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Plasma TV Forum / Knowledge Base
All questions are answered by Editors of the Plasma TV Buying Guide.
Altitude Questions List of Categories
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- I live just outside of Denver at an elivation of 5600. Will this represent a problem in purchasing a plasma TV?
- Does the Panasonic Plasma TV, model TH42PWD6UY, come with a coaxial cable input connection that I may plug in directly to the TV or do you have to plug the cable provider coax into a VCR and then make a connection from the VCR to the Plasma TV?
- I have a TH42PWD6UY plasma. I use an A/V receiver that outputs my VCR and DVD in 480I (svid and composite vid). What box would I need to convert those 480I output signals to 480P and make a single connection to the monitor? What input module (in the plasma)would you recommend to make that connection? (780p is not available with my current cable provider)
- WILL A PLASMA TV BE AFFECTED BY FREEZING WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE BEING SHIPPED TO MY HOME IF IT TAKES SEVERAL DAYS?
- How many years do a plasma tv display has for its lifetime?
- I understand that one should use only clean 100% cotton or microfiber cloths to clean a plasm screen and not to use any cleaners with ammonia in them but does someone make a cleaning solution that is safe for plasma screens?
- is there a plasma tv which will work at 8,000 feet using a satellite feed? And how long might it last?
- OK, what's the REAL scoop ? I've contacted dealers, manufacturers, tech support and local retailers . . . no one agrees about altitude limits for plasma video monitors. One local retailer refuses to sell anything but Mitsubishi brand plasma monitors. This retailer claims that: a) Mitsubishi is the only manufacturer that DESIGNS their plasma monitors to operate at "high" (whatever that is) altitude; and b) sony will not even warrant their plasma video monitors above 6,500 feet. I live at 7,100 feet. Is it at all possible to operate any 42-inch plasma video monitor at such an exotic elevation ? Thank you for your input.
- Is it true that Plasma TV/Monitor manufactures have made changes in their displays to accommodate altitude?
- Is there a performance limitation with plasma displays at high altitude?
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- I live just outside of Denver at an elivation of 5600. Will this represent a problem in purchasing a plasma TV?
Altitude pressure has long been a problem with plasma display devices. Since the plasma display element on a plasma TV is actually a glass envelope containing rare natural gases, thinner air causes increased stress on the gases inside the envelope. Therefore, the entire panel structure is normally calibrated to near sea level altitudes at the factory.
What does this mean to the average user in Denver?
Denver (6500 feet above sea level) is on the borderline of what most manufacturers state as the maximum altitude limits for their plasma TV offerings. Santa Fe at 7000ft. in most areas poses a more significant threat. Atmospheric pressure is also different in certain areas of the mountains. I have spoken with plasma TV owners across the country to canvass this issue, and found that one user at 5500ft. can be significantly affected and another at 6500ft. may not - even though they view the same plasma TV. How can that be? Not certain, but it seems a valley can have higher atmospheric altitude pressure than peaks. This, practically, proves to be the case from my experience in speaking with different owners and asking questions that might solve the problem.
What types of symptomatic problems occur at altitudes above 6000 feet? Will the plasma TV even operate?
A plasma TV will operate and the picture will be just as vibrant and colorful as it would at sea level. But because of the added altitude pressure, the plasma display must work harder to cool the display element. If the unit has fans, the fans will be significantly louder. If not, and the unit has a convection cooling system without fans, then the units cooling system will make a buzzing noise (the only way to describe it) as it works harder. It is a very real annoyance. Many people have been forced to return plasma TVs due to altitude pressure. One additional consideration is that since the plasma TV has to work harder in the thinner air, the unit will likely not last quite as long as it would at sea level.
What are the practical ramifications of making a decision about whether or not to purchase a plasma TV if I live at high altitude?
My opinion is substantiated by research, but there are always exceptions: If you live at more than 7000ft. above sea level - I would not recommend trying plasma as your viewing source (try DLP or LCD). Locations of 6500ft. to 7000ft. are questionable. I would visit a local AV store to find out how plasma TVs perform in the showroom before purchasing. Ask questions. Listen closely to the displays. If your location for the plasma TV is between 5500ft. and 6500ft. you should be fine with the plasma display, but there have been exceptions (remember those strange valley situations). Sony states just 5500ft. as the maximum altitude for their plasma TVs. Denver gets the thumbs up. Santa Fe thumbs sideways. Crested Butte - ski, and white water raft; and settle for a tubeā¦
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- Does the Panasonic Plasma TV, model TH42PWD6UY, come with a coaxial cable input connection that I may plug in directly to the TV or do you have to plug the cable provider coax into a VCR and then make a connection from the VCR to the Plasma TV?
The TH42PWD6UY does not have a tuner built-in for a standard F-type coax connection; therefore, one would require to use the tuner in the VCR for the connection to the Plasma.
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- I have a TH42PWD6UY plasma. I use an A/V receiver that outputs my VCR and DVD in 480I (svid and composite vid). What box would I need to convert those 480I output signals to 480P and make a single connection to the monitor? What input module (in the plasma)would you recommend to make that connection? (780p is not available with my current cable provider)
The plasma has a built in de-interlacer to already provide the conversion. I would suggest upgrading your DVD player to a progressive scan unit and use the component input. I would also suggest not using the S-video connection on the Panasonic but, use the composite instead. The Panasonic Plasma does a poor job processing the S-video signal for some unknown reason. The composite input will result for a better picture for your VCR and cable viewing.
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- WILL A PLASMA TV BE AFFECTED BY FREEZING WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE BEING SHIPPED TO MY HOME IF IT TAKES SEVERAL DAYS?
Most plasmas have operating temperature ranging from 32-105 degrees. So I would not be concerned with cold temperatures. Unless your home or location of the plasma is outside of the operating range of the unit.
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- How many years do a plasma tv display has for its lifetime?
With average viewing of 4-6 hours per day, the plasma will reach its half brightness level in 12-17 years. That is very similar to a conventional CRT.
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- I understand that one should use only clean 100% cotton or microfiber cloths to clean a plasm screen and not to use any cleaners with ammonia in them but does someone make a cleaning solution that is safe for plasma screens?
I am not aware of any specific plasma screen cleaning products. One basically does not want to remove the anti-glare coating on the glass.
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- is there a plasma tv which will work at 8,000 feet using a satellite feed? And how long might it last?
All NECs are rated to 9000ft, Pioneer's are rated to 7500 and Sony makes a couple of high altitude of their PFM-42V1 rated at >7500ft. The lifespan would not be affected by the altitude for these models.
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- OK, what's the REAL scoop ? I've contacted dealers, manufacturers, tech support and local retailers . . . no one agrees about altitude limits for plasma video monitors. One local retailer refuses to sell anything but Mitsubishi brand plasma monitors. This retailer claims that: a) Mitsubishi is the only manufacturer that DESIGNS their plasma monitors to operate at "high" (whatever that is) altitude; and b) sony will not even warrant their plasma video monitors above 6,500 feet. I live at 7,100 feet. Is it at all possible to operate any 42-inch plasma video monitor at such an exotic elevation ? Thank you for your input.
Your elevation at 7,100 feet should not be a problem. NEC rate's their plasmas to 9000 feet and Pioneer's are rated to 7500 feet. Sony also has a small offering of plasma designed for altitudes greater than 7500 feet.
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- Is it true that Plasma TV/Monitor manufactures have made changes in their displays to accommodate altitude?
Yes, some manufacturers are now making models specifically for higher altitudes.
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- Is there a performance limitation with plasma displays at high altitude?
Plasmas at high altitudes (>6300ft) can suffer from a buzzing noise. The buzzing comes from the fans turning faster or the transformers. This is a result of the reduced pressure in the atmosphere and the unit is having to work harder to create the picture. Some manufacturers have units designed specifically for higher altitudes.
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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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