[royal]

is there an advantage (better picture) to replacing the lamp in a dlp rear proj tv before it dies?

[Bemopti123]

It all depends how old is the lamp you are presently using and the resolution of the device in itself.  It the lamp is pulling more than 1/2 of the lifespan that has been rated you will not notice it but you might be losing some brightness, the missing part you will notice after a bulb change.  Now if you have seem different displays of higher resolution and of newer make, depending of your device, the change will in itself disappoint you.

[royal]

the set is a mits wd-65835 (1080P).  I have only had it a few months but it was a display set so i dont know how many hours it has on it. 

[Bob in St. Louis]

Given the fact it was a display unit, you can safely assume it was turned on 24/7 between the day the store got it, and the day you bought it. You can look at the build tag on the back and figure a few weeks, maybe a couple months at the most after it was 'born' it was put into service.

Bob

[Bemopti123]

Replace the bulb and keep the original as spare.  You will be able to notice some sort of brightness different.  Isn't there some sort of electronic counter for hours used within the submenus?  BTW, high brightness is overrated, I tend to dim mines to acceptable levels and allow my eyes not to get strained, there are way too many people out there that are into glaring brightness which in effects lows bulb life and also increases energy costs.

[royal]

Thanks for the replies.  I understand now that it is just a matter of brightness. Since I have the brightness setting at just below half now, a new lamp wouldnt do anything for me.  It would be nice to have a spare though.

[ctviggen]

Thanks for the replies.  I understand now that it is just a matter of brightness. Since I have the brightness setting at just below half now, a new lamp wouldnt do anything for me.  It would be nice to have a spare though.

Do the bulbs only deteriorate in light output, or does the spectrum they produce also change over time?

[Bob in St. Louis]

Yes to both Bob.
Somewhere I read how often "they" recommend to have your unit calibrated due to changes in lumin output and "shift"^* in visible color spectrum.

Bob

* "Shift" I think it was called.

[ctviggen]

Thanks, Bob.  That means that there's more than one reason to replace the bulb, then.

Sadly, my unused projector sits, waiting for me to finish my room.  I'm likely going to buy an extra bulb, though, because I found a place with the bulb for $150, which is relatively cheap.

[Bob in St. Louis]

What projector do you have?
I'm looking to unload my relatively new PLV Z2 bulb on somebody. The PJ died soon after I got a new "F"ing bulb that cost $290. 

Bob