Why Should I Purchase Bulbs From IAVI?
IAVI
carries a large variety of bulbs from all the leading manufacturers.
Our relationship with manufacturers allows us to get you the best prices
on replacement lamps for your projector. We will help you find the
right bulb for your projector at the right price.
Call
1-888-999-6564 or email us at lamps@iavi.com today.
Why Do LCD Bulbs Cost So Much?
This is the most common question our customers ask us - particularly if they've
never shopped for replacement LCD bulbs before. Many first-time LCD replacement
bulb shoppers understandably feel "sticker shock" when they start
shopping around for LCD replacement bulbs. So, we thought we'd give you some
insight as to why the products are priced the way they are.
First, these LCD bulbs and LCD projectors utilize sophisticated optics technologies
that allow images to be very precisely projected with a specific brightness,
color mix, and clarity that is far superior to earlier-generation projection
equipment. Second, the light bulb is assembled into a cage and is calibrated
for consistent performance. Since the light bulb in a "cage" is a
new generation of light bulb, it is accompanied by some "depreciated development
costs", like most new products. The cost of this technology is relatively
expensive. The good news, however, is that LCD bulbs are extremely efficient
and have a long life compared to other types of projection bulbs - they usually
last up to 2,000 hours!
The
Cost of Replacement Lamps
Evan Powell, December 3, 2004
ProjectorCentral.com
Projector
prices have dropped like a rock in the last few years. There are many
models now selling for well under $1,000. Unfortunately the cost of
replacement lamps has not followed suit. Though some lamps are now
below $300, most are in the $350 to $400 range and will continue to
be for the foreseeable future. Therefore more and more consumers buying
entry level projectors are shocked to discover that replacement lamps
can cost as much as half of the projector's original price.
A lot of folks are understandably confused and irritated at this situation.
Nobody likes a surprise bill for $400 that they didn't expect. But it is a
lot easier to deal with when you anticipate it, budget for it, and put it into
perspective.
Projectors are not like televisions that can run maintenance-free for a decade
or more. They need to have their lamps changed on occasion, and most have air
filters that need to be cleaned every month or two. Lamps typically last about
2,000 hours on most models. Some of the newer projectors offer extended lamp
life of 3,000 hours, and a few are up to even as much as 5,000 hours. Keep
in mind however that some lamps won't make it all the way to their estimated
life spans. If you operate your projector in a warm environment that is not
adequately ventilated, or at higher elevations, this can reduce lamp life.
Also, failing to keep the air filter clean may reduce lamp life as well. And
some lamps will just fail sooner than others--estimating average lamp life
is not an exact science.
While extended lamp life is a plus, don't let lamp life itself be an overly
huge factor in selecting a projector. Certainly a longer lamp life can mean
lower cost of ownership. However, if you get 2,000 hours out of a lamp it will
deliver 1,000 two-hour movies. If the replacement lamp is $400, that is about
forty cents a movie. If you watch thirty movies a month, your lamp cost is
about $12 per month—the cost of a medium Domino's pizza. Compared to
the cost of renting or buying those thirty DVDs a month, the lamp cost is almost
invisible.
Of course if you are intending to operate the projector up to 10 hours a day
or more, you will burn through lamps more quickly than will the typical home
theater user, and replacement cost becomes a more significant issue. But if
you are the typical home theater enthusiast who might watch a movie a day or
less, you will probably conclude that lamp life and lamp costs are not very
important cost factors in deciding between projectors.
Either way, no matter what type of usage you are planning for, when you are
buying a projector make sure to estimate your intended hourly usage per month.
Then ask the dealer for average lamp life and replacement lamp prices so you
know what you are signing up for. Only after you've estimated your lamp usage
can you put the cost of replacement lamps into accurate financial perspective
and budget for it accordingly.
For those thinking of buying a used projector to save money, a bit of caution
is warranted. There is usually no warranty on a used projector, and the lamp
is likely to be almost expired unless the seller specifically guarantees you
a new lamp. You may not be ahead of the game if you spend $500 on a used projector,
only to find that you must lay out an additional $400 for a lamp to operate
it. Quite often you'd be better off buying a new projector with a fresh lamp
and full warranty.
Projectors are excellent tools for delivering huge video images in your home,
office, or classroom. However, they are not maintenance-free. But as long as
you are aware that replacement lamps are not cheap and you will need one on
occasion, you can usually budget for them over the life of your projector without
it having any serious unexpected impact on your finances.
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