If you've been wanting a plasma TV but need the justification to do so, there are numerous reasons for buying plasma TVs. First, of course, is picture quality. Because plasma TVs are made up of individual pixels, each pixel can display any one of billions of colors, making images come to life. Second, plasma TVs are flexible, in that they can display standard TV images, DVD movies, images from games, and - of course - HDTV. Third, plasma TVs take up very little space. You no longer have to have a home theater system that is four feet deep. Plasma TVs are usually less than six inches deep and can easily be mounted on a wall or hung from the ceiling. Fourth, plasma TVs are simply the technology of today. Why spend the little free time you have watching muddy images on an older TV when you can enjoy your favorite shows, movies, and games in bright, crisp color?

Once you've decided to take the plunge, though, how do you go about choosing from among the many plasma TVs on the market? Here are five things to consider:

1. Screen Size: When it comes to plasma TVs, bigger is only better if you have enough room. In this case, "enough room" isn't defined as the space where you will mount your plasma TV, but rather the room between you and the TV. For example, there should be at least eight feet of space between the viewer and a 37-inch plasma screen, and at least 15 feet of space between the viewer and a 50-inch plasma TV.

2. Connections: You should choose a plasma TV that has the kind and number of outlets you need for the other components of your home theater system. Some of the available connections include component video, high-definition multimedia interface, A/V jacks, digital visual interface, and S-video.

3. High Definition: Some plasma TVs come equipped with high-definition tuners, while others are simply HDTV-ready. If you're going to invest in a plasma TV, you should go with high definition. Look for at least 720 pixels as the second number in the resolution description. For example, a 1024 x 768 plasma screen is high definition; an 853 x 480 resolution is not.

4. Mounting: There are several ways to mount plasma TVs, so think about whether you are going to mount yours on a stand, flat against wall, or from the ceiling - then make sure to get the necessary hardware for installation.

5. Enjoy! Once you've made your selection from among the many plasma TVs on the market and installed it in your home theater, be sure to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new purchase for many years to come!