well i just got this tv yesterday, ive used it for about 13 hours or so.
i watch transformers in hdvd for a short time and did notice the side bars on the side after i changed to something else,but they did go away.
now my girlfriend was watching vh1 for about 2-4 hours today with some switching in between channels. i try to tell her to make it stretched so the logo isnt there but she forgot. anyways when i used the scrolling burn in prevention thing i could see the vh1 logo, also i could see it when watching tv on other things. not so bad but the little mark was there. it is gone now but my question is, is after the 100 or 200 break in period will these image retentions still remain? id hate to always have the screen stretched and id hate to always have to change or check what im watching to see if it stayed in the screen. so after the 100-200 hours will the image retention still be a problem like it is now or is it just a problem becuase its new and everything has to even out?
i got 60 days to return it and id hate to do so.
thanks guys

I have had the Samsung 5054 in 6 months, never bother about burn in and since day one I have enjoy watching it in full force.

so u never had image retention? or you just dont care?

See the link in my sig. Covers this subject thoroughly.

i would just like to know other peoples persional opionions on the issue.
thanks

I have a TH-42PHD8UK. The unit is over 2 years old now and I have had several issues with image retention. I use it on my HTPC and left an image of the american flag on the screen over night for at least 7 hours, it took several days of watching full screen video for the flag image to disappear. I thought I had acutal "burn in" but eventually the image was gone from the screen. So, don't fret too much. Plasmas are well worth the occasional rentetion for the picture quality you get. As your plasma get's older the less likely this will happen again. Also, don't have your brightness and contrast controls set at high levels. Hope this helps you.

well im about 120-125 hours on this plasma and Image retention is still a problem.
when will this start to not happen as much?
or could my tv just have a problem?

anyone??

I think you're pushing it as far as:

a. how much time you leave static images displayed

b. how high the settings are, specifically contrast and brightness

c. how much time you spend with the girlfriend outside of the bedroom


Stop the gaming, turn it down, and man up.

i dont leave static images on my screen, i mean if that means not watching tv then why did i buy this set for? my settings arent high at all. there not the break in settings but there close. i usually expand the screen when i watch things with logos or whatever but thats 90% of tv now a days.

the tv is used often i mean thats what a tv is for right?
i didnt spend over 1500$ on a tv not to game on the damn thing. i used the break in settings for a long time, with every day when i am at work with the break in dvd on and im also scrolling when im not in the room. im tried of having to pause while im gaming and while im watching a tv show to make sure there is no IR.
this is a joke.
im not pushing the tv. besides samsung says there is no break in anyways and i amstill breaking it in with the low settings

how much longer do i have to expect to get IR as bad as i am now?
my brother got the 996$ hitachi 50 inch and he has NO image retention period.
hes not even using break in settings.
im starting to think my set is probelmatic.

Simple solution. Replace it for the Hitachi you just mentioned. You've had it less than 30 days so I'm sure your dealer will swap it.

i got 60 days to return it.
the hitachi is nice im just not impressed with how the menu is set up really.
im going to stick with samsung i just wondering if this IR is going to remain aproblem

I would exchange it for another 5054 asap why wait any longer