Sony Projection TV - Burn in or lamps? Something else?

[HRC]

Hey all.... I have a question. I have an older(5yrs) Sony projection TV that might be showing it's age of late. I receive over the air broadcasts from my HD tuner and most of the time.......the picture only fills the center part of the tv. Most of the time I have black bars on ALL the way around the picture. This varies depending on the aspect ratio of the station broadcasting. The problem is now when I watch bluray's with the 1:85 ratio or whichever it is that fills my entire tv screen......the part where my hd tuner normally displays it's picture is slightly darker. I can only see this on very bright(white/bright blue) scenes. Is this what is known as burn in?? Do I need a certian set of lamps? I just don't know if it's burn in or the lamps. Again, this is only noticeable during brightly lit scenes and is otherwise not noticeable at all. Is there a fix for this? Excuse my ignorance. I know the tv is old and down on quality and will be replaced when the time is right but for now.....it is bugging the shit out of me!!!

[NARMAK]

Lamp mate, it needs replacing, you will have probably noticed your TV dipping in brightness round your second year from when you got it

Google your TV number with bulb or lamp at the end, should be a couple of hundred to replace but sure you don't wana get a new TV now

[HRC]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Lamp mate, it needs replacing, you will have probably noticed your TV dipping in brightness round your second year from when you got it

Google your TV number with bulb or lamp at the end, should be a couple of hundred to replace but sure you don't wana get a new TV now

So, the lamps? I will have to check prices on fixing it. I do want to get a new TV but finances are tight right now. I road race motorcycles and have to get ready for the season. Kind of a priority. Are lamps relatively easy to replace yourself? I don't think I would want to spend over $200-$300 to fix it. I will have to check my model number and do some research.Thanks for the help and if anyone else has anything to add.....feel free. Thanks.

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by HRC

So, the lamps? I will have to check prices on fixing it. I do want to get a new TV but finances are tight right now. I road race motorcycles and have to get ready for the season. Kind of a priority. Are lamps relatively easy to replace yourself? I don't think I would want to spend over $200-$300 to fix it. I will have to check my model number and do some research.Thanks for the help and if anyone else has anything to add.....feel free. Thanks.

It should cost round $200-$300, the TV manual u got with the TV should show you how to do it, if not, look for a online documentation of your TV manual or a guide on how to replace, it should be straight forward though, a straight out & in procedure

[HRC]

Thanks bro. I'm searching although I am having trouble finding a bulb/lamp for my Sony KP-51WS510. I've searched many sites and none seem to recognize my TV. Hmmm.

I just don't understand why just the center part of the screen would be slightly darker while the rest is fine. Isn't there just one lamp and wouldn't it effect the entire screen area? I obviously don't know much about projection tv's but it just really seems to me that the HD tuner has worn out the part of the screen that it displays it's aspect ratio on. Anyone else have thoughts on this?