Projectors - new lamp or new projector?

[dgsmith]

Due to funding restraints, our projectors aren't getting replaced on any kind of cycle so it's a case of deal with them as and when. We've pretty much used up our supply of spare bulbs so we're going to have to start spending money now.

 

If we have projectors that are 6-7 years old (installed summer 04 and 05), is it better "value for money" to replace the lamp @ ~£130 or get a new one (better model, warranty etc) for £290 (Epson EB-X92)?

[featured_spectre]

new model with better warranty in my opinion

[localzuk]

I'd say with a projector that old, replace the unit not the lamp. At that age, they'll only become more and more unreliable, burning through lamps faster, discolouring, getting dimmer etc...

[chazzy2501]

Cheaper and faster to just replace the bulb. New ones will look better and will probably be brighter but will take more time and money. I nearly always have to buy a new bracket (or at least reposition it) for new projectors. then you have to move the cables. Plus dispose old projector add new one to inventory, teachers need to be shown how to use the new remote. blah blah.

[elsiegee40]

My projectors that age are getting so dim now, I'm replacing them. A new bulb makes no difference to the brightness.

[localzuk]

Cheaper and faster to just replace the bulb. New ones will look better and will probably be brighter but will take more time and money. I nearly always have to buy a new bracket (or at least reposition it) for new projectors. then you have to move the cables. Plus dispose old projector add new one to inventory, teachers need to be shown how to use the new remote. blah blah.

 

If you have universal mounts, and choose the model carefully (choosing one with the same focal length etc...) then you usually can get away with simply switching the mounting plate and the projector.

 

We use the casio LED projectors now, and whilst I've not looked at the new range, the original ones had massive focal range so we just bought new mounting plates and they go straight on the existing poles and use the existing cables.

[AngryTechnician]

I have formally agreed with SMT here that we replace the projector instead of the bulb for any projector which is either 5+ years old, or the replacement bulb price is within £100 of a replacement projector (we have a few very uneconomical models).

[SmellyLlama]

We now have moved over to the NEC projectors, they get a 3 year warranty. If one goes wrong they send a new one out by courier next day and then you swap out and put the old one in the case and they pick it up the day after! 6 month bulb warranty too.

 

I do like the smart dlp projectors lots, no fans = no dusty filters to clean! Looking forward to cheaper LED projectors and 15000 hour lamp lifes

 

edit: We also changed all the brackets to ones that look like spiders, they'll hold pretty much any projector. Well worth it.

[3s-gtech]

We've just undertaken a small program of pre-empting the replacement of the oldest projectors, though they still work. The lamps do seem to get very expensive as the availability drops. The response has been very positive - many were in bright rooms and were hard to see, but even new budget models are far superior in clarity and brightness, with higher res too. Luckily I have never touched model specific projector mounts, so they're all universal here save for a few hard mounted Unicols which can be grafted together with universal mounts. Edited July 18, 2011 by 3s-gtech
Spelling, as usual!

[Gibbo]

Considering replacement bulbs only have a 3 month warranty, I'd go with what's already been said and go with new.

[dgsmith]

Thanks for the responses - seems quite overwhelming that a new proj is the way forward. We've never really had any major issues in the past when swapping out an Epson for an Epson which is what we tend to do (don't think Casio ones are in the budget).

[featured_spectre]

speak with @CPLTD about it, might get a good deal.

[mole]

Epson are doing a extended 5 year warranty - on selected models - fax serial number and invoice to them.

Free 5 year on-site education projector warranty

 

However quite sure it does not include the lamp although not read the fine print myself.

[Marc-Engineer]

It DOES include the lamp and if your installer is local he will keep a replacement on site for you, if not let me know and i will arrange it for you.

 

And to the person above recomending Smart DLP,...!"£$%^& are you sure?

 

Marc

Projector Engineer

[SmellyLlama]

Epson are doing a extended 5 year warranty - on selected models - fax serial number and invoice to them.

Free 5 year on-site education projector warranty

 

However quite sure it does not include the lamp although not read the fine print myself.

 

That sounds awesome, thanks.

 

It DOES include the lamp and if your installer is local he will keep a replacement on site for you, if not let me know and i will arrange it for you.

 

And to the person above recomending Smart DLP,...!"£$%^& are you sure?

 

Marc

Projector Engineer

 

So far so good dude, what's wrong with them in your experience?

[Marc-Engineer]

DLP? you mean whats wrong with DLP?, they are so unreliable to many moving parts, they have a high speed spinning disk inside this rotates at very high speed and its very brittle so any movement causes it to flex and oftem break (shatter) most projectors can be repaired quite cheaply untill you get to DLP, try a search on here for Unify 35, its a smart board DLP unit made by NEC for smart look at what people say about it.

DLP is definatly NOT to be used as a portable unit because of its inherent problems, LCD is more reliable and in practice more efficiant (power wise) and brighter per watt. LCD units are less prone to damage by movement and new lamp tech on say Epson means instant off and can move them even when on so will take accidentle bumps in use with no problem.

I know LCD units still in use from 9 years ago and still serviceable.

 

Marc

Projector Engineer

[K.C.Leblanc]

We always replace the whole unit.

 

Too many experiences in the past where changing the bulb hasn't improved performance.

[Marc-Engineer]

Yes that is common where people have not had their projector serviced or the lap has not been changed at its correct hrs, see my post on Lap Life and how it works.

 

Marc

Projector Engineer

[exim]

Guys, we have a few NEC projectors (particularly vt48) where the image is dark (blue-ish) to one corner or side. In your experience does changing the bulb solve that at all? or is that more an age perminant (and yet to worsen) issue?

[Brassman]

Considerations are:-

 

Resolution - have your laptops, PC's out stripped the resolution of the projector? Latest laptops have different screen ratios and resolutions which will put the projected image under strain. Think of what your pupils are having to put up with, are they getting eye strain?

 

Image - if you have any discolouration of the image (blue blobs, Nicotine stain, greenish hues) then your additional concern is dust and dust burn, if it's blue blobs (best seen if you move zoom & focus to one full stop) then you've got dust on the internals, which if left untreated will over heat the unit and lead to the next issue of dust burn where lens surfaces can become pitted and damaged through simply having hot dust on the surface.

 

Apart from the green perspective in the current economic climate the trend is to make do with what you've got but with that comes other issues, if you want to get the most out of your existing equipment you need to put a proper maintenance program into place. Just like your car you'll get more mileage out of it if you service the units regularly. Even if it's new you and still under warranty, you should maintain on a regular basis, (again like your car - warranties are void if you don't service).

 

So it's not just the cost of the bulb it's the other stuff that goes with it on the up side, if you do continue with existing stock, you don't have the disruption and cost of projector refits involving new bracketry, and cabling.

 

Checkout AV preventive maintenance companies, there's one I know in Cwmbran that also has a lab where they can rescue sick projectors.