I have searched and searched without any real answers. I hope someone has had a similar experience and can shed some light on these bulb questions -- no pun intended.

Ok, so a week ago to the day, my bulb blew on the KDS-50A2000. I turned it on, and left the room less than 10 minutes later. Less than 5 minutes later, I returned, and the TV was off. When I tried to turn the TV back on, I got the flashing red lamp light on the TV. I never received the replace bulb message.

So, I ordered a replacement lamp and housing from Electrified.com. I THOUGHT I was buying a genuine Sony OEM part, but I believe this is just an equivalent. In any event, replacement was pretty simple, but I have noticed flickering. Every now and again, the picture will dim rapidly -- just like a bad fluorescent light. It's not a hard on or off...just a rapid dimming that will occur anywhere from a few seconds to a minute. Sometimes on just one side of the screen, more often the left. Unfortunately (or fortunately), it is sporadic and unpredictable which makes it a pain to troubleshoot.

Did I just get a dud bulb, or is there a more serious problem? I know bulbs can go from working fine to blowing, but the fact that mine blew along with the flickering issue now, I wonder if it is a power supply issue. Any help would be much appreciated.

UPDATE: Flickering got worse, basically to the point of flickering constantly and being something impossible to ignore rather than slightly annoying. So, Electrified sent me a new bulb which I installed today, but now I am getting a slight flicker...just like I had.

What bulb did they send you?

Does it have a PVIP or UHP number stamped on the back of the reflector?

I may be able to help you as the bulb does sound like it isnt being powered properly.

You could have a problem with the ballast, or the bulb may not be a good replacement.