Yeah, that's right. I said it. I've got a DLP 1080P 52" TV. The picture's Great, WHEN THE BULB'S NOT BURNED OUT!

I've had it for 17 months now and the SECOND Bulb just burned out. 250 bucks for the Bulb. 32 Bucks for Saturday Delivery, and I'm honestly not sure I'll even get it Saturday as the fine print says it may take a couple days to process the order.

I can't even Yell at anyone because they Close at 4 O'clock.

I bought it at a Specialty shop, hoping for better service. They say they don't even Stock the Bulbs..

They're Cheap, they Look Great, but Be prepared to spring for a bulb every year.....

Oh yeah, My wife and I both work full time. This thing is Only on in the evenings and weekends.

 

you should get 4,000 to 5,000 hours of life out of a bulb.

if you are getting less, check your TV settings. my guess is your contrast, brightness and bulb level settings are all cranked way up.

Also .. buy your bulbs direct from the manufacturer. These bulbs have a shelf life.. if you buy from someone else, no telling how long they have been sitting around.

 

I've been saying DLP sucks from day one. I dont know why anything would think a rear projection looks better than an LCD or plasma.

 

DLP blows LCD away if you are watching sports.

Plasmas are too expensive when you get above 50", in my opinion.

 

The DLP Picture is GREAT. I'm not complaining about that...

I guess I'll look at my settings once I get it running again.

I'd be happy with 4,000 hours. All I know is I'm not even getting Close to that.

My last bulb came straight from the Manufacturer. When ordering, I was hoping they would have an "upgrade" or better bulb, as I'd spring for it. Only one bulb is available.

 

Yep. Every one ran out to get a big screen. The bigger the better. This winter people will be freezing their asses off because they can't afford heat but they will be able to watch the big screen. That is if they didn't buy a DPL.

Just think about what's going to happen when we're forced to trade in our gas powered vehicles for "new technology". How about our heating/cooling systems? This is going to be interesting.

Sorry BHibbs, I just couldn't resist. I hope that you get you're situation figured with a long term solution. That's got to be maddening to have such a big, expensive, modern appliance fail prematurely.

I haven't yet gone to a big screen. I'm still watching the 20" tv, my first new tv, that I bought seventeen years ago. It's performed flawlessly. It's small, but we live in a small house, so it's ok. We don't watch much tv.

Good luck!

 

I'm not familiar wit DLP, but that sounds like one intence bulb. Be sure not to get any fingerprints or similar on it, as they will burn out early if you do.

What about amperage, if it's to low for that tv it could cause premature failure also.

 

I have had my 50" Sony LCD projection for over 3 years and it still works like new. A few friends have had DLPs for a couple of years with no problems either.

 

I LOVE my Samsung LCD.

 

56" Samsung DLP I've had for about 2 years and never replaced the bulb once. I love my Samsung DLP. Paid $1500 for it out the door. And with the kids and wife at home all day, it's definately been on more than normal. Picture is great, too.

Sorry to hear it Hibbs. That sucks.

 

Luckily, I'll be one of those guys who's NOT having his house foreclosed, that WILL be Warm, and Also watching a pretty sweet TV (I better buy Two Bulbs)..

It does make me mad though. 250 Bucks would have almost bought TWO tanks of Gas for my truck.

 

Reading into this more it seems the Mit's burn up bulbs..

Lamp Life Ratings per Manufacturer

Manufacturer Est. Lamp Life Replacement Cost Rating
Sony 8,000 hours $199-$299 Great
LG 8,000 hours $299 Good
JVC 6,500 hours $249-$399 Good
Toshiba 6,300 hours $199 Good
Samsung 5,000 hours $349 Good
Sharp 4,600 hours $429-$529 Fair
RCA 3,800 hours $414-$483 Poor
Mitsubishi 3,000 hours $499 Poor
AKIA 1,500 hours $299 Poor

They do say the settings make a difference. I need to see where I'm at..

 

It happens, thats the fun part of DLP. generally they last longer than what your experiencing. Your just lucky. I see a lucky person like you everyday at work.

Though I love my 2 LCD Tv's in my house. But if I was on a budget a DLP was on the list too.

 

I bought a top of the line samsung 50" DLP going on almost 3 years ago now. That thing is on whenever I'm home and no problems yet.

I got it from circuit city and bought the extended warranty for $350 or something because the guy told me it included free replacement for the blub when it goes out (assuming it goes out within 4 years). If it does it'll pay for itself with just the bulb. Kinda hoping it does go out soon so I dont have to worry about it after the warranty goes out.

 

I got a 26" LCD monitor for my room... works great.