Right at the center of your newly built home theater system is a gorgeous plasma TV. Ah, the rewards of hard work – and the stunning picture quality that only today’s best technologies can provide. However, while plasma TVs require little maintenance compared to, say, DLP televisions and projectors, it doesn’t mean that these TVs will automatically last for as long as you like; they need to be well taken care of, too.
Here’s a quick guide to making the most out of your home theater investment – and maintaining your plasma TV.
Install it safely: The location where you install your plasma TV can influence its longevity and performance. So keep your TV away from direct sunlight, and avoid placing it in places that are prone to high levels of humidity (refrigerators, washing machines, bathrooms, etc.). Also remember to provide a solid foundation for mounting the plasma TV, so that it won’t easily be knocked around and fall. Our advice? Consult audio and video professionals and get them to perform the actual plasma installation.
Calibrate it: The default settings don’t necessarily apply to your home, because these plasma TVs are originally intended to look their best in the showroom. That’s why it’s important to calibrate your plasma TV as soon as you install it, and adjust the brightness and contrast settings in a way that’s appropriate for your home. Doing this not only extends the life and image quality of the television; it also enhances its performance, prevents burn-in, and saves plenty of energy.
Prevent burn-in: Burn-in occurs when a stationary or static image is displayed on the TV for an extended period of time, thus etching itself on to the screen and leaving a “pale ghost” of that same image no matter what’s being played or shown on the screen. How do you avoid this? By minimizing the length of time that the image is displayed in the first place, and by turning off your plasma TV whenever it’s not in use.
Don’t abuse white wash: A number of plasma TVs address the risk of burn-in by providing a “white wash” option that erases the pale ghost image. It’s a helpful feature, but don’t abuse it. “White wash” your plasma TV for more often than it is necessary and you might significantly shorten the life of the television’s screen.
Avoid turn-on, turn-off, and turn-on again: At least wait a few minutes before turning your plasma TV back on again. Don’t let your children play around with the power button, either, as this might damage the internal mechanisms of your plasma TV and degrade its picture quality.
Clean the TV: Dust, fingerprints, moisture, and other such elements can also affect the performance of your plasma, so schedule a cleaning whenever necessary. Read your manufacturer’s instructions and user manual to get an idea of what maintenance steps to follow. Once you’re ready, unplug the television before starting the cleaning. Typically you’ll need a PH-neutral cleaning solution (to prevent damage on the TV’s coating) and a microfiber cloth (for cleaning the most sensitive surfaces).
I never knew about the turn-on, turn-off, and turn-on again warning!