I have a Sharpvision XV-Z12000U, 13 foot throw, 105" HP Screen.
Purchased in 2004.

I've used it alot less than I thought and still have the origional bulb,
which will need to be replaced in the coming year.

I've liked the PJ although I usually run it in High-Bright (or Med) mode as
the High-Contrast Mode is just too dark from me (I've felt this from the
begnning, not just as the bulb has aged).

Should I spend $500 on a new bulb or look for a new PJ? I'm willing to
spend up to $3,000, but not more....

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

im not an expert but i think everybody will tell you to change the bulb, its a great projector.

I second that. I'm on my second bulb since '05. I run it in Bright mode for sports and High Contrast for movies with my 106" HP pull down. Will probably continue to get replacement bulbs for it until DLP 1080p prices come down.

Let me propose another option. Remove the lamp from the cage. Read the numbers and purchase another lamp with reflector. Install new lamp in cage 5 minute job. Projector like new. Should cost around $200 this way.

I guess I've only seen the bulb + cage for sale.
You can get the bulb by itself, then?
Same vendors, or is there just a bulb-only vendor?

Let me propose another option. Remove the lamp from the cage. Read the numbers and purchase another lamp with reflector. Install new lamp in cage 5 minute job. Projector like new. Should cost around $200 this way.

Could you share the vendor where you're seeing the lamp less housing for $200? I know you can get it for about 3 bills from here: http://www.myprojectorlamps.com/projectorlamp/Sharp/BQC-XVZ100005.html

I know a lot of 12000 owners would appreciate sharing the knowledge. Thanks.

Soon after I started this thread my bulb died. Luckily not too much broken glass in the casing; none that I can tell in the PJ itself.

I ordered a bulb from supplier in Calgary which was the least expensive source I could find

My experience:

1. Even though it was listed as "available" it turned not to be in stock and took over three weeks to be delivered at a cost of $16 for shipping.

2. The bulb appears much less substantial that the one I'm replacing. A heat-sink screen on the back of the bulb was not there. Other than the fact the bulb fit into the enclure, I thought it was the wrong bulb (it still may be).

3. The wires were too short. I had to take the wires off of my old bulb and re-drill a hole in the lead to fit on the new post. It made me uncomfortable to tighten the screws/nuts on this ceramic and glass "fragile" device.

4. So far the bulb is working.

I'm just concernced the life span on this bulb will be much shorter and of course the warranty is short (90 days) compared to what I should be able to get out the bulb so I will probably "learn my lesson" in the end. In the future I think I would get an OEM bulb.

FYI.

How much for OEM bulb?

tony

Approximately $300 for the bulb I got, other bulbs of $400 although
quite frankly, I just went for the lowest site. I didn't really have any
knowledge to help direct my assesment of "quality".

Actually, I'm not sure if I ever found an OEM bulb, just the bulb/housing combination.

I am looking to buy my first projector and doing research.

So the life expentancy to be like 3-4 years and you toss it away?

Just like PCs?


tony

The bulbs have a certain life span; such as 2000hours then they need
to be replaced. They aren't cheap.

Could you share the vendor where you're seeing the lamp less housing for $200? I know you can get it for about 3 bills from here: http://www.myprojectorlamps.com/projectorlamp/Sharp/BQC-XVZ100005.html

I know a lot of 12000 owners would appreciate sharing the knowledge. Thanks.

You will need to pull the lamp from the housing and get the numbers and brand. From there it is just a google search. I did that with my Planar PD-7130 and found a bare lamp (Osram just like original) for $195.