The most voluble of the forum participants go as far as to say that on the new generation of plasmas, the phenomenon no longer exists. In the online discussion we reminded our readers that the manufacturers themselves do not contest the fact that plasmas are subject to burning and recommend that you wear them in for 1000 hours. We also said that the journalist in charge of testing – and of the lab –, Vincent Lheur, who is suspected of being anti-plasma, is in fact pro-plasma and has a plasma TV at home himself.

So then, what is the truth about burnt panels? Is it an ongoing problem or a thing of the past? And if the phenomenon does still exist, which is what we hold to be the case (and what we note in our tests – we only mention it when we actually see it to be so during the trials), how long does it take to disappear and can it also sometimes be irreversible?

It’s summer and everyone is heading for the beach... Instead of beachball though, we’re playing at burning a screen!

A poor victim has been designated: the plasma Samsung PS42C96HD. We have just this moment begun the torture session. It's going to go through some tough times and we'll let you know how it does and give you the results as they come up. Follow the story in the article we're dedicating to the subject: a plasma: subjection to burning.


We’re warning you now: the gloves are off! Brightness and contrast are at a max! The test includes the following:

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one hour, then display of uniform grey to detect any burnt zones. We then film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any peristent marks disappear.

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one night, then display of uniform grey to detect any burnt zones. We then film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any peristent marks disappear.

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one week, then display of uniform grey to detect any burnt zones. We then film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any peristent marks disappear.

The fixed image will simulate the static logos of certain channels and fixed games menus…

Then we do it again! If there is any marking, does it disappear more quickly with the screen on or off? Alright! We test this too.

• exposure of the plasma to a fixed image for one hour, then we turn the television off. We then turn it on at regular intervals to detect any burnt zones. We also film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any peristent marks disappear.

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one night, then we turn the television off. We then turn it on at regular intervals to detect any burnt zones. We also film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any peristent marks disappear.

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one week, then we turn the television off. We then turn it on at regular intervals to detect any burnt zones. We also film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any peristent marks disappear.

Oh yes, there is also a theory that the best way of getting rid of markings is to display a snowy screen! Come on then, another round!

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one hour, then display of a snowy screen. We then resubject the screen to the display of uniform grey to detect any burnt zones; we then film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any persistent marks disappear.

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one night, then display of a snowy screen. We then resubject the screen to the display of uniform grey to detect any burnt zones; we film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any persistent marks disappear.

• exposure of a plasma to a fixed image for one week, then display of a snowy screen. We then resubject the screen to the display of uniform grey to detect any burnt zones; we film the panel to get an idea of how quickly any persistent marks disappear.

After all this we should have quite a bit of data to hand!