New Technology TV

Screen Burn? What exactly is Screen Burn and how is it avoided? Screen burn sounds like a serious disease of sorts, and I guess one could call it a disease of ‘Plasma displays’. Simply speaking, screen burn is image retention or the lingering shadow of an image on a darkened screen. Some of the pixels have been damaged due to age or use and because they function from a light source, they are dimmer than undamaged pixels. This happens with repeated use because the damaged pixels then develop a memory from color info provided to it over a period of time. This information is repeatedly used over and over and is more or less ‘burned’ into the screen forming the outline of the static image on the screen. Once an image is burned onto a screen, it is permanently damaged. Then the screen will need to be replaced. However, these tips can help prevent this from happening to a new screen.First – turn off the Plasma television when it is not being watched because it will leave a static image on the screen. Also, when ‘pausing’ a DVD, do so briefly so as to avoid the potential for ‘Screen Burn’. A static image develops from ghosting (light burn) to a permanent burn.


The plasma screen of a new television is more prone to image retention, ‘Burn’, during the first couple of hundred hours of use because the phosphors are new and burn more intensely. This will, of course, intensify a possible ‘ghosting’ effect. This situation usually corrects itself when subsequent pictures are shown. Just remember that the longer a static image is left on a new screen, the more likely it is that simple ‘ghosting’ will change to a permanent burn. A good way to prevent this is to keep the contrast set at a level up to fifty percent since this will keep the phosphors from heating to a greater intensity. Keep in mind that the greater the contrast and intensity, the more chance of permanent image retention. Use all the plasma television’s features – the reset or anti-burn feature. These are settings designed to reset or recalibrate the pixel intensity levels and decreases the potential for burn – ghosting. This recalibration needs to be done after about one hundred hours of viewing. This process affects the phosphor lifespan so use it only when necessary. Another important point – do some comparison shopping because some popular brands seem to be plagued with this problem. Another important tip – use all television settings in the Owner’s Manual – full-time picture shift, automatic screen-saver, etc.

As previously mentioned, some brands of plasma screens are more prone to burning, so be aware of scaling as it, too, is related to this type of problem. Be sure the new monitor has adequate scaling as a scaling of 4:3 allows comfortable viewing of widescreens. Don’t leave the black horizontal bar displayed at the bottom of the screen for a prolonged period of time – this is considered static imaging. It is best to watch all programming in ‘full-screen’ for maximum viewing benefits.

Higher quality televisions are less likely to suffer ‘ghosting’ and ‘burn’, but once the screens have been used properly (avoiding the errors noted prior and utilizing the tips provided), any screen of lesser quality is less likely to encounter problems with image retention.

Advanced technology and research and development in entertainment communications assure improvements in this area. This is not a problem that should create worries for the average consumer because caution and care will go a long way to improve your plasma viewing experience. Proper care and attention to what is being displayed and for what length of time it is on the screen will a go a long way in extending the life of a new plasma monitor