[BillyBarcode`]

We had a wicked storm recently, and had a nearby lightning strike. The power went out, and when it came back, my HDMI port no longer worked. I have moved the cable to the other HDMI port for now. And I also noticed that the left side of the image had a blue "halo" for lack of a better word. I had read in other threads that this might be a condensing lens may have shifted. It's been hanging upside down from the ceiling, and I guess it could have shifted over time. Has anyone experienced this? Any ideas why an HDMI port would fail? And I would like to do something about the "halo". I'm all ears.

 

[rekbones]

Near by lightning strikes are the #1 cause if HDMI chip failure. It is a static induced pulse in the air and effects low voltage cable runs and the longer the more vulnerable. There is nothing you can do about it short of disconnecting the cable during every storm and will likely cause more damage to the cable and ports. A good insurance policy is your only hope. Surge suppression on the AC will have no effect as it has nothing to do with the AC power side of the electronics as even unplugging the AC plug won't necessarily prevent it but might help as your preventing another ground point.

 

[descalabro]

Besides what was said above, post a photo of the image defect so that we can try to tell if it's fixable or not.

 

[BillyBarcode`]

Thanks, rekbones...Appreciate the response. Guess I'm hooped. I have the projector mounted for inverted operation, and the HDMI cable runs from my AV Amp/Receiver, which is just under the screen. I have a throw distance of 13 feet, so the cable was routed under the floor, and up through a pillar right next to the projector. The cable is 25 feet long, so I guess it makes sense that it would pick up static discharges. Completely forgot about my home insurance, so I guess I'll get an estimate so I can file a claim. Thanks.

And thanks, descalabro. Our projector is in our living room, and light control is pretty poor during the day, so I'll take a shot tonight when I have optimal conditions. I'll post an image tonight.

Thanks, guys.

 

[BillyBarcode`]

Besides what was said above, post a photo of the image defect so that we can try to tell if it's fixable or not.

descalabro...here are some images of the "Halo" ....any ideas?

 

[descalabro]

descalabro...here are some images of the "Halo" ....any ideas?

Looks pretty bad, unfortunately. Somewhere along the lightpath, one or more colored lenses/glasses are probably burned.


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[BillyBarcode`]

Looks pretty bad, unfortunately. Somewhere along the lightpath, one or more colored lenses/glasses are probably burned.


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Do you think it'll be an expensive fix? Is it something I can check myself? I have never opened the projector. The unit is about 6 years old now, and has gone through about 4 bulbs. It has given me an "overheat" warning twice in those years. I am at 2600 feet above sea level, so I run all settings in the high altitude mode now. Would a newer refurb be something I should look at? Maybe something like this?

https://epson.ca/Clearance-Centre/H...ancement-and-HDR---Refurbished/p/V11H713020-N

 

[descalabro]

Do you think it'll be an expensive fix? Is it something I can check myself? I have never opened the projector. The unit is about 6 years old now, and has gone through about 4 bulbs. It has given me an "overheat" warning twice in those years. I am at 2600 feet above sea level, so I run all settings in the high altitude mode now. Would a newer refurb be something I should look at? Maybe something like this?



https://epson.ca/Clearance-Centre/H...ancement-and-HDR---Refurbished/p/V11H713020-N

Opening the projector will probably confirm my guess, but that’s it. Fixing would require to replace the damaged color filters, and that only comes cheap if ordered from China or taken from a faulty model. With the refurbed model you’re suggesting , your theater experience would improve at all levels, but there have been many of those refurb models with problems, so it may take a few tries before you get a good one. Still, a good one is the best you can get at this price.


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[tibimakai]

These projectors have pretty complex internals(read a lot of connectors, screws to be removed). Did you ever worked on complex electronics?

 

[descalabro]

These projectors have pretty complex internals(read a lot of connectors, screws to be removed). Did you ever worked on complex electronics?

If indeed the issue is caused by burned color filters, then it’s a matter of removing the top, detaching some 20 wires, removing the mainboard and likely 1 or 2 more parts and finally accessing the color filters. There won’t be any actual work with electronics besides disassembling. I have disassembled a few Epson for internal cleaning, and it’s not very technically demanding. Finding replacement color filters is more a nuisance than the actual work.

If you can find the parts for less than $150 and really want to keep the projector, then it may be worth it, by remember that if the other HDMI dies, then it’s a waste of time and money.


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[rekbones]

At the age and hours on that projector its severed you well but it's time to let it go. Total waste of time to even attempt a fix. The Epson 3100 for $800 is a steal and will improve almost every category and have under $100 replacement lamps as a bonus.

 

[tibimakai]

I have one of these, with a few issues. No 2D, only 3D works, lcds were removed, so alignment is off.

 

[AV_Integrated]

...Would a newer refurb be something I should look at? Maybe something like this?

https://epson.ca/Clearance-Centre/H...ancement-and-HDR---Refurbished/p/V11H713020-N

The Epson 5040UB refurbs, while they have had a few reports of bad units, are an incredible step up from the 3020. I have read several reports over the years of the 3020 having some issues. I don't think that was one of Epson's best efforts in front projection. They had it for a little while, but it seemed to have been more quickly replaced than some other models.

So, either the Epson 3100 or the Epson 5040UB refurb are great ways to go and both offer a true upgrade on the 3020 that you have currently.

It does look like there is a burned polarizer inside the projector, which isn't really a DiY repair as it typically involves working inside the optical block of the projector. So, past taking it all the way apart, you are dealing with precision aligned electronics at that point. Call it a $500-$1,000 factory repair job. Typically they just swap the entire optical block and in a few years you will have the same issue.

With 4 lamps over 6 years, you are a VERY heavy user. If you have been very happy with the 3020 in most aspects, I would lean towards a lesser expensive model with inexpensive FACTORY replacement lamps. No aftermarket lamps for you to help ensure quality and reliability and a cheaper projector so when (not if) it does fail, you will not be out a lot of cash. The Epson 3100 does a nice job there with $100 factory original replacement lamps.

 

[BillyBarcode`]

Thank you all for all your advice. I have pulled the trigger on a refurbed 5040UB. It should arrive September 4th, I'm told.

Yes, I am a heavy user. The old projector was used as our everyday TV. Despite there being a large flat screen LCD or LED in each bedroom, everyone wants to watch movies and TV on the projector. I suspect it is this way with everyone who has a home theatre set-up. Ours happens to be our living room, so it's not surprising that the projector is in near constant use. The old HC3020 has been good all these years, despite also being a "refurb" replacement for the first one that developed an LCD panel issue, but suddenly everything is starting to fail, so the decision was made to get another one. I spoke with a local Epson repair centre, and without seeing the projector they suggested if it is something burned, the entire light engine would probably be replaced as a unit, and the dead HDMI port suggests a dead controller card, so it was suggested that it might cost as much as $ 1,200.00 CDN. That pretty much pushed me over into going with the 5040UB refurb. Fingers crossed that I get one without problems.