New 47" Widescreen HDTV question

[Razor70]

Howdy guys and dolls! Hey just got myself a new 47" Panasonic Widescreen HDTV and was wondering...am I safe in playing my Xbox on it? I have been reading alot online about the hazards of Burn in from video game playing..should I be worried? I love playing my Xbox on my new tv but I don't want to do anything that might cause it harm. Any suggestions on what I can do to make sure I don't get burn in? Thanks guys.

XBox Addict Rulez!

[LynxFX]

Welcome to the HDTV world.

If you haven't already, buy yourself the HD A/V pack. Replace the component cables that come with it if you want or squander your money off to Monster Cables. Choice is yours.

First thing I would do is check the brightness and contrast. They really shouldn't, and don't need to be above 50%. To be very thorough and to give yourself the best gaming and tv watching experience I would buy, rent or borrow a copy of AVIA or Video Essentials calibration DVD.

Things to watch out for are static images. Health meters, tv station logos. Especially high contrast types. If burn in was to occur it wouldn't happen overnight. It would have to take a lot of abuse or you purposely trying to cause it. I doubt you will do that. Just don't leave a game on pause, tv on and take a vacation.

Enjoy mate!!

[Razor70]

Just thought I might post a picture of my setup so you all can see what the tv looks like. I will take a picture with a game screen on later and post it also. My Xbox is in the right hand glass case on the top shelf! I am going to buy the HD Pack when I go to Best Buy next week! I can't wait to see what Spider-man and Halo look like when they are in HD! Well here ya go....Let me know what you guys think of my setup!


P.s. - Yes that is Stripes on the screen!

[E-Vader]

No picture shows up Razor,

Whats your TV's scan/refresh rate if its 50Hz or 60Hz I wouldent reccomend using it for prologed periods, If its up to 100Hz you wont have a problem.

Contact your manafracture and see what they say.

Also set it on "Mild" if it has it.

[l Maximus l]

Congrats Razor! I recently bought a Widescreen HDTV, too! It's so amazing playing games on it!

When using your HDTV, you simply have to be more cautious than you do with a regular tube TV. Lynxfx provided some excellent advice...just make sure you keep the contrast down to 50%. Also, if you step away for even a moment, it is wise just to get used to turning the screen off while the game is on pause.

Never leave a still image on the screen for an extended amount of time without giving your HDTV a breather. Simply turn it off for a few minutes or so.

This may sound like a small hassle, but, it's really not considering the enjoyment that you get out of it in comparrison to a tube TV! Just treat it as a very special peice of electronic equipment at all times and you will be fine.

I use mine all of the time but I wouldn't think about not taking the above precautions. I play Halo on-line a lot and, whenever I join a game and the host is setting the game up, I turn off my HDTV to give it a rest.

Still images is your biggest concern. Just make sure that your TV has enough breaks. Never play longer than a couple hours without turning it off if there is an still image. But, if you are playing a game like Halo's multi-player where the still images go away and appear, there is no problems (let's say you get killed...in Halo, your power bar and every other still image disappears showing your corpse )

[Dre]

Originally posted by Lynxfx
Welcome to the HDTV world.

First thing I would do is check the brightness and contrast. They really shouldn't, and don't need to be above 50%. To be very thorough and to give yourself the best gaming and tv watching experience I would buy, rent or borrow a copy of AVIA or Video Essentials calibration DVD.

There's also some THX calibrating tests on some dvds that could help if you can't find the aforementioned ones.

I know for certain, because I own them, that Titan AE, Xmen and Star Wars Ep. 1 have it on them. In fact, all THX dvds might have the tests on em.. not sure

[LynxFX]

One note on the THX calibration on THX dvd's. Those will suffice if you can't find the other dvds around or don't want to spend the dough.

But be warned that each one is different. They are actually made to make that particular movie look the best it can. If you use the one on the Toy Story dvd it will end up making your tv fairly bright and colors stand out. If you use one from a darker movie it adjusts accordingly there too. If you do use THX to calibrate try and find a film that is fairly neutral. Episode I is a pretty good one. I wouldn't use Titan AE, Toy Story or Xmen though. I'm blanking on what other THX discs I know.

[Dre]

Lynxfx, you seem to teach me something new everyday!

[Razor70]

Actually I have the Sound And Vision Guide to Home Theaters DVD and it does a pretty good job in and of itself. Kinda cool it has all the Dolby trailers on it..so with my surround sound system I can play them. They are really cool. I don't know why my picture is not showing up on the post up above. It showed up once last night and then nothing..kinda weird. I don't know if I am aloud to post a address for the pictures though...does anyone else know would it be okay? Thanks guys.

"Green and Lean the Fighting Machine....XBox!!!"

[E-Xbox]

thats sweet man!

but one thing...

[Dre]

Originally posted by E-Xbox
thats sweet man!

but one thing...

Not really off-topic.. I think you just wanted to test out your new happy-face picture

[E-Xbox]

Originally posted by Dre


Not really off-topic.. I think you just wanted to test out your new happy-face picture

tru..hehe..
but the part question isnt off topic..
i somehow missed the question completely...
prob cuz i was reading like 5 posts at once
and i saw all those crap GTA threads..
and all i thought this thread said was bout how he got a new 47" tv..
hehe...
oh well..
it works..

peace