Panny G15 Break-In Questions

[EQ3282]

Why has no one stickied a break-in post!??!

I searched, and found some info here and there, but just wanted to check some break-in items:

- Will be turning on the TV for the first time today. Will putting it in THX mode be good for keeping the brightness and such down for break-in, or do I need to manually set some of the settings?

- Will keep it to full picture viewing for first 100 hours, but will watching football (with stagnant score boxes on the screen) be OK, or will commercial breaks be enough to break-up the image?

- I assume a 'no', and this may be dumb, but do I have to worry about commercials with 'black bars'?

- No BD player hooked up to it yet, and would rather not mess with a USB/SD program. But how 'beneficial' are the color screen rotation programs vs. watching HD programming and being mindful of stagnant images?

Thanks!

[My_Two_Cents]

You'll be fine with settings turned-down (THX should be okay) and watching full screen content with little static images. The whole point of the "break-in" is to evenly 'wear' the different color phosphors during their initial life. Some swear by this, others claim it is a waste of effort. I say that it doesn't cost you anything, so why not play it safe?

The purpose of the break-in disc or images is simply to speed-up the process so that you can enjoy your set faster without having to be concerned about content. I simply put the images on a USB flash drive, plugged it into my PS3 and ran a slide show for the first week I had my set (in between enjoying TV, etc.). After a week I was done. You can accomplish the same thing with what you are doing, however it will take longer, you'll need to keep track the hours and you'll need to be mindfull of prolonged static images (station logos and 'black bars').

[Grif32]

The purpose of Break in is to speed up the hrs to get a calibration done. If you are not getting a calibration done then the "break-in" is not needed.

Break in disc or images WILL NOT help prevent IR or burn-in.

You can also check the hrs on your TV so you do no have to worry about keeping track of them. Go go into the Service Menu which is easy and safe just to check your hrs.

From the first minuted I turned on my Panny G10, I have gamed, watched a ton of sports with tickers etc and have had no problems.

So botom line if you are not getting it Pro. Calibrated don't worry about the slides. Just turn it on and enjoy it. That is what a tv is made for.

Check out avsforum, they have some of the best settings for these panny's..

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Grif32

The purpose of Break in is to speed up the hrs to get a calibration done. If you are not getting a calibration done then the "break-in" is not needed.

Break in disc or images WILL NOT help prevent IR or burn-in.

You can also check the hrs on your TV so you do no have to worry about keeping track of them. Go go into the Service Menu which is easy and safe just to check your hrs.

Just as I cannot say that following break-in procedures will guarantee no IR or other problems, you cannot say that it WILL NOT. Also, the purpose of the break-in is to minimize the risk of IR. While one should not have their set professionally calibrated until after it has been sufficiently broken-in, that is not the purpose of following the guidelines for the first 100 hours. From Panasonic's own website:

4. What is the "break-in" period and what should I do during the break-in period to minimize any risk of image retention?
When your plasma TV is initially installed, the first 100 hours of use is known as the "break-in period." During this time, to minimize any risk of image retention, you should:

-Make sure the plasma TV is in a viewing mode (aspect ratio) that completely fills the screen. The panel is shipped in this condition, in what is called the "Just" mode.
-Turn down the Picture setting (in the Picture menu) to +0.
-Briefly engage the 4:3 mode and confirm the side bars are set to "Mid", or "Bright". This can be adjusted in the Set Up menu.
-Always return the display mode that fills the screen (such as Just, Zoom, Full, or H-FILL).
-Try not to view channels with stationary backgrounds or logos for extended periods of time.
-Avoid extended display of static images (video games, computer images, DVD title screens, etc.).

Also, it is not a good idea to suggest someone play around in their sevice menu without warning them that serious damage could be done to the set (that is NOT covered under warranty) if they change something they shouldn't.

[Grif32]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Just as I cannot say that following break-in procedures will guarantee no IR or other problems, you cannot say that it WILL NOT. Also, the purpose of the break-in is to minimize the risk of IR. While one should not have their set professionally calibrated until after it has been sufficiently broken-in, that is not the purpose of following the guidelines for the first 100 hours. From Panasonic's own website:



Also, it is not a good idea to suggest someone play around in their sevice menu without warning them that serious damage could be done to the set (that is NOT covered under warranty) if they change something they shouldn't.

It has been stated many many many many and many times by the best calibrators around that Break in with the slides WILL NOT prevent IR or burn-in.

And please show me where it states anything from panasonic about using break in slides to help prevent IR????

Here is a good thread on break-in

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...487&highlight=

But you are correct on changing things in the SM but when you check the hrs you are not changing anything.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Grif32

It has been stated many many many many and many times by the best calibrators around that Break in with the slides WILL NOT prevent IR or burn-in.

And please show me where it states anything from panasonic about using break in slides to help prevent IR????

The only reason I promote the slides to people looking to 'break-in' their new plasmas is simply to speed-up the process. I'm not saying it will or will not do anything, but since Panasonic recommends a break-in period of ~100hrs, instead of keeping your settings and viewing content limited for weeks (or months, depending on your viewing habits), why not get it over with in a week?

Also, I never stated Panasonic recommended the break-in slides. They only recommend a break-in period.

[Grif32]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

The only reason I promote the slides to people looking to 'break-in' their new plasmas is simply to speed-up the process. I'm not saying it will or will not do anything, but since Panasonic recommends a break-in period of ~100hrs, instead of keeping your settings and viewing content limited for weeks (or months, depending on your viewing habits), why not get it over with in a week?

Also, I never stated Panasonic recommended the break-in slides. They only recommend a break-in period.

I hear ya.. Funny thing is, the more I read about the problems with the G12 panels it's the people that ran the slides for 120 hrs to "Break" in their plasma are the one's having the problem.

I didn't do the slides and I don't have any issue's with Blacks doubling. Knock on wood.

I think the "Break in" should occur over time and not right off the bat and get all the 120hrs in 5 days or even 10 days. Watch HD channels, movies and play some games on your TV and let the set break in like it's suppose to IMHO. I did that with my 7 year old panny and never had any issues to date.

Same with my G10, played movies and games the first couple nights and just enjoyed my TV and after 200 hrs i have no issues and the PQ has gotten so much better.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by Grif32

I hear ya.. Funny thing is, the more I read about the problems with the G12 panels it's the people that ran the slides for 120 hrs to "Break" in their plasma are the one's having the problem.

I didn't do the slides and I don't have any issue's with Blacks doubling. Knock on wood.

I think the "Break in" should occur over time and not right off the bat and get all the 120hrs in 5 days or even 10 days. Watch HD channels, movies and play some games on your TV and let the set break in like it's suppose to IMHO. I did that with my 7 year old panny and never had any issues to date.

Same with my G10, played movies and games the first couple nights and just enjoyed my TV and after 200 hrs i have no issues and the PQ has gotten so much better.

Well, I've got 3 Pany plasmas and none have any IR problems. My oldest (2003) was never broken-in and neither was the set I bought in 2006. These were purchased before I knew about the break-in period. "To be safe", I followed the break-in procedure (and used the slides) on my 58" set I bought two years ago.

What does this tell you? Not much, I suppose. Will I follow a break-in period on my next set? Probably, but only because it doesn't take a lot of effort and doesn't hurt anything. I wish a definitive study would be done to put this whole argument to rest. It shouldn't be too hard to do, but I expect the results would be inconclusive.

[Grif32]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Well, I've got 3 Pany plasmas and none have any IR problems. My oldest (2003) was never broken-in and neither was the set I bought in 2006. These were purchased before I knew about the break-in period. "To be safe", I followed the break-in procedure (and used the slides) on my 58" set I bought two years ago.

What does this tell you? Not much, I suppose. Will I follow a break-in period on my next set? Probably, but only because it doesn't take a lot of effort and doesn't hurt anything. I wish a definitive study would be done to put this whole argument to rest. It shouldn't be too hard to do, but I expect the results would be inconclusive.

I agree as well, some testing would be great but probably wont prove anything. I just didn't want people to think running these slides would prevent IR or burn-in, because a lot of people running them are still getting IR. That's all.

But I see what you are saying...

[brett_day]

all settings at 50 or below
keep the tv on cinema mode - no vivid
do not watch letter boxed shows or movies - zoom in to eliminate
try to refrain from gaming for the first hudred hours

do this you will be fine. some use static images but just watching the tv is adequate.

reason behind the break in period is so all phosphors and get an even burn at the begining of their lives! Follow those rules and you will be set.

[EQ3282]

Thanks for the help/suggestions.

Had the set on for about 10 hours yesterday. Have the setting set to THX mode (didn't manually switch any settings though...should I?)

Switched the viewing between HBO movies (no logo, full screen), Palladia (music channel with live music footage, again in full screen), and then we watched the football games for the remainder of the day. All were in HD, and aside from commercials here and there, nothing had black bars. So far, not even a hint of IR from anything. So, I feel as long as I continue to 'monitor' the viewing for the next 2 weeks or so, that should be good enough as far as break-in goes.

Also, I know someone made a list of movies w/o black bars. Anyone have a link to it readily available?

Thanks again.

[EQ3282]

Hi All,

One quick question about my plasma.

I've noticed that at extreme viewing angles (around the 1 to 3 degree and 177 to 179 degree angles) the image is mirrored. Not a big deal as I don't plan on ever watching the TV at those angles, and I assume its just from the glass panel reflection. But just wanted to make sure that's normal for a plasma.

Thanks.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by EQ3282

Hi All,

One quick question about my plasma.

I've noticed that at extreme viewing angles (around the 1 to 3 degree and 177 to 179 degree angles) the image is mirrored. Not a big deal as I don't plan on ever watching the TV at those angles, and I assume its just from the glass panel reflection. But just wanted to make sure that's normal for a plasma.

Thanks.

Normal effect when an image is displayed through glass. You'll never see it watching "normally".

[EQ3282]

Just noticed something and have a question re: it.

In my advanced menu, there's a setting for 'Black Level'. Its currently on 'light'. Does that matter at all for the break-in? I assume it is better on light (helps contrast level/reducing IR), but could be wrong.

Thanks.

[Grif32]

Originally Posted by EQ3282

Just noticed something and have a question re: it.

In my advanced menu, there's a setting for 'Black Level'. Its currently on 'light'. Does that matter at all for the break-in? I assume it is better on light (helps contrast level/reducing IR), but could be wrong.

Thanks.

Keep it on Light, if you put it on black it will crush your blacks.