lorddlm2

Q: Image Retention/ Burn on iMac 27" 5K Screen

Hi there

 

I have a late 2014 iMac 27" 5K and have noticed some faint image retention/ burn on my screen. It seems to be more visible on certain backgrounds than others.

 

Should I return the iMac to Apple (its less than a year old) or are there steps that I can take to solve this issue myself?

 

Any help would be very much appreciated.

 

Many thanks

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on May 21, 2016 1:09 PM

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Q: Image Retention/ Burn on iMac 27" 5K Screen

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  • Helpful answers

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain May 21, 2016 2:04 PM in response to lorddlm2
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 21, 2016 2:04 PM in response to lorddlm2
  • by Klaus1,Apple recommended

    Klaus1 Klaus1 May 21, 2016 4:00 PM in response to lorddlm2
    Level 8 (48,893 points)
    May 21, 2016 4:00 PM in response to lorddlm2

    Image persistence on Apple displays:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5455

     

    Apple say this about LCD screen burn in:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2807

     

    which includes suggestions for curing that effect.

     

    Alternatively:

     

    How to fix screen burn and/or stuck pixels on an LCD monitor:

     

    JScreenFix

     

    http://www.jscreenfix.com/basic.php

  • by lorddlm2,

    lorddlm2 lorddlm2 May 22, 2016 12:13 PM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    May 22, 2016 12:13 PM in response to Klaus1

    Thank you to both of your for taking the time to help me. These articles did indeed help, and that issue has gone. However, now Im aware of it, I see the screen retention issue happening a lot, and despite its easy cure, it shouldn't really be happening on a screen of this quality.

     

    My thanks again

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain May 22, 2016 12:38 PM in response to lorddlm2
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 22, 2016 12:38 PM in response to lorddlm2

    You're welcome. FWIW, screen retention has nothing to do with the quality. It happens on CRTs, LCDs, ISPs, Plasma screens etc etc from the inexpensive to the most expensive. It comes from having the same unchanging image displayed for too long. That's why screen savers are called screen savers. To save screens from burned in images.

  • by keenraven,

    keenraven keenraven May 24, 2016 2:51 PM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 24, 2016 2:51 PM in response to dialabrain

    I disagree--most LCD displays do not suffer from image retention or burn in. On my brand new 27in 5K iMac, I'm getting retention in under 5 minutes, a screen saver isn't going to help with that. This type of image retention is unique to Apple's retina displays--first the Macbook Pro, and now the iMac 5K.

     

    Since I'm doing video editing, it's especially annoying whenever I want to view the video fullscreen in Premier--the GUI is quite visibly retained.

     

    I wish Apple would just admit that it's a tradeoff with these really high DPI displays, instead of insisting that all displays are like this.

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain May 24, 2016 3:03 PM in response to keenraven
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 24, 2016 3:03 PM in response to keenraven

    I've had my Late 2015 5K Retina 27" iMac since last November. I've yet to suffer any image retention. You're welcome to disagree though.

  • by mikeofthethomas,

    mikeofthethomas mikeofthethomas Jul 10, 2016 10:26 PM in response to keenraven
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 10, 2016 10:26 PM in response to keenraven

    I'm with you.  I got a 2015 27in 5k back in May, and returned it after getting persistent image retention.  Replacement model has exactly the same issue.  That's either a cracker of a coincidence, or a genuine fault that apple won't own up to.

     

    I wonder if those who don't see it are primarily using apple's own apps with their osx bright white UI? Like you, my usage is mostly in Adobe's dark UI software, which is retaining images severely in under 5 minutes. Not acceptable considering the price tag.

     

    Some before and afters attached.it-burns.jpg

  • by mikaya,

    mikaya mikaya Jul 13, 2016 1:00 AM in response to lorddlm2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 13, 2016 1:00 AM in response to lorddlm2

    I also just started noticing this problem. I'm worried, as it occurred shortly after what appears to be a small cluster of dead pixels appeared on my screen (Apple support response: "on a Retina display iMac you shouldn't be able to see a single dead pixel" thanks I'm incredibly aware of that. I bought Retina display for a reason.)

     

    My concern is that this will get worse over time and that Apple won't do anything to fix the panel while I'm under warranty because of 'acceptable use' guidelines for display flaws (didn't buy Apple care initially as desktops are meant to need it less than portables. I'll be getting that ASAP). Also, I bought this model specifically for graphic design and art reasons, which Mac displays have always been touted for, and it's very frustrating that people in this market especually might be getting screwed over when this is clearly a machine that would most benefit graphics people. It's ridiculous that this isn't an issue when fullscreening YouTube videos, but it is when I'm working in Photoshop for more than 10 minutes.

  • by accentaudio,

    accentaudio accentaudio Jul 17, 2016 9:51 AM in response to keenraven
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Audio
    Jul 17, 2016 9:51 AM in response to keenraven

    Agreed! It is NOT normal or acceptable.