Do plasma TVs work at high altitude?
September 30, 2005, updated February 12, 2008 | I've heard that plasma TVs don't operate well at altitude. How about doing reviews on high-altitude plasma TVs? Those of us above 6,000 feet need the help.
| Submitted by:
Pamela Lobaugh,
CNET reader e-mail
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| Hi, Pamela. First off, it's true that many plasma TVs aren't designed to work at extremely high altitudes, and most manufacturers put a limit on the altitude at which they recommend operating their plasmas. Take a plasma higher than that limit, and you'll likely hear a buzzing sound after watching for a while as the panel struggles to equalize the pressure and keep itself cool. We spoke to a few of the major plasma makers and listed the maximum recommended altitudes, in feet above sea level, for their 2007 model lines:
LG: 6,500
Panasonic: 8,850
Pioneer: Does not specify a maximum altitude.
Samsung: 6,500
Vizio: 6,500
An LG plasma that has an "H" after its model name is rated for 8,000 feet.
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David Katzmaier, a TV reviewer with five years' experience, has color bars and a resolution chart tattooed inside either eyelid.
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