Generic Projector Bulb ok?
Discussion
Just a warning. These lamps are pretty dangerous, it's not uncommon for them to explode when they get old, destroying the PJ in the process. I'm guessing cheaper lamps might be more prone to this the official ones? Depends how much you care about the PJ really, if you like it then get the genuine, if you aren't too fussed then get the generic and take the risk. I also assume the new lense will have poorer performance, with a dimmer lamp, different colour temperature etc but I don't know if that's true...
Expect the performance to drop off dramatically and early and then eventual explosion and you wont be disappointed.
For context I'm talking about DLP rear projection tv rather than projector but essentially the same thing, two replacement bulbs, first one wasn't too bad but ultimately exploded necessitating cleaning out the compartment probably with poisonous gasses floating about! and putting in the original bulb as a stop gap whilst a new one was on order.
Second bulb was supposed to be genuine bulb in an after market housing, well it was genuinely a bulb, looked like a bulb and lit up like one, it certainly wasn't a banana or a tulip, not so sure it was genuinely a bulb from the OEM or to the same specification though. Ordered from a website which claims UK stock and infers uk based, wasn't until the tracking info came through with the conformation where it became apparent it was shipping from Mississauga Canada, fortunately taxes payed but not quite what I was expecting although with hindsight the signs on the website were all there.
Again it was a great bulb, nice and bright initially, but it didn't stay that way very long and exploded long before the timer ran out and again putting in the original bulb as the other half kept the tea warm, the TV was much brighter and clearer picture despite its age.
In the end man maths won and rough calculations were at the rate of bulb replacement a brand new TV from costco with 5yrs warranty was better than 5 years worth of bulbs and unknown life on other components. So we went out and brought a different TV from costco than we did the maths on which was an extra £400, but then it was bigger and 4k.....
For context I'm talking about DLP rear projection tv rather than projector but essentially the same thing, two replacement bulbs, first one wasn't too bad but ultimately exploded necessitating cleaning out the compartment probably with poisonous gasses floating about! and putting in the original bulb as a stop gap whilst a new one was on order.
Second bulb was supposed to be genuine bulb in an after market housing, well it was genuinely a bulb, looked like a bulb and lit up like one, it certainly wasn't a banana or a tulip, not so sure it was genuinely a bulb from the OEM or to the same specification though. Ordered from a website which claims UK stock and infers uk based, wasn't until the tracking info came through with the conformation where it became apparent it was shipping from Mississauga Canada, fortunately taxes payed but not quite what I was expecting although with hindsight the signs on the website were all there.
Again it was a great bulb, nice and bright initially, but it didn't stay that way very long and exploded long before the timer ran out and again putting in the original bulb as the other half kept the tea warm, the TV was much brighter and clearer picture despite its age.
In the end man maths won and rough calculations were at the rate of bulb replacement a brand new TV from costco with 5yrs warranty was better than 5 years worth of bulbs and unknown life on other components. So we went out and brought a different TV from costco than we did the maths on which was an extra £400, but then it was bigger and 4k.....
Use an original,you get what you pay for. it will also come with a warranty which an ebay cheapie wont.
These bulbs go through huge changes in temperature,they have a hard life.
Make sure you clean out the projector of dust,remove and clean any filters. You should be able to find via the manual or google how to reset the counter when you have changed the bulb.
Do not touch the bulb with greasy fingers.
Always switch the projector off via the standby button, never just kill the power-this is how bulbs explode.
These bulbs go through huge changes in temperature,they have a hard life.
Make sure you clean out the projector of dust,remove and clean any filters. You should be able to find via the manual or google how to reset the counter when you have changed the bulb.
Do not touch the bulb with greasy fingers.
Always switch the projector off via the standby button, never just kill the power-this is how bulbs explode.
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