Everything you Need to Know about Plasma TV Technology
The past decade has seen tremendous advancements in plasma TV technology. When it comes to delivering vivid colors and crisp motion, plasma TV’s have long been the preferred choice of consumers. However, despite these advancements one does not need a degree in engineering or science to understand the basic principles of how this technology works.
Plasma technology was first developed for computer monitor systems in the early 1960′s and the first companies to bring this technology to the retail market were Fujitsu and Phillips. Moreover, the first units for sale in the US were more of a status symbol since they debuted with a hefty price tag of over $10,000. However, today’s refined production techniques allow plasma units to retail for a much lower and accessible price.
A plasma TV is a specific type of flat panel television set that uses numerous tiny cells sandwiched between two screens. The cells contain a mixture of noble gasses that are turned into a plasma gas when subjected to an electric current. Moreover, the phosphors in the gas excite to produce light and the whole plasma unit is usually less than 4 inches thick and 32 inches or larger. Manufacturers have yet to produce a cost effective plasma TV that is less than 32 inches.
The vivid colors associated with plasma TV’s are achieved by coating each of the cells with phosphors. Plasma produces photons which in turn excite the phosphor to generate the color and each cell functions as a tiny fluorescent lamp. In addition, the cells make up the pixels which are responsible for the picture quality.
Color is generated in a plasma TV by coating the back of each individual cell with a phosphor and the photons emitted by the plasma excite the phosphor to yield color. In effect, each cell operates much in the same way a fluorescent lamp works.
Pulse-width modulation regulates the intensity of the phosphor coating on each sub pixel and it works by controlling the amount of current that flows through the thousands of individual cells. Moreover, internal controls activate the pulses at a rate of thousands of times per second and the varying intensity allow for the incredibly sharp and vivid colors that are associated with plasma televisions.
With respect to contrast ratio, plasma TV’s typically offer the highest ratio in comparison to LCD and DLP televisions. Contrast ratio is an important feature in determining the overall quality of the picture because it is a measure of the ratio between the highest white and the darkest black.
It is difficult to imagine the path that plasma television has traveled since its humble beginnings in a California laboratory over thirty-five years ago. Yet, thanks to the increasing popularity of HDTV, plasma devices are found in homes and businesses around the country. As the American population continues to shop for the latest plasma technology, leading companies will be there to provide it for them.
Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on 7 Inch LCD TV which reviews and lists the best LCD TVs to help you pick the best one for your needs.
