Epson 7500UB yellowing?

[MidnightSensi]

I've started to get a yellowish blob/coloration growing in the upper left of the projected image. I haven't called Epson yet, in case it is something with the setup..Any ideas what that could be? The colors are otherwise normal elsewhere, just in the upper right there is some yellowish coloration in the image. I've tested that it isn't the screen or source.

Any ideas?

 

[adk highlander]

Could it be a dust blob? I have some discoloration when looking at a completely blacks screen I can see circles that are a slightly different color. If it is playing a movie I cannot see it at all but maybe yours has manifested differently.

 

[jostenmeat]

It sure sounds like a dust blob. I think I've read that Epson has a superb warranty, and long one at that, and that they cover dust blobs too. I presume you are still under warranty.

To best avoid these blobs, clean the filter(s) regularly. The main issue with 3LCD's propensity to get blobs is the fact that there are not just one, but three unsealed light paths.

Some projectors actually come with their own "blower", that consumers say actually works or at least helps quite a bit, but that will be dependent on the layout or design.

I was hunting around for cleaning directions (as you can find them for other brands/models), but then I saw that this is warrantied by Epson, so I might go that route. I'll keep looking here and there if time permits.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Could it be a dust blob? I have some discoloration when looking at a completely blacks screen I can see circles that are a slightly different color. If it is playing a movie I cannot see it at all but maybe yours has manifested differently.

I wish I brought my camera home from work, I might be able to get a picture of it.

It's pretty subtle, but I notice it now. It's maybe a 1" high by 10" wide blob at the very top left of the screen that is a bit yellow.

It sure sounds like a dust blob. I think I've read that Epson has a superb warranty, and long one at that, and that they cover dust blobs too. I presume you are still under warranty.

To best avoid these blobs, clean the filter(s) regularly. The main issue with 3LCD's propensity to get blobs is the fact that there are not just one, but three unsealed light paths.

Some projectors actually come with their own "blower", that consumers say actually works or at least helps quite a bit, but that will be dependent on the layout or design.

I was hunting around for cleaning directions (as you can find them for other brands/models), but then I saw that this is warrantied by Epson, so I might go that route. I'll keep looking here and there if time permits.

I bought the projector from a local installer, rather than the Internet like I typically buy audio/video stuff, for this exact reason. My local guy is very helpful so I'll call him on Monday if you guys think it is a dust ball.

I just checked my filter and it is almost spotless. My listening room has a Trane CleanEffects air filter. I get some dust, but, barely any. My lens is even pretty spotless and I haven't cleaned it recently.... I wonder how dust got in there?

I looked in the manual, nothing about dust blobs.... but searching 'dust blobs' on google presented a lot of people that have had similar issues.

I send my Canon in to get cleaned once a year, so, I guess projectors are the same way?

 

[jostenmeat]

I bought the projector from a local installer, rather than the Internet like I typically buy audio/video stuff, for this exact reason. My local guy is very helpful so I'll call him on Monday if you guys think it is a dust ball.

Well, it's something. Hopefully dust, which is probably better than a failing panel (not that I know what that looks like).

I just checked my filter and it is almost spotless. My listening room has a Trane CleanEffects air filter. I get some dust, but, barely any. My lens is even pretty spotless and I haven't cleaned it recently.... I wonder how dust got in there?

Do you smoke while watching movies? If so, I imagine the rising/hanging smoke would get sucked in easily by the PJ, due to the proximity.

I looked in the manual, nothing about dust blobs.... but searching 'dust blobs' on google presented a lot of people that have had similar issues.

I send my Canon in to get cleaned once a year, so, I guess projectors are the same way?

I don't think you can categorize PJs so easily like that. Some PJs just get dirty easier than others. 3LCD is the most prone (well, there are 3DLP, but I don't know, and those are mega bux anyways).

You could try your hand at cleaning it yourself. There seem to be two camps. The "try cleaning it" camp. And the "better be careful because you might make it worse" camp. I looked in the 7500 owners thread at AVS, and there has only been one single instance of a dust blob, and it was described in the same way as adk highlander's: he can see it on a black screen.

Here is a guy who simply cleaned his Pana 2000 thru the air vents, and it worked for him. Other(s) tried with success as well, however, again you'll see the "better be careful" camp chiming in.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=958634

Hm, this might not be a dust blob though. Yeah, I'd post a pic at forums. BMX will know. It seems other large blobs have been diagnosed as other things such as a burnt polarizer or optical block, which can be a very expensive thing to deal with (good thing Epson has a good warranty). Then there is also the burnt LCD panel (though some would say extremely unlikely if inorganic, which I assume the 7500 is).

Ok, it looks like to see if it's a polarizer, you have to take them out and see if they have a burnt spot, discolored. If uniform, then they are fine. Polarizers seem to be in the ballpark of $100 a piece.


Long story short, take a couple of pics, bring it to your dealer, have it repaired, and see if he has a loaner PJ. Maybe a nice RS35 or something.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I'll bring the camera back on Monday. I'm kind of doubting a dust ball now, it seems like people with dust balls have them when the image is black... mine is only a yellow tint when there is color. And it isn't really a blob, it is more of a streak. Hm.

I smoke out of a Volcano mostly, so, never really any haze in here. Never a cigarette.

 

[MidnightSensi]

So I noticed there is a bit of blue at the bottom now.

Based on that, I did some more searching and it sounds like it is likely polarizers going bad.

I'm not sure what a polarizer is in a projector, probably going to search around a bit more now.

I'm going to call tomorrow and see what to do.

 

[jostenmeat]

So I noticed there is a bit of blue at the bottom now.

Based on that, I did some more searching and it sounds like it is likely polarizers going bad.

I'm not sure what a polarizer is in a projector, probably going to search around a bit more now.

I'm going to call tomorrow and see what to do.

There is a polarizer next/behind each LCD panel. That doesn't answer what it does, though I can say it "polarizes" to get whatever waves are desired for each set of panels, but I so don't know anything beyond that, and I'll shut up there.

I am starting to worry that it is an optical block issue? What is that? I don't know, but I think it might be the rig as a whole (lcd panels, polarizers, etc). A polarizer is sort of like a block, if my impression is correct, and I guess they call the whole contraption as an optical block.

Warranties are sometimes a great thing.

Absolutely off topic, but I decided to share the best set of instructions for cleaning dust blobs that I've yet come across (while searching for "optical block", which gets you a million Sony SXRD hits), but again, for a Pana this time, the 3000, and not Epson:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16241911&postcount=3142

 

[MidnightSensi]

Another strange thing is the projector seems to be very hot. Like the air coming out is extremely hot, even though the room is cool and it is well ventilated.

There is a 'high altitude mode,' but, I'm at sea level in 70-deg air conditioning and the unit is on its own shelf with probably two feet of room above it.

 

[jostenmeat]

Another strange thing is the projector seems to be very hot. Like the air coming out is extremely hot, even though the room is cool and it is well ventilated.

Hotter than before, did you mean? Hm. Yes, reducing heat is a good thing for PJ longevity, but if it has increased in heat, to me it's like the "chicken or the egg". Did heat cause the failure, or was it the failure that causes the heat?

My own exhaust vent is normally very warm. I didn't notice (not that I was really looking for it), much change from when it was shelf mounted, to ceiling mounted.

What I did notice was that since the filter is on the bottom/side, as shelf mounted, it was always pristine. As ceiling mounted (pj upside down), dust can now settle on to the filter much more easily, and I now actually have to make sure to clean it at regular intervals.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I took some shots of the issue. On Monday my dealer is coming back to look at it and take care of it. Do these pictures help clarify what it might be?

Full view, notice yellow in upper left and blue in lower right.

<br>
Yellow of upper left...

<br>
Blue in lower left...

 

[jostenmeat]

I took some shots of the issue. On Monday my dealer is coming back to look at it and take care of it. Do these pictures help clarify what it might be?

I started a thread at AVS asking on your behalf, you can bookmark it for now. I don't know how many responses we will get, if any.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18672884#post18672884

 

[majorloser]

I have a 7500 with no problems.

Have you tried calling their special "Private Line" support phone number? I know I received a card that had the phone number and a special PIN number for support.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I started a thread at AVS asking on your behalf, you can bookmark it for now. I don't know how many responses we will get, if any.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18672884#post18672884

Hey thanks man! I'll watch and see if anyone replies!

I have a 7500 with no problems.

Have you tried calling their special "Private Line" support phone number? I know I received a card that had the phone number and a special PIN number for support.

Nod, I guess faulty parts happen.

Yeah, I kind of want my dealer to see it also just to have another party involved, and also to ask for another projector to use in the mean time while it gets fixed/replaced.

 

[jostenmeat]

You've got a response at the other thread, but it's not very informative. Anyways, I ran a couple of searches, and something that I came across is that perhaps you can have your FW updated while you're at it. I haven't seen how you check for it, or even what the most current version is, and they might do it even if you didn't ask, but it still doesn't hurt to request it . . . eh

edit: yikes, still combing search results, and this guy had the issue on three consecutive Epson 6500s within a year . . . must be really bad luck . . .
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18403180&postcount=4040

A post that may be interesting to you, as far as down time:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18481265&postcount=4069

At least for the 6500, just over a month ago, it seems the most current FW might be 1.12.

another case:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18231068&postcount=4024

Ok, there are actually a lot of cases of this happening, I'll just link this last one and stop there . . .
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17617042&highlight=blue#post17617042

 

[MidnightSensi]

You've got a response at the other thread, but it's not very informative. Anyways, I ran a couple of searches, and something that I came across is that perhaps you can have your FW updated while you're at it. I haven't seen how you check for it, or even what the most current version is, and they might do it even if you didn't ask, but it still doesn't hurt to request it . . . eh

edit: yikes, still combing search results, and this guy had the issue on three consecutive Epson 6500s within a year . . . must be really bad luck . . .
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18403180&postcount=4040

A post that may be interesting to you, as far as down time:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18481265&postcount=4069

At least for the 6500, just over a month ago, it seems the most current FW might be 1.12.

another case:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18231068&postcount=4024

Ok, there are actually a lot of cases of this happening, I'll just link this last one and stop there . . .
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17617042&highlight=blue#post17617042

Wow!

I wonder what the problem is... Do they slow cook?

It sure does run hot, but I kind of thought all projectors ran pretty hot by nature of using a bulb.

 

[majorloser]

I guess the reason I haven't had any problems might be because I always run mine in "high altitude" mode which keeps the fan on high speed. No such thing as running cool on the ceiling in Florida.

But there is one major advantage the 7500 has over the 6500.

Three Year Warranty

I'd definitely talk to your dealer and call the hotline. Get the ball rolling from both ends.

 

[jostenmeat]

Wow!

I wonder what the problem is... Do they slow cook?

It sure does run hot, but I kind of thought all projectors ran pretty hot by nature of using a bulb.

I kind of doubt it. I think it must be some batch of poorly built part(s). Yeah, the question is which part? I looked around with a bit of spare time yesterday, and found nothing . . .

Yes, projectors in general just run hot. The brighter it is, the hotter it runs, generally (that's why the very high lumens capable DLPs are known to run louder, generally speaking).

If the noise doesn't bother you, majorloser's idea is excellent for longevity. I don't have a high altitude mode, I believe, but the high lamp mode is just way too loud for me. In fact, I even wish the low lamp mode was a bit quieter, even though it doesn't bother me +99% of the time.

 

[MidnightSensi]

My dealer talked with Epson, they are shipping a new unit out for Thursday delivery, and then I'll/my dealer is shipping back the faulty unit. So, I'll have no downtime which is great.

Hopefully this is a one time thing. Epson was very responsive. It's nice to have good customer service.

 

[jostenmeat]

Wow, you can't beat a brand new unit. That's just fantastic. New bulb too!