Plasma "Burn-in"

Omega Supreme · #1 08-31-2005, 11:14 AM

I have recently purchased a Panasonic TH-50PX50U (50" plasma) this weekend. I had to drop a substantial chunck of change for this thing so it has to last a very long time. I have always been leary of buying a plasma but thats what the wife wanted. I know that the higher the Contrast/Picture is cranked up that there is a better chance of burn-in. Every thing ive read has said it is best to turn your Contrast/Picture down to prevent this. Out of the box the Picture was set to +30 (-30 is lowest & +30 is highest). I now have it set to +13 which looks the best. So my question is: Is this still to high or should i leave it where it is. If there are any other Panasonic users what do you have yours set at and have you noticed any burn in. Also, I was thinking about mounting it to the wall and have noticed Panasonic's wall mount cost $500 & $600. Is there a diffrent wall mount that will work for this tv? $600 seems extremly over priced for a "wall mounting bracket". Thanks for any advise you have.

Omega Supreme

MDS · #2 08-31-2005, 11:31 AM

Read this whitepaper: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/p...20-%20FINAL.pdf

Keep in mind that their goal was to make the case that plasma is as good or better than microdisplay (DLP) and LCD by dispelling what they consider popular myths of plasma technology. I think the paper is fairly balanced and informative nonetheless.

As far as the values for particular settings, there is no right answer. You should get a calibration disc like AVIA or DVE and try to calibrate the set to your liking and then just use common sense and avoid things like leaving static images displayed for days...

Omega Supreme · #3 08-31-2005, 12:37 PM

Thats pretty good info. but im not sure how much of it i belive. The test was done by Pioneer which only make plasma displays. Im usually not a skeptic but i disagree with some of there claims. From what i have seen and from all that i have read some of the info. seems skewed. 1st is brightness. Everything i have read and I have seen says that LCD's are brigher than Plasmas. 2nd is Blacks. Again from what I have seen and what i have read CRT is the standard to beat when it comes to black level. From this report Plasma beats LCD & CRT in every comparison (minus the burn-in which can be fixed over time). Maybe they got there LCDs from the dollar store and there CRTs from Food World. Thanks for your reply MDS. Maybe i shouldn't be as skeptical.

BMXTRIX · #4 08-31-2005, 02:00 PM

Yeah, burn-in is all about leaving static images up. Video games are a particular plasma killer. But, TV, if you watch in panorma (full-wide/wide/stadium) is a good way to avoid any issues. Turn on orbiters and other burn-in prevention items that the plasma has as well.

For mounts: You can go with an aftermarket mount for a lot less than what you are looking at. Universal mounts from Best Buy are like $250.00 and mounts on eBay and other places can be under $100.00

If you have zero interest in tilting the plasma down, then a super low profile Chief Mount can be had for about $150.00 or so from a well respected manufacturer.

http://www.chiefmfg.com

You can search to find the different mounts that are available, then Google for some pricing.

Pyrrho · #5 08-31-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omega Supreme

Thats pretty good info. but im not sure how much of it i belive. The test was done by Pioneer which only make plasma displays. Im usually not a skeptic but i disagree with some of there claims. From what i have seen and from all that i have read some of the info. seems skewed. 1st is brightness. Everything i have read and I have seen says that LCD's are brigher than Plasmas. 2nd is Blacks. Again from what I have seen and what i have read CRT is the standard to beat when it comes to black level. From this report Plasma beats LCD & CRT in every comparison (minus the burn-in which can be fixed over time). Maybe they got there LCDs from the dollar store and there CRTs from Food World. Thanks for your reply MDS. Maybe i shouldn't be as skeptical.

No, you are right to be skeptical. Pioneer is interested in selling you a plasma TV, and therefore are not to be trusted. (Trusting them would be EXACTLY like trusting a used car salesman who says that the car is in great condition...) Any time someone has an interest in what they affirm (to borrow a phrase from Hume), there is a reason to be suspicious of what they are saying. Having a healthy skepticism about what people say is the most intelligent approach.

Pyrrho · #6 08-31-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMXTRIX

Yeah, burn-in is all about leaving static images up. Video games are a particular plasma killer. But, TV, if you watch in panorma (full-wide/wide/stadium) is a good way to avoid any issues. ...

Which means that to avoid burn in, one should watch standard aspect ratio sources either cropped or distorted. This is not a good thing in a TV at all.

Omega Supreme · #7 08-31-2005, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the advise BMX. Those mounting brackets are more in my price range.

I agree about the aspect ratio. It would be nice if i could watch SD in 4:3 but I use "Just" which only stretches out the ends. This does not bother me too much because im more conserned about watching dvd's. This bring up another point. Has anyone had any problems caused by the black lines from watching a lot of dvd's?

Aliixer · #8 08-31-2005, 03:44 PM

Pioneer has made other tv sets in the past. They are not biased, so please forget the notion. They have made projection big screens.

I have panasonic plasmas in my home for the last three years, no burn in problem to date. CNN is a regular on every morning for 3-4 hours and the occasional video game sometimes 6 hours straight. Yes I have fallin asleep and left the tv on for my than two days. burn in(not yet) knock on wood.

BURN IN OCCURES ONLY FROM WEEKS TO MONTHS OF STATIC IMAGES.

Please look around the next time at a bus station, airport, and or casino. They are all using plasma tvs now and are on 24/7. These are the tv's that experience burn in. For the average consumer, I guarantee you will not see burn in the life of the tv.

There has been no study's done or record of consumer burn in with residential plasma's. If it were not for commercial use of plasma technology for the last ten years burn in wouldn't even be an issue. its just taboo.

voriand · #9 08-31-2005, 04:01 PM

It takes some serious effort to burn a modern plasma. I have had mine for a year now and have no burns. And I play video games on it more than i watch tv.

Ax-man · #10 08-31-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voriand

It takes some serious effort to burn a modern plasma. I have had mine for a year now and have no burns. And I play video games on it more than i watch tv.

We've had a plasma for a couple of years now and treat it just like any other television (common sense!) with nary any problems. We love it.