So what do you guys think, should I keep the other 4000? Do you guys think it was just a bad bulb? Two ways here: sell it, or swap it out in the living room and out put the dim unit in the master bedroom. I know a bad bulb is possible, like i said, half of the 5000 hour estimate and I would not be so disappointed, but going dim at 1000, less than 25%of what it's rated for...come on now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HD DLP /forum/post/21718506
So what do you guys think, should I keep the other 4000? Do you guys think it was just a bad bulb? Two ways here: sell it, or swap it out in the living room and out put the dim unit in the master bedroom. I know a bad bulb is possible, like i said, half of the 5000 hour estimate and I would not be so disappointed, but going dim at 1000, less than 25%of what it's rated for...come on now.
Your choice, but your pushing 127" is pushing it for the mits IMHO, thats probably more the issue...if you want that big of a screen you need to look at the Benq w6000 or the new replacement...or an infocus 8602, although I think the mits bulbs are quite good and will outlast both of them, they will start of much brighter and probably make it more watchable longer than the mits for that screen size...just a thought...
I would probably not buy an Infocus sp8602 due to the state of the company/warranty.
The poster is essentially asking for something that does not really exist in projectors, a bulb-life guarantee to hit over 2000 hours. The Sony hw30 appears to have the best bulbs when talking $2k+ projectors, but that is probably out of his price range.
In this price range, I do not know of any other projectors with better bulbs, only projectors with worse bulbs. 127" without serious gain is too large for this projector if someone is trying to get MAX bulb life.
The Panasonic ar100u might be an option, but the poster may not like the rougher and edgier PQ of an LCD that has a lower pixel-fill.
The Epson might 8700ub still be an option since Epson has a history of replacing bulbs through the warranty period, but that could change.
I have a hc1500 and have reset the counter at least three times. My unit is almost four years old and I have never had a problem. My buddy also has a 1500 and his colorwheel started making noise around 12k hours, but he never had a problem with the lamp either.
The only reason I am looking at a new pj is my colorwheel is starting to make noise as well and my warranty is almost up. I only hope the 4000 is as reliable as my 1500 has been.
Quote:
Originally Posted by coderguy /forum/post/21719457
I would probably not buy an Infocus sp8602 due to the state of the company/warranty.
The poster is essentially asking for something that does not really exist in projectors, a bulb-life guarantee to hit over 2000 hours. The Sony hw30 appears to have the best bulbs when talking $2k+ projectors, but that is probably out of his price range.
In this price range, I do not know of any other projectors with better bulbs, only projectors with worse bulbs. 127" without serious gain is too large for this projector if someone is trying to get MAX bulb life.
The Panasonic ar100u might be an option, but the poster may not like the rougher and edgier PQ of an LCD that has a lower pixel-fill.
The Epson might 8700ub still be an option since Epson has a history of replacing bulbs through the warranty period, but that could change.
I'm not asking for a guarantee really.. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth to feel ripped off by false claims. I was looking for a bargain when I bought this unit, my price range was in the neighborhood of my orig hc3000, maybe $4,000 max.
Why are you so defensive about my argument, you still looking to get free products for rating them?
I am not defensive, but you are using strong words like ripped off by false claims, and this is not necessary and will give lurkers in the thread the wrong idea, heck it's not even true. There is not a projector in the world that has perfectly consistent lamps other than maybe some LED lamp designs.
Why don't go you buy a JVC, I own one, the lamps cost $400 to $500 and probably don't last 1000 hours, they are rated 3000 hours I believe. That's $1,500 for 3000 hours of usage
That is if you want something to complain about...
I have never received or tried to get free products by rating them, the references we were making earlier in the thread to this was a joke.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HD DLP /forum/post/21718506
So what do you guys think, should I keep the other 4000? Do you guys think it was just a bad bulb? Two ways here: sell it, or swap it out in the living room and out put the dim unit in the master bedroom. I know a bad bulb is possible, like i said, half of the 5000 hour estimate and I would not be so disappointed, but going dim at 1000, less than 25%of what it's rated for...come on now.
I have had my HC-3800 (same bulb) for 1280 hours so far, it still looks fantastic. Having watched these forums for years, your experience is definitely unusual. Hopefully its got nothing to do with your installation or environment. I dont have the recommended clearance on the exhaust side of my ceiling mounted 3800 due to a nearby beam, but I have a small silent PC fan mounted to blow down and across the exhaust vent so I dont get a build up of hot air.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HD DLP /forum/post/21724906
I'm not asking for a guarantee really.. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth to feel ripped off by false claims. I was looking for a bargain when I bought this unit, my price range was in the neighborhood of my orig hc3000, maybe $4,000 max.
Why are you so defensive about my argument, you still looking to get free products for rating them?
We have hashed through this enough, I think "Ripped Off" is kind of strong words and you are about the only one in 80 pages that have had a compliant with bulb life, that plus you are shooting on 127" screen...so lets do this, I think the mits is a steal for the price, and obviously you think otherwise, so name me ONE PROJECTOR at this price point of $1100 that you think has a BETTER bulb life......
I for one think the mits bulbs are some of the best, in fact you have had several post here recently commenting on that fact...
I know several folks that have about 3,000 hours on their mitsubishi units, they are still fine. Yes, It's a steal of a deal, for good reason it seems. Mitsubishi told me lamps were made in Japan on my hc3000, now in china. You can bet your ass the qc and product isnt the same. Maybe I just got a crappy unit? For someone who has bought three mitsubishi projectors over the past 5 years, you would think the manufacturer would provide some more assisting here. Brand loyalty just took a dump.
And I wanted to add/remind: You might have a bum lamp. It happens with PJ's, and the worst case is it happens outside of the lamp warranty period, of which ironically, Mits has one of the best/longest lamp warranties.
This can happen with any lamp, in any PJ, and no projector manufacture has a lamp warranty/guarantee that would have covered you in your case.
That being said, there might be a possible, if not a very slight thing you can do that might help your lamp. Are you still in running in low lamp? If so, run it on high lamp for a few movies, then switch back to low lamp. You might find that your low lamp setting is now brighter.
If mitsubishi knows these can last so long, they should consider it a bum lamp and help out. Good faith out of warranty (here) is reasonable, no? You make it sound like my expecation of at least 50% of advertised life, in an easy, adult owned environment-is crazy.
well, yeah, no reason to keep this going... however, since this sounds so isolated (in your opinion, not every owner is on here, take a head count), all the reason for them to step up to the plate and handle this in good faith. Bulb issues or not, Epson has strong business ethics and values their clients. Actually, very strong, 2 years replacement, no matter the time on it.
"unusual number of user comments expressing frustration with premature lamp failure".
That is the reason Epson came up with their VERY unusual lamp guarantee for that 8100 model only.
No other PJ manufacture will do what you are expecting Mits to do with the hrs on your lamp, the ONE exception, the 8100 epson. And not any OTHER epson, just the 8100 model.
As mentioned, they're doing it to save their ass, the 8100 did NOT have this unusual guarantee when it came out, but kudos to you for finding it. Epson only has this 'strong biz ethics' on this one model. Mits also has great CS and it wouldn't surprise me one bit that if the HC4000/3800 had the same horrid lamp issues that the 8100 epson has, they might of also made a similar offer, after the fact (as epson has done).
So there is your answer, buy the 8100 epson
Or even better, get a big flat screen instead. Much more reliable on the whole for the average consumer than ANY projector, period.
Anyone have experience with aftermarket chinese bulbs? Is it possible to buy a oem chinese bulb in the aftermarket? I found an oem bulb for about $200 which seems to be a steal.
Apparently everyone else responding to your posts misses your point too.
The point is, even if you have the 8100 epson currently (instead of the HC4000), they're lamp guarantee on 'failure' wouldn't cover you. Of course epson 'might', at their discretion, decide to replace your lamp at the hrs you have due to 'excessive dimming', but it would seem unlikely. Only way to know for sure is to get a 8100.
I've had the hc4000 for a few months now and love this unit. I'm finishing a new theater room and thinking of going from 7 to 9ft wide on the screen. The picture has been great on the 7ft wide screen and on a da-lit matt white 1.0 gain screen. Does anyone think it would be necessary to make the new screen with a bit more gain being 9ft wide? Gets more expensive. In fact, is 9ft wide ok with this projector? Al indications is it would look fine. Thanks.
My screen is 10 wide 1.0 gain.looks great. DVDs aren't great but are ok. But that's to be expected at only 480p. Blu ray and dish look as good as any flat screen my buddy's paid more for and are only 55 inch. Can't go wrong with this unit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlitzBasicMan /forum/post/21755108
I've had the hc4000 for a few months now and love this unit. I'm finishing a new theater room and thinking of going from 7 to 9ft wide on the screen. The picture has been great on the 7ft wide screen and on a da-lit matt white 1.0 gain screen. Does anyone think it would be necessary to make the new screen with a bit more gain being 9ft wide? Gets more expensive. In fact, is 9ft wide ok with this projector? Al indications is it would look fine. Thanks.
Here is what I would offer, is that a 16:9 screen or a scope 2.35 screen, it will be harder to drive the 16:9 9' screen and will drop off faster as the lamp ages, YMMV...
Thanks guys for the input. Bishopt, I know what you are saying. However, I don';t watch anything but movies on it, and that is not real often. So i think a 1.0 gain may fine for long enough. Then i 'll just buy another bulb.
qx56, that is huge! lol. Thanks for giving me something to reference with. This unit kick's butt. Especialy for the price. The Hc4000 has been a great tool to bring family and friends together for fun popcorn and movie nights.
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