Frequently Asked Questions
Can video games be played on my television?
Using video entertainment machines to play Video Games or for other uses that have single, fixed (static) images, such as a photo-CD player, you should avoid setting the Brightness level too high. If static images, like network identification patterns, are left sitting for too long, they can leave a permanent impression on the picture tube(s) or plasma panel.. You can reduce the chance of this happening by limiting the amount of time you use the static images, and by reducing the contrast and brightness levels.
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What is the native resolution of my TV?
Native resolution is the actual resolution the TV can display. The video signal will either be scaled up or down to match this resolution. High definition TVs must have a minimum resolution of 720 to be considered HD. Full HD means the resolution of the display is 1080p.
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Is my TV standard definition (SDTV), enhanced definition (EDTV), or high definition (HDTV)?
This depends on the native resolution of the TV. TVs with a 480p native resolution are considered EDTV. TVs with a 768p resolution are considered HDTV. Full HD means the resolution of the TV is 1080p. Please see specification sheets for specific models to determine what type of TV you have. The ability to fully resolve all the details in such a broadcast is dependent upon the tvs resolution. An HDTV-capable TV has higher resolution capability than an EDTV model, which allows it to display more of the detail in an HDTV broadcast. EDTV TVs must convert HDTV signals into a lower resolution that's compatible with the display capability of the panel.
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What is "Full HD?"
Full HD refers to a TV that has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080p.
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What is the life expectancy of my plasma/LCD tv?
Most of the plasma models and LCDs have a life expectancy of 60,000 hours. Please refer to the specification sheet of a particular model to be absolutely sure. This is approximately 20+ years at 7 hours a day (which is the average daily viewing time per U.S. household).
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How should I clean my flat panel television?
Wet a soft cloth in a mixture of lukewarm water and a little fabric softener or mild dishwashing detergent.
Wring the cloth until it is almost dry and then use it to wipe the screen.
Make sure the excess water is off the screen and then let it air dry before you turn on your monitor.
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I've heard that plasma TVs can "burn-in" over time. What is "burn-in" exactly, and is it really a concern?
"Burn-in," or image retention, is an uneven aging of the phosphors in a display device. This can occur on any display that uses phosphors to generate an image, including tube TVs, projection TVs that use CRTs, and plasma TVs. Such uneven aging happens when bright, static images are left onscreen for an extended period of time, which can leave a visible "shadow" effect (also see Video Games).
Improvements in panel service life to over 60,000 hours have minimized the risk of image retention. In addition, screen savers, pixel shifting, and brightness level adjustments can dramatically reduce any chance of image retention. Use common sense when it comes to your plasma TV; don't pause video games or watch TV stations with station logos onscreen for long periods of time, and use one of the many display calibration DVDs available today for properly setting brightness and contrast.
