For the first issue, if that's all it was, I might suggest that maybe the brightness and contrast settings are too high, and that lowering those and turning off Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) in the menu would solve that issue.
However, the other symptoms don't add up. The shadowing might be somewhat normal on a standard definition signal, but if it's happening on HD also, then that would indicate a problem. As well, since you noted that some of the other issues are getting worse, I'd definitely recommend a service technician take a look at it.
I wanted to get some feedback before I responded, so I apologize for the delay in answering this.
If you have any other questions, please let me know.
--HDTech
Time Warner Cable -> TiVo HD -> HP-T5064
Avoided black bars, static images, and brightness for the first month as much as possible to try to break it in right.
Thankfully, I do not have anything permanently burnt in. But graphics and logos seem to be sticking for longer and longer. It's been getting worse over the last few months. I've had the TV for about 8 months, so I'm still in warranty.
More detailed description:
The problem occurs when a bright static image is on screen for more than about 10 seconds. Can be the Tivo menus, the TV's own menus, or say I'm watching CNN. The actual CNN logo is in one spot for maybe 10 minutes. When they go to commercial the CNN logo remains. It will easily remain visible until the show comes back. Further, if I change the channel, the logo will remain clearly visible for as much as a half hour depending on what's on the screen to get rid of it. About 20 minutes on average. But that's with a static image having been in place for only 10 minutes. If I watch a football game then I have to keep changing aspect ratio from Just Scan to 16:9 and back to try to avoid the problem. And then will still usually have to put it on another channel or use the Scrolling feature for a long time before I'm comfortable turning the TV off.
Don't know if this is related or not, but just in case, I'm also noticing something else. Anytime there are words on screen I see a light 'shadow' sweeping from the words to both side edges of the TV. Same thing happens when a menu, or even the volume, is brought on. A 'shadow' will extend from it to the edge of the TV. It's very noticeable. The TV also completes broken lines, too. Like, if a guy is standing in front of a window, and the edge of the window goes behind his face, the TV will draw the line of that window frame right through. Not as bright, of course, but just like the other shadowing.
Is this normal or could there be something amiss with the panel? I know that there's always been talk of burn in when it comes to plasma TVs. Overall I've been happy with this TV, but the overall enjoyment is declining as these problems get worse and worse. Is this just how plasmas are? Or might there be an abnormality?
I'm trying to determine if I need to request a technician to come out and take a look. Any help is appreciated greatly.

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