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Elite Media Solutions    9 Forest Street     Wellesley Hills , MA    02481     tel: 781-237-2929

Frequently Asked Questions

(Q) Why do I need to run wires for my wireless computer network?

(A) Unless you have a very small house, "wireless computer network" is an oxymoron. The current wireless standard (802.11) has a range of approximately 50 feet for transmit/receive. Once you are outside this range you will have poor or no connection. To extend the wireless capability of your computer network, you will typically need to implement one or more wireless access points or WAP’s. These devices are hardwired to your network’s router and provide extended coverage through overlapping spheres of reception.

(Q) Can I mount my flat panel TV above the fireplace?

(A) Sure, as long as some guidelines are adhered to. Flat panel TV’s, especially plasmas, are susceptible to heat. In order to minimize heat impact on the panel, a zero-clearance gas fireplace is preferable. Gas fireplaces tend to radiate less heat from around the burner, generate little to no smoke, and are generally equipped with a fan which blows heat from the burner directly out into the room. If a wood-burning fireplace is going to be the location for your flat panel, then certain ventilation, distance and mantle size considerations must be met. In either case, wiring for power and audio/video signal needs to be in place before the panel is hung. In situations where mantle height is of concern, a tilt-bracket can be used to position the flat panel for proper viewing angle. Elite Media Solutions prides itself on working closely with designers, architects, builders and homeowners to provide a flat panel solution that is both safe and esthetically pleasing.

(Q) Which flat panel technology is better, LCD or plasma?

(A) A tricky question as there are pro’s and con’s to both technologies. First, what size display are you looking for? Plasmas panels generally range from 37” to 63” diagonally and LCD’s range from 13” to 46” in diagonal size. Consequently, if you are looking for a small flat panel it will most likely be an LCD and if you are looking for a very large flat panel, it will most likely be plasma. On the size range where there is overlap, let us look at the differences between these two technologies:

Plasma TV’s tend to have better contrast and deep blacks. LCD TV’s tend to have better sharpness and color saturation. The refresh rate of the pixels on plasma sets is faster, so action scenes (like sporting events) are smoother. Plasmas have better off-axis viewing. LCD’s are brighter. The best way to decide which is better for your taste and budget is to see the differences for yourself.

(Q) I’ve heard that flat panel TV’s have a limited lifespan. Should I be concerned about this?

(A) LCD panels have a virtually infinite lifespan, so it is actually the bulbs in an LCD display that determine its actual lifespan. Bulb life is typically rated somewhere between 30,000 – 60,000 hours, with a gradual diminishment in light output over the course of time. 

Plasma gases decay over time, eventually creating a picture that is unusable or unappealing. This process of decay is slow and gradual. After roughly 1000 hours of usage, the plasma display should retain about 94% of its original brightness. After 15,000 – 20,000 hours of usage, the plasma display should retain roughly 68% of its original brightness. Part of this decay process is dependant on the contrast setting within the picture adjustments - the higher the contrast, the quicker the fade. By way of example, if one were to view a plasma for 3 hours a day, the device would be in usage for 13 years before it reached a point of significant diminished brightness (68%) and the half-life point of panel brightness would occur at around 20 years of usage (30,000 hours). You’ll probably be looking for a new TV long before your flat panel wears out.

More FAQ’s to come…