Japanese electronics giant Panasonic has reportedly responded to claims of black level changes in their plasma TVs over time. In a statement emailed to CNET, Panasonic apparently admitted to an increase in the background brightness as a result of automatic voltage adjustment that was brought about to “achieve the optimal picture performance” throughout the set’s entire life span.

The leading manufacturer of white goods claimed that their “newest Viera plasma HDTVs” will have a more “gradual change in the Black Level over time” due to an “improved automatic control” wherein voltage adjustments will be applied in small increments. However, there was no mention of fixing the plasma TVs which had black level issues, whose owners brought the problem to light through AVS forum.

Though it’s a well known fact that the pictures of plasma TVs tend to lose their sheen over a period of time, the issue seems to be worsening lately, with several users complaining of lightening of black levels as years progress. An AVS forum member who experienced black level gripes with his Panasonic Plasma  TV has mentioned that the sudden change was like “a slap in the face.”