LCD televisions

[Razor X]

My new Samsung LCD TV has a warning in the instruction manual that watching more than 2 hours at a time in 4:3 mode can cause the pillar bars on the right and left of the picture to burn into the screen.  I know this was a big problem with some of the older plasma sets, but didn't think it was a problem with LCD.  Since the majority of programming is still not in HD, is this something that is likely to happen -- or is Samsung just trying to cover themselves?  I'd rather not watch standard definition programming in Stretch-o-Vision if I don't have to.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

I've got a Samsung too, and I never saw that warning but I'm going to read it again.  I've noticed that a lot of the "HD" signaled stations fill in the "bars" w/ static content when the programing was shot in the old format.  I'm wondering if that is the reason.  And, one of the reasons, in addition to the sharper image in my opinion, that I coughed up for LCD rather than plasma, was the burn in issue.  I'm not going to be happy if my book reads the same .

[Mikekoz13]

Razor-

         There SHOULD be a way for you to change the black side bars to grey. This will definetly help avoid the problem.

Also.... I've had my HDTV for almost 3 years. I have a 57 inch CRT type with the three tubes (you can hardly even find this "old" technology anymore). I was warned about burn-in also. But I can assure you that it isn't a problem with my set. I think caution is the word here... not obsession.

[Tyler]

What networks are you watching that don't have HD? PBS?

[Razor X]

What networks are you watching that don't have HD? PBS?

Mostly cable channels -- USA, Sci-Fi Channel, History Channel, Encore movie channels.  I know some of those have HD channels, but Comcast isn't carrying them in my area yet.

[Razor X]

Razor-

         There SHOULD be a way for you to change the black side bars to grey. This will definetly help avoid the problem.

Maybe by adjusting the contrast and brightness?  My dad's had a Toshiba LCD since January and hasn't had any problems.  I can't imagine it's really likely to happen or there'd be a lot of really upset people with ruined TVs.  I just don't like stretching the picture so the whole screen is filled up.  Too much resolution is lost.

[Tyler]

What networks are you watching that don't have HD? PBS?

Mostly cable channels -- USA, Sci-Fi Channel, History Channel, Encore movie channels.  I know some of those have HD channels, but Comcast isn't carrying them in my area yet.

Wow, I have HD for all of those channels on Comcast and I'm 3000 miles from their Mothership.

[Razor X]

What networks are you watching that don't have HD? PBS?

Mostly cable channels -- USA, Sci-Fi Channel, History Channel, Encore movie channels.  I know some of those have HD channels, but Comcast isn't carrying them in my area yet.

Wow, I have HD for all of those channels on Comcast and I'm 3000 miles from their Mothership.

Yeah, I've looked at a couple of HD forums and it seems like a lot of Comcast subscribers in other parts of the country get more HD channels than we get here for some reason.   Of course, not of them are all true HD yet.  Ever notice that Stretchovision that TBS uses?

My Dad just got Verizon Fios and he gets a few more HD channels that I don't get, but nothing significant.

[DJ_Bald]

Hi Razor. You can change the color of the bars in the setup menu of your cable box. Call your cable company and they will help you to get into the setup menu.
Having said that...LCD's do not suffer from burn in the way plasmas do so I dont see it being an issue anyway.
Check AVSFORUM.com....those guys know more about TV's then we do about baldness.....lol

[Razor X]

Hi Razor. You can change the color of the bars in the setup menu of your cable box. Call your cable company and they will help you to get into the setup menu.
Having said that...LCD's do not suffer from burn in the way plasmas do so I dont see it being an issue anyway.
Check AVSFORUM.com....those guys know more about TV's then we do about baldness.....lol

Thanks.