Pixel Shift for Screen Burn Protection

This does exactly what it says it does. It moves (shifts) the entire picture(made of pixels) to the left, right, up and down. Most go left, then down, then right and finally up. This means that any static images are shifted and made less(static). Beware! This is usually only by a few pixels each way(4 is common) so any static image bigger than 4 pixels still has a significant impact on the potential for image retention. However every little does help and if your TV has it I would recommend using it all the time.

In your TV menu you will probably have the option to set how often the screen shifts and by how many pixels. I would set the number of pixels to whatever the maximum is and the time delay between shifts to no more than 5 minutes. The shift is usually totally imperceptible and it will help a bit with the screen burn problem.

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Plasma and LCD 'Signal Pattern' and 'All White' Features

These features are a bit like screen savers only they can actually 'rub out' screen burn. Please be aware however that it is still easily possible to cause irreversible image retention. 'Signal Pattern' and 'All White' are however fantastic tools.

'All White' is great for checking to see if you have got any screen burn as it shows retained images very clearly. It is also the quickest way for removing minor screen burn. Quite simply when you select 'All White' the screen goes.. well.. all white. This is simple but very effective.
Signal pattern makes a pattern of black and white repeatedly across the entire screen. This is slower then 'All White' for removing screen burn but if you have been caught out and got a nasty bit of image retention then a good blast (perhaps an hour or more) of 'Signal Pattern' might reduce or even remove it.

The built in protection features of a TV are not a replacement for precaution and I definitely still recommend turning down the brightness, contrast and colour when you set up the TV. These features are however extremely useful. So much so that I would consider that they are top of my list of requirements when choosing which screen to buy.

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The 'Snow' distortion trick for Plasma and LCD TV's with Screen Burn

'But I already have a TV without screen burn protection' I hear you cry. No problem. This works almost as well. Select terrestrial TV. Then choose a channel that does not exist. You should have a nice snow pattern (more of a blizzard really) this will remove completely minor screen burn and help reduce permanent burn.

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The PC Screen Burn Fix trick for Plasma and LCD TV's

If you can hook your PC up to your screen burnt TV try this. Create a folder in 'My Documents' called 'Screen Burn'. I'm not joking keep reading. 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 'Screen Burn'. 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 'Screen Burn'. 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 set your screen saver to 1 minute and leave the keyboard and mouse well alone.
As with the 'snow' and 'signal pattern' leave this for a while to see some results. If your TV for the PC then it might be a good idea to use this as your regular screen saver and run it frequently.

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Make Your LCD or Plasma TV Last

Plasma and LCD TVs are still a 'fragile' technology and many consumers have had their fingers burned. However with the appropriate care as I have stated before in my previous entries a good one can last a decade.

Brightness, Contrast & Colour settings,
Quite simply turn them down to a maximum of 70%, preferably as low as 50%. Screens are supplied with the settings at 100%. This significantly reduces the life of your screen and one can only wonder why they are supplied like that? Also many TVs have a 'Power Saving' setting. This usually works by decreasing the power output overall and hence preserve the life of those precious phosphors still further.

Turn it off
Obvious. If its not being watched, turn it off. A phosphor only burns for a certain amount of time before it fades or goes out altogether.

You might also be interested in:-

Can I Put My Plasma Or LCD TV Above A Fireplace?

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Screen Burn Prevention

This is when part of the screen displays an image which should not be there. This can be a temporary problem or it can mean the end of your TV as a useful item.
This is a huge topic please see my other entries about screen burn.

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Get extended warranty

2 Years ago I never dreamt I would say it. Plasma screens have several weakness. The phosphors can fade or become permanently set. This will almost certainly not be covered by any warranty. Fortunately this problem can largely be avoided.

There are many components in a plasma TV that are just waiting to go wrong. The processor, the cooling system to name but a few. So if your Plasma TV is likely to get a lot of use then this is one of the few situations were an extended warranty is worthwhile.

You should of course pretend you are not interested when first asked as it is always possible to get a reduction on the cost of the warranty or on the screen itself as a condition of taking the warranty.

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