What is Burn-In OLED?
Share
Burn-in (also known as image retention or permanent image retention) is a phenomenon that can occur on OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays when static images are displayed for prolonged periods, leaving a permanent mark or shadow on the screen.
How Burn-In Happens:
- OLED panels are made up of self-emissive pixels, meaning each pixel generates its own light. Over time, when static content like logos, news tickers, or gaming HUDs (health bars, score displays) remains on the screen for too long, the individual pixels that are constantly lit can degrade more quickly than others, resulting in a ghost image or shadow of that content.
- Burn-in is most noticeable when you watch dark scenes, as the contrast between the permanently burnt-in image and the rest of the screen becomes more apparent.
How to Prevent Burn-In:
- Use Screen Savers: For TVs, use screen savers or activate features like pixel shifting, which moves the image slightly to avoid stationary content.
- Avoid Static Content: Avoid leaving content like logos, channels, or gaming HUDs on the screen for extended periods. Change content regularly.
- Enable Screen Protection: Most OLED TVs come with settings that help reduce the risk of burn-in, such as automatic pixel refresh or screen dimming.
- Adjust Brightness and Contrast: Keep the brightness and contrast settings at a moderate level to reduce stress on individual pixels.
- Turn Off the Display When Not in Use: Turning off your OLED screen when not in use will also prevent long-term image retention.
What Panel Type is Best for Gaming?
When selecting a display for gaming, the panel type you choose can significantly affect your experience. The best choice depends on factors like response time, refresh rate, contrast, and color accuracy. Let’s explore which panel types excel in gaming and where to consider each one.
1. OLED for Gaming
Advantages for Gaming:
- Perfect Blacks & Contrast: OLED displays provide infinite contrast ratios because individual pixels turn off completely to display true black, creating a more immersive experience in dark scenes.
- Fast Response Times: OLED panels offer extremely fast response times (as low as 0.1ms), making them ideal for competitive gaming where fast reactions are critical.
- No Motion Blur: The fast pixel transition in OLED reduces motion blur and ghosting, providing smoother gameplay in fast-paced games like FPS and racing games.
- Wide Viewing Angles: OLED offers excellent viewing angles without any color distortion, making it great for multiplayer sessions.
Considerations:
- Burn-In: OLED is susceptible to burn-in, which can be an issue with static elements like gaming HUDs or long-playing static content.
- Price: OLEDs are more expensive compared to other panel types.
2. IPS for Gaming
Advantages for Gaming:
- Color Accuracy & Brightness: IPS panels are known for their color accuracy and wide viewing angles, making them a great choice for games where vibrant, true-to-life colors matter.
- Fast Response Times (Modern IPS): Modern IPS panels are available with 1ms to 4ms response times, which are fast enough for competitive gaming.
- No Burn-In: Unlike OLED, IPS panels do not suffer from burn-in, making them a safer option for long gaming sessions.
- Affordability: IPS panels tend to be more affordable than OLEDs, making them a good choice for those who want high performance on a budget.
Considerations:
- Contrast: While IPS offers good brightness, it doesn’t provide the true blacks that OLED offers, so dark scenes may appear more washed out in comparison.
- Motion Blur: Some lower-end IPS monitors may exhibit motion blur in fast-moving games, but higher-end models can minimize this issue with high refresh rates and overdrive technology.
3. VA (Vertical Alignment) for Gaming
Advantages for Gaming:
- Better Black Levels: VA panels generally offer better black levels and higher contrast ratios than IPS, which can make them great for gaming in dark rooms.
- Good Performance for HDR: Many VA panels have good support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) content due to their ability to display higher contrast.
Considerations:
- Viewing Angles: VA panels tend to suffer from worse color shifting when viewed from the side, especially compared to IPS.
- Slower Response Time: VA panels can have slower response times than IPS and OLED, which can be noticeable in fast-paced games.
Where to Consider & How to Buy:
When choosing the best panel for gaming, where you buy and how you buy matters for ensuring you get the best performance and value. Here are some popular options:
Consider for OLED:
- Best for: Competitive gaming, HDR content, cinematic experiences.
-
Where to buy:
- LG OLED TVs (CX, C1, G1) are some of the top choices for gaming.
- Sony OLED TVs (A9G, A80J) are also excellent, especially for PlayStation gaming.
- Price: Expect prices ranging from $1,200 to $3,000 depending on size and features.
- Buy Here:
Consider for IPS:
- Best for: Gaming on a budget, color accuracy, and consistent performance.
-
Where to buy:
- ASUS ROG Swift and Acer Predator are popular brands for gaming IPS monitors.
- Dell UltraSharp and BenQ EX offer IPS options for both gaming and professional work.
- Price: Mid-range IPS gaming monitors start at $300 and can go up to $1,000 for premium models with 144Hz/240Hz refresh rates.
- Buy Here:
Consider for VA:
- Best for: High contrast in dark rooms and HDR gaming.
-
Where to buy:
- Samsung Odyssey G7 offers VA panels with excellent performance for both gaming and HDR.
- AOC AGON is a popular choice for VA-based gaming monitors.
- Price: VA monitors range from $250 to $800 depending on refresh rate and size.
- Buy Here:
Product Reviews & Considerations:
OLED:
- Pros: Amazing color depth, perfect blacks, fast response times, and great for high-end gaming setups.
- Cons: High price and burn-in risk.
IPS:
- Pros: Great color accuracy, fast enough for gaming, no burn-in risk, and generally more affordable.
- Cons: Lower contrast, not as ideal for dark rooms or cinematic HDR content.
VA:
- Pros: Better contrast, good for HDR content, and great for gamers who want deep blacks in dark environments.
- Cons: Not as good for wide viewing angles, and response times can be slower.
Conclusion:
- OLED is perfect for gamers who want the ultimate gaming experience with fast response times and perfect black levels, but it’s more expensive and has burn-in risk.
- IPS is ideal for general gaming, especially for budget-conscious buyers, offering color accuracy and fast response with no burn-in issues.
- VA is a great option for those who prioritize contrast and HDR content in dark rooms, but viewing angles and response time may not be as fast as IPS or OLED.
Consider your budget, usage, and preferences before making the final decision!
