Almost all home theaters and business organization depend on UHP lamp. These are lamps that use mercury. In projector you will see them called UPH (ultra high pressure), or any of a half dozen plus acronyms. Trying to tell them apart by the different names, is mostly a waste of time. UHP, UHM, NSH, UHE, etc, are the same thing, in almost all cases

Another type of lamp are very high end, and extremely bright projectors, and its totally different. They are Zenon lamps. Comparatively Zenon lamps have a better colour range that mercury lamp (UHP). They are expensive and have very a shorter life when compared to UHP lamps. They tend to start at over $1000, and typically have a lamp life of 500 to 1500 hours compared to UHP lamps good for 1500 to 5000 hours. They also are usually only found on projectors that sell for more than $10,000

The often replaced product in projector is bulb. Replacing the lamp or projector bulb is really easy. The actual problem lies in selection of projector bulb. The following information may help you to select proper bulb.First and foremost, determine what type of projector bulbs your projector requires. You may be able to purchase either Halogen or Metal Halide bulbs, depending on the type of projector you have.

The two main bulb types for LCD based equipment are Halogen and Metal Halide. The main differences between these two bulb types are:

• Halogen bulbs are more inexpensive than Metal Halide bulbs. Halogen bulbs typically cost about $75 (perfect for gifts), whereas Metal Halide bulbs can cost as much as $300

• Halogen bulbs differ from Metal Halide bulbs in lighting effects, Halogen bulbs display a yellowish tint on displayed images, whereas Metal Halide bulbs display a white tint to displayed images.

• Halogen bulbs are more affordable than Metal Halide bulbs. Halogen bulbs typically cost about $75 (perfect for gifts), whereas Metal Halide bulbs can cost as much as $300.

• Halogen bulbs differ from Metal Halide bulbs in lighting effects, Halogen bulbs display a yellowish tint on displayed images, whereas Metal Halide bulbs display a white tint to displayed images.

• Metal Halide bulbs will fade before burning out, but Halogen bulbs will completely burn out when the end of their useful life has been reached.

• Metal Halide life is more when compared to Halogen bulbs. Halogen bulbs typically last about 70 operating hours, whereas Metal Halide bulbs typically last over 1,000 operating hours.

• Halogen bulbs are based on older technology, whereas Metal Halide bulbs are based on newer technology.

So the above factors suggest that Metal Halide bulbs are superior to Halogen bulbs. The decision to purchase which bulb is really a matter of initial price of the product.

Article source: http://www.projectorlampshelp.com/projectorbulbs.html

Projector Lamp Warranty

Warranties differ between manufacturers so check with users manual. If you do not have users’ manual, request through websites. There are many websites which provide user manuals if you request. Normally the warranty is 60 or 90 days from the date you buy with receipt.

Projector Lamp Life Expectancy

Older projector lamps last roughly one thousand hours. Newer multimedia projectors last double the time when compared to older projector lamps. Few multimedia projectors can last even up to four thousand hours.
There are two different lamp ratings in their specs. The lower number is the projector lamp life expectancy under normal use. There are also a higher number of hours offered if you use the projector in Eco-mode.

Keep away from unsafe climates

Keep away from extreme cold conditions. When projector lamp is exposed to 40 degree or below it may explode if you turn on immediately. Allow the projector to warm to room temperature before turning on the projector so that you can avoid the dangerous scenario of an exploding projector lamp.

Discard the lamp properly

Some projector lamps contain mercury. Some states have laws that require projector lamps to be disposed of as a hazardous material if they contain mercury. Check with your audio-visual sales associate to find out what the projector lamp disposal laws are for your state.

Avoid disturbing projector

Don’t disturb your projector when it is in switched on state, this may also lead to shorten your lamp life and at the worst, it could cause the projector lamp to burst.

Article Source: http://www.avpartner.com/tips_lamps.aspx