Plasma TV recommendations?

[gabkwong]

Altian,

Pick up a copy of the Sept issue of Consumer Report. It has a small review of this.

[pliablemoose]

Supposedly the prices are set to drop again this fall/winter if you can hold off a bit.

I like the DLP, myself but there is the matter of the ~$300 bulb burning out.

[Treibenschnell]

I like the DLP, myself but there is the matter of the ~$300 bulb burning out.

I currently have four DLP's on 24/7 for almost 2 years straight and have yet to have any bulb issues... much less any other issues.

[Tim the Teacher]

much less any other issues.

.....you have issues, just not with the televisions

[Treibenschnell]

.....you have issues, just not with the televisions

This coming from the guy with an intercooler but no blower... hmm...

[POS Racing]

So do tell about the bulbs in a DLP unit?? What is average life expectancy??

Can I get the bulb at Lowe's??

[Titus]

Can I get the bulb at Lowe's??

For the best selection in bulbs, you should really try the local nursery.

[Treibenschnell]

So do tell about the bulbs in a DLP unit?? What is average life expectancy??

Can I get the bulb at Lowe's??

I've heard anywhere between 5K to 20K hours... it really depends on use. Our set DLP's have been on for nearly 2 years now. I'm not about to do that math.

However, with our home set, as long as I work in the industry, I'll always have an extremely cheap source of DLP bulbs. Again, though, I have yet to have the need to buy one...

[Dave04]

I like the DLP, myself but there is the matter of the ~$300 bulb burning out.

If you're paying $300 for a bulb, you're getting ripped... boss just got one for his samsung for $120... and that's after 4 years use.

[tailchaser]

I've heard anywhere between 5K to 20K hours... it really depends on use. Our set DLP's have been on for nearly 2 years now. I'm not about to do that math.

However, with our home set, as long as I work in the industry, I'll always have an extremely cheap source of DLP bulbs. Again, though, I have yet to have the need to buy one...

There are 8760 hours in a year... Samsung usually says 8,000 hours per bulb, if pressed. You usually get plenty of warning before the bulb actually goes that its time has come via warning lights on the front of the set, so you can order one off ebay.

[Treibenschnell]

So currently I'd say ours are doing above average...

[Titus]

So currently I'd say ours are doing above average...

With some bulbs, I believe the on and off causes more wear than continued use. Being that your work ones never go off, it is possible that they may have a longer life expectancy.

[Treibenschnell]

With some bulbs, I believe the on and off causes more wear than continued use. Being that your work ones never go off, it is possible that they may have a longer life expectancy.

That's a good point... also, be aware that the DLP sets have a very specific and automatic warm up/cool down process. It serves to prolong the bulb life.

[Bell]

That's a good point... also, be aware that the DLP sets have a very specific and automatic warm up/cool down process. It serves to prolong the bulb life.

Here's an example. The mostest, stupidest engineering known to man. On my TV if you use the power button on the remote it will run the fan and cool the bulb for 2 minutes. If you use the power button on the front of the the tv, the big one that says power under it, located just above the volume and channel buttons; you turn the TV off using that button and it is a "quick shut down" running the fan for only 30 seconds and burning your bulb out in 2 months. Freakin Panisonic idiots. Moral of the story, read and follow the owner's manual.

[Treibenschnell]

The Samsung will shut down properly using either button...