A lil' DLP help

[BStecke]

My mother-in-law has a Samsung DLP (I want to say it's an HLR4667w, or something close) that she's had for a year and a half at the most. The set has always seemed like it hasn't had the brightness or detail that it's supposed to . . . while my DLP is a better model, mine makes hers look downright awful. There is absolutely no detail in the picture, and if you set the black levels properly you can't even see the picture. To make the picture viewable the blacks come out gray. Not even almost black, but straight up charcoal gray. There is also some movement in the picture at all times . . . horizontal "ghostly" bars that are fairly hard to see, but are definitely noticeable once you see them.

She has requested a technician to come out and take a look at the set (she's got the Best Buy 4 year service plan). My first thought would be to replace the bulb, but I was wondering if any of these conditions could be indicative of another problem. The only thing I could think of that would really affect it would be the light engine.

If anybody has any ideas, let me know. The tech. is coming out on Saturday and I'm planning on being there at the same time. I appreciate any suggestions.

[Pelican170]

I have a Samsung DLP also. I would say the bulb and light engine would be the things to check. Not sure what else it could be...

[BStecke]

I was just thinking, could the power supply be a potential issue as well? Maybe it's just not pushing enough juice? That's the only other thing I can imagine. As far as what makes them tick, these are fairly simple sets, I would imagine these are really the only possibilities . . .

[Pelican170]

Yea thats really strange what you described about that tv. Was something set strangly, like color levels or anything??

[BStecke]

No, everything's about where it should be. I did the calibration myself by eye, but I've done enough calibrations with discs that it should be at least close. The colors are dull, blacks are gray, detail is nil . . . it's the weirdest thing. The biggest sign of a problem, to me, is that if the black levels are set anywhere near the proper level, the picture is so dark you can't see the picture. No amount of adjustment of anything makes it look any better.

[househead]

maybe there's dirt inside? or something obstructing the light tunnel? something that is still allowing it to pass light....but really screwing up the picture?

dust bunny, bug, debris, etc.

keep us updated on how it turns out!