Projectors with rational $$ replacement bulbs??



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Originally Posted by Jim Cate /forum/post/20775466


Are there any HD projectors for which one could buy OEM replacement bulbs for "rational" prices? Like, $100 to $160? - - Epson, Sanyo, Panasonic, Runco, LG, JVC, Viewsonic, Acer?


Jim

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I presume that the answer to my question is "no". - It's not possible. Under no circumstances. Don't even think about it. You're going down the wrong road, in the wrong direction. Don't ask questions like that.


I realize that there are complexities in the design and manufacture of these bulbs and bulb housings. But I always thought that the underlying goal/purpose of modern engineering was ongoing improvement in both quality and and cost factors. But I'm suspecting that somehow there isn't much incentive for cost reductions among projector manufacturers.


Do I detect a note of defensiveness with respect to this issue? Like, we don't want to admit we are being screwed?


Jim

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Jim, the cost of projectors has come down considerable. What you get for $2000 now is far superior in many ways to what you would have gotten 5-6 years ago for $4-5000, so the engineers are doing their job. But lamps are a consumable..


Think about your printer, how much do you spend on ink in a year vrs how much you spent on the printer. I don't print much but seem to spend $75 a year on ink for my $100 printer.. .. how about golf.. how much gets spent on just one round vrs the time you get to enjoy yourself doing that activity


Why do you feel the cost of the consumable associated with a projector is so bad? The TVs they are building today can coast $2000 and if they last 3 years before it fails you will be very lucky.. Folks with large projection TVs that spent $4000 5 years ago are junking them or giving them away for something newer.. The fact you are still happy with the image your projector provides should really be appreciated.. $300 for like new performance every few years seems like a good deal. You may think your image is still bright but with a new lamp you will see what you have been missing, it is a slow decline and you get used to it, trust me a new OEM lamp is like getting an upgrade, I have seen it with my own projector


I realize you are in need of a new lamp and parting with the funds to replace it can be painful if you have not figured it into your budget ahead of time... just like needing a new set of tires on the car unexpectedly..


I can honestly say $300 for a lamp provides a boat load more fun than $300 worth of tires!

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Well, I've already parted with the funds ($300), and I'll look forward to the image I get with the new bulb. I would think that at least some aftermarket sources are out there who maintain good quality control as well as price, but since I couldn't find any comprehensive reviews or reports on such sources, I didn't want to take a chance with an aftermarket bulb.


I have enjoyed my Sanyo Z3000, and I'm amazed at the detail in some of the HD images I get on Blu-ray. However, much of my viewing has been just watching news programs on TV (DISH HD). My big investment, by far, is in the surround audio system.


Jim

And now for a completely opposite opinion...


I have been using an aftermarket bulb in my Samsung SP-H710ae for months now and have had no problems whatsoever with the bulb. Admittedly, I purchased it because Samsung themselves no longer market a compatible OEM bulb (Which is frankly ridiculous that they essentially abandoned their own product already) and an aftermarket bulb was literally all that was available.


Another thing to note, the bulbs for my Samsung rear projection TV HLN-5065w have dropped in price considerably over the years since that set was released from about $350 in 2003 to $120 today for an OEM replacement bulb and housing assembly.


Which frankly shows that with projector bulbs you are almost playing a lottery as to seeing just what the ultimate prices and availability of the bulbs you may need further down the road will be.


If you are really that concerned with the cost of buying a replacement bulb then I suggest..


~ Buy an Epson 8700UB. It currently comes with an extra bulb via a mail in rebate offer.


~Buy the projector of your choice and purchase a spare bulb at the same time and simply factor in the cost of the extra lamp as part of the overall cost of the projector.


~Take a look at the LED based projectors which shouldn't need to have their lamps replaced for well over 10,000+ hours.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate /forum/post/20778430


But I always thought that the underlying goal/purpose of modern engineering was ongoing improvement in both quality and and cost factors.\\

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Either you never been to a manufacturing plant in China or you've succumb to believe the rubbish that big manufacturers feed their consumers.


Yes, ideally, modern engineering is supposed to help with ongoing improvement in both quality and cost factors. But in reality, a business has to make money. Ongoing improvement is not so much to benefit consumers, but to gain an advantage over a competitor's products. Consumers just benefit in between. Competition between manufacturers is also what drives the price for consumers down over time.


I love BMW, but it's a great example for case point here. I have a friend that works closely in the mid-range management area at BMW USA, and told me that BMW strategically makes their cars breakable after 4-5 years, well within the time that your warranty runs out. And we all know BMWs are costly to maintain. So either you will love your initial experience and buy a new one, or have to be sucked into constant maintenance and ring a huge tab.


Also just like the printer example mentioned by "airscapes". Very good one. Businesses will drive down the cost of the capsule product and earn a small margin of profit; however, what a consumer will be locked in on for a longer term will be the type of bulb that he/she will have to continue purchasing over time.


Corporations and manufacturers are here to make a sale. It's all about profit and revenue making. Remember that.