The Benefits of Enhanced TV Standard TVs (SDTVs) display a maximum of 480 lines using the interlaced scan method, which creates a picture with alternating lines of information. Enhanced-definition TVs (EDTVs) display a maximum of 480 lines using the progressive-scan method, which creates an image using consecutive lines of information for a crisp, flicker-free picture.

Gateway's plasma TVs are astonishingly thin.

This is an EDTV (enhanced-definition) TV, so it's capable of displaying progressive-scan 480p signals in their native resolution. A built-in digital scaling engine accepts various computer and HDTV signals, then digitally maps them to fit the screen's 852 x 480 pixels. Compatible signals include computer display resolutions up to 1,280 x 1,024 and all HDTV signals, including 720p and 1080i.

Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p and 720p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional interlaced pictures, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

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 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 3.7 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.

Picture-in-picture (PIP) allows you to watch two programs simultaneously with four selectable window positions. Picture-on-picture (POP) lets you watch two programs side by side. PIP/POP is available when your video source is set to anything other than RGB, DVI, or HD sources (component-video sources higher than 480i resolution). For example, you can watch two analog TV programs simultaneously by using the built-in TV tuner and an external tuner such as the one inside your DVR or VCR. You can also watch analog TV and a DVD movie at the same time.

A choice of digital zoom modes lets you fill the screen to eliminate letterbox bars on 4:3 (or other) aspect-ratio content, and a built-in digital visual interface (DVI) input jack eliminates the need for analog-to-digital conversion between your DTV set-top box or computer.

Audio options abound: there's a stereo RCA output with internally selectable fixed or variable level, a pair of built-in 5-watts-per-channel speakers, plus BBE Sound maximizer to tailor the timbre to your taste. For spacious surround sound, a circuit from SRS Labs simulates surround from any two speakers, while a monaural RCA output lets you use an optional subwoofer to enhance the low-frequency response of your listening system.

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