I purchased a Hitachi TX100 (720P) projector last February. I have approximately 700 hours on it. Last night, about 30 minutes into a movie, the lamp (I assume its the lamp) popped. I unplugged the unit as per instructions from the manual. Lamp warranty by Hitachi is only 180 hours. A new lamp will cost ~$300.

Am I pretty much screwed at this point? I only use this projector at night for movies (not more than 3 hours at a time). I've read of some posters having lamp life of more than 3000 hours...

Welcome to the world of short lamp life projectors.
It looks like the bulb died an popped on you, You can either get a new lamp or replace the projector.

Sorry- I would guess you're screwed. Most manufacturers lamp warranties are 90 days. I'm surprised that Hitachi gave you 180 hours. I would think that would be hard for them to verify.

I've had lamps in my Optoma DLP last anywhere from 224 to well over 4,000 hours. The two that went in a few hundred hours were covered under the 90 day lamp warranty. The last one only went ~440 hours and ~five months, screwed. I went back to my trusty old 4,000 hour spare lamp after that last one failed.

As you can see- it's a crapshoot as to how long they'll last. I was surprised to read an article indicating how much manual labor was involved in making these suckers.

Were you keeping your filters clean?

Sorry....

Thanks for the feedback. I guess it really is a crapshoot as it relates to lamp life. The company I bought it from said the same thing. I don't know if I should buy a new lamp (~$300), buy a new projector (Optoma HD 70 for $499), or just move my trusty Mits 65" CRT to the "theater room". BTW, I cleaned the filter every 100 hours...guess it didn't help!

Get the optoma.

http://www.bulb-source.com/relamp%20projector%20bulbs.htm

http://www.bulb-source.com/relamp%20projector%20bulbs.htm


Thanks for the link. Their price is higher than PP.

http://www.bulb-source.com/relamp%20projector%20bulbs.htm

Have you used this service? How much trouble is it to install your own bulb?

optoma@499? where did you see it? BB? it's a hoax. I concluded after visiting and calling 20 different locations in 3 states. there maybe less than 100 people that lucky in the whole US who got it that low. Prepare to pay 3 franklins more even after 200 rebate which may never materialize.

Thanks for the link. Their price is higher than PP.

Uh, the link I posted was to present RE-LAMPING not a new bulb. There are a few places that will take your popped lamp/cage and put a new bulb in the cage for half what a new lamp would cost. It's an option not always considered.

I have not done it myself but have seen where several have with success.

Changing your own bulb is also possible but requires some skill, patience, and attention. There is a link around here somewhere to a guy who can get the right bulb for your lamp and you do the rest.

Found it - http://www.diypro.us/

Uh, the link I posted was to present RE-LAMPING not a new bulb. There are a few places that will take your popped lamp/cage and put a new bulb in the cage for half what a new lamp would cost. It's an option not always considered.

I have not done it myself but have seen where several have with success.

Changing your own bulb is also possible but requires some skill, patience, and attention. There is a link around here somewhere to a guy who can get the right bulb for your lamp and you do the rest.

I did call them for pricing on re-lamping. I was told that with some projector models (like the Hitachi PJTX100), it will be about the same as getting a new lamp assembly.

I did call them for pricing on re-lamping. I was told that with some projector models (like the Hitachi PJTX100), it will be about the same as getting a new lamp assembly.
Thanks for the info - that is unfortunate but good to know. I had not heard that or seen anyone have that problem.

Looks like the link I gave for the bulb only source has the lamp page gone too. Have to send an email to the contact and see if he even imports the bulbs anymore.