I was thinking of maybe picking up a Plasma since they seem to be getting cheaper. I heard sets used to have burn in, but I don't know if it is still a typical problem. The TV I was looking at is a Samsung 42 in PN42A400. I also would like to know how long Plasmas last typically? Would I be better of with a LCD? Thanks for any help that anyone can provide.

I was thinking of maybe picking up a Plasma since they seem to be getting cheaper. I heard sets used to have burn in, but I don't know if it is still a typical problem. The TV I was looking at is a Samsung 42 in PN42A400. I also would like to know how long Plasmas last typically? Would I be better of with a LCD? Thanks for any help that anyone can provide.

Plasmas and LCDs have roughly similar life spans in terms of total hours, and they last much longer than previous models.

As far as burn in, there are some threads in this forum that deal specifically with this topic. The quick version is that burn in is extremely rare anymore, and that it should not be confused with image retention which can be occur in the early use of the plasma but becomes increasingly rare after the first 100-200 hours of viewing (the "break in" period). During that break in period you should turn the brightness and contrast way down, make sure that whatever you're viewing fills the entire screen, and don't leave static images on the screen for any significant period of time (headline tickers, game HUD's, etc).

I just purchased the Samsung PN42A400 today and I must say so far I am very pleased with it. I've adjusted the settings down for this initial period and will be burning a break-in DVD. Even Standard Definition DVDs over regular component cables look great on this set, and HD OTA television is beautiful.

I was thinking of maybe picking up a Plasma since they seem to be getting cheaper. I heard sets used to have burn in, but I don't know if it is still a typical problem. The TV I was looking at is a Samsung 42 in PN42A400. I also would like to know how long Plasmas last typically? Would I be better of with a LCD? Thanks for any help that anyone can provide.

Hi jjgator,

All your Burn In concerns can and will be answered within this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=949107

In reference to the lifespan of today's plasmas, the average is between 60,000 to 100,000 hours.

Cheers!

Hi jjgator,

All your Burn In concerns can and will be answered within this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=949107

In reference to the lifespan of today's plasmas, the average is between 60,000 to 100,000 hours.

Cheers!

And to put that in perspective, 60000 hours is about 30 years of normal usage at about 6 hours each and every day. I would imagine you will be getting a new tv before then, unless you still have relics from 1978 around your house right now.

and to put that in perspective, 60000 hours is about 30 years of normal usage at about 6 hours each and every day. I would imagine you will be getting a new tv before then, unless you still have relics from 1978 around your house right now.

....too long for my taste to have a TV set..... LOL!!!