I've searched the forum and didn't see a specific answer, so I'm throwing it out here.

I have two clients considering plasmas that are scared by reports of the screens burning in.

We know that video games, or some consistent pattern is not a good thing. Some even say the logos from some networks that are always in the corner of the screen are bad. I've read that the plasma element dims over time and will affect brightness.

Most of this is written, passed around verbally, and such. Has anyone SEEN for themselves plasma deterioration over time? Some of you have probably installed these in offices or places where they get 60-70 hours per week of use. Do you see them getting worse?

Does anyone think these will be of a shorter lifespan than a CRT or LCD TV?

Appreciate your feedback and your experience.
=Tom

Plasma can absolutly burn in. Biggest culprit is too much viewing in 4:3 mode, and CSPAN/Bloomberg.

Lifespan.... I've heard anything from 10,000 Hours to 20,000-25,000.....

Impaqt

I KNOW IT CAN!! I want to know if anyone has SEEN it.

1. Have you seen it yourself?

2. Do you think it's going to be a serious problem that will cause you to recommend LCDs and other alternatives?

Yes, I have absolutley seen this. Moreso on the old 1st generation Fujitsu panels that I've done, not so much lately. Could be that people are getting more careful, could be the panels are getting better....

In a commecial/industrial situation, you absolutly will get burn on a Plasma. Especially if your application is a stock ticker or static images.

I've seen serious burn on a panel with less than 1000 Hours.

I've seen it as well. Typically I've seen it on plasmas that are frequently used to watch broadcasts that have an unchanging graphic ie: CNN on the bottom of the screen. I don't know for sure but I would expect to see it on LCD's as well. I'm not sure about CRT's but now that I think about it I've seen Computer CRT's with burn in. I have not seen burn in on DLP RPs yet

Yes. Plasma's are the fastest burn-in of all the different display types out there. I've seen several with burn-in. And those network logos. I'd like to sue the networks for ruining perfectly good display devices.

Robbie S

Our demo Pioneer plasma has a permanent THX logo burnt in - now thats advertising.

Given the amount of 32" CRT television tubes that have gone recently I'd say that plasmas last longer.

Did the salesmen remember to tell them about how they have to refill the TV's with plasma gas every year or two (another urban myth being passed around)?

1. Many plasmas now report lifespan at 30,000 hours to half brightness. That = over 10 years at 8 hours per day!

2. In my experience, on recent models, burn in is a complete non-issue for most residential useage. At least with regard to Fujitsu which is what we primarily use. Many plasmas also have some type of built in protection against static images.

You might do a search on AVS plasma forum - there has been quite a bit of discussion about it there. I recommen using 16:9 autostretch if possible or would use gray side bars if they are going to watch in 4:3 mode.

p.s. I've NEVER had a single customer report burn in and we have sold a lot of plasmas.

This message was edited by QQQ on 12/11/03 17:54.

I for one cant wait on LCD prices to drop some. I compared a larger Sharp to a few Plasmas and the black levels are crap on most "Basic" plasma screens. They always have a green hue to them. If the set looks green when it is off, it looks green when it's on.

Go with LCD if the client is worried, then they can game away for months on end with no worries.

As far as burn in on plasma, they burn in at a faster rate than any other display. You can try to ISF it and that may help some, most peeps crank up the brightness to look more CRT like, but that speeds up the lifecycle some. Personally I think the new "wow" affect has worn off on me. I really have only seen a few plasma sets that really impress me, and I cant afford any of em for my self or to sit on demo.

Just my .02, im sure someone will call me wrong ;-)

cmo

Call your Pioneer rep, there is a service menu that has a "burn in fix" I know the pro 1000 does , not sure about others. I dont know the procecures right off hand. marantz has a user mode on the 61 inch, saw 4;3 BURN IN before, now it is gone.

CB1

The Fujitsus have a white screen that will help with burn in IF it isn't too severe. Thats a big IF.

The funny thing is that the networks' position is that the owner caused the burn-in, by keeping the set tuned to a station with a static logo.

Kinda like the tobacco companies' position.

In the UK I must have fitted over fifty plasmas for ordinary domestic customers.
I have NEVER had one customer complain of screen burn.
I always set the input device to 16:9 i.e. Sky digital satellite, DVD, Play station etc.
I never use the "dynamic" modes which ramp up contrast to stupid levels.
I explain that "yes plasmas do suffer more from burn but CRT sets are not immune to burn "a lot of customers forget this fact.

If the set has a wobbling mode and/or screen saver I make sure it’s switched on.

If the source components have a screen saver I make sure it’s on.

Most screen burn I have seen is on cheap CRT sets used as security monitors etc which is quite normal and to be expected.

The life span of half brightness on most top brand plasmas is 30,000 hrs that’s HALF brightness and still watch able that’s 16 years at five hrs a day!!

The channel logo brightness is a thing of concern I have seen the sky news logo burned into a CRT set but this customer just left the set on that channel all day every day the vast majority of my customers wouldn’t use a big plasma to watch mainly sky news but to watch DVD movies so there is just no problem.

As with most things if you take care of something it will last a long time if you abuse it won’t.

I have had LCD set with multiple pixel drop out and back lights can fail .The acceptable pixel drop out argument from manufacturers is just wrong in my opinion one pixel on a 15" widescreen is too much when you know its there.

I have a 42" plasma I could have bought a LCD /CRT/DLP etc having weighed up the pros and cons of every device I chose a Plasma screen for my application.
It was the best AV decision I have ever made.

I am a bit fed up of having to explain all the un truths about plasma often these lies are told by spotty gel haired 17 year olds in the big sheds in the UK whose only concern is the strength of there hair gel that morning and there knowledge of the subject comes from Tony at the butchers who reads what AV video choice magazine (Stereo type but quite accurate).

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This message was edited by bob griffiths on 12/12/03 04:56.

I've seen it twice, 1st 50"fujitsu less than 3 months of the morning stock market banner burned right acrossed the bottom of screen. 2nd one was a runco cw42 with the titanic dvd start menu burned into the back ground after approx. 42 hrs.

I have seen burn in once on a Fujitsu about three months old. The company I worked for replaced and I am not sure who ended up being responsible or paying for it.

I have heard about a DVD that you can purchase to reverse the process. Which I guess is the same as the built in white screen that was alpready mentioned above. Has anyone used a DVD like this or the built one? Did it work?