Plasma TVs and Image Burn/Retention

[McG]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

IPS is the best for image quality, but isn't the response time and ghosting slightly higher for fast motion movies/games/sports?

One thing about plasmas is that you don't need to worry about viewing angle on them like you need to on LCDs.

i totally think that plasmas are the best for me personally, however with a family i just feel that the led/lcd is the better choice for us. The IPS screen on these LGs has an outstanding viewing angle compared to the other nonIPS LGs, and while i wouldn't want to compare them to a plasma formally, the side viewing angle is vastly superior to the other LCDs that i checked out. I just want to mention that i am specifically writing about the LED/LCDs, and not the LCDs. The specs say 178 degrees, but i will leave the plausibility of that angle to someone else's imagination. it isn't even remotely close for the viewing angles that will be in my room given where this TV is going to be hung.

Regarding response times, the specs are 2.4 and 2.6 ms on the screen itself which is almost plasma like for some of the plasma sets, and the guys at avsforum stated that they are at like 64ms for screen response time through the hdmi1 port. fwiw.

i completely respect the plasma gear because up until the last little while, it was a plasma going into this area in my house. I even had the space set up with Panasonic 50" VT20 specs to be sure that i could get it to fit!

i have always thought that all of the "expert recommendations" and specifications pale in comparison to the actual experience in your house, in the specific room, at all times of day, with your cables, your gear, your audio, your furniture, your viewing angles, your content, the features that you need, and how a person and family members use it. throw in some cost/finance considerations, with a side of "how/where to mount/place this thing", warranty, return policy, and model year changes, and you have the hunt for a new TV.

did i mention 3D? hehheh

i think that the best any one can do is to listen when alot of people say product X is crap, don't touch it, and listen to that. From there...well...i suspect that yamer (and many, many of us) are at the same point.

from a completely selfish perspective, i am glad that i am not the only one who has spent weeks or months agonizing over this.

[Yamer]

Back from Costco yet again.

Took another look at that Panasonic 50", and again was very underwhelmed. Played around with the features a bit, and again was fairly unimpressed. It is probably a lower end Panny.

Across the aisle was a Samsung 50" Plasma series 5 for 987.99. The picture and features blew the Panny out of the water, and was quite stunning to look at in store. A little way down the aisle was a Samsung 50" Plasma series 6. Not too much of a difference besides some better audio features and BD wise. I have read a bit online that the series 5 can have some issues with buzzing.

Anyway, I have decided that since this unit will be for games/movies the best TV to get is plasma. If I break it in properly, I shouldn't have an issue with burn in. Retention is common, but if it goes away then I can deal with IR. If I want the series 6 I am going to have to dig into my pockets again, but if I want what I pay for then I suppose it is worth it. I won't be playing any game with fixed images in the first 150 hours or so, and when I do I will be making preset adjustments for different games.

Gonna spend the night on AVSforum to make sure.

[DownhillGoat]

As far as break in goes, I had no issues playing games with a continual HUD/scoreboard on them (most of them have cut scenes so it's not always on there anyways). My solution was to: switch to a snow channel every 20-30 mins for 5 mins, ensure brightness/contrast is low, and ensure the tv is on a regular channel for at least 5 mins before gaming. Understandable that you're being cautious though. Also, some tv's have a game mode which rotates/shifts the pixels to alleviate still images. Make sure that's on if it's available.

[Yamer]

Can anyone suggest the best method to break in a plasma? I have heard of people using slides, leaving it on full zoom on a movie channel with no channel logo, using the media player in an Xbox and putting the visual to full screen (breaks in the screen and speakers)...probably a few others. Is it best to leave the contrast/brightness low during this time...or does it matter if there are going to be no fixed images anyway?

From what I have read the image retention is very good on these Samsungs as long as you break it in for a 100 hours or so.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Is it best to leave the contrast/brightness low during this time...or does it matter if there are going to be no fixed images anyway?

You'll still want the contrast/brightness low. The higher the brightness the quicker the plasma gas burns out. If you're not watching it, don't crank the brightness. I try to leave it relatively dark even when I am watching it.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Can anyone suggest the best method to break in a plasma? I have heard of people using slides, leaving it on full zoom on a movie channel with no channel logo, using the media player in an Xbox and putting the visual to full screen (breaks in the screen and speakers)...probably a few others. Is it best to leave the contrast/brightness low during this time...or does it matter if there are going to be no fixed images anyway?

From what I have read the image retention is very good on these Samsungs as long as you break it in for a 100 hours or so.

What I did with my plasma( I did a lot of research, mostly on avsforums, which is a great resource for settings) was to watch a lot of HD programs. If you have HD cable you can leave it on a show that is full screen. Just make sure thier logo ia translucent and watch different channels. Watch a movie, play a game(for an hour or two), just vary it up.

My wife even watched some standard tv with the bars on the side. Just don't do one thing for very long (more than a couple of hours) to begin with.

Don't have it on torch mode. When you buy it, the contrast on factory setting might be higher than you want for the break in period. Do a search of avsforums for your specific model and you should be able to find settings that are good for the break in period.

I didn't do anything special other than watch a lot of full screen shows for the first 100-150 hours and my tv is fine.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Can anyone suggest the best method to break in a plasma? I have heard of people using slides, leaving it on full zoom on a movie channel with no channel logo, using the media player in an Xbox and putting the visual to full screen (breaks in the screen and speakers)...probably a few others. Is it best to leave the contrast/brightness low during this time...or does it matter if there are going to be no fixed images anyway?

I had the blu ray version of Planet Earth looping for about 100 hours. The picture varies greatly from one wildlife scene to the next, so I figured one episode looping over and over would be a good break in.

I used a video calibration disc to set my color and contrast before I broke it in. The contrast was way too bright out of the box.

[Flames89]

I downloaded the following slides to a USB key I could plug into my TV and play from there. I used avs forum settings for viewing slides.
http://www.webapalooza.com/plasma/index.php
- Played the slides when I went to bed until I got home from work the next day. Amounted to about 20 hours per day on slides, then 2 hours watching normally, and 2 hours off.

After about 100+ hours, I then used the calibration settings from avs forums.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1232441&page=1

TV still looked good. The main reasons for doing this, is I wanted to be SURE it was properly broken in - even though there is very little worry of burn-in with new TVs. Also, new TVs come pre-set to what people call "Torch" mode - where contrast is VERY high and brightness as well. This should be turned down to start as well to ensure proper break in (to "harden" the phosphors).

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Draug

I had the blu ray version of Planet Earth looping for about 100 hours. The picture varies greatly from one wildlife scene to the next, so I figured one episode looping over and over would be a good break in.

I used a video calibration disc to set my color and contrast before I broke it in. The contrast was way too bright out of the box.

This is an excellent suggestion. I had this blu ray as well and played it a few times. It is also an awesome movie. It is well worth the buy.

[alltherage]

I bought the Samsung Plasma 5 series and I love it so far. Image retention is curtailed by pixel orbiting which basically moves the picture around by 1 or 2 pixels all the time. It's so suttle you can't really see it and it does the job.

Some also come with pixel crawling which to me reminds me of a magic-doodle or whatever they are called where you draw on the magnetic screen and then slide the switch and the bottom to erase it.

It basically goes totally black on the screen and slowly crawls a white bar along to reverse any retention. Not sure if that's purely a Panasonic feature.

Anyway, to me Plasma was the way to go. I love sports and gaming and the TV is in my basement. The picture is gorgeous on the Dynamic setting. Brighter and more beautiful than my friend's Sony XBR 6. Seriously.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by alltherage

I bought the Samsung Plasma 5 series and I love it so far. Image retention is curtailed by pixel orbiting which basically moves the picture around by 1 or 2 pixels all the time. It's so suttle you can't really see it and it does the job.

Some also come with pixel crawling which to me reminds me of a magic-doodle or whatever they are called where you draw on the magnetic screen and then slide the switch and the bottom to erase it.

It basically goes totally black on the screen and slowly crawls a white bar along to reverse any retention. Not sure if that's purely a Panasonic feature.

Anyway, to me Plasma was the way to go. I love sports and gaming and the TV is in my basement. The picture is gorgeous on the Dynamic setting. Brighter and more beautiful than my friend's Sony XBR 6. Seriously.

I just bought the Samsung Plasma 5 series, 50". From my research there really isn't much difference between the 6 and 5 series. The 6 has Internet@TV (more fluff than useful), BD Wise (only good for BluRay), and better in panel speakers. I had to lay the set down for a bit so I am going to leave it standing upright over the next few hours before I start playing around with it. Also going to download some slides and break it in properly, then calibrate it after a week or two. Probably will only be watching some Star Trek (stretch screen) over the network for the first little while...NO GAMES for now.

Does yours make a buzzing sound at all? That is the thing I am most paranoid about right now, as it seems to be a common problem with Samsung plasmas. Some do it, some don't...luck of the draw.

And don't worry, you will hear me complaining all over again if this 5th set doesn't live up to the hype.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Yamer

I had to lay the set down for a bit

[McG]

just an update on my lg 47le5300 from costco; i bought it on friday night for 1249, i saw it on sale on costco.ca for 1199, and when my wife went to costco today to get the difference as a credit, it was actually on sale in store for 1149.

all in, $100 less than what i paid on friday night; always good to get the credit back!

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

In what sense?

EDIT: I should clarify before you respond that I had it on its back for a moment while flipping it to install the stand. Bringing it home it was titled slightly to fit in my car. Probably 10-15 degrees at most (face up, for about 10 mins). I am just being extra paranoid in this instance to make sure I do everything to not fuuuuu up this set. Salespeople tell you if you have to lay it down to transport it, to wait several hours after standing it up (something to do with the gasses, although I find no evidence of this on the net in my limited search). Most sites/forums seem to think it can damage the screen laying it face down (duh) and extreme bumping while completely flat can rattle and break the innards while in an unnatural position.

[FanIn80]

I haven't really been keeping up, but I'm curious why you keep buying everything but the Panasonic series that quite a few people here have recommended.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I haven't really been keeping up, but I'm curious why you keep buying everything but the Panasonic series that quite a few people here have recommended.

They haven't really specified a series, just Panasonic in general. However, I am quite happy to oblige.

I am buying at Costco due to my membership rewards and the fact that the return policy and extension of the manufacturers warranty just kicks ass. Shopping at Costco, there is only 1 Panasonic plasma that is available to purchase, the S24. From what I understand, it is the lowest end they produce...and you can tell when you look at it and play with it on display. Everything is washed out, and from what I have read online Pannys have been having an issue with black levels on their newer models (again, quite noticeable in the store alone). Same research also yielded a better review rating of the Samsung.

Comparing the Panny to the Sammy it wasn't a hard choice. Besides they were really the only 2 in my price range. The PQ was better, as were the features. If this is Samsung's low end model, it impressed me much more than Panasonic's.

Conclusion: I was limited in choice and price, and in those limitations I was more impressed with the Samsung model.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Yamer

In what sense?

EDIT: I should clarify before you respond that I had it on its back for a moment while flipping it to install the stand. Bringing it home it was titled slightly to fit in my car. Probably 10-15 degrees at most (face up, for about 10 mins). I am just being extra paranoid in this instance to make sure I do everything to not fuuuuu up this set. Salespeople tell you if you have to lay it down to transport it, to wait several hours after standing it up (something to do with the gasses, although I find no evidence of this on the net in my limited search). Most sites/forums seem to think it can damage the screen laying it face down (duh) and extreme bumping while completely flat can rattle and break the innards while in an unnatural position.

It's just common parlance that plasmas should never be laid down. I don't know the truth to the various degrees of care you must take in regard to them. Mine has always been upright, from store to truck to living room. I would never lay it down as its said to cause damage.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

It's just common parlance that plasmas should never be laid down. I don't know the truth to the various degrees of care you must take in regard to them. Mine has always been upright, from store to truck to living room. I would never lay it down as its said to cause damage.

It was extremely brief.

I actually had to lay down my original LG (as instructed in the manual) to install the stand. And transporting it home it was on no more of an angle than it would be on an elevated wall mount.

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by Yamer

I just bought the Samsung Plasma 5 series, 50". From my research there really isn't much difference between the 6 and 5 series. The 6 has Internet@TV (more fluff than useful), BD Wise (only good for BluRay), and better in panel speakers. I had to lay the set down for a bit so I am going to leave it standing upright over the next few hours before I start playing around with it. Also going to download some slides and break it in properly, then calibrate it after a week or two. Probably will only be watching some Star Trek (stretch screen) over the network for the first little while...NO GAMES for now.

Does yours make a buzzing sound at all? That is the thing I am most paranoid about right now, as it seems to be a common problem with Samsung plasmas. Some do it, some don't...luck of the draw.

And don't worry, you will hear me complaining all over again if this 5th set doesn't live up to the hype.

Sounds like you've bought something similar to what I bought and recommended back on page 1 or so. I too read about the buzzing, but also read that it was an uncommon problem and most of the posts about it seemed older at the time I was looking into it. Interestingly, if you do a bit of research it seems like the difference between the 5 series and the 6 series is even less than is advertised. Some of the features are just locked out in the diagnostic mode and there is a relatively simple way to change the settings to unlock some of the better adjustments. I'm on my phine right now but I'll look later for the link that discusses this. I did it mysdelf a few months ago with no problem but YMMV. If I remember correctly it unlocked some much better picture controls and maybe a game mode.

Mine is the PN540 and if you bought a higher number than that this stuff might already be unlocked.

Good luck...

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Yamer

EDIT: I should clarify before you respond that I had it on its back for a moment while flipping it to install the stand.

Glad you clarified. I thought you brought it home laying flat and were going to be on to TV #6.