Bulb check - Blu-ray Forum

audiofreq · 07-28-2008, 02:29 PM

Is there anyway to test a DLP bulb outside of the TV. Mine shows no sign of wear. I am trying to determine if it is the bulb or the TV without needlessly buying a new bulb.

SDBlu · 07-31-2008, 11:45 PM

Depending on your tv, when the bulb burns out you will know. The tv will simply not turn on anymore, and if yours is like mine was there is a red led on the front panel of the tv that will light up indicating the bulb needs replacing.

mdabb · 08-01-2008, 12:05 AM

Depending on your TV you can access the "service menu" and check the hours on the lamp. I know how to do Samsung but I wouldn't recommend to anyone to play around in the "service menu" though!!!!!!!!!!! However it's not that difficult to check. Also the average lamp life is 2-5000 hours depending on TV model.

As already stated most TVs have some sort of indication when it is time to replace the lamp. Sometimes the TV will shut itself off too.

jswilli1 · 08-01-2008, 12:09 AM

Generally right before the bulb craps out, your picture will be very dark and then the bulb will not fire at all. My Sony went about a week or so where the picture was dim and then it was all over. $150 and a week later I had a picture again!

DiverSpear · 08-01-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdabb

Depending on your TV you can access the "service menu" and check the hours on the lamp. I know how to do Samsung but I wouldn't recommend to anyone to play around in the "service menu" though!!!!!!!!!!! However it's not that difficult to check. Also the average lamp life is 2-5000 hours depending on TV model.

As already stated most TVs have some sort of indication when it is time to replace the lamp. Sometimes the TV will shut itself off too.

I have a Samsung DLP. How do you access the service menu? You can PM me or post it. Thanks

mdabb · 08-01-2008, 02:54 PM

It's not a well kept secret or anything but caution is advised. You should write down all the values too before trying to adjust anything. Still if you are interested I'd rather PM. It would also be wise to have a copy of your TVs service manual usually around $28. You may find additional info that is helpful about your TV model in the "owners thread" at AVS. Sometimes you might even find ISF calibration values listed for the same model as yours. It may or may not be of any use though so "write down the factory values before changing anything".

If you are just looking for the hours of use on the lamp then that won't hurt anything. Just don't reset it unless you are changing lamps.

Pelican170 · 08-01-2008, 03:49 PM

I have a Samsung DLP as well and have been curious about this. The light for lamp when i turn the tv on, flashes green then goes away, but i dont remember it doing this when i first got it. Anyone know? Also, does anyone know if its easy to install another bulb themselves?

07-28-2008, 02:29 PM	#1
audiofreq Junior Member Member since:Jul 2008	Bulb check Is there anyway to test a DLP bulb outside of the TV. Mine shows no sign of wear. I am trying to determine if it is the bulb or the TV without needlessly buying a new bulb.

08-01-2008, 02:54 PM	#6
mdabb Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Trading Score:1	It's not a well kept secret or anything but caution is advised. You should write down all the values too before trying to adjust anything. Still if you are interested I'd rather PM. It would also be wise to have a copy of your TVs service manual usually around $28. You may find additional info that is helpful about your TV model in the "owners thread" at AVS. Sometimes you might even find ISF calibration values listed for the same model as yours. It may or may not be of any use though so "write down the factory values before changing anything". If you are just looking for the hours of use on the lamp then that won't hurt anything. Just don't reset it unless you are changing lamps. Last edited by mdabb; 08-01-2008 at 04:25 PM. Reason: extra comment

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07-31-2008, 11:45 PM	#2
SDBlu Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:So Cal Blu-ray collection:171	Depending on your tv, when the bulb burns out you will know. The tv will simply not turn on anymore, and if yours is like mine was there is a red led on the front panel of the tv that will light up indicating the bulb needs replacing.

08-01-2008, 12:05 AM	#3
mdabb Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Trading Score:1	Depending on your TV you can access the "service menu" and check the hours on the lamp. I know how to do Samsung but I wouldn't recommend to anyone to play around in the "service menu" though!!!!!!!!!!! However it's not that difficult to check. Also the average lamp life is 2-5000 hours depending on TV model. As already stated most TVs have some sort of indication when it is time to replace the lamp. Sometimes the TV will shut itself off too.

08-01-2008, 12:09 AM	#4
jswilli1 Active Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Rio Rancho, NM Blu-ray collection:32	Generally right before the bulb craps out, your picture will be very dark and then the bulb will not fire at all. My Sony went about a week or so where the picture was dim and then it was all over. $150 and a week later I had a picture again!

08-01-2008, 03:49 PM	#7
Pelican170 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Newtown, CT 4K collection:94 Blu-ray collection:697 DVD collection:256 Trading Score:13	I have a Samsung DLP as well and have been curious about this. The light for lamp when i turn the tv on, flashes green then goes away, but i dont remember it doing this when i first got it. Anyone know? Also, does anyone know if its easy to install another bulb themselves?

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