HELP! What's wrong with My Mitsubishi DLP? - Blu-ray Forum

jpthomas27 · 07-15-2008, 01:46 AM

I have a 52" Mitsubish DLP and when I turned it on yesterday the picture was all washed out. It's almost like the brightness was turned all the way up, or the contrast was turned all the way down. The color and quality are just horrible.

My HD cable box is connected via component and all connection have been checked.

My Blu-ray is connected via HDMI directly to the TV and the picture from that is also degraded significantly and has the same effect as the TV picture I described below.

I have replaced the bulb once, about 6-9 monthes ago and when it went out, it simply went out and the TV was dark. This is what I have heard described by others when the bulb goes out as well, so my first instinct is that it isn't the bulb.

So... It's not the connections, the cables or the video source since the picture is being effected on multiple sources, cables and connection and dit's not the bulb (I think).

The question is, what is it?

Please help, I'm not really wanting to by a new TV at this point but I don't want to put too much money into repair on a 3 year old set when all the new set's are soooo much better.

Any ideas on what happened to my HDTV all of the sudden?

finalfantasy · 07-15-2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpthomas27

I have a 52" Mitsubish DLP and when I turned it on yesterday the picture was all washed out. It's almost like the brightness was turned all the way up, or the contrast was turned all the way down. The color and quality are just horrible.

My HD cable box is connected via component and all connection have been checked.

My Blu-ray is connected via HDMI directly to the TV and the picture from that is also degraded significantly and has the same effect as the TV picture I described below.

I have replaced the bulb once, about 6-9 monthes ago and when it went out, it simply went out and the TV was dark. This is what I have heard described by others when the bulb goes out as well, so my first instinct is that it isn't the bulb.

So... It's not the connections, the cables or the video source since the picture is being effected on multiple sources, cables and connection and dit's not the bulb (I think).

The question is, what is it?

Please help, I'm not really wanting to by a new TV at this point but I don't want to put too much money into repair on a 3 year old set when all the new set's are soooo much better.

Any ideas on what happened to my HDTV all of the sudden?

Sorry to hear your troubles...does DLP have a light source? Perhaps it's the bulb...

brett_day · 07-15-2008, 01:48 AM

i think you answered your own question man! almost certainly the bulb is starting to die / died on you, that sucks dude! i would say it is time for a new tv! thats the only problem with bul powered tv's! there lifeis far shorter than the panels in lcd and plasma sets!

finalfantasy · 07-15-2008, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brett_day

i think you answered your own question man! almost certainly the bulb is starting to die / died on you, that sucks dude! i would say it is time for a new tv! thats the only problem with bul powered tv's! there lifeis far shorter than the panels in lcd and plasma sets!

a 60 watt incandescent light bulb won't work?

theprophecy247 · 07-15-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalfantasy

a 60 watt incandescent light bulb won't work?

lol no it wont, try checking a different cable box dude, ive heard sometimes a cable box can lead to problems especially if its old. Also try a new HDMI cable, bascially try everything u can before u give up. I mean repalcing a cable and box would be a lost cheaper then replacing a TV

twhite56 · 07-15-2008, 06:01 AM

How old is the TV? Does it have a color wheel? I know the older DLP's had one.

jpthomas27 · 07-15-2008, 06:19 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm not sure I have gotten to the bottom of this one yet though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalfantasy

Sorry to hear your troubles...does DLP have a light source? Perhaps it's the bulb...

I've changed the bulb once already. I'm hesitant to think it's the bulb because when a bulb goes out...it goes out. Just like a regular light bulb, it just pops and then nothing but black. In this case the picture suddely looks horrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theprophecy247

lol no it wont, try checking a different cable box dude, ive heard sometimes a cable box can lead to problems especially if its old. Also try a new HDMI cable, bascially try everything u can before u give up. I mean repalcing a cable and box would be a lost cheaper then replacing a TV

The reason I'm pretty sure it's not the cable box or cables is because my blu-ray player looks the same way when I put in a movie. The blu-ray player is a different source, with a different cable and a different input to the TV. This virtually eliminates any of those things from being the problem and everything points to the TV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by twhite56

How old is the TV? Does it have a color wheel? I know the older DLP's had one.

No color wheel on this one.

Thanks again for the help! Anyone else with some ideas?

sportssmacky · 07-15-2008, 06:38 PM

I have a mitsubishi as well. mine did that for a day or two the the bulb went out. I would guess its the bulb

bmr76 · 07-16-2008, 04:08 AM

try unplugging it from the wall for at least a minute. That will reset the mitsubishis internal computer. If that doesnt do it, it sounds like your main board might be starting to go. I sell tvs for a living, and unfortunately we have a lot of different problems with mits tvs. Im guessing at least 500 dollar repair, at the min.

jpthomas27 · 07-16-2008, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmr76

try unplugging it from the wall for at least a minute. That will reset the mitsubishis internal computer. If that doesnt do it, it sounds like your main board might be starting to go. I sell tvs for a living, and unfortunately we have a lot of different problems with mits tvs. Im guessing at least 500 dollar repair, at the min.

Thanks, I'll try unplugging it tonight and see if it's better in the morning. A min of $500 to repair definately points me in the direction of upgrading. Not really wanting to put out that kind of cash right now, but spending more than $500 to repair a DLP that is only 1080i isn't worth it, at least not in my opionion.

I've already replaced the bulb once (around $200) so this repair could put me somewhere around $800 or even more for a TV that is probably only worth $1000 (a guess) at this point.

proxpilot · 01-04-2009, 12:06 AM

i wonder if it at all possible that the bulb is just dirty? just throwing out ideas

JR8300 · 01-04-2009, 12:51 AM

repair your set...most likely bulb and sell it for the price of repairs. You will not get $1000 for that set there is no chance unless you rob someone blind.

hellerjon · 07-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Hey there,

Just so you know, I came across this post while searching for something else and joined to respond to your post. So here's what's going on with your TV. It's NOT the bulb...(well actually it's a tiny bit your bulb, but I'll get to that).

Your mirrors are probably extremely dirty. Everyone always says "the bulb needs to be replaced" or something of that sort. How your tv works is , the projector shoots the image off of a mirror that is located right in the front of your tv behind the physical screen. When that builds up dust, it causes "blooming" and makes your picture look like garbage. About 2 years ago I felt like my mitsubishi DLP was a poor TV and was about to get rid of it, but instead a guy came over looking to fix it and pulled the front screen off and just ran a vaccum over the mirror.

I do this every few months now myself and you should too. It's really simple. Unscrew the screws around the edging of the back of the TV and along the front as well. It'll take you about an hour to figure it out the first time and each time after that may take you 15 minutes.

It's a little intimidating at first but after doing it once, you'll be a pro.

Getting back to your bulb. One other thing you can do is you can remove your bulb and clean the dust off of that as well. The dust that's on your bulb will also allow for less light to come through. That's literally a 5 minute job to pull the bulb out and clean it off. Just do it when your tv hasn't been on for a while.

Your bulb doesn't fade over time, thats a bunch of BS. It looks like it fades because you have more and more dust on the bulb so clean the mirrors off and clean the bulb. Don't worry about the fact that you're opening up your TV. If you have any questions, you can email me at hellerjon@gmail.com.

Enjoy it.

Jon Heller

OARmaster · 07-13-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpthomas27

No color wheel on this one.

Thanks again for the help! Anyone else with some ideas?

All Mitsubishi DLP's have a color wheel. The LED Samsung DLP's are the only DLP's that don't use a color wheel.

07-15-2008, 01:46 AM	#1
jpthomas27 Senior Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:SoCal	HELP! What's wrong with My Mitsubishi DLP? I have a 52" Mitsubish DLP and when I turned it on yesterday the picture was all washed out. It's almost like the brightness was turned all the way up, or the contrast was turned all the way down. The color and quality are just horrible. My HD cable box is connected via component and all connection have been checked. My Blu-ray is connected via HDMI directly to the TV and the picture from that is also degraded significantly and has the same effect as the TV picture I described below. I have replaced the bulb once, about 6-9 monthes ago and when it went out, it simply went out and the TV was dark. This is what I have heard described by others when the bulb goes out as well, so my first instinct is that it isn't the bulb. So... It's not the connections, the cables or the video source since the picture is being effected on multiple sources, cables and connection and dit's not the bulb (I think). The question is, what is it? Please help, I'm not really wanting to by a new TV at this point but I don't want to put too much money into repair on a 3 year old set when all the new set's are soooo much better. Any ideas on what happened to my HDTV all of the sudden?

07-12-2009, 12:35 PM	#13
hellerjon New Member Member since:Jul 2009	I know what's wrong with your Mitsubishi TV Hey there, Just so you know, I came across this post while searching for something else and joined to respond to your post. So here's what's going on with your TV. It's NOT the bulb...(well actually it's a tiny bit your bulb, but I'll get to that). Your mirrors are probably extremely dirty. Everyone always says "the bulb needs to be replaced" or something of that sort. How your tv works is , the projector shoots the image off of a mirror that is located right in the front of your tv behind the physical screen. When that builds up dust, it causes "blooming" and makes your picture look like garbage. About 2 years ago I felt like my mitsubishi DLP was a poor TV and was about to get rid of it, but instead a guy came over looking to fix it and pulled the front screen off and just ran a vaccum over the mirror. I do this every few months now myself and you should too. It's really simple. Unscrew the screws around the edging of the back of the TV and along the front as well. It'll take you about an hour to figure it out the first time and each time after that may take you 15 minutes. It's a little intimidating at first but after doing it once, you'll be a pro. Getting back to your bulb. One other thing you can do is you can remove your bulb and clean the dust off of that as well. The dust that's on your bulb will also allow for less light to come through. That's literally a 5 minute job to pull the bulb out and clean it off. Just do it when your tv hasn't been on for a while. Your bulb doesn't fade over time, thats a bunch of BS. It looks like it fades because you have more and more dust on the bulb so clean the mirrors off and clean the bulb. Don't worry about the fact that you're opening up your TV. If you have any questions, you can email me at hellerjon@gmail.com. Enjoy it. Jon Heller

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07-15-2008, 01:48 AM	#3
brett_day Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Moore, Oklahoma Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray collection:45 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	i think you answered your own question man! almost certainly the bulb is starting to die / died on you, that sucks dude! i would say it is time for a new tv! thats the only problem with bul powered tv's! there lifeis far shorter than the panels in lcd and plasma sets!

07-15-2008, 06:01 AM	#6
twhite56 Junior Member Member since:Jul 2008 Home Theater Gallery:5 Blu-ray collection:118	How old is the TV? Does it have a color wheel? I know the older DLP's had one.

07-15-2008, 06:38 PM	#8
sportssmacky Member Member since:Sep 2007	I have a mitsubishi as well. mine did that for a day or two the the bulb went out. I would guess its the bulb

07-16-2008, 04:08 AM	#9
bmr76 Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	try unplugging it from the wall for at least a minute. That will reset the mitsubishis internal computer. If that doesnt do it, it sounds like your main board might be starting to go. I sell tvs for a living, and unfortunately we have a lot of different problems with mits tvs. Im guessing at least 500 dollar repair, at the min.

01-04-2009, 12:06 AM	#11
proxpilot Special Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:High Point, North Carolina Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:108 Trading Score:1	i wonder if it at all possible that the bulb is just dirty? just throwing out ideas

01-04-2009, 12:51 AM	#12
JR8300 Active Member Member since:Jun 2008 Blu-ray collection:33	repair your set...most likely bulb and sell it for the price of repairs. You will not get $1000 for that set there is no chance unless you rob someone blind.

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