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   1. DVD Recorder
   2. Plasma Television

THE PLASMA TELEVISION

A plasma television is something that every man should own. It's right up there with a drill, the Godfather Trilogy and a pair of scruffy jeans. If you're going to watch loads of TV, you need to watch it on a decent screen. After all, you wouldn't use paper plates if the Queen came round for dinner, would you?

So what is a plasma television exactly? And what makes it so special? The answer lies mainly in the girth. Fancy technology is allowing them to be slim enough to be hung on the wall like a painting. This technology isn't new, it's been around for a few years but the difference today is that these slim TVs are now affordable.

GIGOLO-TYPE PRICES

They used to be for the rich and famous, but now even you - yes you - can get a plasma television if you want. The pricing structure is similar to that of a gigolo's (allegedly) - so if you want more inches, it's gonna cost more... Prices start from around £200 for a dinky 15-incher, from £500 for medium-sized 26 inches, and from £800 for a hefty 40 inches. And you can get the mutt's nuts for at least a couple of G's (if you're not familiar with street slang - that means you may purchase a top of the range model for approximately £2,000 upwards).

ADVANTAGES

Although the technologies for LCD and plasma televisions work in different ways, the advantages of both are similar compared to that of normal TV's:

• Sharp, flicker-free, clear pictures with less reflection from sunlight
• Wide viewing angle
• Slim space saving design

SIZE DOES MATTER

You may have figured by now that we mentioned LCD as well as plasma… Confused? Don't be. There is a distinct difference between a plasma television and an LCD TV. The main difference - apart from the technology they employ (which you don't need to worry about) - is the sizes they come in.

LCD screens are generally 40" or less in size and plasma screens range from 37" up to 60". This is because LCD screens over 40" are too expensive to manufacture as opposed to plasma panels which are only cost effective to produce in larger screen sizes.

So, if you want a 15" flat TV to go in your kitchen, it has to be an LCD TV, whereas if you want the largest screen for your home cinema set-up in the lounge, it has to be a plasma television.

PICTURE

A lot of plasma televisions and LCD's come with a digital tuner built in as standard. As well as offering a much greater choice of channels, Digital Tuners will also give you better and more consistent picture quality. The future of home entertainment however, comes in the form of High Definition Broadcasting, which is due to be launched in the UK by Sky in 2006. In order to enjoy all the benefits of High Definition TV (HDTV) you will need to buy a HD Ready TV. It will bring clarity, colour and definition never seen before on a TV - we kid you not - so if you are going to fork out for a plasma television, make sure it's HD ready.

SOUND

Most LCD and plasma televisions only have Nicam stereo sound rather than surround sound. This is fine for smaller LCD TVs that will be used in the kitchen or bedroom but larger plasma and LCD TVs are best used with separate home cinema sound systems. The ones with booming sub woofers that make the floor shake and the next-door neighbours cat hide under the bed - oh yes.

A plasma television really is the must-have toy for every discerning gentleman (and lady of course) - start looking here.

swot

- To study hard, especially for an examination.

 Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it. 

Anon