Before buying a projection lamp, or if you own a TV that uses a projection lamp, there are some things you should know regarding its use and upkeep. Use the following tips as a starting point for understanding what it means to own a projection lamp.

Cost.

Projection lamp prices range form the low-end to the very high-end. For low illumination projection TVs, expect to see them at around $200. High-illumination projection TVs will use projection lamps that cost over $600. For your average projection lamp, expect to see about $350.

Scarcity.

Projecion lamps produce amazing brightness, compared to other HDTV technologies. Their assembly is complicated with supply being limited. In some cases, a projection bulb may not be available for several months!

Just In Case.

Given the cost, scarcity, and importance of the projection lamp, it is worth considering buying a backup bulb immediately after purchasing your projection lamp TV. A spare helps you diagnose problems faster by eliminating it as a cause. It leaves you less vulnerable to supply disruptions if your current bulb stops working. Plus, you may be able to get a discount by buying the TV and extra bulb together.

Lamp Life.

Before 2000, projection lamp bulbs would give you about 1000 hours. Newer lamps double that, to 2000 hours. More expensive ones last 4000 hours, while a few can last 6000 hours.

Short-Term Price vs. Long-Term Cost

It is important to find out what kind of lamp you have or are thinking about getting. The lamp life may make the difference between getting a cheaper model with fewer hours and a more expensive one that lasts much longer.

Rating.

Look for different ratings in the specifications for your projection lamp. There is a life expectancy for normal use and one for economy-mode. Using less brightness from the bulb can add many hours to its life.

More brightness = Less bulb life

Warranty.

The warranty varies by manufacturer. You will need to look at the users’ manual or go to their website and find the warranty information. A projection lamp warranty of 60 or 90 days after purchase is typical.

Climate.

Extreme cold in the wintertime is bad for a projection lamp. Suppose you store your backup projection lamp in an area that is 40 degrees or below. If you then use it in your TV that is room temperature (65 degress), it could EXPLODE! Give your projection lamp time to warm to room temperature before using it. You don’t want to have to buy another lamp!

Shaking.

A shake, jostle, bump or sudden movements are not good for any projection lamp bulb. This is especially so when the lamp projection bulb is in use! The electronics are sensitive to these movements.

Popularity: 2%

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.