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Plasma used to be a term restricted to describing ionized gas and blood cells. These days, the word “plasma” enjoys a more stylish place in society, and many people consider plasma to be the lifeblood of uber-television viewing.

It’s alarming how quickly the television industry has evolved over the past several decades. Simple television sets have grown from small screens with rabbit-ear antennas to wall-sized flat screens offering larger-than-life sound and picture. The media has also expanded, from three main North American networks to virtually limitless satellite programming choices.

Of course, this evolution of technology has brought about some new complications. Buying a new TV set is no longer as simple as visiting your local department store. Today’s consumers must choose from televisions that accept traditional analog signals, and those that use digital programming. There are HDTV enabled sets, and others that are HDTV ready. Some TVs feature plasma screens, while others are LCD. Understanding the technology behind each option can make your decision a little easier.

Analog Television

Most of us have grown up watching an analog television. This is the “old fashioned” technology that used television signals sent and received in analog format. Analog televisions are relatively inexpensive and offer good quality for minimum investment. The disadvantage of this format is that analog TV signals are only able to accommodate a limited amount of data for the screen and sound. Another drawback is that analog signals can be easily and immediately corrupted by outside forces. If you have an analog television, those no need to worry. Analog service will be available and your set will work just fine even after other formats begin to dominate the market.

Digital Television

Digital television signals allow stations to send dense data that has more definition, with less degradation of the signal. Therefore, viewers are able to enjoy an increased level of quality in both the picture and the sound. This enhanced quality is particularly clear while watching DVDs.

HDTV (High Definition Television)

Traditional digital television has paved the way for the newer standards of high definition programming. In order to provide customers with the highest level of audio and video quality, television stations should transmit high definition television (HDTV). Your TV set should be able to receive and process the HDTV signal, and display it on a high definition-enabled screen. When all of these pieces fall into place, the results are simply stunning.

Digital television and HDTV are commonplace in today’s industry, but you won’t be able to appreciate the pristine levels of sound and picture on your old television set. We are in the midst of a digital video revolution, thanks to recent advancements like DTV, DVD-Video, HDTV, digital satellite broadcasts and computer video. One giant leap forward in modern television technology is plasma display technology.

Plasma screens first appeared on the North American market toward the end of 1999, but the concept was initially developed in July 1964 at the University of Illinois. In their initial stages, these first plasma displays were nothing more than points of light formed in laboratory experiments. This was the starting point from which the technology began to flourish. By the late 1960s, plasma technology had advanced to the point where scientists were able to put up geometric shapes. Thanks to the development of high speed digital processing, new materials and advanced manufacturing technology, we are now able to enjoy brighter, full-color plasma display screens in our own homes.

The development of plasma televisions has made technological leaps and bounds ahead of other television technologies. In fact, plasma televisions are now the fastest-selling ‘new’ television technology on the market. Compared to conventional televisions, plasma screens provide a higher resolution, and many new plasma televisions are capable of displaying HDTV signals. In addition to superior picture quality, plasma televisions are easily mounted to the wall for a theatre quality viewing experience.

Watching HDTV television programming displayed on a plasma screen really is a unique experience. In fact, it’s like you’ll be seeing your favorite movies and television programs for the very first time.

Tags: Biology and Technology