Initial TV settings and Screen Burn

This is probably the best tip you can ever get with regard to avoiding the dreaded screen burn. By default most sets are packed in the box with unsuitable default settings. I have yet to purchase an LCD or a Plasma TV where the contrast, brightness and colour were not set to 100%. This is stupid if you consider who should know the most about this relatively new technology. Of course I am referring to the manufacturers.

Unless the set is going in an extremely bright room you should easily be able to lower the contrast, brightness and colour down to 70% with almost no loss off clarity. I find 60% is almost always achievable and often as low as 50%.

Doing this will increase immensely the amount of time a still image takes to cause any screen burn. I don't want to give a specific time because it must vary from TV to TV and say plasma to LCD but I sometimes use a cheap Samsung with a completely static control panel for around 2 hours and have no problems at all.

The other big benefit with turning down the settings is that it will prolong the life of the phosphors and therefore the TV itself. Now we begin to see why the default settings are at 100%. Damn I'm so cynical!

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.

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How To Check For Screen Burn

Sometimes a factor in spoiling a Plasma or LCD TV with screen burn is that it creeps up on us. That is we get a minor removable burn but don't realise its there. If we don't realise it is there we don't take action and of course the problem gets worse and we trash our expensive screen.

There are a few ways to check. The most convenient is to check your TVs menu for a 'white screen' option. This as the name suggests displays a still white screen. The other option is to find a DVD with a plain white picture (often at the very end or start) and pause it. Another way is to plug in the PC and set the background to white. Basically any very light (preferably white) background will emphasize screen burn and reveal problems in the making.

Usually the results will be so clear that you can see exactly which channels, DVDs, games or TV guides are going to cause a problem. For example after my son has done 2 hours Command & Conquer on the Xbox 360 I can see the controls and even the score and 'mini map' using any of these methods.

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BBC News 24 and Screen Burn

This channel deserves special mention. The red blocks and scrolling messages at the bottom of the screen are possibly the worst example I have ever come across as a culprit of causing screen burn. Check for burn regularly and take action when needed.

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Channel logos and Screen Burn

Watch out for channels with static logos. Most of the children's channels have these as well as just about all the music channels. Just watching the TV for too long can burn one of these images onto the screen permanently.

Some of the channels are getting more Plasma and LCD friendly. For example CBEEBIES now has a rotating logo which changes colour as well as fading in and out of prominence. This 'virtually' removes the danger of a permanent logo being burnt to your set.

Most however do not. And the best way to avoid burn without spoiling the viewers fun is to follow closely my advice on the initial settings for your TV and after a couple of hours viewing follow my instructions for How To Check For Screen Burn and if necessary use one of my suggestions for removing screen burn.

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Computer games and Plasma/LCD Screen Burn

Console games like Play Station 1,2,3 Xbox (inc 360) and the various Nintendo consoles are probably the most likely things to spoil your LCD or Plasma by causing screen burn. However for a games player the thrill of gaming is often multiplied by doing so on a big vibrant screen.
I urge you not to lose sight of the real reason for spending loads of money on a SUPER TV. If your not going to let the kids get their gaming fix on the new TV then maybe consider not buying one. This is especially true if you have a Sony PlayStation 3 or a Microsoft Xbox 360. These consoles have a switch to flick and will give the gamer an unprecedented level of graphical quality and will impress even those who normally turn their noses up at such things. Just be vigilant and limit there game session length.

To help avoid image retention when using games consoles watch out for the following. Older games like on PS2, PS1 or those that have cartoon style graphics will often have areas that cause burn. These can be especially bad because the primary colours often used in such graphics often appear in large chunks and consistently. Look at the initial settings, check regularly and take action when necessary. You might think that all this checking spoils the fun but when you get to know your TV you will know how long certain games can be played for before a problem occurs. This can then also be used as a genuine reason for your child (or you) to take a break. Please see my safety tips for more details.

Any game not just the older or cartoon style games can cause image burn. The other common situations to look out for are the menu screens. If a menu screen is left on it probably has static images and text all over it. Teach your child not to leave it on the menu screen or turn it off when they go to have lunch etc.

Mini maps and HUD s . Mini maps are in many games especially strategy games. They show an overview of the game but squashed into a corner of the screen. Even thought these mini maps are usually changing with the game play they do not usually change significantly. Watch out for mini maps. Follow the usual precautions. HUD s or Heads Up Displays are often used on shooting, flying and driving games and almost always have graphics that remain unchanged or change very little(almost as bad) for long periods of time. Some HUD properties to watch out for:- Speedometers, gun cross-hairs, ammunition status, lives remaining and the score. The list is not exhaustive but it should serve as a good starting point of what to look out for.

In summary:- Use your TV to its fullest. That is why you brought it. But be vigilant. Check and Take action.

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Built in Screen Burn Prevention Features

More and more manufacturers are including screen burn prevention features with their Plasma and LCD TVs. This section will cover the most common ones, how they work and how to use them.

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PCs and Plasma/LCD Screen Burn

PCs can be worse than all the others. At least with a game the image would temporarily change between levels or games and with a TV channel it might get a break from the logo during the adverts but with a PC there are no such times.

Simply put you need to be more Aware, Check more often and take action whenever required. Here are some tips to help minimise the problem a bit. They are not however a complete solution to checking etc.

Get rid of the task bar. This almost always a bright primary colour and stretches the entire width of the screen. You will be most unpopular if the other half has to have the windows start button etc. in view while watching East Enders. The task bar can be made to disappear and only reappear when needed(hovered over with the mouse). In Windows XP do the following:- Right click the task bar and select 'Properties'. You can then 'tick' auto hide the task bar.
If browsing the web with Internet Explorer press 'f11' this will remove most(but not all) of the static frame.

Put your screen saver on a low start up time. If it's not too annoying I would suggest the minimum of 1 minute. Don't use a screen saver with slow or static images like 'space' or 'nature', use more dynamic ones like 'star field', 'blank' or 'beziers'. The best screen saver to use is a home made one. Read my entry on how to do this.

It is possible to use your PC on your Plasma or LCD screen but it must be said it it is the most precarious usage with regard to image retention. If you are going to use your PC on the TV then follow all the precautions and check and take action regularly.

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