MI Technologies runs the largest projector lamp recycling program in the USA so they see a lot of lamps.

They’ve noticed some  disturbing trends as projector bulbs get cheaper and margins deteriorate.

Here’s what to watch for as some lamp distributors get creative to get your money with sometimes an inferior product.

Scenario 1: Switching parts

You order and pay for original branded lamps, for example an OEM Epson. Instead the
manufacturer ships a lamp that’s a mixture of original branded/packaged lamps and more affordable
OEM original lamps in 3rd party housings. There is nothing wrong with a Philips or Osram OEM original bulb in a 3rd party plastic cage except when you are charged a higher price for original parts: screws, plastic cage, connectors.

The Solution: Always check packages whether they vary: Anonymous brown or Epson branded boxes. Don’t just trust the word of the authorized brand reseller

Scenario 2: Generics at OEM prices

Some resellers offer OEM at discounted prices but deliver generics in a fake box with fake stickers on the lamp. Again, there is nothing wrong buying generic lamps, especially if you’re on a budget, but you shouldn’t be paying OEM prices. Chinese generic bulbs with the Philips or Osram trademark are counterfeits sold at inflated prices. The difference between generic and OEM original bulbs is picture quality and faster deteriorating brightness.

Solution: If you suspect you have received counterfeits, check their authenticity. Request a refund and find a more honest manufacturer. You can also send your lamp to MI Technologies for verification and recycling.

Scenario 3: Substitution without notification

Bid documents often request listing the manufacturer of lamp and housing to justify the higher price for all original parts. When lamps get shipped in different boxes end users usually trust that they get what they ordered.

Solution: Many authorized resellers offer a variety of lamp types so always check whether different boxes also contain different types of lamps.

Scenario 4: Inflated prices

Many lamps for older projectors are only available as aftermarket, meaning there is only the OEM original bare bulb available in a 3rd party housing. Don’t pay inflated prices for original bulbs in an original plastic housing from a projector brand. If your model is no longer in production then, these projector lamps are no longer available.

Solution: Find a trusted reseller of replacement lamps who is working with a verified manufacturer to create generic lamps for older projector models. They are out there!

The post Dirty little secrets about projector lamps appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

Installing authentic projector lamps means better performance, better lighting and better viewing.

Ignition and connections are crucial parts for making sure your newly installed projector lamp is working at its optimum level.

Other important considerations include arc distance, wattage, reflector size as well as glass, air gaps and coatings

Ignition voltage

Projector lamps operate with a lamp driver with a 5kV ignition voltage. Lamps with metal antenna in the ignition chamber are 5kV lamps. Some lamps have their antenna in the front while others have the antenna in the rear. Some projectors need high ignition voltage of 20kV so have no antenna. Generic manufacturers often don’t have the specs needed to create the proper antenna for each projector lamp and instead create lamps that faulty antenna that short circuits in the projector.

Connection methods

Every projector lamp must connect to its projectors by cables or wires. Each projector has its own particular connection method. Generic lamps have substitute connection cables and wires results in ill-fitting lamps that can’t ignite but can easily short circuit causing  melting and burning inside the projector.

 Lamp driver combinations

Projector lamps also work with the projector driver to bring the image to the screen. The combination of lamp and driver is unique to each projector model. Only authentic manufacturers know the specifications for each particular brands and how to use those specification to create OEM lamps. Generic lamps can never have the correct combination and installing them creates unbalanced electrical power with danger of explosions.

Correct shape

Almost all projector lamps have the same outer shape but the inner shape is dependent on the projector model.  Most generics don’t have the correct specifications to create the correct inner shape. It creates a lamp with uneven light output distribution.

Knowledge is power

Learn more about authentic projector lamps so you can avoid counterfeits:

• Front glass, air gaps, coating in authentic projector lamps
• Arc distance, wattage, reflector size in projector lamps
• 7 Tips for spotting counterfeit projector lamps
• Top tips for extending projector lamp life

The post Ignition and connections in authentic projector lamps appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

With guaranteed OEM authentic projector lamps,  you’ll never experience the frustration of down time from a projector ruined by a defective lamp.

Three important things to watch for: glass, air gaps and coatings.

Protect your health

Health and safety is always important. Exposure to high-intensity projector lights can damage eyesight without the proper safeguards. Genuine PHILIPS lamps are manufactured with proper filtering glass, UV coating and special air gaps. Generic lamps don’t offer this safety feature. PHILIPS has spent years researching and developing the sophisticated technology of projector lamps. Here are three things to look for with authentic projector lamps.

Filtering front glass

High intensity projector lamps emit ultraviolet radiation (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) that are not visible to the human eye. In order to protect your eyesight, authentic projector lamps have a high-performance coating blocking out these rays. Most generics are missing this protective coating exposing you to these harmful rays when you install them into your projector.

Air gaps

Projector lamps operate using high heat and need built in air gaps to create spot cooling in order to prevent overheating of the lamp. Most generic lamps have uneven air gaps and some have none at all. This changes the cooling air in the projector affecting the performance and making generics prone to exploding.

Material and coating

Your projector is a well-balanced machine and any lamp installed must also be balanced. Original manufacturers use the correct glass, filters, metal and plastic while copycat manufacturers don’t have access to these proper materials or coatings. To achieve the same results, they use toxic substitutes that lead to poor performance, a shorter lamp life and health risks. One particularly carcinogenic substitute is Krypton-85. Using toxic elements is the only way for copycat manufacturers to re-produce the technology created by PHILIPS.

Learn more about projector lamps and what to look for:

• Arc distance, wattage, reflector size in projector lamps
• Ignition and connections in authentic projector lamps
• Top tips for extending projector lamp life
• 7 Tips for spotting counterfeit projector lamps

The post Front glass, air gaps, coating in authentic projector lamps appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

With guaranteed OEM authentic projector lamps,  you’ll never experience the frustration of down time from a projector ruined by a defective lamp. Three important things to watch for: Arc distance, wattage, reflector size.

Protect your health

Health and safety is always important. One of the associated risks from DLP projectors is exposure to high-intensity projector lights that can damage eyesight. Genuine PHILIPS lamps are manufactured with UV coated reflectors to reduce harmful rays and protect your eyesight. Generic lamps don’t offer this safety feature.

Why invest in authentic?

PHILIPS is the premier manufacturer projector and TV lamps. They have spent years researching and developing the sophisticated technology of projector. Here are three things to look for with authentic projector lamps.

 Arc distance

Projector bulbs have an arc gap filled with ultra-high pressurized mercury vapor that creates the high intensity light needed to project the image onto the screen. There is an optimal arc distance needed in every projector lamps that is 1.0 mm. Getting this exact measurement takes the right equipment and even the slightest deviations from this exact measurement can result in loss of contrast, brilliance and light eventually damaging the optical components on the projector.

Wattage

Wattage plays a critical role in lamp power as it supplies the amount of light displayed. Generics usually have higher wattage and when they come in contact with the low wattage ballast/driver (which controls the electrical ignition of the lamp), the projector’s electrodes can be damaged. Since the generic lamp produces too much light, there is often a flickering image, uncontrolled light exposure and overheating of the lamp and projector.

Reflector Size

Generics often have a different sized reflector than original OEM lamps, which means they often don’t fit into the projector properly. Bad position of the lamp means the light does not go through the optical elements at the right angle causing damage to the optics and a short circuit of electrical components. This leakage of light can also affect your eyesight by exposing you to high intensity light.

Learn more about projector lamps and what to look for

• Front glass, air gaps, coating in authentic projector lamps
• Ignition and connections in authentic projector lamps
• 7 Tips for spotting counterfeit projector lamps
• Top tips for extending projector lamp life

The post Arc distance, wattage, reflector size in projector lamps appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

Key elements OEM projector lamps use to protect your eyesight

Whether used for business, in the classroom, or for home entertainment, your projector is a key element for your multimedia set-up. Not only do you want your projector working at its best, you also want to protect your eyesight. Learn how OEM projector lamps protect your eyesight

DLP projectors use UHP lamps high intensity light that emit ultraviolet radiation (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) invisibke to the human eye.

In order to protect your eyesight OEM manufacturers create their projector lamps with some important safety features. Through the use of specially coated glass, filters and reflectors, OEM projector lamps are designed to keep your eyesight safe from UV damage. Most counterfeit lamps lack any of these features.  Learn more about the three key elements in your projector lamp that keep your eyesight safe.

Stopping UV light

OEM projectors lamps are manufactured with special UV coated reflectors that reduce harmful rays and protect your eyesight. Counterfeit lamps don’t offer this protection. Notice how OEM lamp on the left is absorbing the light while the counterfeit lamp on the right is actually reflecting the UV light back out. Exposure to this reflected light can be dangerous to your eyesight, particularly for young child and teenagers whose eyes are still developing.

Preventing UV leakage

When it comes to safe projector lamps, a few millimeters can make all the difference. The lamp reflector covering the bulb is a key element for safe projector lamps. It must fit the lamp cage properly to ensure that UV light doesn’t leak through. Notice the  2mm gap on the left lamp and the light seeping through causing exposure to the UV light. Since the light is not going through the lamp at the proper angle the projector’s optics will eventually be damaged and the heat build up may eventually short circuit the electrical components. This can result to either costly repairs or the projector needing to be replaced.

Special coatings

UV light protection is further enhanced with the use of a high-performance coating providing even more blockage.  Most counterfeit lamps are missing this protective coating exposing you to these harmful rays when you install them into your projector.

The post How OEM projector lamps protect your eyesight appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

First of all relax. Your projector lamp is in a plastic cage so most of the damage is going to be encased. It’s bang is worse that the clean-up.

Here’s what to do when the projector lamp shatters:

• Turn the projector/RPTV off immediately. Unplug the AC cord.
• Wait for the projector/RPTV to cool down.
• Open a window to ventilate the room. Avoid breathing in any dust from the projector lamp.
• Check there are no broken shards or pieces of glass around the projector lamp or coming out from the cooling air circulation vents. Check the interior of the RPTV.
• Use rubber gloves to pick up any shards or broken bits of projector lamp sticking out. These lamps contain mercury so don’t handle any shards with bare hands. You can also try using some duct tape to pick up small shards.
• Place the projector lamps shards in a closed container such as a box or plastic bag. This will stop the dust and mercury vapour from spreading. Don’t put the container into the regular garbage or down the drain. Send the remains to a hazardous waste facility near you.
• Don’t attempt to clean up the inside of the projector if there is a lot of broken parts or dust. Take the projector into an authorized service station. They will clean the inside of the projector thoroughly with a mercury vacuum cleaner. Never use a regular vacuum cleaner to do this. Ask the service technician to do a thorough check of the unit paying attention to the ballast and color wheel.
• Be sure to install an authentic projector lamp. Avoid generic compatible lamps as they are prone to exploding more often than authentic OEM lamps.

Keep your environment mercury free

Projector lamps needs special handling so please don’t put them into your regular garbage. Don’t want to leave them hanging around? Find out how to recycle your lamp and help out your local school. Find out more at www.recycleyourlamp.org.

Learn how to spot counterfeit lamps and about the benefits of buying authentic OEM lamps from a recognized dealer.

The post What to do when your projector lamp explodes appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

You want the best replacement projector lamp not only to keep your projector working but also to protect your health and safety. When shopping for your replacement projector lamp it pays to pay attention to the label, especially when buying over the Internet.

Labels and quality

You’ll often see replacement projector lamps labeled as either OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), compatible or generic lamps. While price can be a deciding factor, the cheapest lamp usually ends up costing more in the long run due to quality and performance issues.

OEM gold standard

OEM original projector lamps deliver the best performance and safety. The technology used for DLP projectors and RPTVs is a collaborative effort between two key companies. Texas Instruments (TI) invented the actual DLP technology while Philips created the UHP lamp used in DLP technology. Both companies have spent countless hours on research and development to perfect their inventions.

Top brands such as Sony, InFocus, BenQ, Sanyo (now Panasonic), Toshiba and Epson use these OEM bulbs to create the lamps needed for each of their particular projector. OEM lamps are of the highest quality offering the brightest luminosity, longest durability, best color and highest safety. These lamps remain the gold standard.

OEM Compatibale

OEM compatible lamps are replicas of the same lamp but manufactured by a different company. Usually the original bulb created by either Philips, Osram, Epson, Ushio, and Panasonic is placed into a lamp housing. Philips has 60% of the market of OEM original Front Projector Lamps. Osram does about 30% of the manufacturing and the 10% comes from Japanese manufacturers.

OEM compatibles are the most economic in the long run as well as being the most reliable since they have calibration, brightness, design and specifications designed to work with your specific projector. The difference is they are not individually measured or tested. In general an OEM compatible projector lamp lasts 3-4 times longer than counterfeit lamps.

Generic Lamps

The widest range of lamp quality is found with generics. The best generics are created with a well-manufactured bulb and lamp housing that matches the specifications of an OEM original within a specified budget but they don’t contain any original Philip parts. Certain specialized companies such Discount Merchant have been approved by Philips to create their own lamp cages for the original bulbs.

Generics do cost less but are not a bright and do have a much shorter lamp life.  They must be replaced sooner and this may actually eat up any initial savings. You also must be more cautious buying generics to ensure you are purchasing from a reputable manufacturer.

Short-lived Counterfeit Lamps

Counterfeit projector lamps are produced quickly without any attention to specifications or OEM technology. Since these manufacturers don’t have access to DLP technology, equipment or materials needed to create an OEM projector lamp, they often use toxic substitutes. They also take short cuts and forego important safety measures such as UV coated reflectors that protect our eyesight from intense DLP light.

Often they are labeled as having original OEM bulbs, in order to sell them. While the low price can be tempting, they can be a poor choice because they are prone to overheating and exploding, sometime causing irreversible damage to a projector. Any cost savings can be quickly eaten up since counterfeit lamps have a significantly shorter life span. Installing a counterfeit lamp from a company unrecognized by the industry usually voids any warranties so repairs will not be covered.

Find out more about counterfeits:

• Projectors in the healthy classroom
• Workplace safety with DLP projectors
• Protect your eyesight when using DLP projectors
• Your eyesight at risk with counterfeit projector lamps!
• 7 Tips for spotting counterfeit projector lamps
• Consumer Alert: The dangers of counterfeit projector lamps
• Go with original replacement projector lamps

The post Which replacement projector lamp is best? appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

You may be using a traditional data projector on a table, a short throw projector mounted on the ceiling or a rear-projection whiteboard. Despite the type of projector being used, there are still important safety conditions that should be followed. You want to maintain a healthy classroom that is safe for both you and your students.

Protecting eyesight

Projectors operate under using high intensity light and direct exposure can damage your retinas. While we do come equipped with an aversion reflex that makes us automatically turn away from the bright light, there is still a danger of peripheral overexposure.

Protective guidelines

• Never stare directly into the projector beam
•  Keep your back to the beam as much as possible
• Avoid standing facing into the beam for more than a few seconds at a time
• Always step outside the projector beam before turning to face the class

Important placements

Always encourage your students to get into the routine of walking up to the whiteboard outside of the beam and using it with their back to the class. There is no risk when standing outside the beam while facing the projector.

Even looking outside the projector beam is dangerous since our automatic aversion response doesn’t kick in thereby making it easier to stare at the light. It’s similar to staring onto the sun and experiencing overexposure to UV light.

Symptoms of eyestrain include feelings of burning, inflammation and sensitivity originating in the cornea. There is no risk to the eye standing outside the beam when facing in the direction of the projector. The recommended maximum exposure limit is currently set at 10-20 seconds.

A warning notice should be displayed prominently reminding students not to stare into the projector beam.

Important adjustments

Look for a projector that has a built in brightness adjustment or neutral density option. This can help reduce the light that leaks out the side of the projector. Some DLP projectors have a subtle rainbow banding effect that appears when you move your eyes side to side. This rainbow effect can cause eyestrain. Go for a 3-chip DLP to reduce the rainbow without having to produce more light.

Distance and light

You may want to consider a short-throw projector that can throw a large image in tight spaces and minimize the risk of people getting in front of the light beam. Most short-throw projectors need 3 to 6 feet while the ultra-short-throw projectors need only a few inches.

A ceiling mounted projector is the preferred position to reduce exposure to the light beam. Ultra-short throw projectors can also be mounted just above the screen thereby making it impossible to stare into the beam.

Use blinds in a bright room rather than increasing the brightness of the projector. Black out curtains can stop any glare on the screen and also reduce the need for intense lighting. A remote control device is also a good way to keep the user out of the projector beam.

Buy authentic

Another important consideration is the type of lamp used inside the projector. Genuine OEM PHILIPS projector lamps use UV coated reflectors allowing for a brighter and more vibrant picture. These reflectors reduce the harmful rays coming out of the projector and any possible eye damage. Counterfeit lamps have non-coated reflectors that allow the dangerous rays to be spread out into the classroom. Authentic projector lamps keep your classroom safer.

Learn more about projectors and eye safety:

• Protecting your child’s eyesight
• Protect your eyesight when using DLP projectors
• Your eyesight at risk with counterfeit projector lamps!
• Workplace safety with DLP projectors

The post Projectors in the healthy classroom appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

DLP projectors offer amazing visuals with crisp colours and clear images.  However, there are some associated health risks particularly with your eyesight.

Health and safety experts recommend no more then 1/10 of a seconds direct exposure to the high intensity lamps used with projectors.

Looking directly into the lamp for even a few second of direct exposure can damage your retinas. Fortunately, most of us will experience an eye aversion response, a reflex that makes us turn away from the light automatically to protect our eyesight.

There is still the danger of peripheral overexposure so it is important to know how to position both yourself and the projector to minimize the danger to your eyesight.

Projector safety tips:

• Never stare directly into the projector’s beam of light.
• Keep your back to the light beam as much as possible.
• Use a laser pointer to highlight key areas on your presentation and avoid stepping into the beam.
• Make sure your screen is out of sight line with audience so they are NOT looking into the beam while watching the presentation.
• Ceiling mounted projector minimize the audience staring into the beam.
• Reducing the ambient lighting will reduce the amount of lamp power needed and lower the intensity of the beam.
• Avoid using the setting for 1500 Lumen and higher.
• Keep some ambient light in the room as this helps eye to eye contact and helps the eyes adjust.
• Be sure to supervise any students and watch they don’t look into the projector
• For use in the classroom, consider investing in a close-coupled projector that sits close to the screen eliminating any light leakage.
• When using an interactive whiteboard be sure to look at the board and not into the beam from the projector.
• Restore natural daylight as soon as the interactive whiteboard session is completed.
• Be sure to install original equipment manufactured (OEM) projector lamps that are installed with proper UV reflectors to protect your eyesight. Knock-off, generic projector lamps don’t offer this protection and can actually damage your eyesight.

The post Protect your eyesight when using DLP projectors appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.

Keep your projector working at its best by investing in a Philips OEM projector lamp

Who makes DLP lamps?

There are only handful of genuine lamp manufacturers in the market such as Philips, Ushio, Pheonix, Osram, Matsushita, with Philips being the leader in the industry. There is the common misconception among customers that manufacturers make their own lamps but its not correct.

For example, all Sony televisions and projectors come with a Philips lamp. In fact around 9 out of 10 projectors and televisions in the market use Philips lamp.

What is the difference between OEM/Genuine vs OEM Compatible lamps?

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) lamps have been assembled by the same manufacturer as the original brand of your DLP projector or RPTV television.

On the other hand, OEM Compatible lamps are replicas of the same lamp but manufactured by a different company.

The design and specifications of the bulb are said to be the same as the OEM lamp on paper (i.e. they have the same wattage and arc type).

Why genuine lamps?

Genuine OEM lamps are superior for a number of reasons:

Brightness (Luminosity):  The lamp is an integral part to bring outstanding brightness and color to your projected video display. Every component from the lamp, through the optics, power supply, electronics and including all processing algorithms are harmonized to give an optimum image.

Color: Rich colors matter, but so does color uniformity. A genuine lamp guarantees the exact chemical mix and optical alignment to give vibrant and consistent color across the whole image.

Safety: Lamps operates at extremely high temperatures, this high voltage, high pressure quartz and glass component is safe to be handled and fitted by the customer, due to the scrupulous manufacturing and testing processes employed. For peace of mind, install only genuine parts.

Lamp Life (Durability): With a genuine lamp you can enjoy a full lamp lifespan. Uniquely engineered to operate with the television’s electrical components, only genuine lamps can assure you full life performance and keep your warranty valid. For example Sony, Samsung, and other major television manufacturers will VOID your warranty for using counterfeit lamps.

Call your manufacturer to confirm! The lamp is similar to the spark plug on your vehicle: the better the quality and smoother the sparking, the longer your vehicle’s motor and start (or in this case your “Light Engine and Ballast”) will last. Lamp durability and quality is directly related to the life of the other internal components of your projector or television set.

Why Philips Lamps?

The AC based high pressured lamps pressure mercury lamp for projection is a patented invention of Philips. The lamps are manufactured using high quality standards and technology. The usual life span on these television lamps are much higher than any other lamp in the market, so per the cost benefit analysis you’d be better off purchasing the Philips lamp. Here is a graph provided by a 3rd Part research company for reference:

 What is counterfeit and why should I avoid it?

Counterfeit lamps are built using the substandard components and techniques that will result in a shorter life of the lamp or may even represent a safety issue.

The main component of a lamp is the burner inside, and manufacturing of that is a complex task and requires high quality components. Burner in generic lamps are often made out of substandard components and does not match the required engineering capabilities, which results into less compelling colors and low lifespan.

Generics come with a whole host of problems that make them not much of  a bargain in the end:

• generic can damage your eyesight as they don’t have the protective components built into them
• shorter lamp life than original lamps
• created with toxic materials and carcinogenic parts
• prone to explosions
• can damage the sensitive electronics in your projectors
• no guarantee or refunds
• voids your projector’s warranty.

Learn how to spot a counterfeit.  Keep your DLP projector and RPTV working at their optomal levels. Buy Philips lamps!

The post Why Philips remains the leader in DLP lamps appeared first on DLP Lamp Guide - LCD and DLP Repair Tips - Fix Your DLP - FixYourDLP.com.