By Christopher C. Leonard
High Definition Televisions
Amazing graphics are one of the big selling points of the PS3. As developers get more experienced with the system, games are going to look better and better. This will make many people seriously consider getting that high definition television of their dreams. With the recent drop in prices it is possible to get an HDTV for $1000 or even less. However, while people’s opinions will differ as to which television is the best, there is one important aspect that gamers should take into consideration… Burn-in!
What is Burn-In?
Some television channels have logos and/or bars across the bottom of the screen that remain in the same position all of the time. This can actually become “burned” into the screen if the channel is not changed for an extended period of time. This problem generally affects newer televisions and not older ones because of the difference in the technology used to produce the image. The average viewer may not experience this problem with his or her new wide screen high def TV because he or she may not leave it on the same channel for hours at a time. Gamers, however, should learn about burn-in before spending their hard-earned cash.
While playing a video game there is almost always a health bar, or some other type of display, that is stationary on the screen. After several hours of playing one game that image could get burned into the screen causing it to stay there long after the game is turned off. Imagine changing the channel after a couple hours of playing and realizing that your favorite Dancing With the Stars contestant has full a full health bar and magic meter. Then you change the channel again, to your second favorite show, and realize that Walker Texas Ranger has full a full health bar and magic meter also. After spending such a large amount on a high def TV this would be a nightmare.
In general this seems to be something that happens mostly with plasma technology. Therefore, while plasma may be a reasonable choice for movie fans, it is not necessarily the best for gamers. LCD seems to be much more suitable for video games. It is true that it may suffer from lesser degrees of burn-in such as ghosting or temporary image retention. However, both are temporary, and neither are serious problems.
What If I Already Own A Plasma Television?
There are several preventative measures that current plasma TV owners can follow which will significantely decrease their chances of experiencing burn-in.
1. Do not leave it on a channel that has static images for an extended period of time.
2. Adjust the contrast setting at or below 50%. The higher the contrast the greater the chance of experiencing burn-in.
3. Use burn-in protection features such as full-time picture shift (both vertical and horizontal)
4. Remember that plasma screens are more likely to experience burn-in during the first couple hundred hours of use. During this time people should make sure that they are extremely careful.
5. Some plasma televisions may have a gray image or negative image that may be able to repair ghosting.
6. Buy a Plasma Saver DVD. Using this could erase some degrees of burn in.
Do Research
The purpose of this editorial is to introduce readers to the concept of burn-in. I prefer LCD screens to plasma due to the fact that burn-in is not a big issue with LCD. However, anyone who is thinking about getting an HDTV should do extensive research on the subject before making a decision
High Def Dilemma
By Christopher C. Leonard on December 14, 2006
Source : ps3.net
High Definition Televisions
Amazing graphics are one of the big selling points of the PS3. As developers get more experienced with the system, games are going to look better and better. This will make many people seriously consider getting that high definition television of their dreams. With the recent drop in prices it is possible to get an HDTV for $1000 or even less. However, while people’s opinions will differ as to which television is the best, there is one important aspect that gamers should take into consideration… Burn-in!
What is Burn-In?
Some television channels have logos and/or bars across the bottom of the screen that remain in the same position all of the time. This can actually become “burned” into the screen if the channel is not changed for an extended period of time. This problem generally affects newer televisions and not older ones because of the difference in the technology used to produce the image. The average viewer may not experience this problem with his or her new wide screen high def TV because he or she may not leave it on the same channel for hours at a time. Gamers, however, should learn about burn-in before spending their hard-earned cash.
While playing a video game there is almost always a health bar, or some other type of display, that is stationary on the screen. After several hours of playing one game that image could get burned into the screen causing it to stay there long after the game is turned off. Imagine changing the channel after a couple hours of playing and realizing that your favorite Dancing With the Stars contestant has full a full health bar and magic meter. Then you change the channel again, to your second favorite show, and realize that Walker Texas Ranger has full a full health bar and magic meter also. After spending such a large amount on a high def TV this would be a nightmare.
In general this seems to be something that happens mostly with plasma technology. Therefore, while plasma may be a reasonable choice for movie fans, it is not necessarily the best for gamers. LCD seems to be much more suitable for video games. It is true that it may suffer from lesser degrees of burn-in such as ghosting or temporary image retention. However, both are temporary, and neither are serious problems.
What If I Already Own A Plasma Television?
There are several preventative measures that current plasma TV owners can follow which will significantely decrease their chances of experiencing burn-in.
1. Do not leave it on a channel that has static images for an extended period of time.
2. Adjust the contrast setting at or below 50%. The higher the contrast the greater the chance of experiencing burn-in.
3. Use burn-in protection features such as full-time picture shift (both vertical and horizontal)
4. Remember that plasma screens are more likely to experience burn-in during the first couple hundred hours of use. During this time people should make sure that they are extremely careful.
5. Some plasma televisions may have a gray image or negative image that may be able to repair ghosting.
6. Buy a Plasma Saver DVD. Using this could erase some degrees of burn in.
Do Research
The purpose of this editorial is to introduce readers to the concept of burn-in. I prefer LCD screens to plasma due to the fact that burn-in is not a big issue with LCD. However, anyone who is thinking about getting an HDTV should do extensive research on the subject before making a decision
High Def Dilemma
By Christopher C. Leonard on December 14, 2006
Source : ps3.net
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