Key Takeaways
- An OLED compensation cycle maintains equivalent brightness in pixels to prevent image retention and degradation in OLED displays.
- The compensation cycle runs in standby mode and can be interrupted, but it is recommended to leave the TV on for longer periods to allow the cycle to kick in.
- To optimize the compensation cycle, avoid leaving static images on the screen, keep your TV software up-to-date, and ensure sufficient downtime for the TV when it is turned off.
If you own an OLED TV or plan to buy one, you may have seen that they need a “compensation cycle” to help with their maintenance, but what is that, and what does it mean for your new OLED experience?
What Is a Compensation Cycle?
An OLED compensation cycle is an automated function that makes sure the pixels in your OLED display maintain equivalent brightness, to prevent image retention (aka "burn in") or other effects of OLED degradation. In general, the cycle kicks in after around four hours of TV use.
The compensation cycle happens when the TV is in standby mode, and there's no visual indicator that it's happening, although with some TV models you may hear an audible "click" as the TV turns the power for the cycle on and off. The length of the cycle varies from one make and model of TV to the next, but in general, it's not going to affect the usage of your TV set in any meaningful way. You can interrupt it and watch TV, and it will just happen overnight—as long as your TV is in standby mode.
The fine details of how this works and what the TV actually does to its pixels differ a little between brands and models too. However, it's basically an algorithm that looks for problematic pixels and then fine-tunes the amount of electricity that goes to each individual pixel. By adjusting the voltage each pixel receives, you can make its relevant brightness the same as its neighbors. Thereby dealing effectively with temporary image retention.
LED, QLED, and other LCD derivative screen technologies don't have an equivalent function to the OLED compensation cycle, so if you have any of those TVs, this isn't something you need to worry about.
Why Should You Care?
"Neat feature, but what's the fuss?" you may wonder. The significance lies in your OLED TV display's sustained quality and longevity.
The organic materials in OLEDs are vulnerable to burn-in over time, which is degradation due to static images displayed for extended periods, resulting in permanent discoloration or ghosting. The compensation cycle is like a built-in maintenance technician, subtly offsetting these effects to maintain the vibrant, sharp image quality OLED TVs are renowned for, even as they age.
How to Use the Compensation Cycle
While the compensation cycle is a mostly automated feature, there are ways to ensure it runs smoothly, keeping your OLED TV at the top of its game:
- Keep Your TV On For Longer: The compensation cycle usually kicks into gear after the TV is put into standby following a significant period of use—typically around four hours. So, if you're habitually turning your TV on and off for brief periods, try to avoid that. Allow the TV to run for longer periods, ensuring the compensation cycle has a chance to kick in.
- Overnight Off-Time: The compensation cycle runs when the TV is turned off, so ensuring your OLED TV has sufficient downtime is wise. If you habitually leave your TV on overnight, consider putting it on standby instead or setting a power off timer.
- Avoid Static Images: While the compensation cycle helps mitigate burn-in, it's important to try and prevent it in the first place. Try not to leave static images on your OLED screen for extended periods. Screen savers can be helpful here, as can switching channels or content during long viewing sessions.
- Software Updates: Manufacturers continually tweak their compensation algorithms to improve their efficiency. Therefore, keeping your TV software up-to-date ensures you benefit from these improvements, allowing the compensation cycle to work optimally.
While the compensation cycle largely goes about its business in the background, these steps can help you ensure it's in the best position to maintain your OLED TV's stellar visual performance. So be sure to refer to the documentation for your particular brand and model to ensure your TV has adequate time to properly run through compensation cycles.