Do I need to break in a new plasma TV? (Morrison's Mailbag)

The full white field shown above is a way to rapidly break in a TV, but is completely unnecessary.

(Credit: Geoffrey Morrison)

CNET Reader Mike Smith asks:

Is there some kind of burn-in procedure to run on new plasma TVs? I've read some crazy stuff online that says all sorts of things and I just don't know what is real from what is nonsense. Please let me know. Thanks.You aren't kidding, there is some crazy stuff out there.

Plasma TVs, actually all phosphor-based devices, can suffer from something called image retention. This is when a bright image "sticks" on screen after it is supposed to fade away.

As the phosphors age, it becomes harder and harder to cause image retention. As I covered in my Is plasma burn-in a problem? article, image retention is the precursor to the much-feared "burn in." The difference is that image retention isn't permanent, while burn in basically is.

Knowing that phosphors get more obedient with age, and fearing the terrifying specter of burn in, some on the Interwebs have fabricated all sorts of bizarre rituals to break in a plasma. Look, if dancing around your TV while it shows Roadhouse on repeat is your idea of a good time, and/or it puts your mind at ease regarding burn in,... [Read more]