Home audio & video forum: Image Retention or Normal on LG Plasma

IME, at least on some models/makes, if you don't break in the panel you can sometimes see more instances of IR. IR is distinguished from burn-in since it's a temporary phenomenon that can normally be cleared up with pixel orbiters, etc.

Some makes/models perform better than others in this respect as well. But even on the ones that generally perform well (Panasonic & Samsung), I try to avoid watching static content with horizontal bars (etc.) for very long. YMMV, as far as whether or not the end user will necessarily have an issues similar to yours. Viewing habits/channels watched can indeed make a difference, especially if a panel hasn't been broken-in. <flame proof suit on now for disagreement on this issue.>

When I got my Plasma, the LG manual did not specify a break-in period but I did keep brightness and contrast levels at mid levels. It mentions to avoid burn-in by not leaving static images in place for more than 1 hour but like I said, if the channel goes to commercial, the images are gone. So I thought this would avoid static images, like CNBC which leaves their ticker on constantly.

Thanks for the link. I would say that the problem is more like Image Retention than burn-in. Basically, the permanent part I'm seeing are different shades of black. However, it's still concerning how the images are retained even after just 30 seconds. Such as the time and channel indicators from DirecTV.

It sounds like either your panel is defective, or, you are noticing something that the rest of us who have had such large HDTVs for longer periods of time have effectively 'tuned out' while viewing. IME, the newer folks seem to notice a lot more picture artifacts/nuances than the folks who probably gave up doing the body count YMMV, of course.

LG has been pretty good about the whole thing. I called, and they wasted no time getting a technician out to the house. They are going to replace the logic board which consists of a new panel as well. He said that the image retention was occurring way too fast as when we were watching the LG logo bounce around on an input with no signal. Thanks for all the help.

At least they are on the ball in getting you some replacement parts