• Plasma televisions offer a crisp, colorful, incredibly high contrast picture in HD resolutions. Unlike similar LCD televisions, plasma TVs offer extremely fast response times, and a consistent picture from many viewing angles. Failing to properly set up your new Panasonic plasma TV can cause long-lasting damage.
  
  

The Plasma Format and Burn-In

• Plasma TVs generate images by super-heating noble gases trapped between two plates of glass. When these gasses are heated beyond a certain temperature they become extremely excitable, and change into plasma, a different phase of matter. The plasma generates visible light, which produces the image you see. This technology is responsible for the vibrant hues and extreme depth of contrast in plasma TVs. Unfortunately, this same technology can cause problems with burn-in, which causes a static image to become "stuck" in the plasma. Burn-in occurs when one image is left stationary for too long, and can cause a ghostlike secondary image to remain visible during normal viewing.
  
  

The First 100 Hours

• Most modern plasma TVs have built-in features to prevent burn-in, but it is still wise to exercise precaution during the first 100 viewing hours. To avoid problems with burn-in you should keep your brightness setting below 60% of its maximum, and be certain to not leave your screen paused on a stationary image for more than a minute or two at a time.
  
  

Changing Your Settings

• To access the picture settings on your Panasonic plasma TV, power on your set. Press the "Menu" button at the top of your remote and select "Picture." From this menu you can select from several pre-made picture settings, or create your own custom settings. For now, select "Standard" under picture mode to put all settings at their factory default. You may tweak the settings as you see fit, but be sure to leave the brightness setting below 60 for the first 100 hours.