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 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 optional, 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.

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.

The set also performs 3:2 pulldown. DVD mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24-frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.

PC PIP (picture-in-picture) gives you the option of using your PC and watching one input source (including broadcast TV) simultaneously. 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.

Audio options abound: there's a stereo RCA output with internally selectable fixed or variable level, a pair of built-in 2-watts-per-channel speakers, plus left/right 10-watts-per-channel amplified speaker outputs in case you want to use the set with an external pair of speakers. You can use a feature called WOW sound maximizer to tailor the timbre to your taste, and a circuit from SRS Labs simulates surround sound from any two speakers.

With its versatile power supply (AC 100 to 240V, 50 or 60 Hz, 5 Amps) and multilingual menu (English, French, and Japanese), the 46-inch set is equally at home in many countries, and a BNC-tipped composite-video output provides additional hookup flexibility (with, for instance, a PVR or VCR).