First, while image retention can occur in modern plasmas, the effect is temporary. After the 48-hour torture test, all three of the plasma TVs that were tested showed clearly visible images from the game menu, whereas none of the LCD or MD rear projection- based sets showed any image retention. However, after regular video material (a DVD movie set to continuously loop) was played through the sets for 24 hours, the image completely disappeared from all three plasmas, leaving no trace. Unlike early generation plasmas, where those type of images would not go away and could actually "burn" onto the screen, modern plasma TVs enjoy a combination of more robust screen materials and subtle image-shifting technologies that have rendered this former issue moot.
Second, the accelerated aging tests show that plasma TVs maintain consistent image quality and brightness even after extending viewing. The image quality of all televisions (and all displays, for that matter) degrade somewhat over time, but in our tests plasmas results were typically within 5% of their "out of the box" performance at the conclusion of our testing. While this is not a definitive statement on product lifetimestrue lifetime tests are impossible without a several year test cycleit is a reasonable proxy of extended performance. In fact, many plasma TV vendors now claim 60,000-hour lifetimes (translated: 8 hours of daily viewing for more than 20 years before the screen reaches half of its original brightness).
Third, when measuring black levels, the plasma TVs as a group actually outperformed the reference CRT monitor as well as the TVs using the other two technologies. The tangible benefit of this is that a deeper range of colors can be displayed, which translates into a richer overall picture.
Fourth, the viewing angles for plasma TVs were the most consistent of all the TV types tested. In other words, regardless of where you are in the room, the image quality on a plasma will look very similar. Also, even if youre seated in a fixed position, you wont be able to see any difference when, for example, a person walks across the screen or a football flies from one end of the screen to the other.
Fifth, although the absolute brightness of plasma TVs is lower than other TV technologies, it is the most consistent from side-to-side, making "hotspots" or "deadspots" less likely, regardless of where you view the TV from within a room. The LCD TVs and microdisplay rear projection sets that were tested had brighter pictures when viewed head on, which could make them a better choice in rooms where viewing positions are limited and the lighting cannot always be controlled (such as those with lots of natural sunlight). When tested from different angles, however, both the overall brightness and the color performance varied on the sets using LCD and microdisplay rear projection technologies.
