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.

1. Have your equipment powered down before connecting any cables. A signal cable carries a current while powered on and a sudden difference in electrical current can potentially burn out the projector lamp or cause other damage to projector components.

2. Use economy mode whenever possible. If your using a projector that has over 2000 lumens (a term used to describe the brightness of the projector), it usually has some sort of economy mode. If the event does not require full projector brightness use this mode to extend lamp life. Economy mode will lower the amount of lumens to save power and lengthen lamp life.

3. Avoid moving the projector as much as possible while it is powered on. The lamp, along with various other projector components, are sensitive to shakes or bumps. Any significant trauma could damage the projector and or lamp.

4. Do not unplug the projector after powering down. The cooling fan will continue to run in order to cool the lamp after shutting down the projector. It is recommended to keep it plugged in for at least another 3 minutes, doing otherwise could shorten the lamp’s life or even damage the lamp.

5. Clean your projector. Dust is the bane of projectors when allowed to collect in the filter or on the lens. A microfiber cloth works well for cleaning the lens. If dust collects on the filter it will block the filter and decrease air flow which can affect the projector’s cooling and can shorten lamp life.

You will have noticed in these tips that we pay special attention to preserving the life of the lamp. The reason for this is because the lamp is the most crucial part of the projector, and as such, is the most expensive component to replace. Projector costs have gone down significantly in the past few years, but replacement lamps have not. Lamps can cost up to $400 so you can see why it might be important to conserve as much lamp life as possible.

The Sharp XG-C50X projector was originally manufactured for distribution starting in July of 2002 and last shipped in May of 2004. The projector boasts some strong specifications that turn heads and keep ears piqued, even today in the fourth quarter of 2007. For example, the XG-C50X projector is completely HD compatible – it features 720p, 1035i and 1080i modes. The projector comes with a built in native resolution of 1024×768 and can crank up to a maximum resolution of 1600×1200 pixels. The projector displays this resolution with stunning clarity with an aspect ratio of 4:3. Peripheral inputs such as a PC connection and component video come standard.

In conclusion, the XG-C50X projector and the 250W projector lamp that it utilizes are a great value and should last you for years and years.

Brand: Sharp

LCD Projectors function by spotless light through transparent LCD cells. Most LCD projectors us advanced polysillicon LCDs, which use three separate color panels (red, green, and blue) to produce the preferred color. Projected images are produced by the combination of light shinning through the LCD cells. LCDs have excellent color saturation, usually have adjustable brightness and contrast, are typically brighter than DLPs at the same lumen output, and they have a broader range of connectivity.

DLP Projector (Digital Light Processing)

DLP projectors were developed by Texas Instruments and project images by reflecting lights against hundreds of little mirrors called digital micro devices (DMD). Each mirror representing one pixel is powered by electronics that adjust the angle of the mirror according to the color being displayed. DLP projectors are lighter in weight than their LCD counterparts. They are all digital technology and typically have higher contrast ratios, meaning that they project video images better than LCDs. They are portable, tend to be smaller and lighter than LCD projectors and connect easily to other digital devices.

Step 1

Make sure that the projector is switched off. Then remove the power cord from the unit completely.

Step 2

Remove the panel using screwdriver. Make sure that you do not damage the projector. It’s better to use Micro fiber cleaning cloth.

Step 3

Open the lamp section door. It’s located underneath the projector unit whereas in rear Projection TVs, the lamp section should be located in the rear towards the bottom left or right side of the TV. 2-4 screws will be holding the section in place. Remove the 2-4 screws which hold the lamp section and the lamp section door.

Step 4

Remove and pull up the lamp assembly. Then make sure that you do not get confused with the new and the old lamp.

Step 5

When projector is open there are chances of getting dust. Have a micro fiber cloth beside you.

Step 6

Insert the new lamp with out changing the orientation and reconnect the cables.

Step 7

Replace the lamp section door back into the place and carefully screw without screwing it tightly.

Note:

Always have a backup lamp in case the light go out unexpectedly.

Source Article: http://www.ehow.com/video_2203640_replace-projector-lamp.html

Do not touch the lamp with bare hands

One of the most frequent problems encountered is people replacing the bulbs with their bare hands. While this is fine for an ordinary light bulb, it is not a good practice for a projector lamp. The lamp in a projection unit burns much hotter than any regular light bulbs. The effects of touching it with bare skin are equally magnified and problematic.

Touching a projector bulb with the bare skin leaves traces of oil on the lamp surface. While this may seem a very minor detail, it is detrimental both to the bulb and the quality of the resulting multimedia display. The oils will get burnt onto the lamp and drastically reduce the lifespan. As the oil is baked into the surface, it actually diffuses the light being projected, reducing the lumens actually being sent to the refractive surfaces. The light will not be enough to project the image that has come to be expected from the home theater projection system. While the problem may not be noticeable at first, over the course of a little time, the quality will degrade to the point of not being viewable.

Turn off the projector power after turning off the lamp

It is highly recommended to turn the power on the projector to the “off” position only after having turned off the lamp and allowing it to cool. This will allow the cooling fans to do the job they were designed to do. While rapid cooling and heating result in repeated contractions and expansions of the bulb filament, it is much better that it be done more quickly with the cooling fans. Likewise, turning the projector on and allowing the cooling fans to run for a moment before turning on the lamp will help as well. This will add hours to bulb life expectancy and allow for longer hours of viewing pleasure on the home theater projection system.

Constant Movements

Constantly bumping or moving the projector, especially while it is hot can be very detrimental to the projector lamp. The filament in the bulb loses almost all tensile strength when it is heated during normal usage. It is much the same as the filament in a camp lantern. The principle is the same; the filament effectively becomes almost the same consistency as ash, making it extremely vulnerable to damage when it is hot. Even after proper cooling, the lamp filament is very sensitive. Care should be taken when moving the projector for whatever reason. While it is always a good idea to be careful with electronic equipment, some aspects of the home projector are actually a bit more sensitive.

It will usually be necessary to move the projector when cleaning the filters. As always, it is a good idea to move it carefully without jerking it around or bumping it any more than needed. Taking an extra moment or two to check the projector mount and make sure it is still securely fastened can also be beneficial and prevent slips and movement which may otherwise be harmful.

With a little care and a little preventative maintenance, the projector lamps will still need to be changed, but not nearly as often.

Note: This article may be republish for use in websites as long as the author bio and active hyperlinks are kept intact.

Clifford Tan, a Home Theater enthusiast and owner of the website Home Projector Advisor offering projector reviews, advice and many useful tips and hints to business and home consumers looking to purchase a home projectors. To find out alot more information about home projection system, visit the site http://www.home-projector-advisor.com

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