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Plasma TV Forum / Knowledge Base
All questions are answered by Editors of the Plasma TV Buying Guide.
General Plasma Questions List of Categories
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- I have heard on the grape vine that there are only a handful of manufacturers who actually manufacture the plasma TVs. Can you please set the record strait Ryan Bagwell, Wichita, KS.
- Do you have any idea what all the model number abbreviations stand for on the different models? It seems you have to be a scientist to understand the letters and number. Lucia Vasquez, El Paso, TX
- I’m confused about which size screen I need to purchase for my living room. The plasma TV will be about 12 feet from the seating area, what screen size do you suggest I purchase? Richard Beaton, Oakland, CA.
- What is the best plasma TV selling screen size? Jim, NH
- Can you tell me what I need to look for when buying a plasma if my only need is to run through Cable/Satelitte? Due to space limitations I cannot have any other componets next to the TV and I want the best picture possible for just a cable hookup.
- Any ideas on a stand/furniture which can hold a 50" Plasma (Panny 50") and hold a decent size center channel speaker + space for other components?
- I have heard that plasma television screens use a lot of energy. If this is true, what makes it different from a conventional television and how will a 42" plasma tv screen affect my utility bill?
- How does humidity affecr plasma? Sales person said that they are not a good buy in area's with high humidity - Florida.
- DVI, with at least HDCP, seems to be a critical Input capability for the future. I do not see any DVI input capability for the Panasonic, NEC or any other Plasma HDTVs. Why not? Do I misunderstand the issue? As I understand DVI, I would not want to plunk down $8,000 for a plasma unit that does not have this.
- I'm currently living in Japan and would like to purchase a plasma tv online for use here. I'll be moving to the UK next year and would take my tv with me. Are all plasma tvs multi-system ie 120V 60Hz (US)/100V 50Hz & 60Hz (JP)/240V 50Hz (UK) and NTSC/PAL compatible? Thanks, Richard
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- I have heard on the grape vine that there are only a handful of manufacturers who actually manufacture the plasma TVs. Can you please set the record strait Ryan Bagwell, Wichita, KS.
There is always talk and hype about who makes what in the Plasma TV/Monitor industry (as well as LCD and Projectors). Just to set the story straighter on a few products please see the following notes on which manufacturers make what parts:
THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS
NEC - brand monitors are made completely by NEC. NEC has its own plasma screen glass factory and uses its own processing boards and chips.
Panasonic - Owns own glass factory as well as engineering its own internal components.
Fujitsu - Owns 50% of a plasma screen glass factory with Hitachi in Kyushu, Japan. Though Fujitsu buys some of the internal components (chipsets), produces most of the internal component boards.
Pioneer - Owns its own plasma screen glass plant and produces most all boards and chips internalized in the plasma monitor.
Sony - Makes their own boards and chips but uses Fujitsu/ Hitachi plasma screen glass.
Hitachi - Owns 50% of plasma screen factory with Fujitsu. Makes own internal components.
Philips - Uses Fujitsu/ Hitachi glass screen and most internal components as well. However, Philips makes its own bezel with built in speakers.
Pictured Above: Internal Digital Video Processor Board for the new line of Fujitsu Plasma Monitors.
THE SECONDARY MANUFACTURERS
RCA/ Thompson - Partners with NEC to OEM its product. Though the bezel is different the internal components and screen and thus the picture are the same.
Toshiba - Coming soon with 50" option which is OEM from Panasonic.
Sharp - OEM product through Pioneer for 50" though they may make some internal component changes.
Runco - OEM 50" from Pioneer and 42" from NEC, though they may make some modifications.
Marantz - OEM 42" plasma monitor from NEC.
Viewsonic - OEM 50" plasma screen from Pioneer. 42" is more than likely an Hitachi.
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- Do you have any idea what all the model number abbreviations stand for on the different models? It seems you have to be a scientist to understand the letters and number. Lucia Vasquez, El Paso, TX
Sometimes it gets frustrating attempting to understand what all those numbers and letters mean. We set out on a little expedition recently to try to put some concise language behind those cryptic model delineations.
Below is an explanation of different manufacturer’s model designation nomenclature:
PIONEER –
PDP - Plasma Display Panel
43 - 43” diagonal screen measurement
CM - computer monitor
X – Up to XGA resolution capability
This model is the same as the
PRO800HD Elite =
PRO - is an elite consumer designation (as in Pro AV)
800 - probably stands for the estimated contrast ratio for the unit of 800:1
HD - means high definition, referring to the unit’s native pixel resolution
PDP-4330HD =
PDP - Plasma Display Panel
43 - 43” diagonal measurement
HD - High definition.
30 - does not mean anything.
The 3 as in 50(3)CMX or 43(3)CMX should stand for the generation of this plasma make, which it does in the case of the 50” unit but does not in the case of the 43” unit. The Pioneer 433CMX is Pioneer’s first try with a 43” unit.
Apply the same rules to the 50” models and we’ve taken care of Pioneer.
NEC –
MP3 = Multimedia Plasmasync 3rd generation
MP4 – It really is the 4th generation for NEC
PANASONIC –
TH - proffesional broadcast designation
42 – 42” diagonal measurement
PWD – Plasma Wide Display referring to the units 853X480 native pixel resolution and 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
5 – 5th generation plasma display (which is true)
U – goods to be sold in the United States
Y – Does not contain tuner
TH-42PHD5UY =
Same except: PHD designation stands for Plasma High Definition referring to this units 1024X768 native pixel resolution
TH – 50PHD5UY =
Same as above except 50” diagonal measurement with high definition native pixel resolution
PT- 50PD3-P =
PT – is the consumer model designation
50 – 50” diagonal measurement of screen
PD – Plasma Display
3 – 3rd generation
P – Plasma
Apply same rules for 42” units
SONY –
PFM- Professional Flat Monitor
42 – 42” diagonal measurement of the screen
B1 – 1st generation of this B series monitor
U – up to UXGA compatible
PFM – 50C1
Same except 50” and 1st generation of this “C” series monitor
SAMSUNG –
PPM – Professional Plasma Monitor
42 – 42” diagonal measurement
S – SVGA resolution
2 – 2nd generation
PPM50H2 –
Same except 50” with “H” standing for high definition
SAMPO –
PME – Plasma Monitor Enhanced Definition
42 – 42” diagonal measurement
S – SVGA resolution
6 – 6th generation (though it is really only the 2nd. A bit misleading there)
FUJITSU –
PD – Plasma Display
S – SXGA resolution
42 – 42” diagonal measurement
4 – 4th generation
2 – Consumer models end in 2 or another even number
PDS – 5001
Same
50 – 50” diagonal measurement
0 – first generation
1 – Broadcast commercial model designations end in odd numbers
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- I’m confused about which size screen I need to purchase for my living room. The plasma TV will be about 12 feet from the seating area, what screen size do you suggest I purchase? Richard Beaton, Oakland, CA.
Plasma monitors are measured diagonally across the screen, as are other television sets and monitors. Plasma screens start at 32" and increase in size up to 63".
The typical sizes are: 32", 40", 42", 46", 50", 61", 63"
The most popular screen sizes are 32", 42" 50" and 61". Screens smaller than 32" are considered LCD monitors.
The first stage in selecting the desired plasma screen size should be to measure the space it's going in. When recessing the unit in a space allow at least 3" of open space at the top and adequate ventilation space behind the unit to allow heat to escape. Remember that most plasma TVs do not have built in speakers but do offer some type of attachable side speakers, so allow an extra 3-6" on each side if you plan to use these.
Size of Room/Viewing Area
Make sure you have adequate viewing space between you and the TV. With Plasma TV's becoming more and more popular these days, the temptation to purchase the largest screen possible is hard to pass up. However, you must have the proper distance to have the most pleasing viewing experience.
Rough seating to plasma screen distance recommendations are as follows: 32-37" screens may be viewed from 6 to 10 feet. A 42" plasma display may be optimally viewed from 10-14 feet. A 50" plasma display will look best from 12-16 feet.You should have at least 15 feet to work with when installing a 61-inch or 63-inch plasma screen.
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- What is the best plasma TV selling screen size? Jim, NH
Check out the results of the Plasma TV Buying Guide screen size poll at:
Poll Results The best selling size in order of popularity is: 42", 50", 61", 37", 32
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- Can you tell me what I need to look for when buying a plasma if my only need is to run through Cable/Satelitte? Due to space limitations I cannot have any other componets next to the TV and I want the best picture possible for just a cable hookup.
If you want the best possible picture with only a standard cable connection, I would recommend a plasma with an EDTV resolution of 853x480 and the plasma should have a built-in tuner. If you upgrade to digital cable or satellite, then those set-top boxes would act as the tuner and you could select a plasma without a built-in tuner.
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- Any ideas on a stand/furniture which can hold a 50" Plasma (Panny 50") and hold a decent size center channel speaker + space for other components?
Bell'O makes modern furniture of high quality that are designed specifically for plasma displays. Their designs can be found at www.bello.com.
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- I have heard that plasma television screens use a lot of energy. If this is true, what makes it different from a conventional television and how will a 42" plasma tv screen affect my utility bill?
Some manufacturers publish the power consuption of their units. For example, the Sony KDE-42XBR950 consumes 430W, while the NEC 42VP4 consumes 350W during normal operations. A standard CRT TV will comsume anywhere from 200-300W. So, there is not a substantial difference, just think of it as having another 60W or 100W light bulb turned on in your house.
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- How does humidity affecr plasma? Sales person said that they are not a good buy in area's with high humidity - Florida.
Any electronic device that is not sealed for environmental conditions will be affected in the same manner. The typical consumer who will have a TV in their home will not experience any adverse effects due to changing atmospheric conditions. If you live in an area of high humidity, running the air conditioner in your home will remove the moisture in the air.
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- DVI, with at least HDCP, seems to be a critical Input capability for the future. I do not see any DVI input capability for the Panasonic, NEC or any other Plasma HDTVs. Why not? Do I misunderstand the issue? As I understand DVI, I would not want to plunk down $8,000 for a plasma unit that does not have this.
Most manufacturers are actually phasing out the DVI input and in its place is a connection called HDMI (visit www.hdmi.org for further information). Panasonic does have DVI (HDCP) compatible plasma models. All of the 6-series commercial models have expansion slots in which enables one to install the DVI (HDCP) module. The TH42PA20U/P is also DVI (HDCP) compatible. The Panasonic 42" and 50" PX20U/P both have the HDMI connection, however, no DVI. NEC does not currently offer DVI with HDCP. Therefore, the NEC without HDCP is the optimal choice if you plan on using a HTPC (home theater PC) as your video processor.
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- I'm currently living in Japan and would like to purchase a plasma tv online for use here. I'll be moving to the UK next year and would take my tv with me. Are all plasma tvs multi-system ie 120V 60Hz (US)/100V 50Hz & 60Hz (JP)/240V 50Hz (UK) and NTSC/PAL compatible? Thanks, Richard
The Pioneer PDP-503CMX, PDP433CMX; Sony PFM series monitors as well as all NECs models are multisystem units that are compatible for all regions.
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The Plasma TV Forum is responses to questions sent into the Plasma TV Buying guide. All questions are answered by Editors of the Plasma TV Buying Guide.
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