Plasma: The Straight Facts From Current Owners

[nremdn]

Ok, I have been a Samsung 120hz lcd owner for the past year and a half, but my growing blu-ray collection and desire for the highest picture quality I can get has slowly pushed me towards plasma (the tv I am very very interested in is the Panasonic TC-P50V10, due to being the highest rated HDTV of 2009 in picture quality). My question to all current plasma owners is have you noticed any issues at all with image retention or burn in? I wanted to ask on here because I know all of you guys have plenty of letterboxed movies (ex: 2.35) with the black bars top and bottom. I game on my tv and watch plenty of movies, that is and will continue to be it's 2 main purposes. Will I be sacrificing my tv to watch the 2.35 ratio movies I love or playing games for an extended period of time, or are there just some people out there that are freaking out over minor issues? I am just looking for straight to the point answers from plasma owners that watch plenty of black bar movies and/or game quite often. I would prefer to not have to monitor how many letterboxed movies i'm watching or looking at the clock constantly while gaming to make sure i've not played for too long. I already plan on doing the break in method with the color slides from AVSForums.com. I just want to make sure i'm not jumping into a whole load of work, worries, and issues just to watch my movies and games at a higher picture quality. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks again guys/girls.

[McGarnigal]

Just be sure to mix it up and you'll be fine. Just not all 2.35.1 or games nonstop. Watch some 16x9 full widescreen, and stretch out some full screen tv content here and there (not all the time either dont worry)

[CollinViegas]

I have never had even the slightest image retention on my kuro, and I have fallen asleep on the sofa at night only to wake up seeing "Press any button to wake up cable box" on the center of the screen in bright white after being there for 6 hours straight.

I am sure you will be more than fine.

[kpkelley]

As long as you calibrate the settings so that you are not using the "Vibrant" mode, then you should not need to worry about IR or Burn-in, particularly if you follow the Break in procedure. You may see some minor IR on a black screen when changing channels or as discs load, usually only for a second or two. Burn-in should not be an issue at all with newer plasmas as they are much less susceptible to this than older(a couple of years now) displays, although I do suggest enablig the sets orbiter function to help minimize IR.

As for playing games and 2.35:1 movies, this should not be an issue unless you accidentally leave the television on a game or similar static object when you go on vaction for a week or two. I play games all the times, sometimes hours on end, and have never had an issue with it.

[kevind]

I know these are not the most popular TV's, but my Vizio plasma does a great job and it has an "image clenser" feature that works great. Do all plasmas have that?

[McGarnigal]

Yea panasonic has a scrolling white wash bar. It works but its more peace of mind than a necessity

[mtbkr]

this is all very good because i just bought a 58' v-10 and i had the same concerns. looking foward to having my plasma cherry popped. this is the first one ive ever owned.

[theu715]

I actually have a 46" Panny plasma (not even a year old) and I've tuned it out with a calibration disc to the best of my abilities, but I still get IR on games, movies, and ESPN. If a watch a 2 hour movie, as soon as it's over there are bars still on the screen when the screen is black. Typically I run the white wash bar through it and it goes away, but sometimes it stays for a little longer. It is kinda annoying to me, because I've been thinking about canceling cable and just watching everything online to save money, but I don't want to run the chance on ruining my TV. Anyone else have this type of issue?

[crackinhedz]

theu715, do you have pixel orbiter set to force 1? (u should if not)

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by theu715

I actually have a 46" Panny plasma (not even a year old) and I've tuned it out with a calibration disc to the best of my abilities, but I still get IR on games, movies, and ESPN. If a watch a 2 hour movie, as soon as it's over there are bars still on the screen when the screen is black. Typically I run the white wash bar through it and it goes away, but sometimes it stays for a little longer. It is kinda annoying to me, because I've been thinking about canceling cable and just watching everything online to save money, but I don't want to run the chance on ruining my TV. Anyone else have this type of issue?

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

theu715, do you have pixel orbiter set to force 1? (u should if not)

I have mine on "automatic" and never get this. I tried "force 1" but changed it back. The only IR I have ever gotten was when turning off the PS3 and leaving the input alone (so the screen is all black) I can see bits of the PS3's wallpaper. Changing the channel/input or running the white wash bar get rid of it right away.

[theu715]

I do have my orbiter set on Automatic. What would setting it on force 1 do? I'll try it out if you think it will help. I LOVE the set other than that. I had an LCD before and think the picture is above and beyond more natural looking.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by theu715

What would setting it on force 1 do?

rotates the pixels every one minute, hopefully to minimize the IR ur getting.

I have a Panny 50" PX80U and get no IR.

[theu715]

Sweet, I'll check that out when I get home from work tonight.

[MCT]

from what I understand, the picture quality of the V10 is so outstanding that image retention is virtually nonexistant with this series. You can forget about permanent burn-in, I dont even think that's a serious issue to worry about these days. I've done plenty of research regarding these issues, and to be honest I'm not even concerned anymore. We both happen to be looking at the same Panny series as well (except I'm looking at the 58''....the dream will soon become a reality).

[Pelican170]

I hardly broke in my Plasma, watch movies regularly, will do like 6 hr sessions of Call of Duty here and there, never once have i had "burn in" maybe some IR, but that goes away when the screen refreshes... i too was scared at first but now i never ever worry. these guys steared me right with their info...

[nremdn]

Thank you to everyone for the quick replies and helpful information. It seems clear the benefits of a good quality plasma far outweigh the risks.

[alopez65]

i have a 58" samsung and haven't had it very long so i find myself being very cautious with static images. after reading several post i feel i can relax some. thanks guys.

[William H Pratt]

Have NEVER had a hint of IR with my 111FD.

[xneox]

Sounds like the Pioneers are better avoiding IR...after watching letterbox, I see lines where the black bars were. It goes away after a minute or so of full-screen viewing, so it's truly no big deal...but it's there.

My orbiter is set to 'Periodic' (formerly 'Force') 1.

[ManUtd]

I watch many many hours of 2.35 movies during the week, sports in the weekend, etc. and never seen any sign of IR or burn-in. Never did any break-in either.

Now go get your plasma and enjoy.