Well I ordered my first replacement lamp for my Optoma HD70; not that I need it right away, but because I have over 4000 hours on my bulb and it's "about that time". I placed the order on December 3rd, 2007 and haven't heard a word on the order. So, I called the place with whom I placed the order with (notice today is December 18th, 2007) and they said the bulb is not available from the manufacturer. And no date has been established on when this order is going to be filled by them or when they will receive a replacement bulb from Optoma.

I placed the order with one of the forum sponsors and I was absolutely floored when I had to call them in order to get an update on my order that was placed over 2 weeks ago.

I just thought I would pass this information on the people here with HD70s, because it looks as though the bulb is going to be quite hard to get a hold of.

What? Why? I can't believe it...this sounds like bad news. Not that the forum sponsor doesn't have it, but that it's not available from the manufacturer.

What in the world is so special about this lamp?

What? Why? I can't believe it...this sounds like bad news. Not that the forum sponsor doesn't have it, but that it's not available from the manufacturer.

What in the world is so special about this lamp?

My thoughts exactly!

One of the world's most popular projector and the bulbs are impossible to find.

I wasn't dissing the forum sponsor, I was stating that even a forum sponsor can't get a hold of these bulbs. What gives?

Has anyone called Optoma. Guitarman has connections with them.

Visual Apex shows on their website ETA is end of January.

Visual Apex shows on their website ETA is end of January.

That is new information as of this morning.

Make your plans now, and I am crossing my fingers I don't need one before then. My projector is my main TV in the living room. :eek:

Mine just went and I got an email today saying I should get it within the 1st week of january. topbulb.com is where I ordered from.

I've had my HD70 for about 14 months and recently got the "time for a new bulb" warning (which I have shut off). I have about 2400 hours on it and got some questions;

As the bulb ages does it dim? Maybe just in my mind but it seems to be darker. I have switched to the bulb setting to "high" which seemed to help.
Will the bulb just go out one day or will it fade?
Everything I read seems to indicate you get 2000 to 3000 hours on it. Is that about right?
Who do you guys recommend buying from? I know we cannot discuss price but Best Buy seems to have it on sale and I have some left over coupons. Then BB is ok?

I'm planning a super bowl party and sure would not want to lose my theater room because of a blown bulb. So thinking of going ahead and ordering now.

I now have over 4500+ hours on my HD70 inital bulb. I was hoping like hell that my bulb would not go out over the Christmas break and so fa so good.

I check the calibration every few months (just because I am anal that way), but mostly because I watch it with the lights on. I only had to change the settings once after checking the calibration and that was around 1000 hours of use. I checked it about a month ago and everything seems to be holding...at least for me.

As for how bulbs go...I have heard it all from still going after thousands of hours and fading to black to a nice fireworks show that will leave a bit of glass and smoke on the ceiling. Sounds like you are closer to the first one. Since the fireworks show usually happens when finger oils hit the bulb and then goes out quite quickly from there.

I am purchasing my new bulb from one of the sponsors. I like to support them.

My HD70 now has over 4000 hours on the original bulb now. Still looks good, maybe not as bright, but I don't have a new bulb to compare it to. I had begun to worry when the "time for a new bulb" warning showed up, but that was nearly 15-1800 hours ago (I did turn that warning off). It will go someday, but hopefully it isn't today.

so this thing is still unavailable and I'm going nuts. Can anyone find a new bulb for me?

It is available in B & H photo http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469294-REG/Optoma_Technology_BL_FP200C_BLFP200C_Lamp_Replacement_for.ht ml

Just google it and look in google shopping

Yeah-hooooo!!!

I got confirmation that my new bulb was shipped out yesterday. Check your sources, they might have some HD70 bulbs in stock.