Considering a Plasma Screen for your Home or Business ?

Click here for a discussion on Plasma Vs LCD

The number one problem facing most people when choosing a flat panel screen is the confusing list of features available as well as the marketing hype that accompanies that list. Many people presume that when purchasing a plasma TV they are purchasing a HDTV monitor,however most lower priced plasma screens are NOT High Definition. Others see beautiful pictures in magazines or colorful displays at electronics stores and fall in love with slim profile and crisp image, only to realize when thet get the screen home that there are a number of not so beautiful cables to deal with and the picture is not quite as perfect as it was in the store.

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The Picture on the Wall Beautiful to Look at, Not So Easy to Install. Look at the picture above. This is a typical advertisement for a plasma television. It's simply a work of art, hanging there free of any wires, mounting devices, or power cords. The truth is that Plasmas are eye-catching when installed properly. However, many people realize, after, purchasing a plasma from a superstore or internet retailer that the installation is not a easy or simple as it first appeared. Right out of the box, it is obvious that there are just as many cables and usually much more mounting hardware than the TV you are trying to replace. SRS Productions specializes in plasma monitors and home theater systems! Let us help make your desire to watch beautiful images on a flat panel screen a reality today.

Plasma Does Not Mean HDTV! High-definition TV is here! If you're in the market for HDTV, here are a few things you need to know before you make that big purchase. If you want HDTV, you have to look for a screen that has a resolution of 720p (720 progressive lines of resolution) or 1080i (1080 interlaced lines). Many Plasma screens only 480p (480 progressive) or EDTV. While this provides enough resoultion for a DVD-quality image, it is not true HD quality. Most manufacturers sell both options, but expect to pay more for an HDTV set. In addition to purchasing an HD display, you will also need to purchase a HD receiver and a HD programming package through your cable or satellite provider. Alternatively, depending on your physical location, you may be able to receive HD signals from local TV stations, but you will still need to purchase the HD receiver to accept those signals and disply them on your HD monitor.

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Who Really Makes Your Plasma TV?

Very few Plasma TV manufacturers actually make their own plasma TVs. Most maunfacturers buy from a Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM),then add extra or special features and place their name on the bezel and bill you thousands extra for the sticker. Below is a list of the major Plasma manufacturers and who is an OEM and who is not.

THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS

NEC - Nec is an OEM. The company's plan is to supply industrial unit under the NEC name and supply home units under names such as Marantz and RCA.
Panasonic - Panasonic is an OEM who Supplies Toshiba, JVC, Fujitsu and more.
Pioneer - Pioneer is an OEM who sells their product to Sharp. Note: The 5030 and 4030 HD multtimedia box is made by Sharp.
Fujitsu - Fujitsu is an OEM in partnership with Hitachi.42" is an OEM but the 50" and 61" Fujitsu Plasmas are Panasonic and NEC.
Sony - Sony is an OEM for their boards and chip sets but uses Fujitsu/ Hitachi plasma screen glass.
Hitachi - Owns 50% of a plasma screen factory with Fujitsu. OEM for it's 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.
LG / Zenith - Make their own glass in Korea.
Samsung - Makes its own components in Korea.

THE SECONDARY MANUFACTURERS

RCA/ Thompson - Uses OEM product from NEC, with a new bezel.
JVC - 50 inch is Panasonic, 42 is NEC
Toshiba - OEM from Panasonic.
Sharp - OEM product from Pioneer for 50" and 42 though they may make some internal component changes .
Runco - OEM 50" from Pioneer and 42" from NEC.
Marantz - OEM 42" plasma monitor from NEC.
Viewsonic - OEM 50" plasma screen from Pioneer ( old 502 ).
Sampo - 42v3 is old Fujitsu, 42v6 is Samsung Plasma :

Generally speaking, NEC, Fujitsu/Hitachi, Panasonic, and Pioneer have the most repsected names in the Plasma OEM market. Samsung & Philips follow closely. When purchasing a less expensive product, such as the $3000 units found in Costco, you are getting a discontinued model with cheaper parts (those that the non-OEM puts on or in).