Screen Burn (Image retention on Sony TVs)

What is Screen Burn/Image Retention?

This phenomenon is referred to when a TV display shows either an outline, darkened area or a ‘ghost’ image that fails to fade or disappear when other content is being displayed.

What Causes Screen Burn?

Image retention or burn-in issues can occur if a TV set is left to display the same image for prolonged periods, or if an image or still is repeated continuously.

Bright, intense images left on the screen for long durations can also contribute to screen burn.

What TV Content can Promote Screen Burn?

Although Sony OLED TVs have protection measures in place to help prevent screen burn as much as possible, the following content may promote image retention after extended periods:

• Images held on pause or photos displayed for excessively long durations.
• Static icons which don’t move (such as TV channel logos, news station update banners or fixed symbols/icons in video games).
• Media displaying constant black bars either at the top and bottom or sides of the screen.

Steps to Help Prevent Screen Burn

Sony TV sets come with a number of features like screen savers, panel calibration and refresh technology to help prevent image retention, but these tips can help with further prevention:

• Turn your TV off after use. Leaving the set off for at least 6-hours helps refresh the panel.
• Position your TV away from direct sunlight.
• Avoid leaving menu displays or programme guides open for prolonged periods.
• Change the source to a moving image if you are pausing another source for a long time.

Further settings which can help:

Using Wide Mode to Remove Black Bars

For any content displaying black bars repeatedly, Wide Mode helps to fill the entire screen space to reduce strain on pixels.

1. Use your remote to access Settings.
2. Depending on your TV, select either the Display or Display and Sound menu.
3. Press Screen and toggle-on Wide Mode.
4. Wide Mode options will appear on the screen for you to select.

For Content Showing Constant Icons or Logos

Useful for TV stations displaying their channel name or games with fixed icons on-screen, Standard Picture Mode is recommended when viewing the above sources for extended periods.

1. Use your remote to access Settings.
2. Depending on your TV, select either the Display or Display and Sound menu.
3. Press Picture, then Picture Mode.
4. From the options available, choose Standard.