[briareos99]

Due to a number of unfortunate circumstances, my AE900u got left on for six days in a row displaying my receiver's default image (don't ask

). I have not noticed any burn in due to this. However...


The image is now very dim. It has been in high power mode for most of its life (due to distance from and size of screen), it has 900 hours on the bulb. I have to move the brightness slider nearly all the way up to get acceptable brightness, but the contrast/black levels are suffering and I really doubt it is a good idea to run this way for long. My question for any gurus here is do you think replacing the bulb will restore the normal brightness of the projector, or is this problem not with the bulb but something else (panel, electronics, etc.) This projector has been fantastic to me so far, I'm really not looking to upgrade if I can avoid it.

 

[CT_Wiebe]

Either your lamp is on it's last legs (heat will kill lamp life and the AE900 cooling system is not designed for that length of continuous operation) or your panels and/or polarizers, have been severely degraded due to excessive internal heat, or both.


I suggest that you clean your air filter ASAP. You have gone way beyond the recommended cleaning period too. The manual says ever 100 hours, IIRC, and I always recomend every 40-50 hours to be on the safe side.


Unfortunatly, the only way to find out is to buy a new lamp (an expensive lesson, but let's hope it's nothing more serious). Panasonic will be of no help, since all they will say is that you have abused your PJ (which you have seriously done).


You shouldn't run your AE900 for more than 10 to 12 hours at any one time (Panasonic has tried to tell some of our Aussie friends that 4 hours is the maximum, or their warranty is voided). You should check your manual for its maximum operating time (it may not say).

NOTE: The polarizers are around $100 each (red, green, & blue) and can be replaced by you (if your carefull and handy). Otherwise it will cost you parts plus a $150 service charge (or more), plus shipping, to have the US Panasonic repair depot fix it (they're located in Kansas). Don't trust the local Panasonic repair centers, they will screw you with over-charges.