Projector Lamp – Buy the best quality lamp for best performance.
One of the symptoms indicating that video projector lamps need replacing is a dimmer image than usual. This may indicate that you would need to replace the specific projector lamp. With the high-pressure mercury lamps, one will notice a dimming of the image as the lamp loses power. Some projectors will give you the option to check the number of hours left before having to replace the projector lamp, by using the built-in menu system. The user guide should usually give you more information on this option. Just like any other bulb, projector lamps also have a life expectancy, called projector lamp life. This is usually expressed in number of hours, and typically indicated as 1000 or 2000 hours. Some of the newer projector lamps claim that they can provide up to 4000 hours of projector lamp life and more.
It is suggested that projector lamps will have the longest life if they are only being used between three to five hours per day in a clean and relatively dust-free environment. When projectors are being exposed to contaminated environments and are being used more often, the projector lamp life will show a decrease. Usually projectors that are operated 24 hours a day for 7 days a week have the highest chance of projector lamp failure before the end of the rated hours.
In helping the projector lamps to last longer, make sure the projector doesn’t become overheated. Excessive heat has been proven to be the number one cause of lamp failure. Always try to follow the instructions given in the user manual for powering down the projector to ensure that the projector has had time to cool down.
Also try to operate the projector in a relatively dust-free environment, and try to utilize the economy mode as often as possible, if available.
Different bulbs also have different life expectancies. Halogen bulbs last approximately 70 hours, and metal hide lamps last approximately 1000 to 2000 hours. Halogen bulbs are also less expensive than metal hide bulbs. Halogen projector lamps give off a yellowish image and metal hide projector lamps a whiter image.
Osram video projector lamps are quite popular, together with brands like GE, Philips and Sylvania. These are all brands that can be purchased from the Projector Lamp Center.