There are various types of projectors that are in use today. In certain settings, people still utilize older models, which use projector lamps that are very are to find. However, there are also other newer projectors that use different types of projector lamps. Unfortunately, there are many people who do not know the difference. It’s important to note that the type of projector that you currently own will ultimately dictate which type of projector lamp you are able to use. However, if you are thinking about purchasing a projector in the near future, one thing to think about for sure is the projector lamps and whether cheap or quality lamps are the best option for your purchase. This is the most important thing to consider when buying a projector, for the simple fact that you will eventually have to replace the projector lamp. Buying a projector that allows you to use the lamp that is easily replaceable but also lives up to your needs is the best way to go.

Comparing Projector Lamps

All of the different projector lamps have pros and cons, and one that is perfect for one person may not be for the other. For a long time, most projectors utilized halogen bulbs in their projector lamps; these have many pros. One of the biggest benefits of projector lamps that use halogen bulbs is that they are usually much less expensive than most other popular types of projector lamps. However, there are also many cons to these projector lamps. The fact of the matter is that they are cheap but also produce a cheap quality in terms of the image that is transferred. This is usually because there is a yellowish tint produced by these projector lamps that is quite undesirable. These bulbs often do not last as long as other types of projector lamps and the typical lifespan for the average projector lamp that utilizes a halogen bulb is around 100 hours.

Metal Halide Bulbs

The other available option when it comes to projector lamps – for people that do not want to use the cheap halogen bulb lamps – are projector lamps that use metal halide bulbs. The biggest con when it comes to these products is that they are typically much more expensive than the other options. However, there are many reasons that a lot of people prefer these lamps, mainly because of the quality images that these bulbs and projector lamps are able to produce. For this reason, many people have been opting for projector lamps that utilize metal halide bulbs rather than halogen bulbs. Another one of the biggest pros is the fact that there are many different options for replacing these projector lamps, as they are much easier to locate than projector lamps that still use halogen bulbs. By far, the biggest advantage to using projector lamps is the fact that they last a lot longer than all other types of projector lamps. The average lifespan for projector lamps that utilize metal halide lamps is anywhere from 1000-4000 hours, depending on the model type, brand, and amount of use.

Another thing to consider when it comes to projector lamps is whether or not you are able to use OEM lamps or compatible lamps. For those of you that are unfamiliar, OEM lamps are original lamps for your specific projector that are produced and made by the original manufacturer. These usually cost a lot more money than buying compatible projector lamps, which are made by third party companies to work for other projector types. The fact of the matter is that buying OEM lamps will allow you peace of mind, knowing you have the right lamp that is designed for your specific model of projector. However, you may be able to save a lot of money by purchasing compatible lamps from a third party company if you are able to do so.

The Connection Between Projector and Lamp

One of the best options available to people that are looking for compatible projector lamps is to try and find branded compatible lamps. These are compatible lamps that are made by a reputable and branded company. This is the best option for many people, as it will allow you to have the best of both worlds. This will give you the peace of mind of buying a lamp from a reputable company and still have the ability to save money, as compared to that of an OEM projector lamp.

The projector image looks very dim. Reason?

It indicated that you have to replace your projector lamp. In some projectors they have an inbulit option to check the hours used. Check your user guide for information about the features.

How many hours will my projector lamp work?

Just like any light bulb, projector bulbs have an expected operating time, called lamp life. This value is expressed in hours and represents the number of hours before the lamp is at half its original brightness.

The expected life of a lamp will vary based on the lamp technology and the projector; however, most projectors offer about 2000 hours. The lamp’s success rate is based on a bell curve, so that a majority of (but not all) lamps will meet the lamp life hours specified. Some lamps will fail sooner and this is part of the acceptable operating range of the rating.

For projectors that are used under normal operating conditions (no more than three to five hours per day in a clean, relatively dust-free environment) the lamp will have the greatest likelihood of lasting through its entire rated lamp life.

What can I do to help my projector lamp last longer?

There are several things you can do to increase your lamp life. Do not allow the projector to become overheated by ensuring that there is adequate clearance near the intake and exhaust vents.

Operate your projector in a clean, relatively dust-free environment.

Clean air filters every 3 months or more often if there is a lot of dust or contaminants in the room.

Striking the lamp ages the lamp as it causes slight changes to the shape of the electrodes that light the lamp, so light up your projector when you’re ready to use it and avoid frequent on and offs.

Avoid shock to the lamp or projector.

Use “Lamp Economy Mode”, If your projector has this feature, to lengthen the life of the lamp by reducing its brightness. In most cases you will get a 50% increase in lamp life with a 20% reduction in brightness and you will not likely notice the reduced lumen output.

Allow the projector fan to turn off after you power down and before you unplug the projector. The only exception to this is a projector that is designed to keep the fan turning for a brief period after removing power.

Hope this answers will help you!

Below are some of the questions you have to consider before purchasing a projector lamp.

1. Compatible or original

2. Bare bulb or lamp with module

3. Is the quality of the original lamp better than that of replacement lamp?

Compatible or original

Actually it depends. It’s like choosing a branded computer and a compatible computer. Original lamps are expensive but if you’re a brand man then go for it. A compatible lamp will bring you better price performance ratio, since we still use same filament that is used on original lamp, and we just use compatible lamp cup. So we recommend compatible. They do not have big difference from the original.

Bare bulb or lamp with module

If you think the following matches your situation, you might need a new lamp with module:

a. If you do not like to install it yourself

b. You are worried you might break the lamp when you install it, since the housing is very hard to be taken apart.

c. Your lamp housing is in a bad condition.

d. Dust particles left in the Module is very hard to remove, then you need to buy lamp with module.

If you are a handy man and your projector lamp housing is still in good condition, we think buying a bare bulb is a good choice of you. Buying a bare bulb can save you big money.

Is the quality of the original lamp better than that of replacement lamp?

It’s a tricky question. When projector manufacturer chooses a lamp supplier, they not only consider quality but cost as well. If supplier A provides the best quality with expensive prices and supplier B provide very good quality but not as good as that of supplier A, but it provides better prices. Who will the projector manufacturer choose? He will choose supplier B.

Projector lamp technology grows very fast. The quality of each supplier is not very different.

If your projector is an old model, the quality of a replacement lamp is most likely better than that of original lamp.

Even for new a projector lamp, the quality of replacement lamp is very close to the quality of original one.