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.

Halogen Bulbs are mainly used for projection purpose for many years. These halogen bulbs produce a yellow tone on images. Projector lamps produce white light with the help of metal halide bulb. The produced white light shines onto a number of small glasses in the projector and passes the image through air and onto the screen. There are three main types of projector lamps overhead projector lamps, slide projectors and multimedia.

They have a flat surface. The image created by the bulb is sent to a special type of mirror which makes the image bigger and projects onto a blank screen. These type of overhead projectors are used in class rooms for education purposes. Business people can also use these in conference and meetings.

They contain a special slot for 35 millimeter slide. Slide shows are best used by business people and teachers who rely on demonstrating things. Photographers use these for special photography projects. They are easy to store and you can rely on them for long time.

The multimedia projectors are the most expensive. They project images, videos to a movie screen or onto a wall. They are used at movie theaters and expensive home

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