Cheap Gateway 50" HDTV-Ready Flat-Panel Plasma TV (Electronics) Price

A plasma screen consists of two thin sheets of glass containing tiny, gas-filled cells. Electronic current stimulates the cells to produce light and color, creating a bright, steady, vivid pictures. You also get extremely wide viewing angles (160 degrees with this set), and easy placement due to the TV's slim profile--this Gateway set is a mere 3.9 inches deep, perfect for desk or wall mounting (a table stand is supplied, and the set is compatible with most mounting hardware). Brightness tends to be extremely uniform across plasma screens, which are also impervious to the picture distortion and negative color balances that afflict CRT monitors when placed near lighting or sound systems.

Built-in digital scaling engine accepts various computer and HDTV signals, then digitally maps the signals to fit within the screen's 1,366 x 768 pixels. Compatible signals include computer display resolutions up to 1,280 x 1,024 and all HDTV signals, including 720p and 1080i.

Gateway even offers advanced digital image processing, which converts all interlaced (composite-video, S-video) signals to progressive-scanned images for bright, flicker-free viewing. A built-in digital visual interface (DVI) jack eliminates the need for analog-to-digital conversion between your DTV set-top box or computer.

PIP (picture-in-picture) gives you the option of watching TV and one non-PC, non-HD input source simultaneously. You can view with one image inset, or with two images side by side (picture-by-picture)--and you can swap images at the touch of a button. A choice of digital zoom modes lets you fill the screen to eliminate letterbox bars on 4:3 (or other) aspect-ratio content, and picture freeze ensures you don't miss any details.

Stereo speakers with five watts per channel offer strong, clear sound. Bass, treble, BBE Sound maximizer, and audio balance controls let you tailor the set's sound output, while, for more spacious-sounding programs, SRS sound processing simulates surround sound through any two speakers. A stereo minijack (.125-inch) output facilitates hookup with optional external computer speakers, and a monaural RCA output lets you use an optional subwoofer to enhance the low-frequency response of your listening system. There's a stereo (left/right) RCA output with internally selectable fixed or variable level for routing the TV's sound to an integrated amplifier or surround receiver.

With its versatile power supply (AC 100 to 240 volts, 50 or 60 Hz, 4.5 amps), the 50-inch set is equally at home in many countries.

What's in the Box
TV, table stand, remote control, remote batteries, AC power cord, a user's manual, a remote control manual, and warranty/registration information.