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Lamp or Lamp Module?

Few manufacturers offer replacement lamp and lamp modules for projectors. A lamp module means you are buy a complete unit - meaning the lamp and the housing around it. They are user-replaceable and no advanced technical knowledge is needed to replace them.

If you buy a lamp only for your projector, you need a degree of technical expertise to replace it. Buying just the lamp you do not get the 'housing' around the lamp and changing it is difficult and, often results in damage. A lamp only might be slightly less expensive,but it is recommended that you buy a lamp module if lack extensive technical knowledge of projectors.

The projector image seems dimmer than usual - what does this mean?

It’s time to replace your projector lamp. With metal halide (high pressure mercury) lamps, you'll notice a dimming of the image brightness as the lamp loses power. Some projectors allow you to check the number of hours your lamp has been used through the built-in menu system. Check your user guide for this feature.

How many hours will my projector lamp work?

Like any light bulb you would use, projector bulbs have a lamp life. This value is expressed in hours - typically 1000 to 2000. Newer models claim 4000 hours and more. The lamp's success is based on a bell curve, so the majority of (but not all) lamps will meet the lamp life hours specified. Some lamps fail sooner, and this is part of the acceptable operating range of the rating.

Projectors used under normal operating conditions (no more than three to five hours per day in a clean, relatively dust-free environment) the lamp has the greatest likelihood of lasting its entire lamp life. Projectors used more often or exposed to environmental contaminants are more likely to decrease in lamp life. Projectors operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week have the highest likelihood of lamp failure before the end of their lamp life.

What can I do to help my projector lamp last longer?

Projector should not become overheated. The main cause of lamp failure is excessive heat. Follow the user manual instructions for powering down the projector to ensure it has an adequate cool-down period.

Operate your projector in a clean, relatively dust-free environment.

Clean air filters regularly. Utilize the "economy mode" (if available with your projector model.

What is the difference between a halogen and metal halide lamp?

Halogen bulbs last approx 70 hours (per bulb). Metal halide lamps last approx 1000 to 2000 hours.

Halogen lamps are less expensive (typically £25 - £75) than metal halide lamps (£200 - £400). The type of lamp your projector uses is determined by the manufacturer.

Halogen lamps give off a yellowish image and metal halide lamps have a whiter image.

Halogen lamps burn at a steady rate and have a consistent brightness throughout lamp life. The brightness of metal halide lamps decreases during lamp life.

What about UHP?

UHP (Ultra High Performance) is a proprietary design of metal halide lamp manufactured by Philips, that requires lower wattage for equivalent brightness. Benefits of this technology are a smaller and lighter projector, because the power supply is smaller and lighter; cooler running, quieter, and less expensive-to-operate projector because of the lower wattage; and a longer lamp life, because the stresses on the lamp (wattage, temperature change) are reduced. UHP lamps last approximately 4000 hours whereas metal halide lamps last approximately 1000 to 2000 hours.

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