Ask The Expert - Pat Sacheli
Q: ARE PLASMA FLAT PANEL TV’S A RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY
A: THERE IS A MYTH THAT PLASMA TV’S LEAK GAS AND REQUIRE “RE-CHARGING”. THIS IS NOT TRUE. EVERY PLASMA TV IS PERMANENTLY SEALED WHEN MANUFACTURED; IN FACT EACH INDIVIDUAL CELL IN THE PANEL IS SEALED. A PLASMA TV WILL NEVER REQUIRE ANY REFILLING OR RECHARGING OF ITS NEON-XENON GAS, AND THEY DO NOT EMIT DANGEROUS RADIATION. THE TOP TIER PLASMA BRANDS HAVE TESTED, AND CLAIM THAT THEIR PANELS WILL LAST 60,000 HOURS TO ITS HALF LIFE. THEREFORE, IF YOU WATCH YOUR PLASMA TV FOR 6 HOURS EACH DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR; THAT IS 28 YEARS OF AVERAGE USE. PLASMA TECHNOLOGY WAS FIRST DEVELOPED IN THE 1960’S AND IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE TV’S ONE CAN OWN.
Q: I WOULD LIKE TO WIRE MY HOUSE FOR A HOME THEATRE AND ELECTRONICS; WHERE DO I START?
A: FIRST DESIGN A PLAN, SKETCH, OR HAVE BLUEPRINTS WITH THE DIMENSIONS OF THE AREA, YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRE-WIRE. NOW ASK YOURSELF; HOW MANY ROOMS, WOULD I LIKE TO WATCH TV OR VIDEO OR LISTEN TO MUSIC IN? WHERE WILL THE MAIN EQUIPMENT BE LOCATED? DO I WANT VIDEO/AUDIO EXTENED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE HOUSE AND DO I WANT TO WATCH MOVIES IN MY HOME THEATRE LOCATION AND LISTEN TO MUSIC IN OTHER LOCATIONS? IT IS IMPORTANT TO DEAL WITH A FIRM THAT CAN PREWIRE YOUR HOME AND SUPPLY A VARIETY OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU ARE WIRING THE HOME FOR. SPRING IS A BUSY TIME WITH NEW HOMES BEING BUILT AND RENOVATIONS IN FULL SWING; DON’T BUILD OR RENOVATE UNTIL YOU TALK TO OUR CUSTOM DESIGNERS AT THOMAS ELECTRONICS!
Q: What is HDTV?
A: HDTV stands for High Definition Television. HDTV offers much better picture quality. The greater clarity results in higher picture sharpness, smoother motion, richer and more natural colours and multi-channel digital CD quality sound. HDTV standard pictures will have 6 times the resolution of current TV and will be a full 60 frames per second resolution which is twice the current NTSC images. Motion will be smooth and the picture clear enough to sit very close to a large screen. The display will be in a panoramic 16:9 aspect ratio, more like movies and add the feeling of realism to TV. A regular TV will show black bars on the top and the bottom of the screen to fit widescreen programming.
Most HDTV will have the new digital tuner which will allow you to receive HDTV broadcast free from Buffalo, Hamilton, and Toronto. The cable companies have started to add digital widescreen broadcast in with their regular programming.
Q: HOW CAN A SMALL FAMILY RUN ELECTRONICS STORE COMPETE WITH THE AMERICAN OWNED BIG BOX STORES?
A: WE DO COMPETE, IN FACT WE SHOP THE COMPETION AND POST THEIR PRICES IN OUR STORE, SO WE MATCH AND BEAT THE AMERICAN BOX STORES. WHETHER IT’S ENJOYING THE LATEST SPORTING EVENTS, SCREENING A NEW MOVIE, OR WATCHING NETWORK TV; MANY CANADIANS FEEL THAT BUYING THE NEWEST HOME THEATRE COMPONENTS AND HD TV’S FROM THOMAS ELECTRONICS A WORTHWILE PURCHASE. MORE THAN JUST PUSHING BOXES; THE TEAM AT THOMAS ELECTRONICS ARE EXPERTS AT INTEGRATING YOUR NEW PURCHASE INTO YOUR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE ULTIMATE SOUND AND VISION EXPERIENCE. DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, SET-UP, CUSTOM CABLING, ON-WALL INSTALLATION, AND AFTER SALE SUPPORT ARE ALL PART OF OUR SERVICE.
Q: How can I get rid of the ‘rats nest’ of wires behind my TV-Home Theatre equipment??
A: The easiest is to think ahead. It is practical to have us ‘pre-wire’ your room whenever you are remodeling or doing new construction. We run all the wires inside the walls. The cost is very reasonable, usually a few hundred dollars. We need to get in and out just after the electricians and before the insulation and drywall contractors. If you would like music and video throughout the house it would be wise to bring in your plans early in the project.
If it is too late to pre-wire you may be able to reduce the number of wires by replacing your Home Theatre Receiver with a model that does ‘video switching’. This allows all signal sources to be plugged in the receiver (usually with short cables) and then a single cable runs to the TV or Plasma screen.
We also have special tools to fish cables through existing walls. This method is used to conceal wiring when mounting a Plasma Screen on your wall.
Thomas Electronics have CEDIA trained installers and design consultants. Please feel free to drop in and discuss your wiring challenges.
Q: I HAVE A FLAT PANEL HDTV, HOW CAN I INTEGRATE IT IN MY ROOM
A: THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE TV AND THE ROOM. YOU CAN MOUNT THE FLAT PANEL TV ON THE WALL OR OVER A FIREPLACE. A FLUSH MOUNT OR AN ARTICULATING ARM MOUNT ALLOWS FOR MULTIPLE VIEWING ANGLES. YOU CAN HIDE IT IN A CABINET WITH A MOTORIZED VERTICAL LIFT. THIS WORKS WELL IN BEDROOMS OR IN AREAS WHERE YOU WANT TO HIDE THE TV. SHOWCASING THE TV USUALLY REQUIRES USING A VARIETY OF STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL HOME THEATRE FURNITURE. LASTLY YOU CAN PLACE THE TV ON A VARIETY OF FREE STANDING STANDS, WHICH COULD BE GLASS/ METAL TYPE OR REAL WOOD STYLE. THOMAS ELECTRONICS IS COMMITTED TO STAYING ON THE FOREFRONT OF PRODUCT DESIGN AND SELECTION. WHETHER YOUR CHOICE OF TV IS DLP, LCD OR PLASMA WE HAVE YOUR FURNITURE AND MOUNTING SOLUTION.
Q: In the world of flat panel televisions; which is better, A LCD tv or a PLASMA tv?
A: This is not a question of which technology is better, but which one is the best for you.
Contrast ratio and black levels; colour accuracy and viewing angles; computer use and fast moving video playback; power consumption and longevity are some of the features that consumers evaluate. The ambient room light and window placement are also very important.
No matter which format is chosen, the result will be an unbelievably sharp, bright, and flicker free image. A word of caution; not all flat panels are created equal. There is a vast difference in picture quality and reliability from one brand to another. Let us help select the perfect flat panel for you and your room.
Q: When choosing a flat panel tv; which is better. LCD TV or PLASMA?
A:This is not a question of selecting which technology is better, but which technology will achieve the best results for the features you desire; and the room you plan to use for the flat panel. Whether the flat panel will used for movies, watching sports or playing video games is important. The ambient room light and windows are other consideration.
There is a vast difference in picture quality and reliability from all the different manufacture. Several of the top brands panels are estimating a useful lifespan of 30 years.
Q: What is a surge protector, and why do I need one?
A: Spring is the time when we experience thunder and lightning storms. Power consumptions increases, with fluctuations and brown-outs and power failure. AC outlets, phone lines, antenna/ cable TV and satellite dishes are entry points for damaging power surges and lightning strikes. Electronics are not protected or covered by the manufactures warranty and a cheap power bar just doesn’t cut it.
AC power quality is steadily degrading. Power surges, voltage fluctuations and noise interference on the power line; or from AC motors in the home; are now the norm. Power quality can affect picture and sound performance. A grainy or fuzzy picture and humming or buzzing sounds can result.
It is very important to have a good power center with a clean power circuit and proper surge protection. You need this to protect your investment and have it achieve optimum performance.
Q: WHAT TV DO YOU PERSONALLY OWN?
A: I WAS ASKED THIS QUESTION AT A BARBECUE. I OWN A 42” PANASONIC PLASMA HDTV, AND I LOVE IT. IT IS CONNECTED TO REGULAR FORT ERIE COGECO CABLE AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN REGULAR TV LOOK SO GOOD. PLUS A BONUS IS, I AM GETTING SOME HD STATIONS ON CABLE AND THEY LOOK FANTASTIC. PANASONIC PLASMA WAS MY CHOICE BECAUSE IT SHOWS QUICK FAST ACTION PROGRAMS, (GOLF & HOCKEY) THE BEST; AS WELL AS THE COLOUR, CONTRAST, AND CLARITY ARE WORLD RENOWNED; AND DETAIL & BLACK LEVELS ARE INDUSTRY LEADING.
WHEN I SHOOT WEDDING AND GOLF VIDEOS, I NEED A TV WITH THE BEST COLOUR ACCURACY. (ie WHITE WEDDING DRESS WITH NATURAL FLESH TONES AND TRUE GOLF GREENS). PANASONIC PLASMA TV’S HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPRODUCE AND DISPLAY 100% OF THE COLOUR SPECTRUM AS INDICATED BY THE HDTV STANDARD. IT IS SIMPLY THE BEST TV AT THE BEST PRICE.
Thomas Electronics
130 Thorold Road West
Welland, Ontario
L3C 3V3
Phone: 905-788-3221 Fax: 905-734-6814
