Burn-in is a problem commonly found in TVs with OLED screens. It is identified by “ghost” images that end up printed on the TV and cannot be erased, making the display almost unusable in extreme cases. There are, however, ways to prevent this failure: avoiding static images on the screen for too long, investing in more modern devices, and opting for display modes with lower brightness intensity contribute to relieving the stress on the millions of LEDs that form these panels.
Below we will cover guidelines that can help you reduce the risks when using an OLED screen. Check out the list that Techidence prepared with five tips to avoid burn-in.
1. Invest in newer models
Since burn-in is an intrinsic problem of OLED technology, manufacturers have been investing in features that decrease the risk of their screens developing image persistence defects. Newer televisions apply new techniques, such as modes that refresh the pixels and prevent individual LEDs from staying too long with the same color, as ways to combat the problem.
In the market, there are few options: LG is an example of a brand that has launched the OLED series in the country in recent years. Meanwhile, Samsung invests in QD-OLED technology which, among other merits, has the potential to further reduce burn-in risks. In general, the older the TV, the more prone it may be to present some problems related to OLED wear and tear.
2. Decrease brightness
Using higher brightness is a factor that accelerates OLED display wear and tear and also favors the onset of burn-in. Experts from sites like RTINGs advocate that, if possible, you should aim to keep the screen below 100% brightness.
Other important tricks are to enable auto-dimming – which automatically dims the screen depending on the environment – and to use screen sleep modes, which leave the panel off after a few moments of inactivity.
3. Choose darker display modes
Cinema mode, present in any TV, is a mode that tends to reduce color saturation, contrast, and brightness, relieving stress on the panel and favoring screen longevity. The profile, which aims to leave the image with more of a movie theater look, demands less of the screen and can contribute to prolonging the life of the OLED.
The big drawback, however, is that images in this mode can disappoint those who invest in OLED technology in search of superior image quality. If you find the cinema mode too aggressive, you can use the same approach and create picture settings that follow the same principle – less brightness, contrast, and saturation.
4. Avoid leaving still images on the screen for too long
Burn-in is an image retention problem, and to avoid this, the best way is to simply try not to keep static elements on the screen for too long. A typical example is the Windows taskbar – if you use your TV as a monitor, set the bar to disappear and use the PC’s setting to activate the screen saver at short intervals of inactivity.
Other types of static elements are information components in games or graphics used in TV channels such as news channels. The bars at the bottom of the screen can end up printed on the display if you leave the TV on with the news on for hours.
5. Consider using dark mode
The dark mode also contributes to the longevity of the OLED panel. With the dark mode activated, the pixels that form the image need to emit less light, which reduces the stress level on the LEDs that form the screen and can decrease the wear and tear on the display.
This tip applies not only to televisions but is also relevant to monitors. It also applies to OLED panels found in other devices such as watches, cell phones, portable consoles, and even laptops.
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