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Are you thinking of buying a Plasma Television?

Plasma HDTV Sets
. . . the primary choice in big screen TV

Guide to Plasma TV Sets: A series of articles discussing the basic operational principles behind plasma displays, the pros and cons of plasma televisions versus LCD TVs, and the features to look for when planning a plasma TV purchase. Yet there is more...

We show you how to best install a Plasma HDTV and what you can do to protect your plasma TV investment. We also answer the most FAQ about plasma TVs, as well as review some of the latest plasma HDTVs to help you discover which plasma TV model suits you best.

A Quick Guide to Home Theater Design

Easy-to-follow e-book on how to design and build your own Home Theater

by Duncan McClelland
More information HERE.

Last Update:
12^th October, 2009

Panasonic 50-inch TC-P50G10 with THX display certification Most affordable top-performing 50" 1080p Panasonic plasma HDTV

Many have seen the big picture and... it is still a flat panel plasma HDTV!

Way back in February 2009, Pioneer stated that it was moving out of the plasma HDTVs market. A few days later, budget plasma TV maker Vizio came out with a similar statement.

With Vizio and Pioneer out of the market, there remained just three major plasma display players - LG, Panasonic, and Samsung.  Many soon started to write in the media that plasma is dead.

Yet this is totally incorrect! It is true that the plasma television market is shrinking - mostly because sales reps at retail stores continue to favor LCD over plasma as the former carries a higher price mainly due to higher markups.

But plasma TVs sales still constitute over 50% of the worlds HDTV market for screen sizes over 50-inch and over 30% for screen sizes in the 40 to 50-inch screen category.

Furthermore, the recession has turned out to be good economy for plasma TV makers as consumers started to reconsider the less expensive plasma over LCD.

In fact, with the arrival of the latest 2009 plasma TV sets, sales of plasma HDTVs went up by over 30% in volume and 35% in sales over Q1 2009. Instead, during the same period, sales of LCD TVs remained flat over Q1 while revenues went down by 7%!

Consumers are starting to realize that plasma is far from an outdated technology and are reverting back to plasma to enjoy a 40"+ HDTV at a lower price.

The truth is that the continued developments in plasma technology - thanks to the millions being invested in R&D by plasma TV makers - and the present pricing strategy, still make plasma a most viable display technology for HDTVs for the years to come.

And within this context, it is no surprise that the latest 2009 models have turned out to be such a success. Samsung, LG, and Panasonic have all come up with a most extensive range of new plasma televisions featuring the latest technologies. In total, for 2009, there are over 55 different models to choose from, 29 of which come from Panasonic alone. Screen sizes range from 42-inch up to massive 65-inch.

All new models feature major innovations that guarantee improved picture performance, brighter images and lower power consumptions. Some of the more expensive series also feature ultra-slim designs. The most impressive is the inch-thin Panasonic 54-inch TC-P54Z1 flagship model with its WirelessHD support. Equally impressive but less expensive are the 1.2-inch slim profile Series 8 Samsung 58-inch PN58B860 ($2,800) and the 50-inch PN50B860 ($1,800).

You see, plasma still has a lot to offer in the near to mid-term future - at least till a suitable alternative display technology is available that can deliver improved picture performance at an equally affordable price. Till then, for the informed buyer, plasma television sets will continue to represent the big screen TV technology of choice.

Admittedly, if you are after a big screen TV, both LCD and plasma HDTV sets can be your way forward. Both technologies are capable of delivering a great picture even at giant 60-inch plus screen sizes. And LCDs and plasma televisions are both available in just over an inch thin package, yet...

Plasma TVs still deliver more

Plasma HDTVs still continue to deliver more screen estate for your dollar. Besides, discerning consumers continue to appreciate the strengths of plasma over LCD such as the deeper black levels and its ability to display subtle shadow detail in predominantly dark content. In addition, plasmas can deliver richer color reproduction, possess excellent screen uniformity, and support wider viewing angles without any deterioration in the perceived image contrast as one moves off axis.

Plasma's deep shade of black and its capability to render even subtle shadow detail make plasma televisions the best choice for use in the home theater. Despite the much touting by LCD TV makers about their latest and greatest LED TVs, the best plasma televisions continue to have the upper hand when it comes to a deep shade of black - a most important picture performance parameter. Plasma TV reviews published on various sites continue to show that even the latest LED TVs find it hard to beat the less expensive plasmas in this respect. A case in point is the Panasonic 50-inch TC-P50G10 reviewed on our site; the 50-inch Panasonic TC-P50V10 and Samsung PN50B650 are also solid performers.

Equally important, plasma televisions are capable of smooth motion when handling fast action content thanks to a pixel response that is at least a thousand times faster than that of LCDs. This makes plasma TVs the primary choice for sports fans.

These characteristics render plasma the best all-rounder display technology and the primary choice among those looking for the best picture possible - irrespective of whether it is for use in the home theater, sports and gaming, or just about anyone who wants a big screen TV for general viewing.

What's more, the latest innovations in plasma display technology have done a great job in narrowing the gap between plasmas and LCDs in the areas of image brightness and power consumption. Up to very recently, these were areas that rendered LCDs the exclusive choice.

Developments here come mainly from Samsung and Panasonic with their eco-friendly plasma display panels which are capable of a much brighter image at almost 40% less power consumption than typical 1080p plasma display panels. This means that 2009 plasma HDTVs employing these new display panels are both significantly more energy efficient and equally capable of operating under bright lighting.

Mind you, LCD TVs are still more energy efficient, in particular nothing beats an LED LCD TV for its low power consumption. But surely the latest NeoPDP and E-Panels from Panasonic and Samsung respectively, have narrowed the gap to the point that power consumption in plasma displays is becoming almost a non-issue when selecting flat-panel display technology. This power issue has long been a seller for LCDs over plasma in as much as plasma's reputation for burn-in.

However, even the latter - despite being a number one favorite with those arguing against plasma, is surely something not worth worrying about anymore. On our part, we have never experienced burn-in neither with the latest 2009 plasma HDTVs, nor with any brand name plasma TV we have played with since 2007.

A lot is changing about plasma televisions...

As we have already indicated, plasma television makers are coming up with improved feature sets that guarantee more than a marginal improved picture performance. The deep shades of black in particular we have seen on the latest 2009 plasmas from both Samsung and Panasonic represent more than just the usual improvement we have got accustomed to over previous versions from year to year.

In a similar manner, the latest spec of the day - 600Hz sub-field drive technology - is truly capable of delivering sharper images with significantly improved motion resolution that in most cases reaches the maximum supported by the respective HDTV format. Up to a year ago - getting 600 to 700 lines of motion resolution meant a great HDTV, yet this year we are getting the full 1080 lines even with less expensive plasma television sets.

Samsung 50-inch PN50B650

Samsung does not offer a range of THX display certified plasma TVs but Samsung plasmas are still among the best. Sets such as the Samsung PN50B650 (approx. $1,300) offer excellent picture performance with an almost spot-on color accuracy and superb saturation that is hard to beat.

Even the latest anti-reflective coatings adopted by TV makers on their shinny plasma television screens represent a major step towards a great TV viewing experience under all ambient light conditions.

Top of the list here is the latest Ultra FilterBright coating employed by Samsung on some of its Series 5 HDTVs as well as on step-up Series 6 and flagship Series 8 plasma HDTVs. This is definitely one of the best anti-reflective coatings we have ever come across and does a great job especially in maintaining the dark parts of an image even when there is bright light shinning direct on the plasma screen.

As if this is not enough, plasma TV makers are also coming up with more stylish designs for their plasma HDTVs, designs that surely make for a bold statement in any room decor. Both the LG PS60 series already referred to above and the more expensive LG PS80 series come with LG single layer design.

Panasonic do provide a similar single sheet of glass design on the more expensive Panasonic V10 series. Similarly, Samsung proprietary touch of color design for 2009 comes with a new subtle and neutral color accent than that employed in previous years. These new designs all succeed - in their own way - to render an extremely high-end look that will surely make your plasma TV the center of attraction in any room.

Tied up with the latest stylish designs is the latest ultra-slim profile adopted on some of the high-end models against the typical three to four inch depth of standard plasma models. We have already stated that both plasma and LCDs come in almost an inch-thin package - but in the case of a plasma TV, the latest ultra-slim designs represent more than just a technological feat.

The thinnest in this respect is the expensive Panasonic Z1. At just one inch thin, the Panasonic 54-inch TC-P54Z1 is presently the world's thinnest commercially available HDTV at this screen size. But at $4,000, it is also the most expensive plasma!  This Panasonic flagship comes with one of the most advanced feature sets and includes what Panasonic defines as WirelessHD. The latter emerged more out of necessity to make up for the restrictions imposed by the thin profile package on the various cable connections. The solution adopted by TV makers is to use a separate AV box connected wirelessly with the plasma display panel. WirelessHD provides a 4Gbps uncompressed 1080p video and audio link between the AV box and the display panel.

Luckily, for those in the market for thin plasmas, less expensive models are also available - though not as thin as the Z1 HDTV. The Panasonic V10 and G15 series HDTVs hardly exceeds the 2-inch mark - when excluding the lower protruding portion of the panel. The most affordable of these is the 50-inch TC-P50PG15 which is selling online at $1,400.

Equally stylish but somewhat more expensive is Samsung flag-ship Series 8 plasma HDTVs with their 1.2-inch ultra-thin profile, with the 50-inch PN50B860 Series 8 HDTV selling online at $1,800.

Definitely, an-inch thin profile is always impressive on a flat-panel TV, but it is even more so as one moves towards more massive screen sizes. One such model within the same Samsung Series 8 is the 58-inch PN58B860 ($2,700), which is the thinnest plasma we are aware of at this screen size.

Even plasma TV pricing is changing...

We have already touched upon a few plasma televisions at various price brackets - from the expensive Panasonic Z1 and Samsung Series 8 plasma HDTVs, to affordable models like the TC-P50G10 ($1,300) from Panasonic, LG LG50PS60 ($1,200), and Samsung PN50B650 (approx. $1,300) plasma HDTVs. 

The truth is that affordability is high on today's plasma TV makers with all major manufactures offering a full line of budget plasma HDTVs that strike the right balance between price, features, and overall performance. We have arrived to the point that entry-level 50-inch plasma HDTVs are selling online for under $1,000.

Sets such as the Panasonic TC-P50X1 720p HDTV (reviewed here,) Samsung 50-inch PN50B450, LG 50PQ30  and  Best Buy in-house brand Insignia NS-P501Q-10A are all selling at significantly below the $1,000 mark. Despite being entry-level, these plasma televisions all come with the latest more energy efficient displays and 600Hz sub-filed drive - this apart from more than adequate connectivity and solid general overall performance for the price.

One may say that '...well, these are 720p HDTVs.' But as we often say, at anything and including 50-inch, the eye would not perceive the difference in picture detail afforded by the higher pixel count of a 1080p HDTV in comparison to a 720p display for the same content.

We have just listed a few of the features and innovations found on the latest plasma TVs. We also referred to the new pricing adopted by plasma television makers to help capture a much wider consumer market.

The reality is that a lot has changed since plasma televisions first found their place on stores shelves a few years back. Today, plasma's excellent picture performance surpasses that of the latest LED LCD TVs; and, it has become more possible than ever to find a big screen plasma television for every budget.

However, no matter how affordable a plasma TV is, it still represents a big portion of any home entertainment budget. Therefore, opting for the wrong choice can still turn out to be expensive. The problems many face here arise out of the large selection of plasma television models available and the numerous new features found on today's plasma TVs. These often make the whole process of selecting a plasma HDTV rather frustrating.

We therefore hope that this series of plasma television guides and featured plasma TV reviews appearing under this section will provide you with the necessary information to help you make the right choice.

The Plasma Television Guide - Section Index:

Generic Plasma TV Guides:
	Plasma TVs - A Threatened Species? Plasma TV sales have been on the decline since 2006 despite that many owners vow plasma HDTVs deliver the best picture. However the present bad economy seems to have become good economy for plasma television sales - Why?
	Plasma Display Technology - How-it-Works A short easy-to-follow description of the principles behind plasma flat-panel display technology.
	Plasma vs. LCD Television: A detailed 3600 comparative guide to choosing between a plasma TV and an LCD television. Issues discussed include Price and Size Considerations, Picture Related Issues, and Functional Matters.
	Choosing a Plasma Television - What to Look For Discussing the features to look for when choosing your flat-panel Plasma Television set.
	The Contrast Ratio Game - Playing with Numbers! See to what extent high contrast ratio ratings affect the performance of a video display device.
Plasma Television Installation Guides:
	Where to Place and How to Hang Your Plasma TV Discover how to select an optimum place for your plasma television set; explore alternative mounting options, and learn how to mount a plasma display panel in its new environment.
	Installing a Plasma TV Wall Mount Are you thinking of wall mounting your plasma television set? Find out all you need to know on how to install a plasma TV wall mount the professional way.
	Installing a Plasma TV over the Fireplace Mounting a plasma television over the fireplace is a great way to display your new flat-panel TV. More in this Plasma TV Installation Guide.
	Wiring Solutions for Flat Panel TVs - Superb Home Theater Wiring Channels The Superb Home Theater wiring solution concept is easy home theater installation. It is designed for the home installer with basic DIY skills, but not only; more info in this review article.
	Home Media Cabinets for Flat-panel TV Installations Maria Yee Line of EcoLuxury™ Home Theater Furniture represents an exclusive three-piece collection of AV cabinets that offers more than just style and functionality.
Plasma TV Protection and FAQs:
	Protecting your Plasma TV Investment Simple steps you can take to keep your plasma TV unit performing at its best.
	Plasma TV FAQs Answers to a comprehensive list of Plasma Television FAQs, covering use, technology, and even fictions you might have heard or read about.
Plasma TV Reviews:
	Plasma TV Reviews - Update 2009 Reviewing some of the present top-selling Plasma television sets and display panels.
	'Cheap' Plasma TVs Roundup - 2009 Update Discussing some of the best affordable 'budget' plasma HDTVs presently available from major brands.
	Panasonic 2009 Plasma TV Product Guide With detailed reviews cover Panasonic X1, S1, and G10 series plasma TVs.
	Samsung 2009 Plasma TV Product Guide Covering the full Samsung plasma TV lineup for 2009 and followed by a detailed review of Samsung Series 6 plasma HDTVs.
	2009 Best Plasma TVs - Samsung vs. Panasonic Which is better - Samsung B860 or Panasonic V10. We confront the two for the 'Best Plasma TV' title for 2009.

More information on plasma televisions will follow soon.

Featured Reviews and Product Guides 

2009 Samsung plasma TV Reviews:

Samsung Plasma Lineup:
Detailed product guide covering the full 2009 Samsung plasma lineup.

Samsung Series 6:
Samsung most affordable premium plasma series

Samsung Series 8:
Samsung's best plasma TV for 2009

2009 Panasonic Plasma TV Reviews:

2009 Panasonic Plasma TV Line-up - full product guide.

Review: X1 entry-level 720p HDTVs - covering also the X14 and the C1

Review: S1 entry-level 1080p HDTVs - covering also the S14 and the U1

Review: G10 THX-certified Premium 1080p HDTVs - covering also the G15 series

The Panasonic V10 in detail - Reviewing the best-rated Panasonic plasma TV for 2009

More 2009 Plasma TV Reviews

Cheap Plasma TV Reviews - 2009 Update:
Sub $1,000 name-brand plasma TVs within the 42-inch and 50-inch category.

2009 Best Plasma TVs - Samsung B860 vs. Panasonic V10:
Which deserves the 'Best Plasma TV' title for 2009?

LG Plasma TVs:
Full 2009 product guide and detailed review of LG high-end PS80 plasma TV series

Best HDTVs Roundup: Picking up the best plasma and LCD TVs for 2009

Recommended Technical Guides 

The Complete LCD TV Guide:
Discover all you need to know about LCD TV sets in this series of articles on LCD televisions.

Equipment Racks:
There is more to equipment racks than a storage space for your system components. More in this informative home theater guide.

The HDMI Cable Guide
To many, HDMI is still an unfamiliar term. This easy-to follow home theater guide explains all you need to know about HDMI.

TV Viewing Distance
Buying a big screen TV? Care should be taken as you may easily fall into the trap of buying a too large TV.

Should You Opt for a 1080p HDTV?
Discover the strengths and weaknesses of the different HD formats - 720p, 1080i, and 1080p - in this HDTV Guide.

Check out for the latest offers on Plasma TVs at amazon

Panasonic

Cheapest 50" plasma TV from Panasonic. For our plasma TV review of the Panasonic X1, please click here.

Best-selling Panasonic plasma TV for 2009. More info on the G10 is available at our Panasonic plasma TV review here.

The most affordable 'slim' styled plasma from Panasonic at this screen size.

Panasonic best plasma TV for 2009; V10 plasma TV review available here.

LG Electronics

Inexpensive 1080p THX certified plasma TV from LG

Samsung

Samsung best selling plasma HDTV; for more information, please refer to our B650 Samsung plasma TV review here.

Best-selling 58-inch big screen option from Samsung

Largest plasma HDTV within the Samsung 2009 lineup - the 63-inch PN63B590

Samsung stylish 1-inch ultra-thin plasmas for 2009.

Samsung B860 plasma TV review available on our site here.

Pioneer Kuro

For the full range of
HDTV sets at amazon,
please click here.

 

Suggested TV Wall Mounts & AV Cabinets

Wall Mounts and Media Cabinets

Would You like to get the best out of your HDTV?

There is no better way to make the most out of your new HDTV then to invest in a set-up DVD.

A great calibration disc is the Avia II Home Theater Set-up DVD, an exceptional AV calibration tool for both the novice and the expert.

Another interesting calibration disc is the Digital Video Essentials HD, but this is more suitable for advanced users.

For more information, please check our Guide to HT Set-Up DVDs.

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