Cheap Plasma TVs

Plasma televisions offer a world of possibilities. For starters, because plasma TVs are so thin, they can be hung on a wall to maximize floor space. They also have a higher resolution than what is found with traditional televisions–and that results in a sharper, clearer picture and more brilliant colors–making it the ideal television format for watching high definition programming. Unlike projection TVs, plasma sets can be viewed on a 160-degree angle with no loss of clarity or sharpness. Of course, all of those benefits are great, but if you do not know how to hook up your new plasma, you may as well be watching your old black-and-white. Here is how.

1. Position the plasma TV where you want it to be in your room. Try to avoid installing it directly across from a window, as the shiny surface of the plasma screen may produce a glare from the window.
2. Since many plasma televisions do not come with their own internal tuners, you may have to use a digital cable box or satellite box in order for your plasma TV to display a picture. If you do not currently have a cable or satellite box, you may need to get one. Likewise, many do not feature their own internal speakers, so a surround sound system or other speaker setup may be required. Do your own research on the plasma television–you want to find out if it has its own tuner and speakers.
3. If you have a cable or satellite box you will have to connect it to your plasma in order to get a picture. This can be done through a number of different wiring formats. The most basic setup, and one that does NOT offer high definition video, uses the composite cable hookups. Composite cables are the ones that are tipped with red, white and yellow connectors. The red and white are for your right and left audio signals, while the yellow delivers your video signal. On the back side of your cable or satellite box you will see a number of inputs and outputs. Find the audio/video OUTPUTS. They will be color coded so the jack for the right audio output will be red on the inside, the left audio output will be white and the video output will be yellow. For a slightly better picture, you can always use an S-Video connection for your video signal instead of the yellow composite cable. S-Video is a circular connection with tiny pins on the inside of the connector. Once you are connected to the cable or satellite box, find the audio/video INPUTS on the back of the plasma TV. They will be color coded here as well. Be sure to note which INPUT you are using, as you will have to tune to that input on your set in order to see the picture. For example, if you use Input 1, then you will have to tune your television to Input 1 to see the picture.
4. Better than composite cables are component cables. Component cables DO offer high definition capability, but you may have to subscribe to your cable or satellite company’s HD programming package in order to get it, so check that out first. In addition, your cable or satellite box has to able to deliver the HD signal, so if you have an older box, you may have to upgrade. Just call your cable or satellite company and they will let you know. Component cables are a length of five separate cables–three for the video feed and then your left and right audio signals. Just like with the composite cables, the audio signals in the component cables are delivered by the red- and white-tipped cables. The video cables are color coded red, blue and green. Again, look on the back of your high definition cable or satellite box and find the component OUTPUTS. Be careful not to confuse the red audio cable for the red video cable when making your connections. They look exactly the same, yet they should be somewhat separated into the group they are meant to be in. Make your connections and then do the same thing on the back side of your plasma TV, but with the component cables being connected to the INPUTS there.
5. Next up is the DVI connection format. DVI stands for Digital Video Interface and it resembles a computer terminal connection. The important thing to remember about DVI is that it does NOT deliver audio. It is dedicated entirely for video. Plus, not many cable or satellite boxes feature the format, so before you go out and purchase the cable, double check your connection availability of your box. If your cable or satellite box does allow for a DVI connection, then the cable gets screwed onto the port on the back of the cable or satellite box, just like a computer monitor does to a video card. Find the DVI INPUT on the the back of the plasma television and make your connection there. Remember, you will still need a hookup for your audio signal, so find a pair of red and white composite cables to get your audio from the cable or satellite box to your TV. Just be sure that your audio cables are connected to the audio inputs that are paired with your DVI connection, meaning, do not connect your audio cables to INPUT 3 when your DVI connection is DVI 1. There should be audio inputs available in the DVI 1 section on the back of your TV.
6. Lastly. the best overall connection for your plasma TV is the HDMI port. HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. This one connection delivers the best video AND audio for your plasma TV. Simply plugging one end of the HDMI cord into the HDMI OUTPUT on your cable or satellite box and the other end into the HDMI INPUT on your television is all that is required for true digital sound and perfect High-Definition video. Of course, you must tune your television to the HDMI channel for you to experience it.
7. If you have other components like a DVD player, a gaming console, a surround sound system or any other audio/video equipment, just check out the link at the bottom of this article to learn how to hook them up to your plasma TV.