I'm in the market for a new plasma TV. I'm going with plasma because of it's favorable pricing and often times superior picture quality. However, I do have a few concerns: For those of you that own plasmas did you use a "break-in period" to age the phosphors? If so, what method did you use and for how long? I know that those that recommend the break-in suggest doing so for the first 100-200 hours of use, but I've seen some suggest that cautious viewing (Avoiding static images, ie network logos and non full screen programing) for the same amount of time can serve the same purpose to avoid burn in. Also, any experiences with IR (Image Retention), excessive glare, and calibration. I'm eying THIS TV. Thanks in advance for any input!
No break in period on my part, still in process of calibrating the plasma but I did notice some glare from my christmas tree lights. Here are some good deals on 50 inch 1080p plasma http://www.gottadeal.com/results.php
LG 50PK550 is the same my brother owns in which he purchase it for $1100. Now you can get it for $849 no tax and free shipping from amazon.
I went back and forth over LCD, LED and Plasma. I strayed away from Plasma because of potential "burn in". I wound up buying a 60" LCD.
I did the break in for about 50 hours using slides found on avsforums. Then I realized it was pretty dumb on my part so stopped doing it. IR is no longer a problem IMO. Just make sure to use "bright" settings for the first few weeks or so before you calibrate the TV. I hear that LG is a nice set. I have the Panasonic G25 and it's great. I will never go back to LCD.
I have the panasonic 800U plasma (2008). I think the burn-in concerns are for the most part over (that's more early 2000's). They have really improved in that area. The pixel orbitors help too. I was cautious so I "broke it in" for maybe the first 100 hours. Just didn't have anything with black bars etc. But I think I would have been fine either way. LOVE my plasma. Great viewing angles and the colors are rich and the blacks are deep! "Glare" can be a concern if you have a sunny room but even that has improved some. I don't have mine professionally calibrated but mine has the THX certification and that mode really nails the colors.
No such thing as burn in anymore. Don't break the TV in, I broke mine in 3.5yrs ago, its for insane people. Trust me. No need. The picture will get better though as the phosphors age. Checkout avsforum.com for calibration settings, they have people there that spend hours and/or have equipment for getting the PQ at its peak on ALL A/V output settings. Glare can be managed and exists in LCD's nowadays too. Its all about the glass on the TV. Image retention or burn in is something you wont notice after you get used to the TV. The only way you'll notice is when you are hawking the TV when you first get it, nobody else will notice it either, only the perfectionist. That too fades with age.
Breaking in the TV is to age the phosphors evenly. It makes sense, but you're right, it's pretty much for the gays...which is why I stopped doing it.
I have a samsung plasma and it tends to flicker from dark to light based on the scene. it's really quite annoying, but too late to change it now i guess.
Yes, I bought a Pioneer Kuro so I didn't want to risk not breaking it in (even though it was for a steal). There's several websites of Kuro owners and I used their suggested method of running a PowerPoint presentation for 150 hours along with watching TV channels with no logos or black bars. Never any issue with IR. For glare, I've placed the plasma out of direct sunlight and I've had it professionally calibrated. The PQ is stunning, and I've yet to see a TV today wow me in the same way.
I have a G25 also, The only thing I did to ensure that there was no 'burn in' was watch everything in 16:9 for two weeks. I played xbox and watch tv, movies like normal, except when there's 4:3, I stretch it out. Also kept the settings on THX mode or Movie mode.
Same here. Got the 50 inch g25 for under a grand about 2 months ago and love it. I like it a lot better than the 120hz LCD that it replaced. As far as burn in, has not been an issue. Didn't break it in either...just put it in THX mode and turned the contrast down a little bit for the first month
I don't think a break in process is required anymore. Just get Panasonic and you should be alright. Although, if you are paranoid about it just make sure not to leave same image on screen, same channel, and no black bars(zoom or full screen to expand picture) for an extended period of time for the first 100 hours or so. Also, keep contrast brightness down to half or less.
