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Common Plasma Terms and Acronyms

41K views 38 replies 29 participants last post by  John Hooper 
#1 ·
New to the Plasma forum and wondering what all the 'lingo' is that everyone keeps referring to? This may help ...

Common Plasma Glossary of Terms

break-in / break in period / panel Aging

Common convention is that after ~100 to 200 hours of displaying alternating full white to full dark the plasma discharges have become 'stable' and the plasma can have "final" display settings calibrated. Tweaking the display settings before this time will result in (potential) settings that will need to be re-adjusted to get the best picture quality. Break-in will help with image rentention.

(Thanks Pioneer http://www.avical.com/articles/avica...in-report.html )
Quote:
There is no question that these displays need breaking-in. Out of the box, the default settings rendered a grayscale that was too warm as well as green. During the 213-hour break-in process, the display became warmer and more green - not dramatically so, but enough to warrant putting in some hours before making an appointment for calibration. Plus, it's never a bad idea to wait a few weeks to ensure that you don't have a lemon anyway.
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=949107 Master Burn-In/IR/Break In Thread Part II: All Posts Here Only

See also: IR, MLL, PQ

burn in

Long term image rentention, even after the plasma has been turned off, cooled, and turned back on. Do. Not. Want.

Early plasmas in the 2000's suffered from this. It is mostly a non-issue now a days but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

See also: IR

buzzing - (Thanks Panasonic) http://www.highdefforum.com/134709-post4.html
Quote:
"The picture scanning drive circuits operate at high frequencies and powers.

It is these circuits that cause the buzzing sound. The circuits are used to

create both the picture and reuse energy to keep the unit efficiency high

and panel heat emission low. This over-heating control is very important on

the panels that do not use fans i.e 37” and 42” The resulting loss of fans

makes for a quieter panel operation."

(Thanks greenland) http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post18335568 The Official LG xxPK550 Owner's Discussion Thread (no price talk)
Quote:
"According to some people with expertise on the subject, including D-Nice, the move by Plasma makers to go to the bonded single sheet of glass design, is causing the normal buzz from plasma panels to be heard more. Apparently, the older design, with an additional sheet of glass in front, helped to contain some of the buzzing sound."
Calibration

Tweaking the input color channels to give a "better image." The final results are limited to the quality of the meter, optional software such as CalMAN or ControlCAL, and the skill/experience of the calibrator.
Examples: (i.e. Descriptions of calibration)

* Chad B - LG 50PK550 plasma http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post18358288 )

* Cleveland Plasma - Panasonic 50G25 calibration report https://clevelandplasma.com/store/20...g20__tc_pxxg25

Dithering

A processing effect where colors are inter-mixed to simulate a wider gamut then the device is physically able to generate natively.

Panasonic plasmas owners may be interested in (Thanks redwolf4k) http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post19127876 tc-p50s2 crappy picture...
Quote:
If you do not like cinema as mentioned in the original post, your probably going to want to use Custom over Standard mode, as standard mode uses heavy dithering, which will give a very grainy look. Custom mode however, has little to no visible dithering, like cinema mode, but is not soft like cinema mode.
Discussion:

* no specific thread unfortunately -- search for your specific model you are interested in

Reference:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dithering#Examples Examples of color dithering

DSE - Dirty Screen Effect

Lighter and darker streaks on the panel. Most visible when the camera pans vertically over a solid color background. If after using a microfiber cloth and distilled water to clean the outside of your plasma the streaks don't go away then you have DSE.

(Thanks mittene) http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post15940293 How common is "dirty screen effect" for current Pioneer 9G Owners?
Quote:
I think it would be helpful to distinguish what "dirty screen effect" is. I've always thought that it referred to the faint grayish vertical streaks that can be seen when there's a panning shot across a relatively lighter-colored background (if the background is a solid color or at least almost uniform in color). The vertical streaks that appear are fairly uniform in width, and look fairly uniformly spaced from each other. And as I understand it, it has nothing to do with any other kind of screen uneveness, residue on the screen, or the purple blobs that some people can see on their screen when the TV is turned off or on and showing a black/blank screen while light hits it in a certain way.

Example:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/attac...ap-picture.jpg exaggerated "artist's rendition" of DSE
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1113122 How common is "dirty screen effect" for current Pioneer 9G Owners?

FI - Frame Interpolation

See: Soap Opera Effect

floating blacks

While watching a movie the processing algorithm in the plasma will dynamically adjust the darkest levels making them lighter or darker resulting in flickering "grays." One solution is to adjust the brightness lower, or buy a professional model (Panasonic), or (worse cast) from a different manufacturer (Pioneer).
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post18361266 hydrogin explaining levels 0-255

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post18361266 hydrogin's technical explanation.

Holy Grail

The mythical über plasma that does everything perfect. Some bibles describe the Pioneer Kuro as being God's chosen. Some heretics would argue that the professional Panasonic bible should be used instead. You decide which religion is "right" ...

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=920011 Official Pioneer Kuro Pictures Thread.......

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=733641 TH50PHD7UY and TH50PH9UK - IamAnoobieCheez beautiful pics

* http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/...d.php?t=261309 The _classic_ "Steaming Rat"

input lag - The delay from when an input (video) signal is detected to when it has been decoded, processed, and displayed.
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1166196 The Official Plasma Input Lag Thread.

IR - Image Retention

The short term effect where "static" images displayed for long times tend to have a "ghost effect". Game Menus, HUDs, and Cable TV LOGOs tend to be the worst.
Discussion:

* Thanks borcth! http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1#post18378421 The Official LG xxPK550 Owner's Discussion Thread [no price talk]

See also: burn in

ISF - Imaging Science Foundation

A type of display mode that has certain requirements for image quality. Compare and Contrast to THX mode.

Judder

(Thanks Nektarios) http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post19389998 why don't plasmas have a higher refresh rate?
Quote:
> In plasma 25/30fps material just seems jerky/sudden and creates more "double vision" by showing same frame 2 times a row without any buildin blurring

This "double vision" you are talking about, is called Judder and is what I am talking about. On 60fps (or the same fps as your refresh rate is set to) you should not see any blurring/judder on a CRT and plasma (most plasmas leave phosphor trails though).
line bleed (Thanks Dayton!)

When a horizontal or vertical image results in ghosted line extending to a neighboring image due to power not being evenly distributed along the row or column. This is common when a scene consists of a lot of lines for example one containing window blinds, stairs, or the like.

Masking

Rich Harkness' ingenious method of adding black masking tape all around the plasma in order to bring out the color saturation of the plasma.

MCFI Motion Compensated Frame Interpolation

It is not needed on plasmas.
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post19389986 why don't plasmas have a higher refresh rate?

MLL - Minimum Luminance Level
Also known as: black level, background luminance, idle luminance, pre-discharge

The lower the number, the darker the image can be. As plasmas age, they require more voltage which drives up the MLL. Luminance can be measured in either the footlambert (fL) for Imperial units , or in candela (cd/mq) for SI units. (Note: 1 fL = 3.426 cd/m^2)
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1167339 Panasonic ~ 0.008fL to ~ 0.023fL

See also:

* http://finiteblack.blogspot.com/ Taking pictures of your MLL.

References:

* http://www.crompton.com/wa3dsp/light/lumin.html - Brightness, Luminance, and Confusion

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot-lambert

Moving Picture Resolution

The cheaper plasma's do NOT have a native resolution of 1080, thus the scaler has to "fake" it when given a 1080 source by taking advantage of limitations of human perception to "effectively" display a higher resolution. The "tricks" to fake it are different when the image is static or dynamic, and thus the standards to measure what is the "perceived resolution" needs to be modified.
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1#post14659401 Moving Picture Resolution ?

panny - Panasonic

What Panasonic plasma owners/fans affectionately call the Panasonic plasma models.

Phosphor Trailing

The "ghost" effect of a moving image.

pio - Pioneer

What Pioneer plasma owners/fans affectionately call the Pioneer plasma models.

PQ - Picture Quality

Overall quality of the image. Encompasses:

- colors (purity, saturated, muted, washed out, tinted, gamut)

- edges (sharp, crisp, fuzzy, graininess)

- black levels ("true black", grey, gamma)

- motion compensation (motion blur)

refresh rate

How many times the plasma can update/refresh the display. The most common setting is 600 Hz which is 10 subfields each refreshing at 60 Hz.

Notes:

* This is not to be confused with the movie playback of 24p as that is frame rate of the source input material where as refresh rate is the frame rate of the output display. The frame rate and refresh rate are uncoupled / independent of each other. e.g. 24p @ 48 Hz (may have flicker), 24p @ 60 Hz (default), 24p @ 72 Hz (new emerging standad), etc. Generally a higher refresh rate results in a more "stable" image.

* Also note that refresh rate is independent of input lag.

See also: input lag
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1285072 why don't plasmas have a higher refresh rate?

rising blacks - Forthcoming...

sammy - Samsung

What Samsung plasma owners/fans affectionately call the Samsung plasma models.

Service Menu

The (advanced) calibration options tucked away in the firmware. Requires a secret remote code to activate / enter.

Soap Opera Effect (Thanks Greg Black!)
Discussion:

* http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1#post18414721
Quote:
The "soap opera effect" is a phrase used to describe the effects of frame interpolation -- basically, it's an algorithm that averages the difference between the pixels of the current frame and the next frame of video or film-based content, then inserts newly created frame(s) in between. It essentially removes the "look" of 24 frames-per-second film and smooths it out to look like something shot on video tape (30 fps), such as the typical soap opera would be -- although it actually looks more extreme than that, IMO. Some plasmas do have this, erm, "feature", but it seems much more prevalent on LCD sets.
Videophile

The geek who takes PQ way too serious compared to your average Joe. Everyone has a hobby -- we just happen to like tweaking our displays to get the best picture possible. We're not obessive, just passionate (well most of us!) Just keep the "flaming" friendly between Plasma, LCD, LED, DLP, and Projectors. ;-)
 
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#29 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by PinkPunch /forum/post/20271423


I'm looking to get a flat screen tv but I'm afraid I don't know much about them. What's better LCD or Plasma?

In the 42" and larger screen sizes, Plasma is better.


In the 7" to 40" size range, LCDs win
 
#30 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by PinkPunch /forum/post/0


I'm looking to get a flat screen tv but I'm afraid I don't know much about them. What's better LCD or Plasma?

Lol! You came to the wrong place to get an unbiased answer to that question!


If you're a complete newbie I might suggest heading over to cnet.com and reading their excellent TV buyers guide. It'll give you the low down on strengths/weaknesses of the different tech and a general rundown on terminology and marketing lingo as well as what to look for / what to avoid. Pretty much the only thing cnet fails to properly address is input lag-- which is something vitally important to gamers.
 
#31 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Taz11 /forum/post/20377249


Automatic Brightness limiter.

I would actually like to know more about Plasma's natural brightness fluctuations, is it to do with power draw? Like if theres loads of black on screen and a little white it will be brighter than an all white screen with little black. Seems to be a natural issue with Plasma's.
 
#35 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by F27  /t/1287543/common-plasma-terms-and-acronyms/30#post_21641211



I would actually like to know more about Plasma's natural brightness fluctuations, is it to do with power draw? Like if theres loads of black on screen and a little white it will be brighter than an all white screen with little black. Seems to be a natural issue with Plasma's.
See: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1038221/why-plasma-has-so-high-brightness-specs#post_14058119

Quote:
Originally Posted by weedeater  /t/1287543/common-plasma-terms-and-acronyms/30#post_21774269


What is 'Fbr'?
Fluctuating Brightness
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoyd  /t/1389562/samsung-d-series-fbr-fix-discussion#post_21543654


First some nomenclature: brightness pop= fluctuating brightness = gamma shifts = floating blacks. These can all look like the same thing and I will use the shorthand "FBr" from now on to denote the effect since this was first noted in 2011 Panasonic displays and given that name, although manifests itself somewhat differently on the two display lines. There are a variety of potential causes of Fbr, gamma shifting in the DSP (digital signal processor dynamic brightness), and how the pixels are initialized and reset are two of them. You can turn off some of the effects in the DSP (the dynamic brightness control) but not the one associated with pixel initialization at the drive level. It is the one at the drive level which generates noticeable FBr of the floating black variety under certain conditions on the D series. Panasonic and Samsung have both issued non-standard upgrades to address their respective problems. The fixes are not implemented in the DSP but in auxiliary board firmware (the logic board in Samsung's case, A-Board for Panasonic) and require upgrading low-level drive firmware.


[...]


FBr occurs in relatively dark scenes (usually when a bright object is introduced) and will appear as a slight increase in brightness at all levels but most noticeable in the darker portions of the image including the black bars in 2.35 letterbox material. That last point is key and the easiest way to tell if you are seeing FBr is to test for it in the black bars with 2.35 material.


[...]


Also too: Hockey flashes are not FBr!
 
#36 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by xrox  /t/1287543/common-plasma-terms-and-acronyms/0_40#post_19745421



The literature that I've read commonly states that the two mechanisms in PDP that age the phosphors are:
  • Solarization - High energy UV photons (light) damage the phosphor
  • Ion and electron impact - Charged particles impacting and damaging the phosphor



Modern Plasma displays have higher Xenon content which emits lower energy UV photons and thus less phosphor damage and longer life. Also, newer phosphors can be inherently more resistant to the above mechanisms.
 
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