When to replace the bulb and when to replace the projector?
First thing to look at is whether your projector is still projecting an
image but the brightness of the image is poor. This means that the projector
is working OK but you need a replacement lamp. If the projector won't switch
on, or the bulb went pop, then it is best to contact the manufacturer of the projector for
a repair if still under warranty. This is because there may be a fault with the unit
that is causing the bulb to pop and putting in another light bulb could be an expensive mistake.
If the projector is faulty and out of warranty (projectors usually have a minimum
of 2 years) then look for a replacement projector instead.
Many of the replacement projector bulbs cost hundreds of pounds.
When considering replacing your projector bulb then also take into account the age of your
projector and how much warranty it has left. It may not be worth spending this kind
of money on a replacement lamp for an old projector. You can currently get a
1024x768 pixel, high brightness projector for under £350+VAT There are also widescreen
projectors for use with widescreen notebooks and whiteboards which have only recently
come onto the UK projector market.. Having said that, if
the projector is mounted in a ceiling bracket, make sure that you look if the bracket is a
universal one, i.e. one that fits any projector, or if it is one that was specific to your
projector. The cost of installing a new projector may be prohibitive if you don't
have a universal bracket. For current projector pricing, then visit:
http://www.wedgwood-group.com/projectors.htm
and look at the projectors under £1,000 comparison chart.
What to do with your old projector if you decide it is uneconomic
to replace the bulb?
The UK WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations mean
that you just can't skip an old projector anymore. They have to be disposed of and a
certificate of disposal obtained. If the projector is working, but the lamp is just
faint, then this projector is ideal for home cinema where you can darken the room.
Many projectors designed for home cinema have a much lower brightness that a
projector designed for business or educational use. You could consider selling the
projector to an employee or sell the projector on eBay. You could also consider
donating the projector to local charities or old people's homes, but make sure you
get a receipt for your records.
If the projector is broken, then you can still sell it on eBay. You
will obviously need to give information on the symptoms and make it clear in the auction
title that it is for 'spares or repair;'. There are a lot of people who repair them
at home or use the parts to repair other projectors. If the projector won't even
turn on, then the chances are that the bulb may still be OK and even second hand, the light bulb
has a value due to the high cost of new light bulbs. Epson, Hitachi, Sanyo and Toshiba projectors
seem to sell very well, even broken ones.
Original projector lamps vs. compatible lamps
Wedgwood used to sell compatible projector light bulbs from the two main
manufacturers that supply them. However, our customers had problems so we no
longer supply compatible lamps. If your projector is quite old and out of warranty, then
they can be worth considering, however compatible lamps will invalidate any manufacturer
warranty you have remaining.
Most popular projector replacement lamp brands:
Acer, BenQ, Epson, Hitachi, Infocus, Mitsubishi, NEC, Philips, Sanyo, Sony and Toshiba.
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