NEC projectors brightness very low - even after replacing with OEM bulb

[genesis]

Hi

 

We have many NEC projectors and it is 3 Years since we installed these projectors. When the bulb fuses and when we replace with original NEC bulbs , the brightness is not good , when the projectors were new.

 

Will the lens needs to be cleaned and is it something i can do.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks

[NB9457]

We had this with a lot of NEC projectors, to the point where it was just easier to replace them with Epson ones. Not too sure what it was that caused it, maybe the LCD panel dying?

[Passat1983ICTech]

have you cleaned the front of the projector how old is this might need a deep clean doing to this with a company

[genesis]

I have cleaned front of the projector. Is it hazardous to deep clean by myself.

[Joanne]

I have cleaned front of the projector. Is it hazardous to deep clean by myself.

 

Just make sure you note where all the lenses live and you should be ok. Do you have a broken one you could practise on?

[Kitkat]

HID style lamps produce a lot of heat. Ultra fine particles in the atmosphere, like carbon from motors, epidermis, pollen and nano particles, that find their way past the filter. Find their way into the lens assembly, and the heat fuses the particles onto the surface of the glass. Around year three of a five year/six year life cycle it begins to become noticeable. Once beautiful and vivid colours appear to fade to grey. The brightness is visibly diminished and is in slow decline until the end of life of the product. Often changing a rather expensive HID bulb presents very little improvement to the quality of the image. It is a feature of most HID projectors, like a lot of NEC, Epson etc. LED and laser projectors claim that their products maintain their colour and bright image over a much greater period of time. We shall see.

 

On the last round of procurement, we slightly over specified the projectors, (Epson), at 3200 lumen's, and from the outset ran them in Eco mode at 2240 lumen's. This experiment has paid off for us (215 projector fleet). We are half way through year 4 of a 5 year cycle, (replacing next summer). The majority of the projectors are a whole lot brighter and more colourful than we expected at this time. The lens assemblies not being exposed to such an intensity of heat for such a long period of time, has resulted in a cleaner image; and so far, no complaints from the lecturers. However the images are starting to dim visibly, but still very use-able.

 

Grinding the surfaces of the lens assembly sounds like an interesting challenge.

[Kitkat]

I forgot to mention the other, and more prominent issue that the Organic LCD panels loose their effectiveness from day 1. Lamps produce terrific heat and emit UV. Both of there factors degrade the RGB LCD panels from the moment we unpackage them and get them up and running. Many manufacturers have moved to DLP chip, with no LCD panels.

 

The life expectancy is massively increased, with a trade off that the colours initially are not great compared to a new Epson or NEC LCD etc. (colours coming from a spinning colour wheel). However the colours and brightness last a long time, and the light sources are often LED/Laser. Both of which emit much reduced heat, and no UV. Epson have moved to inorganic LCD panels which are expected to last longer than Organic LCD panels. We the education customers will have to decide if this has improved things.

 

One drawback of DLP is that on lower end models, some people can see the 'Rainbow Effect'. Not everyone can see it, it all depends on how our brains decide to interpret the tiny flashing images that make up the motion picture. Some peoples brains pick up on it instantly, and some it begins after a while, and once spotted, it persists for some.I cannot see it and i have exceptional eyesight normally. However some of my colleagues can see it and they mention it can cause a very mild sense of nausea.

 

I am sure we can agree, its a tricky set of technologies to decide between.