Podcast #1221: RTINGS Longevity Burn-In Test Updates

On this week’s show we take a look at the Longevity Burn-In Test Results From 100 TVs that RTINGS.com has been tracking for the last two years. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

I spent three months with Telly, the free TV that’s always showing ads Ring announces 4K doorbell with Alexa+ AI greetings and new Search Party feature for pets 33 Years Ago Today Cartoon Network Premieres: A Milestone in Animation History NBCUniversal Shuts Down Its Cable Network Apps on Roku TVs & Roku Players To Promote Peacock

Other:

Is Google TV’s New Interface Better? Full Redesign Review Sports on TV Today: Where to Watch or Stream Games - Sports Media Watch Longevity Burn-In Test Updates And Results From 100 TVs

RTINGS.com has been conducting an accelerated longevity test for over two years. We've covered it periodically but haven't provided an update recently. In today's show, we'll summarize the key findings and discuss their implications for consumers.

1. Introduction to the Test Methodology and Purpose

RTINGS.com conducts an extensive longevity and burn-in test on over 100 TVs to assess their durability under real-world usage conditions. The purpose is to evaluate how modern displays, particularly OLED and LED models, hold up over time, focusing on issues like image retention and permanent burn-in that can degrade picture quality. The methodology involves running TVs for thousands of hours in a simulated accelerated aging scenario, including static content like CNN tickers, sports scores, and video games to mimic common usage patterns that risk burn-in. Tests are performed in a controlled environment at 50% brightness (except for high-end OLEDs at 100% for stress testing), with periodic photo documentation and measurements of uniformity, color accuracy, and brightness retention. This ongoing project, started in 2019, aims to provide data-driven insights into TV lifespan beyond short-term reviews.

2. Key Results and Findings

The test has yielded detailed observations on burn-in susceptibility across various TV brands and panel types, with over 18,000 hours of cumulative runtime as of the latest update. Here's an expanded breakdown:

OLED Performance and Burn-In Incidence: OLED TVs, known for perfect blacks but vulnerable to burn-in from static elements, showed mixed results. The LG C8 (2018 model) exhibited permanent burn-in after just 8,850 hours, with visible CNN ticker ghosts in dark scenes, marking it as one of the earliest failures. In contrast, the LG G4 (2024) and Sony A95L (2023) QD-OLEDs remained burn-in free after 5,000+ hours, though minor temporary image retention appeared in high-stress tests. The Samsung S95B QD-OLED burned in after 9,000 hours, displaying HUD elements from racing games, while the LG G2 showed no permanent damage after 14,000 hours but had noticeable retention. LED and Mini-LED Durability: LED TVs generally fared better against burn-in. The TCL QM8 QLED (2023) and Hisense U8/U8N (2024) showed no burn-in after 5,000–7,000 hours, with only temporary retention in extreme cases. However, the Samsung QN90A (2021) developed subtle uniformity issues after 10,000 hours, but no true burn-in. Budget LEDs like the Hisense A6G lasted without issues up to 12,000 hours. Brightness and Color Degradation: Across all panels, brightness dropped by 20–50% over 10,000+ hours; for example, the LG CX lost 40% peak brightness. Color accuracy shifted slightly, with OLEDs maintaining better DeltaE scores (<3) than LEDs. Uniformity worsened in 30% of samples, often due to banding rather than burn-in. Comparisons and Trends: Newer panels (2023–2024) with features like pixel shifting and logo dimming delayed burn-in significantly compared to 2018–2020 models. QD-OLEDs outperformed traditional WOLED in color retention but were equally prone to gaming HUD burn-in. Data suggests burn-in is rare under 5,000 hours of mixed use but accelerates with 8+ hours daily of static content. Full dataset includes 42 models, with photos of affected screens available for visual evidence.

These findings highlight that while burn-in is a real risk for OLEDs in heavy static-use scenarios, modern mitigations make it less common, and LEDs offer superior longevity for budget-conscious users.

3. Implications for Users and Recommendations

The results underscore that burn-in risk is manageable with mindful usage, particularly for OLED owners who should enable features like screen savers and vary content. For gamers or news watchers, LEDs or Mini-LEDs are safer long-term choices, potentially lasting 5–7 years without degradation. RTINGS recommends against leaving static images on for extended periods and suggests annual uniformity checks. Overall, the test empowers buyers to weigh picture quality against durability, noting that most TVs retain 80%+ performance after 3 years of average use.

4. Updates or Ongoing Aspects of the Test

As of September 2024, the test continues with new 2024 models like the Samsung S90D and LG C4 added to the lineup, now totaling 108 TVs. RTINGS plans quarterly photo updates and full reports every six months, with runtime projected to hit 30,000 hours by 2026. Community input on real-world failures is encouraged, and the raw data spreadsheet is publicly available for deeper analysis. Future expansions may include 8K TVs and accelerated heat/humidity simulations.