Phosphor Aging
Dear Gary: I have been a subscriber for a few years now. WSR has helped my knowledge extensively. I have recently reworked my home theatre with new CRT, screen, surround, amplifier, speakers, etc. My other equipment was seven to eight years old. After installing the new CRT, a 16:9 screen and new line doubler (DVP-2200) the manual states not to leave a 4:3 image on a wide angle screen for long periods of time or it will cause image burn in. I did not know this. I use my satellite receiver quite a bit. In addition, not all HDTV feeds are 16:9. Not all DVDs are 16:9, particularly music. Is this a problem? Can I still project 4:3 images without concern?
Jeff Young
Video Technical Editor Greg Rogers Comments:
Follow the advice in your manual. CRTs are indeed susceptible to a phenomena known as phosphor aging. The more the phosphor on the screen is used, and the more light it produces, the sooner the aging process noticeably reduces the phosphor’s efficiency to produce light. Over time screen brightness is reduced in the areas used the most. This will cause the 4:3 area of a 16:9 screen to age faster than the outer edges of the screen, producing the appearance of “burn-in.” Most HDTV receivers have the ability to produce gray side panels when displaying a 4:3 image, which helps to even-out the aging effects. But it is better to use the resizing features of an HDTV receiver or line doubler to fill the 16:9 screen completely for casual viewing. You can also reduce susceptibility to this problem by keeping the contrast turned down, using only as bright a picture as necessary for your room lighting conditions.
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