What Is The Plasma In Plasma TVs And How Do You Calibrate Your Plasma TV?

As the electronics industry has moved from cathode ray technology (CRT) televisions to the new plasma technology, we have all watched as our television pictures became sharper, crisper and clearer.

Even though plasma technology isn’t all that new, the application of it in our televisions sets is. We all
understand how a plain picture tube works in a television set.

But what exactly is this plasma stuff?

Plasma is formed when two gases, neon and xenon, are electrified and the resulting phosphors (a substance that can emit light after being radiated in some way) begin to glow.

To get a little more scientific, the atoms that make up the neon and xenon release their negative electrons to float about and leave ionized positive atoms. When you have enough of theses ionized atoms, you get plasma.

You don’t need to be a science teacher to understand how all of it works, but plasma is showing up in more than just our television sets. It was used in computer displays in the 1960’s and is used today in waste treatment, welding and drilling, propulsion, lasers, and instrument sterilization in medical offices and hospitals.

The average person, though, will recognize the technology in their television sets.

As plasma televisions continue to advance, you can guarantee the use of it in other applications will continue as well. Before long, plasma technology may become one of the most widely used applications around the world for numerous things.

How To Calibrate Your New Plasma TV

When you purchase a new plasma television, expect to have to do some work to get the best possible picture. Many of the factory settings will need to be adjusted in order to make sure you don’t burn out the television too fast.

Setting considerations also play a big factor. Here are some of the things you need to consider when you set up you plasma television set.

The first thing you need to consider is where in the room your television set is going to be placed. Determine how close or far away you need to sit from the television set for optimal viewing. Sitting too close to a 50-inch screen can not only strain your eyes, but also distort the picture.

Lastly, read the manual so that you know what the menu settings mean and how to change them. Once you have done this and have the television set placed in the room, its time to adjust the picture.

Do the following in order for the best results. Select the mode (movie, cinema, film, etc.) you prefer to view your television in. Disable all the factory set enhancements. Change your color temperature to warm/normal/low, and adjust the brightness to a level you feel is right. Set your contrast.

When a black and white object sitting side by side has a clear sharp border and not a smear, you’ve
got it right. Lower the sharpness to something that looks natural, and set the color and tint to what your memory of colors should be.

Now sit back and enjoy the show on your calibrated plasma TV.