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General discussion

TV burn-in effect from widescreen and closed-captioning

Hi. I've read warnings not to use widescreen on a 4:3 TV screen or closed-captioning too much, as both will lead to a burn-in effect on the picture tube over time. I'd think that the TV renders such black stripes by not having to light up any cathode (right term?) at all, which would prevent a burn-in effect. What am I not getting? Thanks a lot.

Discussion is locked

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problem solved
Jul 2, 2005 8:09AM PDT

on my Sony 3 gun rear project t.v. I either stretch the picture or you should be able to change the black on the sides to gray that will prevent the burn in I also turn down the brightness and contrast. on 4 +3 just to make sure hopes this helps please reply would like to hear from you answer under stewart in this forem

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Thanks for the reply.
Jul 5, 2005 11:12AM PDT

I'm not sure how I'd change black to gray (on top and bottom, as I don't want the weird stretched look), and I'm not sure how not to mess up the picture when adjusting brightness/contrast. I'd also like to know just why black would cause burn-in, as I'd think that black is displayed by simply no guns firing at all.

Best,
Tsee

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Excellent question
Jul 6, 2005 12:04AM PDT

I was wondering this too. Why don't they just not illuminate the pixels that are not needed ( in the area - vertical or horizontal bars) and then there will not be any burn-in or burn-out effect.

Is it possible that no one thought of this before Happy

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Plasma Reverse Burn-In and Burn-in Protection
Jul 7, 2005 11:07AM PDT

Even the letterbox black area can indirectly cause a burn-in. What could happen over a long period of time is that the plasma pixels in the lit area get ''used up'' at a higher rate than the pixels in the black area. As a result, the pixels in the black area over time may be noticibly brighter than the pixels in the continuously lit area.

Samsung claims that their new hp-r series plasmas can compensate for burn-in. From the manual: ''If screen burn has occurred, you can select a white screen or signal pattern (rolling screen) to help remove screen burn artifacts.''

? All White: This function removes after-images on the screen by changing the color of pixels to white. Use this function when there are remaining after-images or symbols on the screen especially when you displayed a still image on the screen for a long time.
? Signal Pattern: This function removes after-images on the screen by moving all the pixels on the PDP according to a pattern. Use this function when there are remaining after-images or symbols on the screen especially when you displayed a still image on the screen for a long time.

Likewise, Samsung indicates that the TVs can be programmed to help prevent burn-in. ''To reduce the possibility of screen burn, this unit is equipped with screen burn prevention technology. This technology enables you to set picture movement up/down (Vertical Line) and side to side (Horizontal Dot). The Time setting allows you to program the time between movement of the picture in minutes.''

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Thanks emileg
Jul 8, 2005 12:54AM PDT

Thanks for he explanation.

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but...
Jul 9, 2005 6:48AM PDT

but what about the horizontal bars. Many movies and many ads show horizontal bars on the top and bottom. In this case these pixels are not illuminated. They are black. Why can't they do the same for vertical bars on left and right?