Transporting plasmas

[Funkstar]

Do plasma screens need to be kept verticle while transporting?

We are getting one for work that will be using mainly in the conference room, but also needs to go out to exhibitions too. Someone made the comment about having to rig something up to strap it to the inside of the van.

I can see the need to keep rear projection screens verticle, but i can't understand why plasmas would have this requirement. I know their packaging usually says "this way up" etc. But i figured that was to prevent them laying flat and having something dropped on them on the weakest part of the box.

[dave87]

Why not get a similar sized LCD?

From the punishment the laptops where I used to work got, they survived pretty well...

[toolsong]

I'm sure I've seen it said on AVForums they must be kept upright....

Plasma FAQ says glass is less likely to break
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289947

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472821
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455561

[Funkstar]

i guess. i'll need to look at costs. I know we can get a 42" HD plasma for under a grand. Probably from Richersounds

[chrestomanci]

I think the main reason for keeping the plasma upright in the van is to protect it from damage. If it is in a good box and strapped down, it is less likely to slide when the driver stops suddenly or goes round a corner, than if it is flat.

If you are going to transport this plasma screen frequently, the original cardboard box will not last long. You need to order a made to measure hard shell case with custom foam inserts. This will probably cost around £300.

[benstation]

Plasma glass are heavy and fragile, so if put in a horizontal position the stress will be such that a small bump along the way can crack the screen.

[Funkstar]

i never thought about the glass cracking when horizontal. Makes sense really.

I'm sure the box will last a bit. We won't be moving it much i don't think.

thanks for the input

[Dreamscape]

If your gonna take it out on the road for shows and the like, then a wheeled flight case is a godsend, most of the hire places use them.
Might be a bit more expense, but it is better in the long run. Last thing you want is to arrive at the show, and find broken glass.

[Funkstar]

the fist show its going to be used at is Offshore Europe this summer. This is about 5 minutes away from us, so i'm not worrying about that for the time being.

I will look at flight cases. We already have a supplier for various transport cases so i was planning to see what they could do.

I also need to get a wall mout we can remove the plasma from easily (http://www.rs100.co.uk/product_info....roducts_id=465) and a floor stand as well, i think they are about £300 too

[Dreamscape]

Have you thought about what your gonna put it on when it gets to the show? Might influnce what bracket you want to buy.

Have used Raw mounting brackets before, they don't seem to bad, or if you've money to burn theres always Unicol.

[Funkstar]

i;ve just been told to get a plasma. No-one has asked me to produce anything for it.

I think they want it bought in this financial year. I need to speak to the boss next week.

[Avalon]

I'd be thinking LCD if I were you, plasma is not easy to lug about and don't take much in the way of abuse. The res on LCD is going to be better as well if you want to use it for presentation stuff as well.

[listy]

ot my wife used to live in brae

[staffsMike]

I'd say get an LCD to.. The bigger sizes are so much better these days..richer colours.. good blacks etc.. and they will be far more durable.