Hitachi projector flickering issue

[hardtailstar]

Hi all,

 

We have Hitachi CP-WX4042WN projectors and most of them have started flickering.

 

We have eliminated it being the cables by testing with different cables and power source.

 

But they still flicker.

 

Does anyone have the same models or had them with the same issue?

 

Thanks in advance

[Chaniel]

What are the lamp hours on the projector? Usually a flicker indicates the lamp is at the end of it's life and that's when we start to replace them.

 

You might be able to reduce any flicker by putting the projector in eco mode.

[hardtailstar]

What are the lamp hours on the projector? Usually a flicker indicates the lamp is at the end of it's life and that's when we start to replace them.

 

You might be able to reduce any flicker by putting the projector in eco mode.

 

its a mix as its happening on quite a few. bulbs replaced too and still happening.

 

Thanks

[ste78564]

We had an NEC flicker due to the filter not been cleaned and clogged with dust so could of been over heating. Once both filters (the hidden clogged up filter) on the projector had been cleaned the flickering stopped.

[Quinny81]

What are they mounted with? Is the ceiling solid? I've had one where it was because of the wobble every time someone walked over the area upstairs it caused it. Was a bit of a pain we tried rubber seals on the mount to cushion it a bit which helped. Could also be if the bulbs have not been fitted correctly when replaced.

[hardtailstar]

What are they mounted with? Is the ceiling solid? I've had one where it was because of the wobble every time someone walked over the area upstairs it caused it. Was a bit of a pain we tried rubber seals on the mount to cushion it a bit which helped. Could also be if the bulbs have not been fitted correctly when replaced.

 

The upstairs ones are doing it too, ceiling solid, its on a pole with a universal mount.

 

Its happening on ones where bulb not replaced.

[SamanthaD]

By flicker do you mean the whole image moving, or is the image cutting in and out rapidly within the same projected image?

 

Hope you can understand the difference I'm trying to ascertain!

 

Also some details on configuration could be useful - are you connecting via HDMI or VGA? What resolution are you driving it at? Approx cable lengths?

[hardtailstar]

By flicker do you mean the whole image moving, or is the image cutting in and out rapidly within the same projected image?

 

Hope you can understand the difference I'm trying to ascertain!

 

Also some details on configuration could be useful - are you connecting via HDMI or VGA? What resolution are you driving it at? Approx cable lengths?

 

Some are cutting in and out, some its the picture.

 

This flickering only seems visible when a laptop/computer connected.

 

All VGA and cable length 10-15 meters depending on classroom.

 

Just changed over a projector in one room that had it worse than the others and the issue is still there.

 

Resolutions all different from laptops but the laptops have been tested on other projectors and all working fine. Cant remember what resolution the projectors are at.

[SamanthaD]

My italics...

 

Some are cutting in and out, some its the picture. This suggests 2 different problems? 1 where the image jumps and 1 where the image signal is briefly lost?

This flickering only seems visible when a laptop/computer connected. So the projector menu screen is not affected - on either of the issues above? Is there an on board test picture you can load to see if the symptoms remain on this?

All VGA and cable length 10-15 meters depending on classroom. This should be fine - if it was HDMI at that distance I'd be a little worried.

Just changed over a projector in one room that had it worse than the others and the issue is still there.

Resolutions all different from laptops but the laptops have been tested on other projectors and all working fine. Cant remember what resolution the projectors are at. Those projectors are WXGA - 1280 x 800. If laptops are outputting higher than that (1080p for example) it may be a simple case of the projector can't cope with the signal it's being given. Your other projectors may have higher resolution capacity hence why it works on them. Try running them at a lower resolution (1366 x 768?) and see if the symptoms remain.

[hardtailstar]

My italics...

 

Some are cutting in and out, some its the picture. This suggests 2 different problems? 1 where the image jumps and 1 where the image signal is briefly lost?

This flickering only seems visible when a laptop/computer connected. So the projector menu screen is not affected - on either of the issues above? Is there an on board test picture you can load to see if the symptoms remain on this?

All VGA and cable length 10-15 meters depending on classroom. This should be fine - if it was HDMI at that distance I'd be a little worried.

Just changed over a projector in one room that had it worse than the others and the issue is still there.

Resolutions all different from laptops but the laptops have been tested on other projectors and all working fine. Cant remember what resolution the projectors are at. Those projectors are WXGA - 1280 x 800. If laptops are outputting higher than that (1080p for example) it may be a simple case of the projector can't cope with the signal it's being given. Your other projectors may have higher resolution capacity hence why it works on them. Try running them at a lower resolution (1366 x 768?) and see if the symptoms remain.

 

All our projectors are the same model, the issue only happens when laptops are connected so the splash screen and menu are fine.

 

I'll try the change of resolution.

[hardtailstar]

Projector was set to 'auto'

 

Changed resolution on laptop and projector with various combinations and still flickering.

[bald_pig]

It's going to be your cabling if it doesn't do it on the built-in screen and laptops are fine elsewhere. some shielding required maybe?

[hardtailstar]

It's going to be your cabling if it doesn't do it on the built-in screen and laptops are fine elsewhere. some shielding required maybe?

 

We have changed cabling and ran an extension lead from another classroom with a short power lead and short VGA cable and still get the issue.

 

The issue is happening in multiple buildings but does not affect all projectors, just random ones.

[bald_pig]

We have changed cabling and ran an extension lead from another classroom with a short power lead and short VGA cable and still get the issue.

 

The issue is happening in multiple buildings but does not affect all projectors, just random ones.

 

So you've replaced everything and the issue persits?

[hardtailstar]

So you've replaced everything and the issue persits?

 

Yes apart from the mounts.

 

The one we took out from a classroom yesterday we will be testing.

[Protec]

Make sure the fan is on auto and not high altitude or high speed fan mode. When the fan is running too fast, it can cause the lamp to over cool making it flicker.

[mullet_man]

We are all Hitachi projectors and have seen some bulbs flicker, it's the bulb for sure as if you replace it the flicker stops.

 

Just a side note we have lamp warranties, and have 5 bulbs on order but not received them due to stock issues (assuming it's issues in China due to the virus) .

 

We had a couple of spares and a few bulbs which were dull so are coping but if any more go we will be without a bulb.

[ricki]

I suspect this is the power of the VGA signal from the laptop not being strong enough.

 

Please would you try plug a short sVGA direct into the back of projector and laptop.

 

Please make sure it is a sVGA some installers fitted VGA as they were cheaper also try hdmi if the laptops have it.

 

Lastly try removing the splitter I have had problems with some makes of splitter over long cables as the computer did not recognise the projector and used the wrong settings like refresh rate.

 

Richard

[SamanthaD]

Just something else to ask - are you using original lamps or 3rd party?

[hardtailstar]

Make sure the fan is on auto and not high altitude or high speed fan mode. When the fan is running too fast, it can cause the lamp to over cool making it flicker.

 

Its set to normal and not high altitude.

 

We are all Hitachi projectors and have seen some bulbs flicker, it's the bulb for sure as if you replace it the flicker stops.

 

Just a side note we have lamp warranties, and have 5 bulbs on order but not received them due to stock issues (assuming it's issues in China due to the virus) .

 

We had a couple of spares and a few bulbs which were dull so are coping but if any more go we will be without a bulb.

 

We have replaced the bulb and same issue.

 

I suspect this is the power of the VGA signal from the laptop not being strong enough.

 

Please would you try plug a short sVGA direct into the back of projector and laptop.

 

Please make sure it is a sVGA some installers fitted VGA as they were cheaper also try hdmi if the laptops have it.

 

Lastly try removing the splitter I have had problems with some makes of splitter over long cables as the computer did not recognise the projector and used the wrong settings like refresh rate.

 

Richard

 

Have plugged in short power and svga and hdmi, same issue with flickering

 

Just something else to ask - are you using original lamps or 3rd party?

 

Original lamps.

 

Currently got one of the flickering projectors set up in the office attached to a laptop and its flickering.

 

Just to reiterate, we have changed resolutions on laptop and projector, bulbs, projectors and cables.

 

We took a unused projector out of the box and it was flickering.

 

They still flicker on random projectors.

 

Im starting to think that the projectors are rubbish.

[Protec]

Must be the driver circuit for the lamp then.

[PyROm]

Daft question, have you tried it from a laptop that is running off battery as opposed to plugged in? We have had random earth loop problems with audio in the past and random humming from laptop transformers going bad.