The side panel function for this model is for SD 4:3 content whereby you'll have grey bars on the left and right side of your display for astro. This just means that the panel illuminates the phosphor at this areas coz astro is in 4:3 and u might get burn-in at the sides. I would try to use the zoom mode to fill up the screen for the first 200hrs of plasma usage to properly run it in.