Projection TV Bulbs
Projector TVs are the most commonplace kind of televisions being produced today. These TVs utilize bulbs in order to project an image onto the screen, creating the image you see on the TV. Advancements in recent technology have allowed the projector bulb TV system to produce high-quality images worthy of a cinema screen. HD-quality images are also produced with advanced bulbs that even have semiconductor chips inside of them.
Like any piece of precision engineering, the projection TV bulb will require periodical maintenance, and sometimes replacement, when it starts to malfunction. Depending on the kind of projection TV you have, different kinds of bulbs and methods of replacement may need to be utilized in order to prevent irreparable damage. As always, call up the nearest official service center for your projector TV when in doubt.
Kinds of Projection TVs
Projection bulb technology has been in use since the 1970’s. While even older CRT televisions have utilized rear-projection technology, recent advancements in technology have allowed projection bulbs to evolve in quality and size. Here’s a look at the predominant types of projection televisions today.
- Cathode Ray Tube Projectors – CRT televisions are one of the oldest kinds of TVs on the market today. While waning in popularity, many homes across the globe still have a CRT TV or two. Modern CRT TVs project an image onto a screen by firing a beam of electrons onto a screen coated with phosphorous to overcome the inherent size limits imposed by a cathode ray tube.
- Microdisplay Projectors – The microdisplay TV fits between the CRT and modern flat-panel TV technology. The light engine inside a microdisplay TV is based around a central lamp, which bounces light off one or more microchips. From the microchip, the light is bounced off into an assembly which produces the colors and images seen on the screen. The common microdisplay TV is much slimmer than a CRT, but still fatter than a flat-panel LCD or LED TV.
- Liquid Crystal Display Projector – LCD television sets are now the predominant kind of TV. Also used as screens for computers and other applications, a small LCD chip made up of tiny pixels projects light to create the image you see on a TV. Mirrors create the colors red, green and blue onto an LCD screen, which manipulates the amount of available light through the use of an electric current.
- Digital Light Processor Projectors – The DLP is a proprietary technology owned by Texas Instruments, and is utilized in TVs and video projectors. It can be used in front and rear-projection screens effectively. The DLP chip contains many microscopic mirrors that represent each of the pixels seen on a screen. Light is bounced off these mirrors to project the images you see on a screen.
Now that you are familiar with the common kinds of projection TVs, here are a few common things that happen to them, and the bulbs contained within them.
Projection TV Bulb Care Tips
A projection TV’s bulb can be the most sensitive thing inside of it, no matter what kind of TV set you may have. These bulbs are the key behind the image you see on your TV; they are placed behind the screen to project the light and colors of the viewed image. Some TVs may have these bulbs in different areas inside the TV, so be sure to read your user manual before trying to find it.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when troubleshooting your projector TV bulb:
- The lifespan of a projector bulb is measured in hours. A typical TV bulb will last for about 5,000 to 10,000 hours, sometimes even more or less depending on the kind of TV you have. The number of hours that the bulb lasts for also depends greatly on how often you watch TV.
- A good way to prolong the life of your projector TV bulb is to decrease the brightness of your screen when you watch TV. Some TV sets are set to the maximum brightness setting by default, so lower the brightness when you get a new TV to reduce the stress placed on the bulbs from the get-go.
- Keep your TV off when you are not watching TV. The longer your TV is on, the faster your projector bulbs will wear out.
- Make sure to keep the vents and air filters around the base of the TV free of dust and dirt. The insides of your TV set, including the bulb, need to be sufficiently cooled in order to work.
Your TV screen can also display telltale signs of projector bulb replacement:
- A dim or flickering image on your screen can indicate that the projector bulb is failing. This can be put off until the bulb dies out completely, meaning you will wait until the image on your screen is totally blank.
- Sometimes, the bulbs of traditional front-projected images can burn out individually. The red, green, or blue light sources may go out one by one, and will leave a noticeable difference in hue on the projected image.
- Smeared or blurry colors viewed on-screen may mean it is time to change out the bulb of your projector.
If you suspect your bulb has failed, then it’s time to replace the bulb to get your TV working again. Find the Rear Projection TV Bulb Replacement You Need Now!