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LCD Projector Lamps

Projector prices have been dropping rapidly in the last few years. There's many models selling for well under $1,000. Unfortunately the same hasn't happened for costs of replacement lamps. Some lamps are below $300, but the majority are in the $350 to $400 range and seem to continue to keep a steady pace for the future. Customers buying entry level projectors are shocked when they discover that replacement lamps can cost almost half of the projector's original price. A lot of people are understandably confused and not very happy with this situation. Of course nobody likes a bill for $400 that they didn't expect. But it's a lot easier to cope if you anticipate it, budget for it, and put it into perspective.

Some believe that projectors are like televisions that will run maintenance-free for a decade. They don't realize that projectors need the lamps changed on occasion, and most need their air filters cleaned every month or two. On most models, lamps will last about 2,000 hours. Some newer projectors may offer an extended lamp life of 3,000 hours, and some are up to as much as 5,000 hours. Remember that some lamps may not make it all the way to the estimated life span. Operating a projector in a warm environment that does not have good ventilation can reduce lamp life as well as higher elevations. Failing to keep the air filter clean could also reduce lamp life. Some lamps will just fail sooner than others.

When selecting the right projector be sure not to factor the extended lamp life in too much. A longer lamp life can of course mean lower cost of ownership. However, if you get 2,000 hours from a lamp you can watch 1,000 two-hour movies. If the replacement lamp costs $400 it ends up being about forty cents a movie. If you watch thirty movies a month, your lamp cost is about $12 per month the cost of a movie for 2. If you plan on operating the projector 10 hours a day or more, you will burn through lamps more quickly than a typical home theater user, at this point replacement cost become a bigger issue. However, if you are the typical home theater user who might watch a movie a day or less, you will most likely find that lamp life and lamp costs won't be very important cost factors in deciding between projectors.
When you are buying a projector make sure to estimate the hourly usage per month. Then find out the average lamp life and replacement lamp prices so you know what offer you're signing up for. Try to remember that only after you've estimated your lamp usage can you figure out the cost of replacement lamps into accurate financial perspective and budget accordingly.

Use a bit of caution when buying a used projector to save money. There will usually never be a warranty a used projector, and the lamp is likely to give out soon. It may not save you money if you spend $500 on a used projector then to find that you must pay an additional $400 for a new lamp. You might be better off buying a new projector with a fresh lamp and a full warranty.

Projectors are excellent tools for delivering quality video images in your home, office, or classroom. However, they aren't maintenance free. As long as you are aware that replacement lamps aren't cheap and you'll need one on occasion, usually you can budget for them over the life of your projector without it having any serious unexpected impact on your finances.