Do LCD's need a "break in" period like Plasmas? (1 Viewer)

[Charles S]

Just a quick, if not stupid question....do LCD TV's need a break in period, like Plasmas do? I realize LCDs don't burn in like Plasmas, but since i do watch a lot of 4X3 material (especially TV on DVD) is it necessary to break my new LCD in before I start watching 4X3 stuff? My TV is literally right out of the box as of last night, and I've been watching the "zoom" mode (I really don't like the smart stretch mode) for TV, but did watch a 2.35:1 movie last night....I guess because of the bad experience with the first one being defective I'm being over cautious but still wanted to ask, no matter how dumb it might seem. Thanks...

 

[Allan Jayne]

No, LCD's don't need a break in period.

Actually I don't believe in break in periods. A plasma or direct-view CRT set should have its contrast set at halfway or less when new and kept that way. (Projection CRT no more than a third.) Should the set become dimmer as it ages, the contrast may be increased.

In "commercial" environments when the screen has to be brigher, you may have to crank up the contrast but keep in mind that you will then shorten the life of the set regardless of any break in period.

 

[Charles S]

Thanks Allan. One more quick question, you mentioned the contrast for Plasma/CRT Tv's, but what about on an LCD? I've used the THX thingy on the Star Wars DVD, as well as the old VE DVD (I know LCD's don't bloom) and on the THX optimizer, the white squares are always distinguishable from the the grey squares. With the original VE it says to keep it below blooming, but since it doesn't do that on an LCD, I've set it to where the top square just appears white. (of course this is arbitrary since what looks white one day might not look white to me the next). Is there a general percentage setting for LCDs like plasma/CRTs you recommend since none of the tests really apply to me? I have it set at 30 right now, with a maximum of 50, so that's somewhere between 50-60%. (I haven't done the math)