We have all heard certain plasma displays described as “enhanced” definition displays. “Enhanced” certainly makes these plasma TVs sound good … desirable even. Lucky for us there’s more to this than just clever marketing. Enhanced-definition (or ED) plasma TVs are actually better than conventional, tube-type TVs—not just slimmer and wider.

Resolution is the main reason why HDTV looks so much better than standard television. On a high-def TV displaying a high-def source, a million or more pixels combine to create images that appear sharper and more realistic than TV ever has before. Resolution isn’t the be-all and end-all of picture quality, however, and its numerous, well, numbers, can be incredibly intimidating at first. In this article we’ll try to demystify HDTV resolution and help you cut through the hype that surrounds all of those numbers.

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There is a lot of discussion on the differences between plasma and LCD screens and arguments for and against each, but when the decision is made that you want a plasma screen, it pays to do your homework to make sure you can get the best plasma TV available for the price you can afford. For most consumers, the best plasma TV on the market is the one they can afford and that will fit in their home. Beyond that, there are some features to look for when considering the purchase of a new television.

Most of the best plasma TV panels will last a minimum of 60,000 hours, which translates into about 20 years of viewing an average of eight hours a day. Once you have figures out your price range you can begin to look at the features available on some of the best plasma TV sets available. The life of the panel is going to be one of the most important things to look at, as you want a television that will last more than a couple of years.

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