Tim Schwartz wrote:
Andy wrote:
Andy asks:

I see these TV projection sets for under $1000 and it seems like
a good deal until I read that the lamp has a 90 day warranty or some
other short time.... And, from what I can find, the replacement lamps
are like $500 each.....

Does anyone here with experience in these items care to take
a minute to talk about the best, most reliable, projectors... or any
comments on lower cost projection lamps ?

Thanks in advance,

Andy in Eureka, Texas

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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


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

Regards,
Tim Schwartz
Bristol Electronics