So at about 35 hours of use on my Pearl's lightbulb, I started noticing significant darkening. At 100 hours, a calibrationist brought the 6.5 foot-lamberts back up to 11.1 foot-lamberts and toned down the brightness to 51 and told me that I already have to run high lamp mode because the lightbulb has aged very quickly.

Now at about 160 hours, I'm noticing gradual darkening.

I'm kinda upset about this. What can I do to guarantee a decent bulb that won't stutter out of the gate like mine did?

Most people have much better luck with their 2nd bulb is about all I can say about it.

Most people have much better luck with their 2nd bulb is about all I can say about it.

I'm on my second Pearl bulb, about 350 hours on the current bulb. My first bulb that came with the projector dimmed faster then the 2nd one so far. I wonder if the factory bulbs are defective and the replacement ones are from a different manufacturer/run. Or perhaps it is just the luck of the draw - some bulbs will fail faster, but your odds of getting two fast dieing bulbs in a row is low....

I am almost at 1,000 hours on my original bulb. The picture is still bright enough on my Hi-power screen.

So at about 35 hours of use on my Pearl's lightbulb, I started noticing significant darkening. At 100 hours, a calibrationist brought the 6.5 foot-lamberts back up to 11.1 foot-lamberts and toned down the brightness to 51 and told me that I already have to run high lamp mode because the lightbulb has aged very quickly.

Now at about 160 hours, I'm noticing gradual darkening.

I'm kinda upset about this. What can I do to guarantee a decent bulb that won't stutter out of the gate like mine did?

Greetings,

The lamps have a 90 day warramty. I don't know how long you have had it (I put around 100 hours per month on mine) but if it is till within the 90 day period you could try calling Sony.

I had a similar problem when I had the Sony HS51a and believe it or not they sent me a replacement.

I am at roughly 205 hours on my second Pearl lamp and it seems to be going along OK. I had 600 hours on my original when I got this lamp. The original had dimmed some but was not a problem. I now keep that one as a spare.

For me this is something I have done with each projector I have owned. I like to maintain a good working back up.


Regards,