MASTER BURN-IN THREAD: READ THIS FIRST! (And ask follow-ups here.)

HarleyMYK · 08-17-2002, 10:04 AM

I just bought a Toshiba 42H81. If I watch a widescreen movie (2.35:1), I obviously get black bars at top and bottom, and I assume that is not a burn in problem.

If I watch 4:3 TV in normal mode I get grey bars on either side. Am I risking any burn with this? Is there a way to turn them off so they are black? Not too much of an issue, since the recommended stretch mode is pretty OK.

Overall, I am pretty happy with the set. I watched Tombstone (Vista Director's Cut DVD with my also new Tosh 4800) last night and I have never seen such a good picture on a TV.

Michael Reuben · 08-17-2002, 10:17 AM

The gray bars are intended to minimize the risk of burn-in. Black bars pose much more of a threat. Burn-in results from uneven exposure of the phosphors that produce the image; an area that is black is getting zero exposure. The gray is designed to be an "average" of the normal exposure.

Regardless of the color, the key to avoiding burn-in is proper adjustment of the TV. Nearly all TVs arrive from the factory with the contrast set way too high, often at levels that could cause burn-in within minutes given the right image. Back it down immediately, and then get yourself a calibration disc (like AVIA or Video Essentials) to set contrast, brightness and other values properly.

M.

HarleyMYK · 08-17-2002, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the information Michael.

I started with Movie mode and then used Avia yesterday - although I keep losing my preferences somehow. I also can't figure out how to do the white setting (the first video configuration shown), but I just went directly to the advanced DIY section. Maybe they talk about it more in the early sections of the DVD.

By the way, the delivery guys from Best Buy actually goosed up the brightness and contrast by putting the picture on "Sports Mode" when they set it up.

Michael Reuben · 08-17-2002, 11:26 AM

Quote:

By the way, the delivery guys from Best Buy actually goosed up the brightness and contrast by putting the picture on "Sports Mode" when they set it up.

Not surprising. The ridiculously high levels at which most TVs are set are a product of salesmanship. On a brightly lit showroom floor, the picture that people tend to favor is the one that "pops" most dramatically. In fact, those high contrast and brightness settings are obscuring detail and distorting both shapes and colors, but it takes a while to notice that (and you have to know what to look for).

M.

Jon Sciabica · 09-02-2002, 11:06 PM

I have properly adjusted contrast and brightness on my Hitachi 51swx20b (my first RPTV) and am wondering if I should worry about watching too many 2.35 : 1 movies? Also can a 3 1/2 hour movie like the extended LOTR dvd cause problem with black bars on top and bottom?

What do folks around here do with 2.35 : 1 movies? Black bars or Zoom?

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BruceSpielbauer · 09-02-2002, 11:30 PM

>>> I have properly adjusted contrast and brightness on my Hitachi 51swx20b (my first RPTV) and am wondering if I should worry about watching too many 2.35 : 1 movies? Also can a 3 1/2 hour movie like the extended LOTR dvd cause problem with black bars on top and bottom? <<<<<<

I would not worry about watching "too many" of the 2:35:1 movies, if you make it a point to also watch OTHER images, to compensate. I would worry if you tend to only watch 2:35:1 DVDs. If, however, you mix this with 1:85:1 stuff (or 1:78:1), and also do a fair amount of 4X3 (either with or without the use of stretch modes), you will probably be fine (since you have turned that contrast down).

>>>>> What do folks around here do with 2.35 : 1 movies? Black bars or Zoom?<<<<

I do both. It depends. On some, I decide the original aspect ratio is important, artistically. I just watched "Amelie." I watched it with no zooming, and let the black bars appear. The other night, I watched a trite, silly comedy which happened to be 2:35:1 (Ace Ventura, When Nature Calls) In this case, I really am not that concerned with the director's artistic intent, and the original aspect ratio. We zoomed the movie. I would estimate that I watch 60% zoomed, and 40% non-zoomed.

The above strategy will probably offend some who are steadfastly faithful to the original aspect ratio. The truth is, on some films it can actually "make or break" the film. On others, it can reduce the overall aesthetics, or alter them. However, on some films, the aspect ratio will make almost no difference at all.

And, regarding Lord of the Rings, I have watched it four times on DVD. Twice with the black masking bars, and twice with the Zoom on. BOTH were exceedingly pleasant (and slightly different) experiences. I thought this one would be a fun one to try zooming, as well, especially since their are so many close-ups, and so many scenes are filmed in a "claustrophobic" sense of framing, with tightly knit camera shots.

Now that your contrast is down, the next most important thing you can do to miminize the likelihood of "phosphor burn-in" is to simply vary that image. So, go ahead and watch how YOU want, but do not overdo any one type of image -- except the ones that fill the screen completely, with no logos (grin).

-Bruce in Chi-Town

Cameron Seaman · 09-03-2002, 09:43 AM

Wow. I would never, ever, alter or zoom a 2.35:1 movie. That's what I got a 16:9 set for.

If you have your set properly calibrated, you shouldn't have any burn in problems from watching too many 2.35:1 movies. I never have, but your mileage may vary.

Michael Reuben · 09-03-2002, 09:58 AM

Quote:

I have properly adjusted contrast and brightness on my Hitachi 51swx20b (my first RPTV) and am wondering if I should worry about watching too many 2.35 : 1 movies? Also can a 3 1/2 hour movie like the extended LOTR dvd cause problem with black bars on top and bottom?

People have been watching letterboxed movies (2.35:1 and other ARs) on 4:3 TVs for years, without ill effects. Nothing's changed just because we now have widescreen TVs. As long as the set is properly adjusted, there should be nothing to worry about.

Quote:

The above strategy will probably offend some who are steadfastly faithful to the original aspect ratio.

That's a fairly safe bet, given the official mission statement of HTF.

M.

Craig · 09-03-2002, 10:24 AM

I've had a widescreen RPTV for almost 3 years. I'm sure I've watched several hundred 2.35:1 movies at this point and I haven't noticed any ill effects. I don't have my contrast set super low either, it's in the 38-40 range depending on the source. My advice is to not worry about it. Adjust your contrast and brightness down to a reasonable level and enjoy your RPTV.