Brian-R
Auditioning
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2004
- Messages
- 6
Well, I used to read these topics here and elsewhere and think: "Man, these guys are all just paranoid! Just calibrate your TV and, when in doubt, turn the contrast down a few extra notches!" I was definitely aware of the possibility of screen burn, but I thought I was being careful. I'd always be careful not to leave a static image on the screen (no long pausing on DVD or HTPC) and made sure that stations I tended to leave on for "background noise" had animated/rotating logos.
Well. . . I'm now a bit more sympathetic to those who have burned their RPTVs. I calibrated my TV with Avia as soon as I got it. I even turned the contrast down an extra click or two just for good measure. I'm at about 45% contrast normally. When I got HDTV a couple months ago, I changed one mode to have it at about 52%. Rest assured, however, this still looks far from Torch mode because my 1080i is much dimmer than my 480p and analog cable feed.
Well, Fox News is what finally got me. I am in the habit of watching/listening to Fox News while I geek out on my computer every night. I figured I'd be okay since the logo rotates. But, that wasn't the case. I've had my Sony KP-53HS10 for a litte over three years and I now have faint pinkish, fuzzy lines that correspond exactly to where the white letters appear in the rotating Fox logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. Yes, it rotates, but that doesn't seem to have mattered.
Anyway, I don't want to make anyone paranoid. But turning down your contrast and calibrating your TV is not always enough. You also should be sure to not just leave your TV on for "background noise" as long as there is any logo present on the screen. Your screen can burn even with proper calibration. In my careful experience, I've learned that viewing habits are just as important.
Well. . . I'm now a bit more sympathetic to those who have burned their RPTVs. I calibrated my TV with Avia as soon as I got it. I even turned the contrast down an extra click or two just for good measure. I'm at about 45% contrast normally. When I got HDTV a couple months ago, I changed one mode to have it at about 52%. Rest assured, however, this still looks far from Torch mode because my 1080i is much dimmer than my 480p and analog cable feed.
Well, Fox News is what finally got me. I am in the habit of watching/listening to Fox News while I geek out on my computer every night. I figured I'd be okay since the logo rotates. But, that wasn't the case. I've had my Sony KP-53HS10 for a litte over three years and I now have faint pinkish, fuzzy lines that correspond exactly to where the white letters appear in the rotating Fox logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. Yes, it rotates, but that doesn't seem to have mattered.
Anyway, I don't want to make anyone paranoid. But turning down your contrast and calibrating your TV is not always enough. You also should be sure to not just leave your TV on for "background noise" as long as there is any logo present on the screen. Your screen can burn even with proper calibration. In my careful experience, I've learned that viewing habits are just as important.