Breaking-in a new plasma - Help!

[theilian]

Thanks to help from you guys, I finally decided on plasma and bought Panny TH-42PX60U. I've read some about breaking-in, but I still have questions. Please help me

1. picking up the tv - The guy at circuit city says I shouldn't put the box horizontally to fit in the car. Is this true?

2. After setting up TV, connecting everything together, and setting picture below 50% (I assume that means below 0; but how far below?) and setting black bar into grey bar, what should I do? Can I watch TV or DVD right away (in full screen)?

3. For first 100 hours or so (it's suggested more, but how much more?), I should limit bars and logos to short periods of time, but how short? Must I change channel (even if the program has commercial intervals)?

4. Can plasma get too hot? Is there time limit which I should not exceed and turn off TV?

5. Any recommendation for okay (and not to expensive) HDMI cables? How many HDMI cable do I need for DVD?

6. Forgot to add this: According to manual, I must fasten TV/stand to wall or to furniture. Is this really necessary?

Thank you very much for your advice. I'm very excited.

[jread23]

1. absolutely true. My wife and I had to take ours out of the box and prop it up.

2. you can watch tv or dvds right away, just make sure the picture is filling up the screen and don't leave dvd menus on for very long. I have my brightness, picture and even set to 0 and have had it this way for the first 70 hours.

3. can't comment officially, but I've been changing the channel pretty often. I've seen posts on this board where people have watched ESPN or played Madden for a couple of ours and had image retention, but not burn in. I figure changing the channel often, avoiding static images and logos for the first 100 hours is a small price to pay. The suggestions I've seen go up to 1000 hours. There is a pdf file apparently put out by Panasonic that details suggested use for the break in period.
Check out the burn in thread, it has a lot of useful information including a link to a disc someone created to play during break in.

4. I left mine on for 20 hours watching the break in disc without any problems.

[theilian]

But why does it have to be upright? Is there high risk of damage if I try to move it myself?

[slksc]

1. Placing the plasma horizontal puts a lot of weight on the glass, which can cause breakage or long-term damage. Not recommended, although some people do it anyway.

2. Putting the settings at zero across the board for the first 100 hours will work fine. The picture will be a little dim, but turning off the room lights will help dramatically.

3. With these settings, you can watch just about anything during the break-in period without fear of burn-in, but keep away from the black bars. Commercial breaks do help prevent any retention of channel logos. I watched sports (3 hr games) during my break-in period with no problem at all. Discovery HD is a nice default channel (it has a limited logo).

4. I've kept my set on all day with no heat issues.

5. Monoprice has great prices on cables. To connect a DVD, you need either one HDMI or component cable for video.

6. Don't worry about attaching your stand as long as you've got a sturdy place to set it. Of course, if you have any rug rats around, it's better to be safe than sorry.

[HDTVsportsfan]

You ever see those commercial glass delivery trucks. The glass is vertical. Alot of people have done it, but I wouldn't. Laying the TV falt puts to much pressure in the center of the glass.

Monoprice for HDMI cables. They are a forum sponsor and a good product for the price.

I would imagine you only need 1 HDMI caable for your DVD, unless I'm missing something.

[PioManiac]

HDMI cable wont do you any good unless you have a HDMI output on your DVD player ;)

If you have a newer/upconverting DVD player,
then 1 HDMI cable is all you need for video/audio

If you have component out only on your DVD player
Component cables ( 3 for video, 2 for audio) usually sold as a set
are what you want.

Do you have an HD Digital Cable or Satellite box for an HDTV source?
Those will need appropriate cables too if you dont get OTA HDTV
sometimes HDMI, DVI to HDMI, or Component depending on your source outputs

Do you have an A/V receiver for surround sound?
that will also require Digital Coax cable (1) or Toslink Optical/Digital cable(1)
Good idea to feed your receiver directly from the DVD with one of those two
for the A/V 5.1 ss too.

[HDTVsportsfan]

[QUOTE=PioManiac]HDMI cable wont do you any good unless you have a HDMI output on your DVD player ;) [/QUOTE]

lol.... Very true. I assumed (I know, never assume) by the way the OP worded the question that he already knew it was HDMI. That's why at the end of that particular response, "unless I'm missing something".

[PioManiac]

[QUOTE=HDTVsportsfan]lol.... Very true. I assumed (I know, never assume) by the way the OP worded the question that he already knew it was HDMI. That's why at the end of that particular response, "unless I'm missing something".[/QUOTE]

Ummm I may get grilled for this, but I think "theilian" is a she
and she showed somewhat limited knowledge in her first post in another thread. ;)

If you read it you'll know why I'm guessing her DVD player doesnt have HDMI output :cool:

Perhaps we should just ask instead of making assumptions ;)

theilian, What make/model is your DVD player
and/or TV broadcast source?
...and do you have an A/V receiver?

Its hard to make cable connection recommendations without knowledge of the hardware involved

[HDTVsportsfan]

[QUOTE=PioManiac]Ummm I may get grilled for this, but I think "theilian" is a she
and she showed somewhat limited knowledge in her first post in another thread. ;)

If you read it you'll know why I'm guessing her DVD player doesn't have HDMI output :cool:[/QUOTE]

Well.... My apologies to "theilian" if "he" is really a "she". I think it's safe to say a majority of the members are male. But again, there's that dirty word again(assume), I assumed and I shouldn't have.

I was unware of a previous thread theilian had participated in.

Actually it's good to see more females interested in technology. I wish my wife had more interest.

Anyway, I hope it all works out for theilian and he/she enjoys her TV.

[theilian]

Hi, I'm indeed a "she" and tech-challenged (as well as financially challegened) newbie.
Even so, I still know that HDMI cable must have input/output thing on both ends. :)

Due to recent massacre (AKA power surge), my whole home theater system died suddenly (but my old TV unfortuanately survived and is dying ugly, protracted death). So I'll be also buying a new DVD player, VCR, and stereo receiver. I got $400 for compensation, so that's about the budget I have in mind.

I'm looking for DVD upconversion/VCR combo. As for receiver, those with HDMI seem to be much more expensive so I guess I'll buy one of those cheaper 5.1 channel one. I live in an apartment, so I probably cannot enjoy home theater to full extent anyway and besides only have 6 speakers (assuming they survived power surge).

I posted thread asking for DVD recommendations in another section, but I certainly welcome any suggestions.

And I'll be asking many more stupid questions since I know nothing about plasma and this HDMI thing. Thank you, all

(PS: As for cable, I have non-HD DirecTV receiver. I don't plan to get HD programming as it seems there are only very few channels for 10 bucks extra and need more antenna/dish and all that stuff. :o )

[Mongoos150]

A girl on AVS - wow :D

[theilian]

Not only that. I love sports, too (except basketball)
I'm a liberal though ;)

[HDTVsportsfan]

theilian,
I don't really have anything else to add/offer in the way of advise.
Honestly, I'm just posting this reply to "bump" you thread back to the top.

Sorry, guys. Just trying to help a lady out.

[theilian]

It looks like there are various types of HDMI cables. What should I get for TV to video connection?

I warned that I'll be asking dumb quesitons. :o

Thanks, HDTVsportsfan

[HDTVsportsfan]

theilian, here is a of link to an HDMI cable from monorpice.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=2412&seq=1&format=2&style=

THis is just your basic HDMI 6ft. cable. I really don't see why this wouldn't meet your needs. You do not need to spend 50/60/70 dollars at a retail store for an HDMI cable.

What model is your DirecTV receiver?

btw, there are no stupid questions even though it can get quite confusing at times. I applaud your effort to educate yourself.

[Bill McNeal]

[QUOTE=slksc]1. Placing the plasma horizontal puts a lot of weight on the glass, which can cause breakage or long-term damage. Not recommended, although some people do it anyway.
[/QUOTE]

Would it be safe if you place the box so that the glass side is up?

[HDTVsportsfan]

[QUOTE=Bill McNeal]Would it be safe if you place the box so that the glass side is up?[/QUOTE]


You shouldn't lay the TV flat for transportation purposes. Whether or not the glass side is facing up or down. It's still not a good idea.

[Frost147]

Sony makes a good upconverting DVD player (HDMI) and you can get them for less than a C-note.