plasma tv sony 50
10 Bone-headed Mistakes Plasma TV Shoppers Must Avoid!
Shopping for a Big Screen TV means avoiding lots of people trying to dazzle you with new technology.
You have to side-step slick TV salesmen talking about “DLP”, “EDTV” or “1080i”. You have to outsmart internet con artists selling “gray market” Plasmas. And you have to ignore bone-headed advice from Fred, the neighborhood know-it-all.
Mistake #1: Don’t Buy A “No-Name” Plasma TV!
The most important decision you can make when buying a big screen TV is to decide not to buy a “No-Name”. A device as complex as a LCD, Plasma or DLP TV must be manufactured with the finest components by dozens of expert technicians working in multi-million dollar plants. “No-name” companies use none of those.
Mistake #2: Never Trust A “Seeing Eye” TV Salesman!
If you walk into a TV showroom and don’t know EDTV from HDTV, some slick salesman will smile and eat you for lunch! Don’t let salesmen make choices for you, or you’ll end up with some outdated TV his boss wants to get rid of. Or you’ll end up with screen burn-in on your new Plasma when your son hooks up his Playstation 3; or suffer with a dim display in your brightly lit living room. Do a little research before you make a purchase; it’s not difficult.
(If you’re not familiar with some of the terms used above - DLP, EDTV, LCD - Google the "123 Guide To Plasma TV.com")
Mistake #3: Don’t Buy From A “No-Name” Retailer!
It’s important to buy your Plasma TV from a reputable dealer selling brand name merchandise. The return of a faulty $2000 Plasma TV won’t bankrupt Wal-Mart or Sony; but could devastate a Mom and Pop electronics store. Try to make major purchases from a major retailer’s website; make sure they offer a good return policy and have brand name Plasmas at a discount price.
Mistake #4: Don’t Fall For Plasma Internet Scams!
We’ve all seen what look like great deals on Plasma TVs online. But exactly what is a great deal? It means getting GREAT MERCHANDISE at a GREAT PRICE. It’s not a great deal if you get CRAPPY MERCHANDISE at a GREAT PRICE! You don’t want your “new” Plasma to be a returned or refurbished item. Avoid “gray market” or “B stock” merchandise, and avoid sellers who aren’t authorized retailers.
Mistake #5: Don’t Play Video Games On A Plasma Television!
The chance of screen burn-in on a Plasma TV has been greatly reduced by improved technology, but not eliminated. Computer programs, video games, stock tickers and station logos can burn permanently into the screen, ruining your expensive TV. LCD and DLP TV screens cannot suffer screen burn-in, ever.
Mistake #6: Don’t Let A Know-It-All Pick Your TV!
Your neighbor Fred says he’s an expert on Big Screen TVs, and volunteers to help you buy one. Fred may be a good guy. . . he may even know the difference between DTV and DLP. But Fred may also be a Boob blowing smoke out the rear of his shorts. How can you tell? Rely on the only person you can trust to look out for your interests . . . you! Listen to Fred, but take him with a grain of salt . . . and do your own research!
Mistake #7: Don’t Try To Bring Home A Plasma TV By Yourself!
There was a time you could go to Circuit City, buy a 19-inch color TV, throw it in the back seat and take it home . . . those days are over! Shipping a Plasma TV to your home is the only sensible way to get it there; it’s too big, expensive, heavy and delicate to be shoved in the trunk of a car. Your retailer will arrange shipping for you; make sure that insurance and order tracking are included in the deal. Don’t sign for delivery until you’ve inspected your TV for damage.
Mistake #8: Don’t Install A Plasma TV Without Help!
A Plasma TV, although thin, is actually very heavy. A 50-inch Plasma TV can weigh over 160 pounds. Mounting a Plasma TV on it’s table stand is a three person job; call some strong friends over. The delivery people will put your TV on the curb, or in your living room, depending on what you paid for. They won’t install your TV on a wall mount, that service costs $200-$300.
Mistake #9: Don’t Fail To Connect A Dolby Sound System!
You shouldn’t settle for the sound coming from your TV speakers. Attached to your TV, a Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound amplifier sends six separate channels of sound through speakers in front of, on both sides of and behind the viewer. Home Theater Systems start as low as $250 and go into the thousands; they include an amplifier, five speakers, wire and a sub woofer. Dolby 7.1 is even more advanced with eight sound channels.
Mistake #10: Don’t Forget To Budget For Peripherals!
For full enjoyment of your new Plasma TV, you’ll need lots of other stuff: HDMI cables for each peripheral, surge protectors, a TV stand or wall mount, a HDTV DVD player and digital cable for High Def broadcasts. You’ll also need a Home Theater System with at least Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound and a comfortable viewing area. I’m not trying to scare you . . . a modest system can cost less than $300, A good system between $800-$1000 and a Top-of-the-Line system $1500 and up.
Well, there you have it . . . the 10 Biggest Bone-Headed Mistakes you could make when shopping for the perfect Plasma TV! Avoid them like the plague!
Good luck . . . I hope you find the Plasma TV that will thrill your family for years to come!
It’s as easy as 123!
About the Author
About The Author
Ike Ridley is the avid videophile and self-confessed “Movie Nut” who created the website the 123 Guide To Plasma TV . To visit us, click the links or paste this URL into your web browser:
http://www.123-guide-to-plasma-tv.com/
Ike has moved to the Caribbean where he clicks away on his laptop under a palm tree.
Click Here for tips on buying discount Plasma TVs!
This is a 100% free article. You may distribute it freely, give away a copy from your own web site or bundle it as a free bonus with other products. You may distribute this article if it’s intact, with the author's links, copyright notice and author information included.
The article contains no affiliate links. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Copyright © 2007 Isaac Ridley Jr. Some rights reserved.
 |
Cheetah Mounts APTMM2B Flat Screen TV Wall Mount Bracket for 32-65-Inch Plasma LED LCD TV List Price: $89.99 Sale Price: $26.95 Used From: $59.95  |
|
The APTMM2 flat tilt mount features a slim 1.4-Inch profile from the wall to the back of your display. Additionally it has 0-15 degrees of tilt. The APTMM2 mount is constructed with 8LBS of 100% High Grade Steel providing a sturdy and reliable mount... |
 |
VideoSecu Tilt TV Wall Mount for Most 32"-65" LCD LED Plasma TV Flat Screen, Sturdy Steel Wall Plate Free HDMI Cable and 6" Bubble Level M43 List Price: $159.99 Sale Price: $29.99 |
|
The VideoSecu MP501B is compatible with LED, LCD, and Plasma TVs and other flat panel display between 32 and 60 inches weigh less than 165lbs. Supports all VESA mounting standards up to 710x450mm and many odd size mounting patterns (mounting holes on the rear of the TV or panel should be no more than 28" apart horizontally and up to 17... |
 |
Cheetah Mounts Plasma LCD Flat Screen TV Articulating Full Motion Dual Arm Wall Mount Bracket For 32-65" Displays Up To 165LBS Black With 10' High Speed HDMI Cable With Ethernet Fits Up To 24" Studs List Price: $189.96 Sale Price: $24.90 Used From: $58.86 |
|
This is a very substantial mount with Dual arms and heavy gauge steel. The arms extend over 20" from the wall yet fold to less than 4.25". Even at full extension, this mount has very little sag or twist... |
 |
VideoSecu Tilt TV Wall Mount Bracket for Most 32"- 65" LED LCD Plasma TV Flat Panel Screen Free HDMI Cable and Magnetic Bubble Level MF607B 1QH List Price: $99.99 Sale Price: $24.95 Used From: $23.50 |
|
This low-profile tilt mount MF607B is designed for most midsize to large size flat-panel TVs weighing up to 165 lbs. VESA compliant for simple installation, supports TV with mounting hole patterns up to 26" horizontally, and 16" vertically (VESA 660X400mm)... |
 |
Black Tilting Wall Mount Bracket for Sony KE-50XS910 Plasma 50 inch HDTV TV List Price: $79.99 Sale Price: $36.33 |
|
This is an Angle Adjustable Black Wall Mount Bracket for LCD and Plasma Televisions. This Wall Mount supports most* 37" to 63" flat panel screens and plasma TVs weighing up to 165 lbs. This mount is perfect for boardrooms, digital signage, or home theaters... |
 |
VideoSecu Articulating Full Motion TV Wall Mount for 32"-65" LED LCD Plasma TVs with VESA up to 600x400 mm, Dual Arm pulls out up to 25 Inch, with Leveling Adjustments, Free HDMI Cable A37 List Price: $399.00 Sale Price: $64.99 |
|
The VideoSecu full motion articulating mount is designed for mid to large size LCD LED Plasma flat panel screen display. Constructed with high gauge steel, it handles screens up to 165lbs. This articulating mount supports TV VESA up to 600mmx400mm (24" horizontally, and 16" vertically)... |
 |
VideoSecu Low Profile TV Wall Mount for Most 32" - 65" LCD, LED, Plasma, HDTV Flat Panel TV with VESA up to 600x400 mm, Universal Wall Mounts Bracket ---Compatible with Sony Bravia, Samsung, LG, Haier, Panasonic, Vizio, Sharp AQUOS, Westinghouse, Pioneer, ProScan, RCA, Toshiba MF602B WA8 List Price: $79.99 Sale Price: $19.99 Used From: $21.19 |
|
The low profile mount MF602B is compatible with LED, LCD, Plasma TVs and other flat panel displays measuring between 32 and 65 inches. Supports all VESA mounting standards up to 680x400 and many odd size mounting patterns (mounting holes on the rear of the TV or panel should be no more than 26... |
 |
Unibrak UNB 550 Dual Arm Articulating Cantilever LCD Plasma LED TV Wall Mount 37" 42" 50" 58" 65" Extends 33" Sony LG Panasonic Samsung Pioneer List Price: $299.95 Sale Price: $94.50 |
|
Model UNB 550 Is one of the strongest mounts on the market today. It has easy to follow instructions with a Durable Powder Coated Finish. The color for this mount is Black VESA 800 compatable Solid Steel Arms Strongest on the Market Unlike the other mounts online this is made from heavy gauge steel on wont warp when fully extended... |
 |
VideoSecu TV Wall Mount for Most 32"- 65" LCD LED Plasma TV Flat Screen with VESA up to 600x400 mm, Full Motion Dual Arm Articulating Mount bracket with Free HDMI Cable MW360B 1SR List Price: $194.99 Sale Price: $58.69 |
|
The VideoSecu dual arm articulating wall mount constructed with solid heavy duty steel, support most 32" - 65" flat screen TV with mounting hole pattern up to 26.7 inch wide and 18 inch high (VESA 200mm x 200mm to 600x400mm)... |
 |
Designer Habitat PREMIUM TV Wall Mount for 33 - 60 inch LCD, LED, or Plasma Flat Screen TV - Super-strength Load Capacity 175lbs - 15 Degree Tilt Mechanism Up & Down, Max VESA 660x450 - Free Bubble Level Sale Price: $19.90 |
|
Don't risk your TV with the thinner cheaper models! This wall mounted bracket is the strongest around and is designed to fit flat screen LCD and Plasma style TV's between 33" and 60". The bracket is a universal model and designed to fit all of the major manufacturer models... |