Projection Lamp for projection TV

We sell mostly Sony and Mitsubishi RP sets and most of our clients come to us when they have problems. Most have been getting 7000 to 9000 hours from their lamps and most of the lamps sell for between $200 and $300. FP lamps are higher powered and do not last as long and are usually more expensive. The question is so broad that it is hard to give good advice. It is hard to generalize. Are you referring to front projection systems? I suggest that you choose a model that appeals to you then check the specifics for that unit.

Ditto Art's comments on replacements.

Leonard

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Andy,

Many front projectors need lamps in about 2000 hours, and it is a bad idea to try to reset the timer until the lamp just blows, as it can cause serious damage to the projector. In some cases, it might kill power supplies when it goes, or it might shatter, causing shards of glass to go everywhere. Some lamps contain mercury and you certainly don't want one of those shattering. Heck, it probably costs 10 cents an hour for electricity to run the projector, you just don't get it as a single item bill.

You have to look at the lamp as an operating expense of the projector. So, if the bulb is $400 and lasts 2000 hours, that's 20 cents per hour for a lamp. It's sort of like buying $400 worth of tires for you car every 40,000 miles. It's a 1 cent per mile cost.

My father uses his projector several hours per day, and I just replace the lamp in his 20 month old projector, which was worth doing. I use my projector much less, around 5-8 hours per week. So I expect that when I need a lamp, my projector will be 8 or 10 years old, and I'll want to replace the entire projector, as the technology will have made advances (or so I hope) by then.

Hope this helps you make a decision. Also, I agree with the other replies, use a factory approved lamp.

Regards, Tim Schwartz Bristol Electronics

BTW, 2000 hours is getting to be the standard, but half that used to be common...and still is for high-powered presentation projectors.

the only way I'll buy one is if I have some possibility of gettng some rental income from the deal. That's a possibility in my business; but clients are buying their own much more often as they get smaller and cheaper.

You're father may find that after a bulb change or two, that other parts of the unit begin to deteriorate, depending on the model and make. LCD panels warp from heat and sometimes discolor or quit entirely...likewise polarization filters and other plastic parts. Power supply components are not always spec'd for long life and fall victim to under-rating and heat.

That's a lot of BTU's to contain in such a small place. Make sure it gets adequate ventilation.

I'll buy one eventually; but I'm put off by the proprietary nature of the bulbs. I wish there was a viable alternative....

jak