Showing posts with label FlatScreen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FlatScreen. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Maximize Your Flatscreen TV Purchase


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Plasma flat screen television technology seems cutting edge and brand new, however it was first developed in the 1960s. Once considered out of reach of the average consumer, They certainly have become much more affordable since the technology has become easier to mass produce.

The modern version is fast becoming a staple in home theaters and is often accompanied by additional high-tech accessories such as surround sound speakers. The feeling of sitting in a movie theater is replicated pretty accurately in a home theater that features a good flat screen plasma tv can offer. The largeness of the screen and the superior colors and picture quality all contribute to this effect.

These pieces of technological prowess owe their amazing color to unique technology that utilizes neon and xenon gases. These inert gases move between two flat glass panels and are completely safe. They produce over 16 million colors including a perfect black, which enhances the cinematic quality of the picture.

One way to measure the longevity of a plasma flat screen television is the number of hours to its half life, which occurs when the quality of the picture is reduced by half. Most have approximately 60,000 hours to half life. An excellent warranty that includes free or low-cost service will contribute to full enjoyment of every hour.

Even though the screen is much larger than the typical cathode ray televisions on the market, most of your models are approximately four inches deep. The thinness of the device allows a great deal of flexibility in determining where to install it. When mounted on the wall it can save a great deal of space.

However, with all the advantages of this technology, it is extremely delicate. This should be considered when placing your flat screen plasma tv in the home. Even small bumps can cause unexpected problems in screen quality and if a repair is possible it can be quite expensive. Parents should consider installing one so that it is high enough to avoid flying toys and rough housing children. Wall mounts that tilt are available so that they can be angled down if installed high on a wall.

As they become more widely available, specialized furniture, cabinets and stands have also come on the market. These accessories are available to match the personal style of every plasma owner. Home entertainment cabinets made from classic hardwoods can hold plasma flat screen televisions in addition to other equipment.

Those who favor contemporary decor can find metallic stands with glass shelves. Consumers may also utilize existing tables and cabinets. Regardless of what furniture is chosen to house one, it should be particularly sturdy. The delicate nature of these fine televisions mean that it cannot be bumped and it definitely must never fall off its stand. Even though the cost of plasma flat screen televisions is coming down, they are still not cheap. To safeguard this investment all mounts and surfaces should be fully tested to hold more than the weight of the television itself.

Budgeting considerations for your purchase should include the cost of the unit itself, any needed furniture and accessories, any warranties and the effect on the homes electric bill. Todays larger versions use a lot of electricity. However, this technology is constantly evolving. In the near future, consumers will have access to more energy efficient models.

Tags : TV buying guide LED television

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Energy Efficiency - Buying a New Plasma, LCD or Flat-Screen Television with Energy Star

Are you in the market for a new television set? Are you considering a plasma, LCD or flat-screen model? Have you considered it's energy efficiency? While most people shop for televisions with specific features already in mind, they rarely consider energy efficiency. Why is energy efficiency important in televisions? According to Energy Star, "today's TVs, when combined with related products like DVD players and set-top boxes, make up about 10% of a household's annual electricity bill."

Powering Your TV and it's Effect on the Environment

Watching television may seem harmless enough, but it's important to realize the environmental impact of the electricity you use. Generating electricity is a dirty business - especially in the United States. In 2006, nearly half (49%) of the country's 4.1 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity generated used coal as its source of energy. Why do we still rely so heavily on coal in today's more environmentally conscious world? You can find the answer in a recent MIT report titled The Future of Coal where they state, "Coal is a low-cost, per BTU, mainstay of both the developed and developing world," they continue with the following frightening statement, "its use is projected to increase."

Growing Power Needs

If 10% of your household's annual electricity bill doesn't seem outrageous to you then consider the following, according to Keith Jones of Digital CEnergy Australia, "by 2012, it will be safe to say that televisions will use more power than the average refrigerator in an average household."

Energy Efficiency - A Simple Solution

Thankfully, there is a simple solution - energy efficiency. The more energy efficient your new television is, the less electricity you use and the less pollution you contribute. With the help of Energy Star, finding an energy efficiency television has never been easier. Energy Star rated televisions use about 30% less energy in comparison to standard units. Energy Star also provides ratings on almost every type of television on the market - from standard TVs, to HD-ready TVs, to the largest flat-screen plasma TVs.

To maximize the energy efficiency of your new television, if possible, I recommend holding your purchase until after November 2008. According to Energy Star, "in November 2008, a new, much more stringent ENERGY STAR specification for TVs will be effective." This new standard will include efficiency improvements for both standby and active modes.

Finding Energy Star Rated Televisions

If you are ready to shop today then you can find Energy Star rated televisions using their free web-tool:


http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TV#FAPSearch

The following stores also carry Energy Star rated "Home Electronics" so you should be able to compare Energy Star models personally.

Best Buy
Costco
Sam's Club
Sears
Wal-Mart

To find the closest store near you, Energy Star provides the following free web-tool:


http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.store_locator

It's important to always remember using energy efficient devices is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only does energy efficiency help save the environment for future generations, it also saves you money each money by lowering your monthly electricity bill. When you purchase your next television, make the environmentally smart choice and purchase one rated by Energy Star.

Tags : TV buying guide