Video game burn in

[ZeroDegreeK]

While I don't feel burn in on RPTV is as big an issue as it is made out to be, gamers do face the burn in problem. During the game, there is constant motion, except for any heads up display. Life meters, items, counters, all stay in the exact same place and are usually very bright. These things might burn in if left there for hours at a time.

What I do to avoid it, when playing for hours is when I take breaks, don't pause the game and leave it onscreen. Pause it and watch some tv. Just a tip.

[AUMMitsu]

I think the burn-in problem is hyped up too much. The problem with video games is exactly the same as watching TV feed with station logos. As long as you have the contrast down, dont pause the game for more than a couple minutes, and avoid games with static images there's not too much to worry about IMO.

[ZeroDegreeK]

The static image thing is a little confusing. Videogames have hidden static images. While the background is always moving, things like power meters and item lists stick around and stay on the same spot. And unlike many translucent station logos, often these images are the brightest things on the screen, and don't get commercial break relief.

I always find it odd that people worry about pausing the game and leaving it on the screen for more than a couple of minutes, but don't care that the bright power meter has been static for hours.

I don't really worry about it either for casual gaming, but it is always in the back of my mind when my brother and I go on those 8 hour marathon battles. I look at it this way, would you worry if you were watching an 8 hour video tape with the white SP tape speed displayed the whole time?

[AUMMitsu]

i agree, the power bars or watever other images are much brighter than tv logos, but on most games that I play they are not there constantly and just for the rounds or certain segments. Usually when I start playing video games I completely forget about burn-ins.

[grif32]

I DO NOT worry about burn in. I play all the time and dont worry about it and havent seen any problems yet. I would turn the contrast down to about 30% and the brightness down under 50% and you shouldnt have any problems... After playing I usually put it on an HD cable channel like showtime or HBO and let it play on the TV for awhile before shutting down the TV. That way there are new images moving all the time...