Is this bad for my projector?

[Exterous]

I got my first HT projector, an Epson Home Cinema 1080p. I hooked it up to a battery backup so it has time to cool down if the power goes out and I have always been using the "Off" button on the remote

However, I just got it but have been very busy so I have been watching 30 min of video here 30 min there so I am turning it on and off 4-5 times an evening. Should I avoid this?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Yes, and no. The generally accepted time for when you turn a projector off is at least 20 minutes. If you are going to be away from it for more than 20 minutes, turn it off, if you will be gone for less than 20 minutes, just leave it on.

That's the approximate time, generally, that you lose when you power cycle your projector. The lamp loses about 20 minutes a pop, give or take a bit.

This is a rough estimate, and it is very hard to give a more accurate number without tons of measurement equipment, but from discussions I've had several years ago, this was the number that was derived as a happy medium.

 

[Exterous]

Thats good to know. Thanks for the info! I am really enjoying the projector and didn't want to do anything to harm it

 

[lsiberian]

I got my first HT projector, an Epson Home Cinema 1080p. I hooked it up to a battery backup so it has time to cool down if the power goes out and I have always been using the "Off" button on the remote

However, I just got it but have been very busy so I have been watching 30 min of video here 30 min there so I am turning it on and off 4-5 times an evening. Should I avoid this?

I suggest you leave it on. There is more stuff being hit with the on and offs than the lamp. Just leave it on. It will usually dim itself and you can come back later and use it again.

The most harm you will do that way is using up your bulb faster. Which can be replaced.

 

[jostenmeat]

I suggest you leave it on. There is more stuff being hit with the on and offs than the lamp. Just leave it on. It will usually dim itself and you can come back later and use it again.

The most harm you will do that way is using up your bulb faster. Which can be replaced.

+1. 4-5 cycles of strikes everyday seems to be too much. It's not just the strikes on the bulb, it's the strikes on the unit too. Naturally, the higher end the PJ might be, the more likely the user will just leave it on (the proportional cost of the bulb to the PJ is decreased).

I've left my PJ on for an hour at a time, more times than I can remember. I've left it on for 2 hours I bet on a number of times.

The most strikes I've ever incurred on my unit in a day is two. And I'm sure that's happened less than a handful of times. FWIW, some people believe in the fewest strikes possible (being one a day, so NOT literally).

 

[Exterous]

Alright - I will keep my excitement in check and keep the random viewing down. I might just have to take a day off of work to deal with it once I get my speakers as well

 

[mouettus]

Damn those light bulbs. I can't wait for another technology to come out. I've been sitting out the projector scene... until a new technology at a decent price point comes out.

My mom owns a DLP tv. Bulb went out after 3 years. It actually EXPLODED in the Tv.

 

[Exterous]

Damn those light bulbs. I can't wait for another technology to come out. I've been sitting out the projector scene... until a new technology at a decent price point comes out.

My mom owns a DLP tv. Bulb went out after 3 years. It actually EXPLODED in the Tv.

I don't think I have ever heard of that happening before. Tell your mom that a hammer is not the appropriate tool for removing her DLP bulb!

And I don't think 6000hrs for something I wont be using daily is too bad. Shame I just missed out on the Epson bulb rebate though. Oh well. One can hope they do it again right?

 

[lsiberian]

Damn those light bulbs. I can't wait for another technology to come out. I've been sitting out the projector scene... until a new technology at a decent price point comes out.

My mom owns a DLP tv. Bulb went out after 3 years. It actually EXPLODED in the Tv.

Um a light bulb will always be required to produce light. The type of bulb could theoretically be changed, but there are many issues to deal with in regards to that. Bulbs are from 200 to 300 dollars in cost usually. That's a small price to pay for the picture you get. Plus a Kuro is more expensive than a PJ and do we really know how long it's going to last. It's far easier to break a tv too IMO. Especially if you ceiling mount a projector. I can throw things at my wall all day and never have to worry about it hitting my PJ.

Plus if you ever have to move and you have a PJ setup like mine it's way easier than lugging a heavy or big *** tv. I can move my tv really quickly and with far less effort.

Bulbs exploding are very rare. you just happened to be an unlucky one.

DLP tvs are still way cheaper than The other tvs and still have better contrast ratios.

 

[lsiberian]

I don't think I have ever heard of that happening before. Tell your mom that a hammer is not the appropriate tool for removing her DLP bulb!

And I don't think 6000hrs for something I wont be using daily is too bad. Shame I just missed out on the Epson bulb rebate though. Oh well. One can hope they do it again right?

It does happen and is why you should replace your lamp before it exceeds 2000 hours in most PJs. In a DLP I'm not sure the suggested hourly rate, but I would find out from your manufacturer.

I always replace my lamp at 2000 hours and keep the old lamp as a spare in case my new one pops. Then it can hold me a few hours till I get a new one.