Plasma

Test Procedure

Each of the plasma TVs was connected to high-frequency test pattern generators to measure the highest frequency response, using multiburst test patterns ranging from 720x480i @ 29.97 Hz (SDTV) to 1280x720p @ 59.94 Hz and 1920x1080i @29.97 Hz (HDTV).

In addition, dynamic resolution tests were observed from HDR and D-VHS playback of 720p and 1080i live sports programming from Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS. Dynamic resolution is difficult to measure and quantify, hence the reliance on real time observation.

Chrominance Test Pattern

Luminance Test Pattern

Results and Conclusions

All of the plasma TVs resolved at least 18 MHz of luminance detail with 720p and 1080i DVI and YPbPr signals. Fast-motion sports (football, basketball, hockey, auto racing) with fast picture refresh rates (i.e. 720p/59.94 and 1080i/29.97) were judged to be as sharp and detailed on any of the test plasma TVs as on the reference CRT HDTV monitor. The same results were observed with 1080i/29.97 sports programming.

It may be concluded as a result that 720p content will display well on 768p plasmas and 1080i content will display acceptably well. High-frequency picture detail starts to roll off above 20 MHz. The limiting factors for higher frequency response are the signal processing electronics (de-interlacing, motion interpolation, scaling) in each panel, not the architecture or operation of the actual plasma cells. Similar results would be observed with other display technologies using the same processors.

Consumer Perspective

High-definition video presents with increased overall detail and sharpness on a plasma TV when compared to a direct-view CRT HDTV. Fast motion will appear as crisp and detailed on plasma TVs as they would on a CRT HDTV, so a consumer moving up to plasma TV technology sacrifices nothing in detail, sharpness, and motion rendering.