DLP Lamps: When to Replace Them and Where to Find the Best Deals

Invented in 1987, DLP technology is now responsible for lighting thousands of digital projectors and televisions worldwide. DLP stands for digital light processing, which uses thousands of small mirrors to project pixels onto a screen for viewing. In addition to leading the way in terms of front projection systems, DLP technology is also a market leader in digital cinema due to its ability to produce high contrast images on the screen. Of course, the other common use for DLP is though rear-projection televisions. This form of image technology has gained popularity due to its smooth rendering and cheaper price point as compared to LCD or plasma technology.

As DLP technology has increased in popularity so has the need for replacement lamps. Many owners of DLP television sets are surprised to learn that the DLP lamps need to be replaced after a certain amount of use. Not replacing your lamps will negatively reflect the image quality displayed on screen in the form of less saturated colors, so it’s important to replace them in a timely manner. The following article will provide some information regarding lamp replacement and will include some tips for getting the best prices on DLP lamps.

Few things are more irritating than having the picture quality of your television degrade right before your eyes, though this is what thousands of DLP television and projector owners experience each and every year. This can be particularly frustrating when it's unexpected, which leads many people to outright question the longevity of DLP lamps. In general, it's a safe bet to estimate the usable life of a DLP lamp at around 1000 to 2000 hours, though individual results may vary. Lamp life will depend largely on the manufacturer of the bulb, so assigning a specific figure to all bulbs is difficult to do.

Once you know the estimated lifespan it's fairly easy to calculate the expected replacement date based on your average daily usage. Say, for example, that you watch 2 hours of television per day. At 2000 hours it would take you 1,000 days or just under 3 years before you needed to replace your lamp. Of course, your individual figure could vary depending upon your specific usage, but this should give you a great ballpark date for replacement. Ultimately, you’ll know when it’s time to replace your lamp, as the screen will begin to dim and colors won’t be as vibrant as they once were. Fortunately, the process won’t happen overnight, but you will need to think about replacement once it becomes noticeable.

Perhaps the most frustrating part of the replacement process is the cost for a new lamp, which can run close to $200. Like with anything you purchase, price will be highly dependent on the manufacturer of the bulb and where you purchase it. The best thing to do when looking up a replacement option is to seek the advice of the manufacturer or your television or projector. They can give you a list of recommended replacement options and may also provide some assistance with locating a retailer. When searching for replacement lamps it's best to go online, where you will find a variety of reputable dealers to choose from. Online retailers will offer the best selection and most competitive pricing and most will guarantee their product to arrive in working condition. Whether you're looking for Samsung DLP lamp, a Mitsubishi DLP lamp or a Toshiba DLP lamp you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for online.

If there is any good news regarding lamp replacement it’s that the lamps themselves are easy to replace. You simply need to remove the back cover from your television set or projector, untwist the bulb from its socket and install the new one. If you have any trouble accessing the bulb in your device then it’s probably best to contact the manufacturer of the device in question.