pixels pulse 10 times per full screen refresh as they build the full image, and this is part of what contributes toward the excellent motion characteristics of plasma technology.
Another thing plasmas have improved on is lifespan. While many early plasma doubters were sure the TV would have a short time on this Earth (and in owner's living rooms), today's plasmas are built better and to last longer than their predecessors. A common rating on recent plasma models is "100,000 hours until half brightness" - this means you can watch TV for 6 hours a day for 45 years before your panel reaches half brightness (and even then would still be watchable given some picture adjustments). If you watch more TV than that, then get thee to a lifery! Other parts of the TV are more likely to wear out before the panel ever does. Heck, even parts of your home's plumbing are likely to wear out before your plasma panel does.
And one last thing, plasma TVs do not leak gas! They don't now and they never have. Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to sell you an LCD (or LED) TV, or maybe an extended warranty. The plasma panel is a fully sealed environment.
Want to see what fascinating new innovations you can expect from 2010 plasma HDTVs? Read on to see what each manufacturer is offering this year for the plasma category.
LG
The PK950 features THX Display Certification and NetCast.
Not to be overshadowed by their own INFINIA LED TVs, LG says that they've redesigned the INFINIA plasmas to be a lot thinner (about 2 inches in depth) and lighter. Of the four series to be offered in 2010, the INFINIA PK750 and PK950 offer what's called a single-layer design, for a smooth unbroken front panel with clean lines. The PK550 and PJ350 are part of the TruSlim Frame family, presenting a front panel that is nearly all screen with a thin bezel around the edges.
There are a few things that all of the series will offer for 2010. Each one will have wireless networking (via an optional USB dongle) and LG's Picture Wizard II technology, which helps you set the perfect picture without professional help. Other features on all new plasma models include ISFccc calibration, a sensor to help calibrate TV settings, three A/V modes, and Clear Voice II sound.
The PK750 and PK950 may be slightly thicker than the other two newbies because they seal in THX Display Certification, a 600Hz sub-field drive, a Dual XD Engine and a TruBlack Filter. There's also a protective "Skin Glass," which may sound funky, but actually cuts the gap between the two glass panels to eliminate double imaging and glare. Both series also have NetCast access out of the box, which offers Skype, Netflix, YouTube, Napster, VUDU, and a slew of other on-demand entertainment options.
Like all NetCast-enabled sets, the PK750 and PK950 offer wireless full HD 1080p transmissions up to 98 feet, via a wireless media hub and receiver adapter (sold separately). That makes for a much cleaner install when connecting cable and satellite boxes, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players and other devices. With this option, the only wire you need to connect to the TV is power.
To distinguish itself as the one you want to save up for, the PK950 adds in a "Magic Wand" remote system, which uses Wii-like action to whip through menus, component controls and and even embedded games.
As part of the TruSlim Frame collection, the PK550 and PJ350 deliver images with a bezel that's only 0.9 inches wide. Pretty slick and very handy if you're trying to fit a tight space. The PK550 does 1080p, while the PJ350 offers 720p resolution. Both also have the 600Hz sub-field drive, as well as a USB port.
Panasonic
The VIERA G25 series features THX certification and THX Movie Mode.
Panasonic has plenty of plasmas this year, all of which fall under its popular VIERA line. For 2010, each of the models boast a 600Hz sub-field drive, Infinite Black (and "Infinite Black Pro") technology, VIERA Link networking support and VIERA Image Viewer for sharing digital still and HD video on the big screen. The four higher end series (G20, G25, VT20, VT25) include access to Panasonic's on-demand VIERA Cast IPTV service with wireless networking as an option (requires USB/WiFi dongle). These same models also include the coveted THX certification.
Those THX models include THX Movie Mode, a setting that promises detailed images right out of the box (please note that this mode requires a dark theater-like room, however, so keep the lights low if you enter THX mode). All 2010 plasmas have also been rated for 100,000 hours until half brightness.
Available now, the VT20 series 50-inch plasma (TC-P50VT20) is the first Panasonic model to support Full HD 3D imagery. It comes with one pair of active shutter 3D eyewear with additional glasses sold separately. Don't be hunting for it online though as it's a Best Buy exclusive, only available in Best Buy stores that have a Magnolia "store within a store." Panasonic wants consumers' first experience with 3D TV to be an impressive one so they've entrusted the Magnolia staff with the sacrosanct duty of doing The Perfect 3D TV Demo. Feature-wise and performance-wise, the VT20 is comparable to the VT25 series (described below) lacking only ISFccc settings and RS232C controls.
Coming later this spring, the top of the line VT25 series is similar to the VT20, but will be available in a larger range of sizes and will be available elsewhere (but still not online). The VT25 series will also include one pair of 3D eyewear with each of the five models, which range from 50 to 65 inches. Offering full 1080p resolution to each eye, this is one of the units with THX certification and the THX Movie Mode. Other features include a 5,000,000:1 rated native contrast ratio, video calling capabilities via Skype (with optional camera), a PC input, two USB ports, four HDMI connections, an RS-232C connection, a network port, Netflix, YouTube and Pandora streaming, and ISFccc capability. Don't worry yourself too much about the lack of 3D content as this TV's performance enhancements make it look exceptionally good even with plain old 2D content.
Some of those performance enhancements carry over to entry-level and mid-range 1080p models, but some are unique to the VT20/VT25 series. A new pre-discharge filter (in the S2 models and above), delivers even better blacks compared to previous models. A louvered screen filter offers better ambient light rejection and enhanced contrast (G20/G25 and above). And newly enhanced short stroke phosphors (VT20/VT25 only), improve phosphor decay times by one third for better motion resolution and less crosstalk between channels when in 3D mode.
VT20/VT25 Series:
The VIERA G25 series features another four models, all with THX certification and THX Movie Mode, video calling via Skype (with an optional add-on camera), and a 1080p image, but no 3D capabilities. Other features include a 5,000,000:1 native contrast ratio, a PC input and two USB ports. The G25 lacks the short stroke phosphors of the VT20 and VT25 series so it can't quite match the motion resolution of its big brothers but it still blows away most other technology in this department.
There are only two models in the G20 Series, each with the THX certification and THX Movie Mode, a 5,000,000:1 native contrast, three HDMI connections, a PC input and two USB ports. Expect these to look and perform similar to the G25 series, but they will be offered for sale via different channels. Also, the G20 lacks the ability to connect an IP network-based security camera to the TV.
Panasonic starts off the S2 Series with smaller sizes -- assuming 42 inches is small to you. However, it caps off six models with 58- and 65-inchers for a cinematic experience in even the largest living room. Those big boys don't get the Clean Touch bezel, like the rest of the models. However, you probably won't mind dealing with the fingerprints at these low prices. Other common features include a 2,000,000:1 native contrast and an anti-reflective filter. The S2 series improves on last year's contrast ratios via the new pre-discharge filter, also available on the step-up models.
The U2 Series only comes in two sizes, 42 and 50 inches. Neither one includes VIERA Cast, but do have the VIERA Image Viewer and VIERA Link support. Each one also has three HDMI connections and an anti-reflective filter.
Unlike the rest of Panasonic's plasmas, the C2 Series features 720p images on all three models. Each one also has no access to VIERA Cast, but does offer VIERA Image Viewer and VIERA Link support.
Samsung
The 8000 Series features a built-in 3D processor.
Samsung is putting 3D features into six of its eight new Ultra-Slim plasma TVs for 2010. The C7000 and C8000 Series are those 3D-enabled lines, each packing its own 3D processor, which can upgrade 2D content to 3D in real-time. For a limited time, if you buy one of these 3D sets and a Samsung BD-C6900 3D Blu-ray player or the HT-C6930W 3D home theater system, Samsung will throw in a 3D Starter Kit for free. This includes the Blu-ray 3D 3D version of Monsters vs. Aliens and two pairs of Samsung 3D Active Glasses.
Aside from the 3D, the 8000 Series boasts CinemaSmooth, as well as a few technologies that look nice, even when you aren't strapping on 3D glasses. Real Black Filter helps cut down on screen glare caused by ambient light, and Motion Judder Canceller (MJC) smoothes out those fast-paced action scenes for the best picture possible. Each of the three models has a titanium-colored bezel, with subtle hints of Samsung's Touch of Color design.
The other 3D-enabled line, the ultra-slim C7000 Series, features a black bezel and Samsung's Clear Image Panel technology. Also, when you get bored with the 3D (ha!), you can tune into Samsung's own Internet@TV service, which features on-demand content from Blockbuster, Amazon Video on Demand, eBay, Twitter, YouTube, VUDU, and others.
Those not ready to do 3D yet will appreciate the two choices in the 6500 Series. Poised as entry-level models into the category, each one includes Samsung's Wide Color Enhancer, Clear Image Panel technology, and the Internet@TV feature. The chassis also gets a nice boost from the company's Touch of Color design.
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