how to prevent burn in on rptv - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

jbat31 · 05-24-2003, 05:51 PM

Well, I just got a new Hitachi hdtv that is widescreen, and now I am already concerned about burn in. I hear it can happen easily.
I have several questions to ask on it, so here goes.

1. When playin a dvd that is in an aspect ratio smaller than will fit on tv with the black bars, should I zoom to keep the bars off?

2. Should I zoom or expand when watching cable to keep grey bars off?

3. I just hooked up my HDTV cable receiver from time warner and I have flipped around the channels, but I not seeing them widescreen, and it is set for 16:9. Are all shows on a HDTV channel going to be in HD?

6. I have also heard that keeping the brightness down helps. Is this also true of contrast?

Any help would be appreciated

***Chromy*** · 05-24-2003, 06:48 PM

I have not yet had any problems with my WS set with burn in. I ONLY watch DVD's on it though... so... not a lot of 4x3 content. I do not zoom 2.35:1 movies to eliminate the top and bottom black bars on those movies.

The important control to use to minimize your chance of burn in IS contrast. Brightness controlls how black the blacks are, with contrast controlling how white the whites are. Most sets come with their contrast controll turned up to the maximum so that they look good on the showroom floor. At home however all this accomplishes is assisting burn in and making the set look very video-ish. Use a test disc like Video Essentials or Avia to set up the brightness and contrast levels. THX optimizer also works.

Also remember that white and black level is a relative thing. Depending on light control in your room, what is just right during the day, may be way to bright at night. Always run the controls at the minimum point where it gives you an excellent picture. If your set allows multiple picture settings, you might want to use one of these for 'dark' viewing, and one for 'light' viewing.

Chromy

tomdkat · 05-25-2003, 02:00 AM

jbat, be sure to calibrate your TV's video settings with Avia and/or Video Essentials.

This will help you get your brightness and contrast settings right and this should help prevent burn-in. This is not absolute, but a step in the right direction.

Peace...

MurDiddlyUrdler · 05-25-2003, 09:16 AM

In addition to calibrating your tv, it helps to vary your programming a bit. If you constantly watch 2.35:1 movies or the same television station with an awful logo in the corner, you run the risk of burn in. Just vary things different aspect ratios on movies and don't watch CNN 24 hours a day and you'll be fine.

wynterfire · 05-25-2003, 10:44 AM

with settings calibrated at a minimum to average "safe zone" all around, how long (ball park) does burn in tend to happen?

say if i had a marathon session with Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on my PS2, how long could i play till i should take a break before burn in might set in?

i know there are alot of variables to take into account with burn in, but i was curious on the average time it takes.

tomdkat · 05-25-2003, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wynterfire
with settings calibrated at a minimum to average "safe zone" all around, how long (ball park) does burn in tend to happen?

From what I understand, "burn-in" comes from stationary images that are displayed for extended periods of time. Watching 4:3 material on a 16:9 TV with grey bars on the side can cause burn-in if 4:3 material is watched A LOT. Burn-in doesn't happen in a few hours or anything (at least I don't think it does). I think the image has to be displayed for a VERY "long" time. So, if you watched 4:3 material with the grey bars for 36 hours straight, I think the bars would start to "burn-in". Where did I get the 36 hours from? That is a number I chose arbitrarily. That is NOT a "magic" number of anything, just an example of the kind of viewing behavior that can cause burn-in.

If you watch 4:3 material for 8 hours and turn the set off, I don't think you will have burn-in problems or at least they will be delayed.

Does anyone else have more concrete info on this?

Peace...

jbat31 · 07-12-2003, 12:32 AM

well, I am a month into my new rptv, and I love it. I am still worried about a few things though.

My kids like to watch cartoon network....logo in the corner
I like some shows on usa network...monk and dead zone....logo in the corner.

Do you guys watch channels with logo's or does it not matter for the hour or two that it is on.

I love the history channel, but that logo is pretty solid.

just wondering

tomdkat · 07-12-2003, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jbat31
My kids like to watch cartoon network....logo in the corner
I like some shows on usa network...monk and dead zone....logo in the corner.

Do you guys watch channels with logo's or does it not matter for the hour or two that it is on.

I love the history channel, but that logo is pretty solid.

Ah.. the logos CAN "bite you" if you're not careful. How long are these logos being displayed constantly?

Peace...

jbat31 · 07-12-2003, 01:09 AM

here are some examples.

thursdays....i watch cbs from 8-11...not in the summer, but will when new season starts

the sales guys said going to commercials is enough of a break from the logos

05-24-2003, 05:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
jbat31 Actor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Trenton, Ohio 45067	how to prevent burn in on rptv Well, I just got a new Hitachi hdtv that is widescreen, and now I am already concerned about burn in. I hear it can happen easily. I have several questions to ask on it, so here goes. 1. When playin a dvd that is in an aspect ratio smaller than will fit on tv with the black bars, should I zoom to keep the bars off? 2. Should I zoom or expand when watching cable to keep grey bars off? 3. I just hooked up my HDTV cable receiver from time warner and I have flipped around the channels, but I not seeing them widescreen, and it is set for 16:9. Are all shows on a HDTV channel going to be in HD? 6. I have also heard that keeping the brightness down helps. Is this also true of contrast? Any help would be appreciated

05-25-2003, 02:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	jbat, be sure to calibrate your TV's video settings with Avia and/or Video Essentials. This will help you get your brightness and contrast settings right and this should help prevent burn-in. This is not absolute, but a step in the right direction. Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

05-25-2003, 10:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
wynterfire Cynical Prick Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oldsmar, FL	with settings calibrated at a minimum to average "safe zone" all around, how long (ball park) does burn in tend to happen? say if i had a marathon session with Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on my PS2, how long could i play till i should take a break before burn in might set in? i know there are alot of variables to take into account with burn in, but i was curious on the average time it takes. __________________ Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules

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05-24-2003, 06:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Chromy* Producer/Admin Coffee Boy Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA	I have not yet had any problems with my WS set with burn in. I ONLY watch DVD's on it though... so... not a lot of 4x3 content. I do not zoom 2.35:1 movies to eliminate the top and bottom black bars on those movies. The important control to use to minimize your chance of burn in IS contrast. Brightness controlls how black the blacks are, with contrast controlling how white the whites are. Most sets come with their contrast controll turned up to the maximum so that they look good on the showroom floor. At home however all this accomplishes is assisting burn in and making the set look very video-ish. Use a test disc like Video Essentials or Avia to set up the brightness and contrast levels. THX optimizer also works. Also remember that white and black level is a relative thing. Depending on light control in your room, what is just right during the day, may be way to bright at night. Always run the controls at the minimum point where it gives you an excellent picture. If your set allows multiple picture settings, you might want to use one of these for 'dark' viewing, and one for 'light' viewing. Chromy

05-25-2003, 09:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
MurDiddlyUrdler Banned Join Date: Aug 2002	In addition to calibrating your tv, it helps to vary your programming a bit. If you constantly watch 2.35:1 movies or the same television station with an awful logo in the corner, you run the risk of burn in. Just vary things different aspect ratios on movies and don't watch CNN 24 hours a day and you'll be fine.

07-12-2003, 12:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
jbat31 Actor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Trenton, Ohio 45067	well, I am a month into my new rptv, and I love it. I am still worried about a few things though. My kids like to watch cartoon network....logo in the corner I like some shows on usa network...monk and dead zone....logo in the corner. Do you guys watch channels with logo's or does it not matter for the hour or two that it is on. I love the history channel, but that logo is pretty solid. just wondering

07-12-2003, 01:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
jbat31 Actor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Trenton, Ohio 45067	here are some examples. thursdays....i watch cbs from 8-11...not in the summer, but will when new season starts the sales guys said going to commercials is enough of a break from the logos