If you've been researching HDTVs, you've heard about a nasty little problem, unique to plasma and CRT sets, called burn-in. That's when your $4000 plasma screen gets imprinted with the ghostly image of a TV channel's logo or the outline of a letterbox because certain parts of the screen have aged faster than the rest. But if it's such a big deal, why do people keep buying expensive plasma HDTVs? Is burn-in really worth worrying about?

Burn-In Susceptibility in Modern Plasma HDTVs
The HDTV industry is very competitive these days, and plasma manufacturers are really starting to feel competition from the LCD industry. So, you can bet they're doing everything they can to eliminate burn-in. Screen technology has improved to the point where proper use of the TV (starting with a detailed break-in process) will not cause a problem, but careless use just might. And many of the new plasma HDTVs, like the Samsung HPT5064, have a "screen burn protection mode" built into the TV to repair mild damage.

Image Retention vs. Burn-In
Image retention is a common effect that you might have seen after turning off a CRT television at night: the last image to appear on the screen stays there for a while after the TV is off, then fades away slowly. This is caused by a charge build-up in the phosphors (the glowing picture elements in the screen), and will go away after the display has been powered off for a little while.

Burn-in, on the other hand, is permanent. Since it is caused by uneven aging of the screen phosphors, the "burned" image will persist forever, like a tattoo. It can be caused by spending a lot of time watching stuff in a 4:3 (non-widescreen) aspect ratio, watching a news channel with a stationary "news ticker", or playing a game with stationary screen elements. Just as a tattoo can be removed with a great deal of effort, there are ways to fix a burned-in screen. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: follow a break-in procedure when the set is new.

The Break-In Procedure
If you would rather be safe than sorry, you'll need to go through a break-in process when the TV is new. In 2004, Panasonic commissioned a detailed look into the problem and came up with some guidelines for new plasma owners:

In the first hundred hours:

• Make sure the display is in a viewing mode (aspect ratio) that completely fills the screen (there are often three or more settings from which to choose). The panel is shipped in this condition, in what is called the "Just" mode.
• Turn down the contrast to 50% or less.
• Briefly engage the 4:3 mode to confirm that the side bars are set to mid-gray to minimize the chance of burn-in.
• Return the set to a "full screen" (Just, Zoom, Full) position during the first hundred hours of use.
• During the first hundred hours of use, don't view the same channel for extended periods. This should prevent channel logos and other fixed images from being retained.
• Avoid any static images (video games, computer images, DVD title screens, etc.) during the hundred-hour break-in.

After the hundred hour break-in period, during the next nine hundred hours:

• Continue to retain the contrast setting at 50% or less.
• Limit the use of 4:3 aspect ratio mode to 15% of viewing time.
• Limit the use of static images (computer, video games, etc.) to less than 10% of viewing time.
• After one thousand viewing hours, panels are much less likely to experience image burn-in.

The Bottom Line
HDTV experts agree now that burn-in is an overstated problem. Complaints now come from a much smaller percentage of owners than they used to. Buying a late model plasma HDTV, using a break-in procedure, and avoiding certain viewing habits should reduce the chance of damage to just about zero.

You’ve come to the right place to learn more about Direct TV satellite dishes from the major television company, Direct TV. Direct TV satellite dishes are a great choice for satellite television and offers all kinds of benefits. Everybody knows that Direct TV is the leader in the satellite television industry, as they provide 250 channels of great digital television to 15 million customers around the country. They have played a crucial role in the advancement of television technology by providing the first fully digital television service and demonstrating the benefits of the 18 inch satellite dish that’s now the industry standard. Best of all, Direct TV satellite dish viewers get a satellite signal they can rely on, with an incredible picture that’s clear and consistent.

A Look At The Equipment

Direct TV satellite dishes have channels that are completely digital offering outstanding resolution and clarity through Ku band signals and digital equipment in contrast to outdated C band analog cable networks. The equipment offered is top-of-the-line, DVR’s, HDTV with mpeg-4 Receivers and standard receivers. You can even get the system installed free and initial equipment at no extra cost, plus the possibility of equipment upgrades for Direct TV Digital Video Recorders (DVR) and High Definition (HDTV) satellite receivers. The equipment for Direct TV satellite dishes can be very pricey, and who doesn’t like getting something for free. Comcast, the biggest Cable TV company, is even feeling the crunch as Direct TV continues to offer irresistible deals on free equipment with the latest technology at a cheaper price.

Channels

With Direct TV satellite dishes you get over 255 all-digital channels including 31 premium movie channels, 25 specialty and regional sports networks, Direct TV’s exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket and NCAA Mega March Madness, over 70 commercial free XM Satellite radio channels and your local channels. Sports options range from the exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) to regional sports networks to international sports action and other sports subscriptions.

Quality

The picture quality from Direct TV satellite dishes is a lot better than it was when people first started to use dishes to receive live feeds from different broadcast stations. Now you get 100% digital-quality viewing on every channel and you can even play, pause and rewind live TV when you upgrade to a free DVR. Simply put, Direct TV satellite dishes offer you more choices, better value, and 100% digital picture quality. If you’re thinking of making the switch from Cable or Dish Network to Direct TV satellite dishes, now is the time.

I have been using the Elite Edition Satellite PC TV for sometime now, and friend, the benefits are many. You may have heard of it. But even if you have not heard of Elite Edition Satellite PC TV, this is your chance to know about how you can watch satellite TV free of charge on your PC or Laptop.

The Elite PC Satellite TV programming is reputed to, as the name suggests, be the best of Internet television software available today, which is why I have decided to let you readers know about it, especially because it is very affordable.

Using the Elite Edition Satellite PC TV program I have turned my television into a mega-television set capable of accessing over 3000 TV channels from all over the world without any hardware at all.

All you do is download and install Internet television software in your PC or Laptop and within seconds you are connected to thousands of satellite TV, local national and international TV channels including hundreds of live events for free in the following media:

* Movies

* Sports

* News

* Music

* Sports

* Documentaries

* Programming for children

* Weather

* Shopping Channels

* And much, much more!

As a sports fan, I am able to watch the biggest and best games LIVE without the burden of satellite subscription costs. I have saved $180 in the last two months, you can imagine how much you will save in a year of watching satellite TV via Elite Edition Satellite PC TV. The math is as simple as your monthly satellite television subscription fee X 12 months. So if you are paying $90 per month you will save $1080 plus, no more annoying blackouts.

Satellite TV Programs From Far And Near.

Here is a few of the remote countries you can access with Elite Edition satellite PC TV software:

* Egypt

* Japan

* Denmark

* Brazil

* Canada

* Argentina

* Vatican City and all other countries you will otherwise not be able to access. The list huge!

I had no problem installing Elite Edition PC Satellite TV software, it was easy to install and very easy to use. You can use your PC or Laptop to watch satellite TV indoors or out doors, and you can also connect watch on your TV set. You too can enjoy all the benefits if you are interested to watch free satellite television while saving your hard earned cash.

This perfectly legal Elite Edition PC Satellite TV software works anywhere in the world and it is legal plus, as said earlier in this article, you don't need any hardware to run this program. It is also very safe because there is no Spy-ware script associated with Elite Edition PC Satellite TV software.

Before you go and buy the LCD TV, you need to make sure that you determine how you will install your TV and if you would like to have it mounted or if you would like your TV to be displayed. There are a lot of people will purchase something and they will not take into consideration that the TVs need to be positioned in the room.

You will want to not only think about the flat screen TV as something that you have to purchase, but something that you need to put into your room. You need to work the TV into the décor of the room. You will need to give some thought to the matter before you go and purchase the flat screen TV. You will find that there are many ways that you can install your new LCD TV, but you can fit one of these TVs in any room in your home.

You will also want to know how they work so that you can be prepared for the pros and cons of these types of TV’s. You will also need to consider the advantages of the LCD televisions compared to other forms of technology like the plasma. You will find that there are a lot of other things that you need to consider when purchasing such a TV, like the price of the TV.

Once you’ve made your decision and purchased your new TV, here are some tips

Let us begin by reviewing the most obvious of things you should look at before you even think of mounting or setting up your television…

Tip 1 – Check the System
You would not bring any new technology home, like a computer, without first checking it out and making sure you had all the parts, right? This is even more true when you buy a customized product. Consider your new display the ultimate in luxury and customization. When you get your television home safe and sound, make sure you check and make sure all parts are in order before you attempt mounting or placement of your television.

Tip 2 – Mounting
If you bought a flat-panel with the intent of mounting it on a wall or on the ceiling, the last thing you want to do is set it up incorrectly. Can you imagine? You invited the neighbors over for the first “viewing.” You have the popcorn and beer out, you click on your television – and nothing happens! Well, don’t worry. Chances are, if you mount your display the right way the first time, you’ll have no worries.

Make sure you have everything you need to mount your television, including a good and handy friend. You will need someone to help you lift and place your television on the mount while you secure it. You will also need traditional tools, like tape measurers, screwdrivers and a drill to name a few. Your manufacturers guide or the wall mount instructions will probably contain a list of tools you need to set the mount up properly. Or, the large electronic stores have professionals that will do the job for you.

Tip 3 – Before You Turn It On
Before you start your viewing, allow it some time to rest. It may be hot from travel in a tight, unaired box. Let it sit for a few hours and settle in. Any product worth its money needs a little time to “air out” after traveling.

Once you do allow it some air, you can turn it on. For the first 200 hours or so, you will want to avoid letting static images rest for too long on the display. This can lead to problems including “burn-in” which may result in permanent damage to your color pixels.

Make sure when watching DVDs you pause for short periods only. If you plan to step away from your display for a long-time, or are not certain of the time you will be away, it is always better to turn off the screen.

Tip 4 – Enjoy!
You might as well invite some friends over to show off your handiwork (if you mounted the television on your own). Even if you did not mount the display, why not invite some people over for a movie and have a party? Buying a new home theatre system is as good a reason as any to celebrate.