Plasma burn-in ?

[SpiceWeasel]

Hi , Has anyone tried using a burn in dvd to get through the initial running in period sugested, 100-200 hours ? I have a 42" Pany PZ85(im hopeing I havn't bought a lemon) on order at the moment and as I only have sky sd and no ariel im worried about watching sky especially in the running in period. As almost every channel on sky has the plasma wrecking channel logo's would the special burn in dvd be a good idea to use for the 1st 100 hours or so until properly run in ?

Being new to plasma and the whole static burn-in / image retention issue, will it still be possible to damage my new tv just by watching sky for say 5 hours straight ? Or are you safe after the running in period. I really hope im worrying about nothing.

I've read various posts about using reduced settings initially but would this still be the case with a burn in dvd ? I know the tv will need adjusting when I get it, but would you just set it up to normal and then go a bit lower?

I saw a link from another post to this website to download the free burn in files ready to burn to a dvd http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=583089 . Has anyone used this before or know of a better free version ?

If you use the dvd how long should you leave it on for in 1 session? I read 16 hours somwhere with it turned off in between. If this is a good idea would i only use the dvd for the running in period or can you watch programs without the channel logo's ?

Sorry for all the questions , but I just want to be 100% sure im not going to damage it.

EDIT: Who would of thought getting a new tv could be so stressfull. Im sure brain surgery is an easier task than buying new gadgets. Thank god for the WHFSV team and all the forum user's who guide us in the right direction. Also I think the WHFSV team need a big pat on the back, these forums are amazing. For the team to take the time to read and reply on these forums I think speaks volumes. Have a

on me.

 

[professorhat]

Well, I have to say, I'm very much a sceptic on all of the running in advice for plasma TVs. Bought mine over 2 years ago (way before I joined this forum) and just started playing XBox 360 on it immediately (as that was why I bought it!). Adjusted the settings to get a good picture, not to dim it down and run it in so it was probably pretty vibrant with the games I was playing. 2 years on, no sign of any issues at all.

However, I don't want to just say, forget about it, it's all a load of tosh and then find it's not and I'm just lucky. The most sensible advice I've seen is to run the TV in "Cinema" mode for the run in period (which lowers the brightness and contrast as it's designed for dark rooms). Once this is done, use it normally.

Screen burn should never be an issue. It's only an issue if you're going to leave a static image / logo on the screen for a few weeks / months, but that's generally fairly unlikely at home (I'd hope!). I've fallen asleep after a few brewskies whilst playing a game and woken up on the sofa 8 hours later with the same static game image on the screen in front of me (for some reason, the screensaver doesn't kick in when I play games). Switched the TV off, bit of image retention but nothing permanent ever, still as good as new.

 

[tvmog]

Or you could spend the next 200 hours watching Sky Arts, the only Sky channel not to deface its picture with " branding".

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Thanks for the advice.

A mate at work found this.... http://samsungplasmatvfaq.com/index.php/Break-in,_burn-in,_and_image_retention#What_is_pixel_shifting.3F . I know it's Samsung and not Panasonic but it explains a few things about burn-in and image retention.

I think I will give that dvd a go for the 1st week. It says on that link that you can use the tv normally as long as you don't watch programs with static images or backgrounds. And then use the dvd when your not using it to speed up the process.

Also if you do get some image retention you can use the dvd to clear it. It could be a waste of time but I think for peace of mind I'll use the dvd before I start normal use.

 

[professorhat]

Yup, Mr E has commented many times on pixel shifting and orbiters built into various plasma screens which prevent the screen burn issue.

I can definitely see where you're coming from though - why risk it for the sake of a week? BTW - I get image retention quite often when playing games (which is obviously very different from screen burn), generally in between scenes when the screen fades out to black for example, I can still just barely see any white text (seems to be the main culprit). As soon as the next screen loads though, it's gone.

 

[Anonymous]

use the burn in disc as it does work i myself install plasma tv s for a living ,

dont be too scared screen burn is almost impossible to happen these days most people confuse image retention with burn but dont be afraid ,

neil

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Thanks for advice.

Got an e-mail today saying the tv was ready for dispatch..... 2-5 days for delivery "normally" . Fingers crossed

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="professorhat"]Well, I have to say, I'm very much a sceptic on all of the running in advice for plasma TVs. [/quote]
Yep, I'm with you Prof, It doesn't apply to normal viewing on 'today's' television imo.Not being a gamer I gave the run-in period scant regard when I got mine, set it up the way I wanted right from day one. There's numerous channels watched on it with logo's/banners and I've nothing adverse to report to date. ) Enjoy your telly SpiceWeasel I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[Anonymous]

I too feel that these "burn in" discs or any specialist equipment that you may need to start viewing your plasma are completely uneccesary, i know they mean well but all the plasmas ive seen switched on for the first week have been fine without them...