Plasma TV Myths

Until recently, flat-panel plasma TVs were among the rarest and most exotic creatures in the consumer electronics jungle. Because of their relative scarcity and their ability to create crisp, vivid images in a way that seemed almost magical, plasma TVs have become shrouded in myths. Even today, when plasma TVs seem to be everywhere, these myths continue to raise questions in the minds of even knowledgeable consumers about plasma's performance, safety and long-term durability.

Of course, any new technology - especially one that challenges something as familiar as picture-tube-based TVs - is bound to generate some questions and misunderstandings. To help erase these misunderstandings, we've highlighted and debunked a handful of the most persistent and popular plasma myths below.

Myth #1: Plasma TVs emit dangerous radiation
Fact: Plasma TVs do generate a tiny amount of UV (ultraviolet) radiation, but it's even less than typical tube-type TVs generate. All TVs must meet the guideline for TV radiation emissions issued by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) back in 1969.

Myth #2: The gas in a plasma TV is poisonous
Fact: The gas used in plasma TVs is a mix of two non-flammable "inert" gases: neon and xenon. These gases are not harmful, either individually or when combined. Besides, the amount of gas used in a plasma TV has been described as "barely a thimble-full." So if the gas were to somehow leak out (which it won't, see Myth #3 below), it can't harm you.

Myth #3: Plasma TVs leak gas and require periodic "re-charging"
Fact: Every plasma TV is a completely sealed unit. In fact, it's permanently sealed when the panel is manufactured. Each individual cell in a plasma panel is sealed. Consequently, a plasma TV will never require any refilling or recharging of its neon-xenon gas.

Sadly, some salespeople at national retail chains have been known to tell customers not only that plasma TVs leak, but also that recharging the gas would be covered by an extended warranty! If a salesperson ever tries to sell you this line, do yourself a favor and head for the door.

Myth #4: Plasma TVs only last a few years
Fact: The life expectancy of Plasma TV's will vary according to the manufacturer. Some of the low-end plasmas produced in China and Taiwan will only last a few years. However, if you purchase a reputable name-brand, the latest generation of plasmas will last at least as long as a traditional CRT - about 30,000 to 40,000 hours to half-life. Some plasma sets, namely LG brand, have a 60,000 hour half -life. "Half-life" simply refers to the amount of hours it takes for a display to go from full brightness to half brightness. The picture in both CRTs and Plasmas are created by pixels made of phosphor. These pixels slowly dim over time as the phosphor gradually loses its ability to "glow." The half-life is the time it takes for these phosphors to decline to half of their original brightness. For example, the picture tube in your traditional TV has a half -life of 30,000 hours. That may not sound like a lot of hours, but if you were to watch this TV for 4 hours a day, 365 days a year, you would reach 30,000 hours in about 20 years! And because this decline is so gradual, it's virtually impossible to notice during day-to-day viewing. Chances are that long before a plasma TV "wears out," you'll be looking to replace it due to advances in TV performance and features. (On average, people replace their TVs after 8 years.)

Myth #5: All plasma TVs can display HDTV signals
Actually, some of the most popular plasma models of the past few years don't have enough pixels to provide High-Definition picture resolution. All HDTV-ready TVs (also known as HDTV monitors) must have vertical resolution of at least 720P lines. The "P" means "progressive." The horizontal lines of a set are scanned in sequence (1,2,3...), not "inter-laced" (2,4,6...). Some plasma TVs only have vertical resolution of 480P lines (often referred to as EDTV). If a plasma TV isn't clearly labeled regarding HDTV compatibility, check its pixel count. EDTV resolution for widescreen plasma models is "852 x 480P" (852 pixels across by 480 pixels high). Plasmas that are capable of displaying HDTV signals generally have resolution of 1024 x 768P or higher.

Myth #6: Plasma TVs have problems with "Burn-in"
These days, current name-brand plasmas are no more susceptible to burn-in than a traditional picture tube TV. All displays that use pixels made with phosphors have the potential for burn-in. Burn-in occurs when a stationary image, like a spreadsheet grid, TV ID logo, etc. stays in the same spot on the screen for a long, long time - normally many weeks or months. This causes the phosphors to "burn" unevenly. The resulting stationary image will then appear as a shadow on other screens. Advances in phosphor cell design and lower power requirements of the latest plasmas have greatly reduced the possibility of burn-in. Under normal home use, burn-in should not be a problem. However, if the kids have been playing non-stop Pacman on your plasma for 12 months straight, you could end up seeing the Pacman maze on the Weather Channel. If you intend to use your plasma for lots of gaming or computer work, check into a model that has some form of Image Sticking Prevention circuits. LG provides several solutions like a screen saver mode, automatic brightness reduction, low power and inversion modes that will slow or erase burn-in.