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Gaming on a Plasma

post #1 of 121
5/8/07 at 9:27pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

I have been reading these forums and others for quite some time now (recently signed up for an account) and have learned more about TV's than I bargained for. Without this new-found knowledge I would be well on my way into the HDTV world, blissfully ignorant to all the little details that make my display worse than it should be. In any case, the main topic of this thread is about gaming on a Plasma TV and the issues with image retention (IR, 'burn-in'). It is apparently becoming less and less a factor with properly broken-in plasma tvs, however, that is not to say it can't and won't happen.

My primary concern then, is how long can I play games on my Plasma display before risking irreparable IR? The primary games in question will have some kind of Heads Up Display (HUD) on the screen at nearly all times.

The reason I ask is because I am a somewhat avid gamer and I am planning to get a Panasonic TH-50PZ750 when they are released in Canada. Originally I planned on getting an LCD to avoid this issue completely but I just wasn't all that impressed with the picture quality as I was with plasmas.

Any insight from experienced gamers or avid TSN watchers would be greatly appreciated And of course, any input from HD owners in general!

PS: On a side note, I have heard about minor cases of IR when watching tv with black-bars for 3 hours or so. It went away after some full screen viewing, but it did still happen. Is this common? Will I constantly have to watch different sized sources? (No LOTR 2.35:1 marathon!?)
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post #2 of 121
5/8/07 at 10:38pm
I cannot speak for the Panny but I have had my Pio 5071 for about 11 days now and have about 130 hours on it.
I have to confess that the very 1st night of ownership I couldn't resist and played about an hour of Live Call of Duty 3. Granted I was very nervous due to all the information overload that AVS will bestow upon your paraniod factor but to be honest I have not yet to see any IR or BI at all on my plasma. I now play for a couple of hours at a sitting when time allows.
Gears of War has a nice HUD-fade feature (under options), that I wish other games would adopt but I am now not nervous at all as long as I play smart. Hell I've even played quite a few rounds of Bankshot Billiards 2 (a game that due to it's static lower 3rd graphics I figured I would never play on this plasma), with no IR issues.
I have watched at least six 2:35 aspect ratio movies (not in a row), with no issues, I run OTA PBS HD most of the day for burn-in with it's slightly opaque PBS logo also with no IR issues.

What I do not do is watch 4:3 ratio programming in it's correct ratio, the 5071 has a great "wide" setting that only stretches the left & right section of the image but leaves the middle normal & it looks pretty darn watchable on my s-video connected DTV.

I was also real worried about whether or not this would be a good gaming choice but in my opinion I feel I have made the correct choice for my tastes anyway and I was on the LCD/Plasma fence for a LONG time.

And oh boy, wait till you see Gears, RSV, COD 2 & 3 on a 50" plasma...assuming you have a 360 of course.

Heh, heh, and Alex, you really should take a short break inbetween the LOTR movies, take a pee, eat a snack, let your eyes rest, etc...
Myself, it takes me & my wife 4-6 days to get through all three LOTR EE versions

Oh yeah, here's a few links to give you more perspective.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=726853
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=759832
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=813788
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=gaming+plasma
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post #3 of 121
5/9/07 at 12:02am
I would think you'd be fine. One of my old bosses had a plasma and gamed on it constantly.

Buy it from CC and get the protection plan, covers burn-in. Just a suggestion haha.

But really, so long as you're careful you'll be fine. An ongoing HUD could create a problem I'm sure.
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post #4 of 121
5/9/07 at 12:21am
I game on my Pioneer... most people on these boards would call me an abuser. I see IR for sure. But it is gone in most 2 minutes after I watch some TV.
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post #5 of 121
5/9/07 at 1:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnybrulez View Post

I game on my Pioneer... most people on these boards would call me an abuser. I see IR for sure. But it is gone in most 2 minutes after I watch some TV.

I'm also a new plasma gamer. Can you tell us more about why you'd be an abuser? How many hours/types of games do you play? How long on average does it take to get IR? Do you use pixel shifting?

Sorry for all the questions, but you're in a unique position to help some of us here.
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post #6 of 121
5/9/07 at 1:45am
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post #7 of 121
5/9/07 at 2:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

I cannot speak for the Panny but I have had my Pio 5071 for about 11 days now and have about 130 hours on it.
I have to confess that the very 1st night of ownership I couldn't resist and played about an hour of Live Call of Duty 3. Granted I was very nervous due to all the information overload that AVS will bestow upon your paraniod factor but to be honest I have not yet to see any IR or BI at all on my plasma. I now play for a couple of hours at a sitting when time allows.
Gears of War has a nice HUD-fade feature (under options), that I wish other games would adopt but I am now not nervous at all as long as I play smart. Hell I've even played quite a few rounds of Bankshot Billiards 2 (a game that due to it's static lower 3rd graphics I figured I would never play on this plasma), with no IR issues.
I have watched at least six 2:35 aspect ratio movies (not in a row), with no issues, I run OTA PBS HD most of the day for burn-in with it's slightly opaque PBS logo also with no IR issues.

What I do not do is watch 4:3 ratio programming in it's correct ratio, the 5071 has a great "wide" setting that only stretches the left & right section of the image but leaves the middle normal & it looks pretty darn watchable on my s-video connected DTV.

I was also real worried about whether or not this would be a good gaming choice but in my opinion I feel I have made the correct choice for my tastes anyway and I was on the LCD/Plasma fence for a LONG time.

And oh boy, wait till you see Gears, RSV, COD 2 & 3 on a 50" plasma...assuming you have a 360 of course.

Heh, heh, and Alex, you really should take a short break inbetween the LOTR movies, take a pee, eat a snack, let your eyes rest, etc...
Myself, it takes me & my wife 4-6 days to get through all three LOTR EE versions

Oh yeah, here's a few links to give you more perspective.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=726853
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=759832
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=813788
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=gaming+plasma

Just remember, IR can "hide" and be present at lower contrast levels. Gamers tend to jack the contrast level real high. Lowering it to a night time "movie" level may reveal some IR if your not careful.

That being said I game a few hours a day in the evening for the most part, I do have "brighter" game settings, but they are still a bit conservative probably from a gamers point of view. I also use the pixel shift and a scrolling gray field screen when I'm done playing to eliminate any possible traces of IR. Has worked great for me. Plasma's are definetly worth the small amount of time and effort to keep them perfect.
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post #8 of 121
5/9/07 at 6:03am
I game for hours at a time on my Pio 5070 and have never had any burn-in issues. I had a little IR once or twice, but it went away quickly.

You will be fine gaming on a plasma, don't sweat it.
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post #9 of 121
5/9/07 at 6:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

I cannot speak for the Panny but I have had my Pio 5071 for about 11 days now and have about 130 hours on it.
I have to confess that the very 1st night of ownership I couldn't resist and played about an hour of Live Call of Duty 3. Granted I was very nervous due to all the information overload that AVS will bestow upon your paraniod factor but to be honest I have not yet to see any IR or BI at all on my plasma. I now play for a couple of hours at a sitting when time allows.
Gears of War has a nice HUD-fade feature (under options), that I wish other games would adopt but I am now not nervous at all as long as I play smart. Hell I've even played quite a few rounds of Bankshot Billiards 2 (a game that due to it's static lower 3rd graphics I figured I would never play on this plasma), with no IR issues.
I have watched at least six 2:35 aspect ratio movies (not in a row), with no issues, I run OTA PBS HD most of the day for burn-in with it's slightly opaque PBS logo also with no IR issues.

What I do not do is watch 4:3 ratio programming in it's correct ratio, the 5071 has a great "wide" setting that only stretches the left & right section of the image but leaves the middle normal & it looks pretty darn watchable on my s-video connected DTV.

I was also real worried about whether or not this would be a good gaming choice but in my opinion I feel I have made the correct choice for my tastes anyway and I was on the LCD/Plasma fence for a LONG time.

And oh boy, wait till you see Gears, RSV, COD 2 & 3 on a 50" plasma...assuming you have a 360 of course.

Heh, heh, and Alex, you really should take a short break inbetween the LOTR movies, take a pee, eat a snack, let your eyes rest, etc...
Myself, it takes me & my wife 4-6 days to get through all three LOTR EE versions

Oh yeah, here's a few links to give you more perspective.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=726853
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=759832
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=813788
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=gaming+plasma

You gamed that first day, I am obviously a giant wussy, LOL

But I do Plan on being at about 180 hours by Saturday night, Burnout Revenge will make its appearance then.....768P AND surround sound, I am afraid how much I am going to enjoy it. : )

Doug
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post #10 of 121
5/9/07 at 6:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SC0TLANDF0REVER View Post

Search

Just resist posting if you don't want to actually contribute. Your garbage post just bumped it if anything else...rather ironic, isn't it?

As for the OP, as long as you break it in properly, and vary your content from time to time, you will be fine.
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post #11 of 121
5/9/07 at 6:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DReilly1 View Post

You gamed that first day, I am obviously a giant wussy, LOL

But I do Plan on being at about 180 hours by Saturday night, Burnout Revenge will make its appearance then.....768P AND surround sound, I am afraid how much I am going to enjoy it. : )

Doug

Yup, I just couldn't help myself.

Burnout is going to kick @ss on your 5070 Doug...wait, my 71 is now making a "percolating" noise, coffee must be ready, lol

Word of advice; do yourself a favor & stay away from the 360 and Xbox Live unless you have a very understanding spouse and a good tolerance for lack of sleep.
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post #12 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZippyBongHits View Post

Just remember, IR can "hide" and be present at lower contrast levels. Gamers tend to jack the contrast level real high. Lowering it to a night time "movie" level may reveal some IR if your not careful.

That being said I game a few hours a day in the evening for the most part, I do have "brighter" game settings, but they are still a bit conservative probably from a gamers point of view. I also use the pixel shift and a scrolling gray field screen when I'm done playing to eliminate any possible traces of IR. Has worked great for me. Plasma's are definetly worth the small amount of time and effort to keep them perfect.

Agreed Zippy, (love the name).
I've checked by raising my contrast levels after a couple hr run on the 360 and still no IR from my Pio (yet).
I did make my own white/colored screens in Photoshop and put it on a USB thumbdrive to run as a slideshow on it until I found the break-in DVD link.
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post #13 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

Yup, I just couldn't help myself.

Burnout is going to kick @ss on your 5070 Doug...wait, my 71 is now making a "percolating" noise, coffee must be ready, lol

Word of advice; do yourself a favor & stay away from the 360 and Xbox Live unless you have a very understanding spouse and a good tolerance for lack of sleep.

I thought "Understanding" and "Spouse" were mutually exclusive terms, LOL

I will eventually get a 360, I just haven't used my Regular Xbox that much yet, would be hard to justify.

Having a moth f$#%er of a time finding the Xbox HD AV Pack however, which will allow me to go component and optical out on my new Pioneer plasma. I guess they stopped making them, and on Ebay it is mostly knock of brands.

Do me a favor, if you, or anyone else you know has that old HD AV pack for the regular Xbox, I am very interested in it. : )

Thanks

Doug
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post #14 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:11am
I game on my hp 4260n plasma everyday for about 2hrs. I bought the tv about a week ago and started playing right away. I turned the contrast and brightness down and run the break in dvd found on this website about 2 to 3 hrs a day. I havent had any problems. I do get some image retention but it goes away after watching tv. Now what i do is run the break in dvd for at least an hour once im done playing , and the screen is perfect. no image retention.
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post #15 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DReilly1 View Post

Do me a favor, if you, or anyone else you know has that old HD AV pack for the regular Xbox, I am very interested in it. : )

Doug,

Run a search on eBay (ha sounds funny, just like I've said for this forum huh ) for Monster Xbox and you'll come up with a bunch of component cables for the old Xbox. These are the ones I use and they work fine. You can add your own optical cable to them for digital sound.
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post #16 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cynn View Post

I'm also a new plasma gamer. Can you tell us more about why you'd be an abuser? How many hours/types of games do you play? How long on average does it take to get IR? Do you use pixel shifting?

Sorry for all the questions, but you're in a unique position to help some of us here.

Well it's not just me. If it was just me... then I'd be gaming maybe 15-25 minutes a day. But in combination with everyone who goes to my room and games?

I'm looking at 4-5 hours a good (or bad) day. The Pioneer pixel shifts by itself, and once again I don't believe the IR on my Pioneer has to do with time.

For instance, ESPN logo sticks in about... 30 seconds. While playing some games like Marvel Alliance... it doesn't IR until about a couple minutes or so. Even then like I said... it wipes itself clean everytime.
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post #17 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DReilly1 View Post

I thought "Understanding" and "Spouse" were mutually exclusive terms, LOL

Amen...

Quote:
Originally Posted by DReilly1 View Post

Having a moth f$#%er of a time finding the Xbox HD AV Pack however, which will allow me to go component and optical out on my new Pioneer plasma. I guess they stopped making them, and on Ebay it is mostly knock of brands.

Do me a favor, if you, or anyone else you know has that old HD AV pack for the regular Xbox, I am very interested in it. : )

I don't have one myself but I'll see if I can locate one locally (fat chance but ya never know)
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post #18 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kr8z1 View Post

Doug,

Run a search on eBay (ha sounds funny, just like I've said for this forum huh ) for Monster Xbox and you'll come up with a bunch of component cables for the old Xbox. These are the ones I use and they work fine. You can add your own optical cable to them for digital sound.

I will try that now, I searched Xbox and Microsoft High definition AV pack yesterday, and it is nearly all crap.

I will try your suggestion, thanks

Doug
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post #19 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnybrulez View Post

I'm looking at 4-5 hours a good (or bad) day. The Pioneer pixel shifts by itself, and once again I don't believe the IR on my Pioneer has to do with time.

For instance, ESPN logo sticks in about... 30 seconds. While playing some games like Marvel Alliance... it doesn't IR until about a couple minutes or so. Even then like I said... it wipes itself clean everytime.

Johnny,
The Pio's do pixel shift? Which models?
Is this yet another feature I did not know about or didn't search hard enough for?

If so, COOL!
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post #20 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

Johnny,
The Pio's do pixel shift? Which models?
Is this yet another feature I did not know about or didn't search hard enough for?

If so, COOL!

I thought it did NOT have this feature

Doug
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post #21 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

Johnny,
The Pio's do pixel shift? Which models?
Is this yet another feature I did not know about or didn't search hard enough for?

If so, COOL!

Well they call it pixel orbiter. If you sit close enough on a black screen you'll see it. It's not something ya can turn on or off. But yea... it's there.
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post #22 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnybrulez View Post

Well they call it pixel orbiter. If you sit close enough on a black screen you'll see it. It's not something ya can turn off or off. But yea... it's there.

Thanks. perhaps that is one of the reasons I have read very few instance of really severe IR on these Pioneers.

Doug
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post #23 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnybrulez View Post

Well they call it pixel orbiter. If you sit close enough on a black screen you'll see it. It's not something ya can turn off or off. But yea... it's there.

Right on!!!

Not to change the subject but; My wife & I started up Band of Brothers again & it looks incredible on the 5071, it's like watching it for the 1st time...
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post #24 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

Agreed Zippy, (love the name).
I've checked by raising my contrast levels after a couple hr run on the 360 and still no IR from my Pio (yet).
I did make my own white/colored screens in Photoshop and put it on a USB thumbdrive to run as a slideshow on it until I found the break-in DVD link.

All you need to do is find a full screen DVD(not even as you can use Zoom 1 or 2 to fully fill the screen)with lots of colorful bright and dark scenes in a chapter and then put the DVD player on chapter repeat.

I use Finding Nemo myself. Best "break-in" DVD to be had IMO.
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post #25 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZippyBongHits View Post

All you need to do is find a full screen DVD(not even as you can use Zoom 1 or 2 to fully fill the screen)with lots of colorful bright and dark scenes in a chapter and then put the DVD player on chapter repeat.

I use Finding Nemo myself. Best "break-in" DVD to be had IMO.

There is a zoom feature on my plasma, Pio 5070, but it just does it once. Are you referring to your Samsung, or maybe even the DVD player?

Thanks

Doug
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post #26 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DReilly1 View Post

I thought "Understanding" and "Spouse" were mutually exclusive terms, LOL

I will eventually get a 360, I just haven't used my Regular Xbox that much yet, would be hard to justify.

Having a moth f$#%er of a time finding the Xbox HD AV Pack however, which will allow me to go component and optical out on my new Pioneer plasma. I guess they stopped making them, and on Ebay it is mostly knock of brands.

Do me a favor, if you, or anyone else you know has that old HD AV pack for the regular Xbox, I am very interested in it. : )

Thanks

Doug

Hard to justify a 360? Real easy for you.

A. You have an xbox. Most Xbox games now play on the 360.
B. You have a HD TV that justifies a HD game box.
C. 360 is a good upconverting DVD player.
D. HD-DVD add-on drive. The price of the HD-DVD drive and the 360 itself costs less still than a good HD-DVD player. How can you go wrong?


I could name off a few more reasons, but these alone should justify the purchase alone.
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post #27 of 121
5/9/07 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZippyBongHits View Post

Hard to justify a 360? Real easy for you.

A. You have an xbox. Most Xbox games now play on the 360.
B. You have a HD TV that justifies a HD game box.
C. 360 is a good upconverting DVD player.
D. HD-DVD add-on drive. The price of the HD-DVD drive and the 360 itself costs less still than a good HD-DVD player. How can you go wrong?


I could name off a few more reasons, but these alone should justify the purchase alone.

It was more of "I just bought a 50" plasma, a really nice Oak entertainment Center,...."

I am convinced I need one, working on the wife's mindset. But I will use some of your examples in my opening arguments, LOL

Thanks
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post #28 of 121
5/9/07 at 8:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayook View Post

unless you have a very understanding spouse

Where do you find one of those? Isn't that an oxymoron?
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post #29 of 121
5/9/07 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DReilly1 View Post

It was more of "I just bought a 50" plasma, a really nice Oak entertainment Center,...."

I am convinced I need one, working on the wife's mindset. But I will use some of your examples in my opening arguments, LOL

Thanks

Doug,
You can mail me your HD-A2 so that you can use arguments C and D with the wife, if you want .
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post #30 of 121
5/9/07 at 8:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dlconner View Post

Doug,
You can mail me your HD-A2 so that you can use arguments C and D with the wife, if you want .

Gee thanks DL. Would you mind if I sent you the HDMI Cable, King Kong, Backdraft, Goode Fellas, and Happy Feet too!

And in a few months, Perfect Storm, Blazing Saddles, Apollo 13, Constantine, and Four Brothers?

It's the least you can do if I am sending you the Player, LOL

You are going to get one, yes?

Doug : )
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