PLASMA FAQ (UPDATED 01/08/06) - PLEASE read before posting

[Jazz Monkey Jr]

If you can't find what you are looking for below, first do a search , and then post a new thread if necessary.

If you would like to suggest updates to this FAQ section please post here and one of the plsama mods will reply and update below if required.

AVForums Tutorials
A new series of video tutorials have been released explaining everything from 'what makes a great picture' to 'basic TV calibration' and more.
Watch our tutorials at www.avforums.tv

PURCHASING ADVICE
You need to decide what model to buy and where to buy it from.
The AV Forums can help you with both those decisions.

I have budget £xxxx, what should I buy
One of the most frequent questions asked. Please search for answers and models in your price range before posting if this is the "best". Here's only a few examples. First of, check out the AVForums Special offers here. Approx £5000 here. Approx £3000 here, here. Approx £2500-£2000 here, here. £1500 to spend here, here, here, here, here, here. Approx £1200 here, here. Under £1000 here, here, here.

Where should I buy my plasma from?
We suggest you use one of the many plasma retailers advertising at the AV Forums. Click on one of the advertisements you can see in this forum. The list of advertisers is available here.

The John Lewis price match FAQ is here.

Does XYZ support HDMI 1.3?
This article should help you decide if you really need it

GENERAL PLASMA INFO

HD Ready List of TV's
See here for a list of HD Ready TV's also.

Information on 1:1 Pixel Mapping
See thread here for more information

Am I best waiting for the next technology, are plasma's dead or dying?
There is always something better coming along, it's up to you when to jump in and buy one. See some example discussions here. Also check out the new forum about the "next" technologies here

What is HD ready?
See HERE

Lip-Sync Issues between sound and picture on your plasma?
Read it being discussed here, here, here, and here

Pioneer Plasma's Settings and Information

Is there any info on the new Sky HD service?
See HERE and the specific Sky forum here and also HD forum here

What about John Lewis price match?
See FAQ here, with detailed threads about price matching HERE and HERE

How do I keep my plasma dust free?
see HERE

How do I check my hours/ get in to the service menu?
DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK, SERVICE MENU's ARE HIDDEN FOR A REASON, but if you must, see HERE

What are recommended viewing distances for plasmas?
In general a 42" be suitable from around 8ft, and 50" from around 12ft but it depends on viewing sources. You can view a HD source from closer than a SD source as there is more detail in the picture - 4.7 feet is recommended for a HD source. Also see HERE

Which resolutions and refresh rates should I use when using my PC?
If you use the native resolution you will get the sharpest picture, but on the 42" you will get a stretched image on 1024 x 768, you can use the device properties in Media Player to set the ratio at 1.33 (1024 / 768), see extra post below.

I am thinking of wall mounting, any pics and tips?
See HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. Plus general pictures of many, many plasma installs to give you ideas of what's possible HERE and HERE, plus specific PV500 pics HERE, Panasonic Viera's HERE, and Hitachi 7200 HERE

Is it safe to mount a plasma over the fireplace?
See HERE and HERE and HERE

Can you mount a plasma is a conservatory?
Plasma's aren't great in bright conditions, so unless you have got roof/wall blinds you would probably be better off with a LCD display.
Also see HERE and HERE

How do I get my XBox to display hi-def?
Idiots guide HERE and Softmod kit HERE

I need more than one component input, what do I use?
You can use an amp to switch inputs or get a dedicated component switcher such as this one: JS Master Component switcher.

What cables are recommended to use?
For component cables, Mark Grant is recommended. Cable classifieds HERE. Also TVcables.co.uk have a good selection of QED and other cables.

How much so I budget for cables?
Usually 10% of your kit price

Where to buy your plasma/cables?
Please see the AVForums Links section here for suggested sites

SCREEN BURN/IMAGE RETENTION/RUNNING IN/CALIBRATION

Does the panel need 'running in' to prevent 'screen burn'?
Across ALL screens it is generally recommended that screens are "looked after" in the first 100-200 hours. Turn down brightness and contrast to approx 50% of maximum settings or less, and take it out of dynamic mode or equivalent. Avoid static images for more 1-2 hours where possible during the running in period.

What is screen burn/image retention and can it be avoided.
This has been discussed many, many, many times. Please use the Search This Forum function for your model prior to posting a new thread about it. Here are just a few selections: Rumour or Reality, Poll on it here, Pioneer 436, see the Pioneer FAQ thread here, Panasonic here and here, and here. And if you are really worried about screen burn, take a deep breath, and look at this, and smile

What are the best settings to use after this run in?
The cheapest way to set up the panel is using a DVE disc or for the ultimate calibration you need to get it ISF'd when you have got all your kit set up.

How do you use the DVE disc?
See the projector sticky HERE

Where can I get the DVE disc from?
A few DVD online retailers sell the DVE discs, including Play and AxelMusic

What is ISF calibration?
see HERE and HERE and HERE. See discussion of ISF here and here. Example of PV500 ISF results see HERE

I haven't got a DVE disc yet, what settings are people using?
See thread HERE

WARRANTY/AFTER CARE

Can I get an extended warranty from somewhere else?
Yes, Av-Sales allow you to purchase one up to 6 months after buying it. See also warranty discussions here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here

Cleaning your plasma
See thread here for cleaning cloths for plasma's


Thanks to Mal/Stuart/Hornydragon for the original FAQ sections that I have updated and merged together

[Jazz Monkey Jr]

OTHER MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC INFO:

PANASONIC 2006 PLASMA RANGE
See detailed FAQ here

PANASONIC PX70
Panasonic PX70 recommended run-in settings

Pioneer 435/436/505/506 FDE/XDE FAQ
See detailed FAQ thread here

Fujitsu P42 / 50XHA58EB discussion
See Owners thread

LG Plasma's Specific:

Pro's/Con's of LG Plasma's
See post here of the pro's and con's of the major LG plasmas

Pansonic PWD/PHD Specific Info

PWD8 and PHD8 Xbox 360 Demo
See thread here for info on a side-by-side comparison of XBOX 360 on PWD8 and PHD8

Techwood Plasma Issues
See here

SPECIFIC PV500 INFO

Is the PV500 HD ready?
Yes, it accepts 720p and 1080i at 50 & 60hz and will downscale/upscale the image to the panel resolution.

What should I do when I get my PV500?
Take it OUT of Dynamic mode (which will reduce the life of the plasma), turn the contrast/brightness down under 50% for the first 100-200 hours, do a basic calibration with a THX disc or DVE disc, and don't leave any channels with logos on for more than an hour or so.

Where can I get the specs sheet?
See HERE

What's the difference between the PV500 and the PHD8?
The PHD8 is a panel version and doesn't have built in tuners/speakers/inputs. You have to buy the input boards you need which makes it more flexible but usually more expensive. The panels are also easier to tweak/set up and are best used with a scaler for the best possible picture quality.

For general prices see HERE

What are the panel resolutions?
See the data sheet HERE

37" PV500 VGA - 1:1 pixel mapping guide
See detailed thread here for more info

Can you get surround sound from freeview?
Yes, it has phono audio out (no digital out)

How do I adjust the size/geometry on my PV500?
The option has been taken out of the service menu on the PV500's but may well be in a hidden menu.

Will DVD's auto switch aspect on component?
It seems that they do switch most of the time, if not you will have to use the 16:9 setting on Aspect.

How will my gamecube look on the PV500?
See HERE

What know problems are there with the PV500?
See the problem poll HERE and the contrast problem thread HERE and the horizontal line thread HERE and faults summary thread HERE and buzzing thread HERE

Who is happy with their PV500?
See HERE

Panasonic PV500 Buzz Unacceptable
See thread here for discussion on the PV500 buzz

Where can I see pics of forum members PV500 setups?
See 'Get your Virea out for the lads' HERE

Are there any screenshots of the PV500 showing DVD's, Hi-def stuff and Windows?
See HERE

What other costs can there be, cables etc?
See HERE for my project cost.

What do the connectors look like?
See HERE

What size is the 42" PV500 box, will it fit in my car?
Length: 125cm Width: 39cm Height: 85cm.
Only transport it standin up, and the glass screen is much more likely to break when laid down.

How far will it stick out if I wall mount it?
It will stick out about 14cm once wall mounted.

What size bolts do I need when wall-mounting?
You will need at least 6 M8 rawl bolts, preferably 8 when wall mounting. This requires a 14mm masonary bit.


Aspect setting in media player:

Go to: Tools, Options, Devices, highligh display and click properties, you can then set you aspect, on the 42" it is 1.33 when outputting 1024 x 768 resolution, that way you still get 1:1 pixel mapping and the correct aspect when watching films.