Plasma ‘burn in’ proves to be myth, says IDC white paper

[Gregg Lengling]

Study after study of consumer attitudes towards and knowledge about HDTV identify a lack of understanding about HDTV as a serious impediment to its widespread growth.

A new white paper from market research provider IDC sponsored by Pioneer Electronics asserts that "misinformation and inaccurate perceptions" about the performance of various displays, "in particular, plasma televisions" is widespread.

Among the misinformation is the idea that plasma televisions suffer from burn in, a phenomenon where permanently ghosted images remain on screen as a result of displaying the same static image for several hours.

However, according to the IDC researchers, burn in is only a temporary situation with modern plasma displays. Ordinary usage of a burned in plasma display dissipates image retention to the point that it is eventually imperceptible, the white paper said.

IDC researchers performed extensive testing on plasma TVs, LCD TVs and microdisplay (MD) rear projection TVs to produce "Myth busting — Just the Facts on Plasma TV Performance."

Besides burn in, the white paper examined a number of performance characteristics, including:

Display life
Black level performance
Viewing angles
Screen brightness
Color accuracy

To read the white paper, visit http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pio/pe/images/portal/cit_3424/273087528Pioneer%20DTV%20White%20Paper%20-%20FINAL.pdf.

[Matt Heebner]

Third, when measuring black levels, the plasma TVs as a group actually
outperformed the reference CRT monitor as well as the TVs using the other two
technologies. The tangible benefit of this is that a deeper range of colors can be
displayed, which translates into a richer overall picture.

Hmmmmm... I think to be taken with a large dose of salt. I've read far too many accounts of very highly trained ISF calibrators who say just the opposite. As a matter of fact, they say that a CRT calibrated correctly is the standard by which all others are measured.

Also keep in mind that this "test" was funded ny Pioneer...who makes plasma TV's. Very interesting to say the least!

Matt

[Carmmond]

Panasonic also did one in Nov of 2004.

http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/pressroom/cont2.asp?Filter=12&cont_id=822

[TPK]

I don't see any reference to exactly what make and model television sets for the various technologies they used during their testing, and which CRT is used for reference...  Just what exactly are they making these comparisons on???

Since the whitepaper is 'Sponsored by Pioneer', and pioneer advocates the plasma technologies, I am a little bit skeptical of its results...  

I think this is just a marketing tool....

[Bebop]

Remembered the white paper commissioned by TI about LCD panels getting yellow from intense light exposure?