The Plasma Display Coalition (bahh Humbug)

The Plasma Display Coalition is, as the name suggests a group of TV manufacturers with a vested interest.



If you visit their web site they spend a lot of time and trouble trying to convince us that screen burn is a thing of the past. They say:-

"New plasma advancements in cell structure and phosphor formulations have virtually eliminated image retention, also known as ghosting. Tests verify that any residual ghosting generally disappeared with normal use after a relatively short time.* If you haven’t burned images into your CRT television, there is little chance that you will with plasma. As with any electronic product, you should follow the usage guidelines in your owners manual."

They then say:-

"* Only one model of all those tested showed any easily-seen evidence of image retention when operated in standard viewing modes for 3 consecutive 8-hour periods displaying contrast, color bar and static TV images. A second model showed a mild ghost image that was discernable after a 24-hour shutdown period. The remaining 3 plasma TVs had little or no evidence of any ghost images after the 24-hour static image test. From this test, image retention appears not to be caused by phosphor burn-in."

So what they are saying is 20% of there specially selected TVs do get image retention another 20% are effected even after being switched off for 24 hours. This of course is not a likely scenario if you have just spent £1500 on a shiny new TV.

And the remaining 3 had little or no evidence. Well after 3 days that is hardly anything to get excited about. And more to the point you can bet the test screens had been calibrated well away from the "out of the box" settings. Something that will almost never happen to the average customers PDP.

I am not knocking plasma manufacturers for the hell of it. I agree that they give the best quality picture of any screen type including an HD cinema (albeit slightly smaller). What I am criticising is why they can't be open and honest about the facts and then all there customers would be aware of the problems, know how to avoid them and enjoy years of enjoyment from there screens.

And if they really are that resistant why is every single (that I have ever seen) manual produced by these companies state that the warranty does not cover screen burn?

You know who you are:- Hitachi, Panasonic, Pioneer, LG.

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What Nintendo Have To Say About Screen Burn

Nintendo are quite non-committal and are shrugging just about all responsibility. Although it has to be said that some of their Wii games are quite good at avoiding image retention.



Anyway here is what they say about it on their web site:-

Precautions Concerning TV Screen Damage (Image Retention)

Some televisions can be damaged when a stationary image is maintained on the screen for long periods of time, as this could potentially "burn" the stationary image into the screen. This image retention can result from a variety of sources, including test patterns, VCR on-screen programming screens, or picture-in-picture boxes. Playing video games with stationary images or patterns, or leaving video games on hold or pause, may also lead to this type of damage.

* Before using your Nintendo system with any TV, especially front and rear projection type TVs, be sure to review all documentation included with your TV to find out whether video games can be played on the TV without damaging it.
* When taking a short break, place the game on pause and turn the TV off until you are ready to play again.
* If you are not sure about your TV, contact the manufacturer of the TV for more information.

Neither Nintendo nor any of Nintendo's licensees will be liable for any damage to your TV.

Projection TVs (front and rear):
Due to their design, front and rear projection TVs can be more susceptible to image retention. Remember to be sure to review all documentation included with your TV to find out whether video games can be played on your TV without damaging it.

High-Definition TV's (HDTV):
Projection style HDTVs display the image in much the same manner as other type projection TVs and as such, the same possibility of image retention exists. HDTV's that use a tube screen should be no more susceptible to image retention than standard TVs that use a tube screen. For either type of HDTV, follow the precautions on this page.

Plasma TVs or LCD Screens:
We have no information on Plasma TVs or LCD type TVs. Since image retention is a variable of the TV, please check your TV manual or contact the manufacturer directly before connecting any video game system to your television.

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Plasma & LCD TV Image Retention

This post is about Image Retention. We talk about how to try and avoid image retention, and fix it if it is too late. Here are some quick removal ideas to help you with all this phenomenon that affects Plasma & LCD TVs.

Image Retention (Screen Burn) Summary

This is probably the most important section to read. Failing to prevent Image Retention will render your plasma or LCD TV as useless, it will not be covered by the warranty and it can occur within a few hours of getting it home. Not only that but some of the most likely causes are NOT what most people are on the lookout for. Image Retention CAN be prevented almost completely.

What Is Image Retention

Image Retention is where an image you were viewing on the Plasma or LCD screen remains there either temporarily or eventually permanently even after we have finished displaying it. The result in minor cases is that an annoying ghost image appears when we are watching our favourite program and in the worst case the retention is so bad that the display is totally unwatchable.

If you want to try something now to remove Image Retention then check out 3 popular methods for removing LCD or Plasma Image Retention.

PixelProtector

There is a commercial DVD for just such problems. It is called PixelProtector (Pixel Protector) and retails for about £25.

JScreenFIx for Image Retention Removal

Another thing you can try include downloading a free program called JScreenFix. It creates fast random patterns on your PC. The only snag is the headache of connecting the pc up and the fact that removal technique will not be running at your screens native resolution (for the TV). But this is well worth a try if you have the time to spare.

Use The PC For Image Retention In Fix

If you can hook your PC up to your Image Retention TV try this. Create a folder in 'My Documents' called 'Image Retention'. Now open up a picture editor like 'paint' available on all Windows PC's. When you run 'Paint' a blank white document is what you should have in front of you. That is exactly what you need. Select File – Save as and name your picture 'white'. Be sure to save it in the folder you just created.

Next you need to click on the 'black' section of the colour pallete at the bottom of the 'Paint' window. After you have selected black click on the 'Fill' icon (a tipped paint pot) on the left. Now simply click in the middle of your white picture and it should become totally black. Select File – Save as and name you picture 'black'. Again be sure to save it in the folder called 'Image Retention'. You don't need paint any more so you can shut it down.

Now right click on the Windows desktop an select Properties – Screen Saver and using the drop down list select 'My Pictures Slide Show'. Now to configure the slide show. Click Settings and configure as follows. Slide the bar to 'More' so that pictures change frequently. Slide the next bar to 'Larger' so pictures fill the whole screen. Now click the 'browse' button and find the folder you made called 'Image Retention'. In the next set of options:- Check 'Stretch Small Pictures', Uncheck 'Show File Names', Check 'Use Screen Transitions' and finally uncheck 'Allow Scrolling Through Pictures With The Keyboard'. Save the options.

Different versions of Windows might have slightly different configuration options but as long as the result is a completely filled (no borders), alternating white and black screen with no writing then it will probably help.

Now let your screensaver run. Leave this for a at least a few hours to see some results. If you use your TV for the PC then it might be a good idea to use this as your regular screen saver and run it frequently.

Conclusion

The first method (PixelProtector) is fast, safe and efective but it obviously is not free. The second method is free, can be awkward if your PC is not connected to the TV in question and I would not run it too frequently as the long term effect on a screen is not certain. The third method (my method) is free and safe but slower than the first two but of course suffers from the 'pain in the neck' problem of connecting the PC to the TV.

I suppose it depends on your individual situation what is the best solution for you.

I hope this post has been of some help.

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Plasma & LCD TV Reviews

There are so many TVs to choose from. And the range of specifications to wade through can be confusing.

We review screens from most major retailers and manufacturers without bias. Please remember our opinions are just that. Opinions. There is no substitute for going to the store and having a look and a listen, or looking at other peoples recommendations.

Here are some reviews that will hopefully help make your buying decision a little easier.

Go to the plasma & LCD reviews

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All About Screen Burn In and How To Remove It

Hello and thanks for visiting my blog. There is a lot of information about this subject sometimes also called image retention. To be completely accurate there is a technical difference between retention and burn but what this post is dealing with is anyone who has, or is worried about getting an annoying picture on there TV that should not be there.

There are numerous ways to avoid getting images burned to your screen and there are a few things you can do to repair the damage if it has already happened. The full article has links to multiple burn in topics and specifically includes 3 different methods to get rid of your plasma or LCD image retention.

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How To Clean - LCD & Plasma TVs, Sony PSP, Laptops and Flat TFT Monitors.

As the title suggests this tutorial and the tools mentioned are for cleaning almost any viewing surface.

Why clean it? Well apart from the obvious a dusty screen with finger prints or other marks is not good for the eyes. But for me the most important thing is a a clear shiny screen is aesthetically pleasing and takes away the 'distraction' of a dirty one. Its a bit like when you know there is a job you have to do but just don't get round to doing it. It can play on your mind and this makes you less efficient in your work and causes you leisure time while using the screen to be less pleasurable.

The latter is especially true when playing a game or surfing the net on a pc/laptop screen and also when watching a DVD on your plasma or LCD super TV. What was the point of paying all that money to get a screen that is capable of stunning images and then not have it looking its best?

It is important that I point out that the slightly time consuming process I detail below does not have to be performed every time you clean your TV or whatever screen. Once you have it gleaming a quick wipe/spray every now and then and it will remain that way, always.

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