my tv is a 52 inch, and periodically the screen goes darker

Solution
I think I have it. I was reading an article on Ars about TV power consumption and ran into this little jewel, and it would seem to be the answer to your issue. I hope anyway. from the article on Arstechnica.com

"Samsung, LG, and Vizio TVs use a number of tactics. Motion-Detection Dimming (MDD) software (called “Motion Lighting” under Samsung and “Motion Eye Care” under LG) will dim the TV’s screen when a certain amount of motion is detected in the image the viewer is watching."

You may want to search the menu for something like this and turn it off.

R_1

Estimable
Herald
I think I have it. I was reading an article on Ars about TV power consumption and ran into this little jewel, and it would seem to be the answer to your issue. I hope anyway. from the article on Arstechnica.com

"Samsung, LG, and Vizio TVs use a number of tactics. Motion-Detection Dimming (MDD) software (called “Motion Lighting” under Samsung and “Motion Eye Care” under LG) will dim the TV’s screen when a certain amount of motion is detected in the image the viewer is watching."

You may want to search the menu for something like this and turn it off.
 
Solution