DLP TV Bulb Replacement

[Gimpy McFarlan]

I purchased my Samsung 46" DLP TV in 7/04. It is model HL-P4663W.

I've heard that picture quality will degrade on DLP TVs as the bulb age. I cannot find a bulb life counter in the configuration anywhere.

At what point should I proactively replacing the bulb? I have not noticed any change in quality or brightness however it may be getting worse so gradually that I cannot recognize it. Should I just wait for warning indicators (LED indicators on front to flash) or for it to burn out naturally?

[Scott]

When mine went out in the Panny, the warning signs were pretty clear. It took longer for the set to turn on--much longer towards the end--and the picture became really dark about one week prior to it finally going out (purchased mine in 03, went out just before three years). Do you have a service plan that covers bulb replacement? If you do, you may just want to wait for it to go out and then have them send a replacement.

[Gimpy McFarlan]

The TV is covered by the CityAdvantage plan from Circuit City until 7/08. I read the service guide and it does not have an exclusion for bulb replacement so I assume it would be covered. Guess I'll just wait for it to get worse to the point that I notice it! :)

[jpdublin]

Mine went out without warning last year and Best Buy's plan covered the bulb. I imagine CC will cover it as well. I would make sure that you do get a new bulb before your service contract runs out, even if your bulb has yet to go.

[stevec999]

With the Samsung sets you have to go into the service menus to see the blub counter. I do not remember how to get into the service menus but if you search on AVS forums you should be able to find it.

My set is an samsung HLN that I purchased in 2003 sometime. The bulb is starting to get very dim and has a bit of flicker to it so I am guessing it will pop soon. I think last time I checked it was around 7000 hours.

[Robbiee19]

I have a Sammy 61" and yes the picture will degrade over time. It's hard to notice, then it just goes out. That's what happen to me.

[Captain_Rob]

Even though I have a service contract for my Samsung that includes bulbs, I still bought a spare bulb. Murphy's law says it's going to blow in the the day of a big game or something, so I'll be able to just pop in my spare and won't have to wait for the contract replacement. I got mine for about $200 from:

http://www.samsungparts.com

PS: I have about 4000 hours on the original bulb and haven't noticed any dimming, flickering or delayed starts yet.

[MeHDTV]

Try at your own risk!!!

Sammy service menu entrance is mute 182 power, or mute 183 power IIRC.

[Gimpy McFarlan]

Sammy service menu entrance is mute 182 power, or mute 183 power IIRC.

Thanks for the feedback, however I tried these combos different ways but they didn't work. :confused:

[jchiso]

Thanks for the feedback, however I tried these combos different ways but they didn't work. :confused:

Was the TV in Standby/Off mode when you did this?

Samsung's Service Menu sequence was (is)
[Mute]
[1]
[8]
[2]
[Power]

You may have to use the buttons on the unit itself, not those of the remote.

[Gimpy McFarlan]

Was the TV in Standby/Off mode when you did this?


I did the key sequence with the TV in both the on and off position to start. No dice. The only keys on the unit itself are the power button (on the front) and configuration buttons (on the side). I'll try it one more time when I get home from work!

[Captain_Rob]

On some models, you must also have the power off/on melody turned on.

[Gimpy McFarlan]

Tried it again last night from a cold/off position and it worked. Fumbled around the cryptic menus and found the buld life at 2863. I'm assuming this is the amount of hours the bulb has been on.

Thanks again for the feedback!

[Gimpy McFarlan]

Been awhile since I checked the elapsed time on the original bulb. Checked it yesterday and was shocked to see it is now at 7232. :blink: I'm now considering whether or not I should just go ahead and proactively replace it. At the very least I'm going to purchase a bulb since the original is now over 5 years old.

[bspvette86]

7000 hrs. WOW. that would be nice. I'm lucky to get 2500 hours and/or two years out of one for my Toshiba. My second bulb just popped this weekend on a set we got 12/2004. :doh:

[jpdublin]

Have you found anywhere to buy those Toshiba replacement bulbs? I have a Toshiba that is about to blow (I have that feeling) and need to get one.

[nicholc2]

I try to proactively replace the bulb in my dlp every year or two. The cost of a new bulb is minimal compared to the difference in picture.

[bspvette86]

Have you found anywhere to buy those Toshiba replacement bulbs? I have a Toshiba that is about to blow (I have that feeling) and need to get one.

They can be found online from $127 - $188. I may try an equivilent model this time since the Toshi bulbs seem to have "V-E-R-Y" limited life.

http://www.nextag.com/Toshiba-TB25-LMP-Lamp-523846616/prices-html

[bspvette86]

Got the replacement bulb for my Toshi 52HM84 today. Got a TB25-LMP OEM equivilent instead of the Factory part. Paid $127 + shipping at Electrified.com. The Genuine Toshi part was $188 from the same store. The bulb is constructed a little different. The previous factory ones had both wires going in through the rear center of the bulb with the front wire going along the bulb up to the front. This one has the rear wire going in the rear center and the front wire to the bulb coming in the through the side near the front... Might have different thermal cycle loading with this arrangement. Guess I'll find out if it lasts any longer... :eek:

[jpdublin]

I picked up one as well, I went with the factory Toshiba bulb though. It is nice to have a reserve bulb and it is amazing at how much these bulbs have dropped in price over the past few years. Thanks.

[bspvette86]

My TOSHI set is not completely happy with the OEM equivilent TB25-LMP bulb when it starts up cold. During the warmup cycle it displays ok. When it switches to normal operation, the screen goes blank and the lights flash indicating a problem with the bulb. If I turn it off and back on at this point, it works normally from that point on. I have gone through two cold starts and it has done it both times. I will be checking with the vendor on this issue.

[bspvette86]

Update on this. I finally got around to putting the set into service mode and checking the hours. (mute, mute, hold mute + menu on TV) I have 10,000+ hours on the set and 9800+ hours total Lamp time. It appears we actually got close to 7000 hours out of the TB25-LMP bulb. I guess we have been serious couch potatoes on the second bulb! :eek: After doing some more research online, the Ballast is probably the culprit of the periodic no-start of the lamp. I am finding two different part numbers for the replacement. One is 23122468 $168 and the other is 23122468P $43. The 23122468 is what is called out in the service manual, but it looks like the 23122468P will work as well. (might be related to a change in bulb specs and/or manufacturers) Going to dig into the differences some more before ordering one. :confused:

[bspvette86]

After my last post I removed and re-installed the lamp. Set has been working flawlessly for over a week now. Looks like sombody didn't put the bulb in right the first time. (don't ask me how :dunno: )