I have a Sony HS-50 that will be 3 yrs old in December and am on my third bulb now. The original bulb lasted 1800 hrs, the replacement lasted 1250 hrs. I am now using a non-Sony replacement bulb ($300 vs $500) and am curious how long this will last. My next bulb will be a new projector :D

I also have the Panasonic Aeu900. I'm glad someone's has lasted that long. I set it initially on the "low" brightness and "high fan", because I figure if I start with that I wouldn't know what I was missing. I'm only 500hours in so I hope to get a few more hours out of it.

My Sanyo Z4 has 4762 hours on the bulb, and 3999 on the projector from the service menu. One third of hours were at the high setting so the projector adds a few hours for the higher bulb setting. For some reason the customer menu shows a lamp time of 4046 hours. Does anyone know why there is a discrepancy of 47 hours between the projector time (3999) and the lamp time (4046)? Rounding errors?

Well, like all good things....
My Z2's bulb has finally kicked it... last checked about two weeks ago and it was at 4678 hours... so prolly 4700+ hours... way to go, little fella...
So, now is the time for the Z2000! Ordered it tonight, should have it in a few days...

Crazy. I have 3300 right now on my X1 and no problems so far.

The intensity/brightness of the lamp on my Panasonic AE700U has recently dropped significantly and it has around 1200 hours on its belt. I have set the projector on "high" lamp setting w/ fan turned on "high" as well. However, I have calibrated the contrast and brightness controls on all inputs with SD and HD DVD DVE so it is not scorchingly bright.

The brightness actually has dropped gradually bit by bit as time goes by but late last week when I turned it on it is significantly dimmer than before. It also takes a while to warm up to the new optimal brightness by comparison. I have to turn the brightness control from "1" to "11" now in order to watch anything. Someone mentioned by resetting the counter on his AE900 it will "restore" some of the brightness back for the time being. Will that work? Is that dangerous? I don't want the lamp to explode...

Anyway, I have ordered a replacement lamp directly from Japan and try to limit its usage (e.g. no long hours of video gaming, etc.) for the time being.

After only 850 hours of lamp life, the bulb became unwatchable and very dim in my Sanyo PLV-Z2 projector. I debated for nearly 6 weeks whether to buy a new 1080p projector or buy a new bulb. I decided to buy a new bulb and it only costed a little over $300 with shipping versus 2 grand plus for a new 1080p projector. I still intend buying a 1080p projector next summer, but at least I'm back up and running and am extremely happy again with my Sanyo. Least now I will have a spare fun projector next summer for the outdoor movie night. I just hope to get more life out of this lamp. I wish I could post the before and after pics of the lamp difference.

Shawn

I have a Sony HS-50 that will be 3 yrs old in December and am on my third bulb now. The original bulb lasted 1800 hrs, the replacement lasted 1250 hrs. I am now using a non-Sony replacement bulb ($300 vs $500) and am curious how long this will last. My next bulb will be a new projector :D
Did you have any polarizer issues with that Sony? My HS-51 is dying a horrible death of blue smear and burnt optical block.

Where is the "6000+ and still going" choice? My original Z4 lamp has over 6000 hours on it.

My original Z4 lamp has over 6000 hours on it

I predict in 1 month your lamp will blow taking the PJ optics with it. ;) Just kidding. Good for you. Did you have to keep adjusting your colors and brightness along the way to 6000?

My original Z4 lamp has over 6000 hours on it.

I always understood that Sanyo was non-commital on bulb life and that the projectors did some kind of voodoo-like internal determination of how many more hours is safe to put on the bulb.

It is supposed to last 2000 hours in normal mode and 3000 in eco mode. But of course they can go at any time.

1447 hours for me.
Infocus SP4805.

Installed Dec.2005
Buld died Dec.2007

1380hrs and still great.
We have a Infocus 4810....love it.

We did kinda luck out, in a "oh my GOD" kind of way. Our main projector fan died and the thermal protector melted before shutting off the PJ. Whole damn thing melted down. Wasn't funny at the time, but Infocus replaced the unit AND gave us a spare bulb. So now we're sitting pretty....hehehe. :D

Got a Panasonic PT-AX100 with 2000 hours always on "Normal". Just reset the counter. Just as bright as the day I got it. Do I just wait for it to die or replace it now? Feel like I'm playing Russian Roulette with my projector every time I turn it on. But I'd hate to replace the lamp if it could last another 1000 hours.

Would I see any telltale signs of it going ? Flickering, dimmer light? Or will it just go one day like a regular light bulb.

I have a sony HS50 only had it 2-3 months i just turned it onto watch Sky and as i was scrolling through the sky menu a loud explosion noise and a flash from the lens came the lamp is deam im sure its smashed inside i can hear the parts rattling about if i lift it. There is only 500 hours on the projector i have no idea why this has happened its supposed to last for 3000 in eco mode which was being used im well shocked :o and have contacted Sony, just waiting for the reply now.

My bulb just popped last night with 957 hours on it. I only used it in low-output mode which sucks. It's supposed to last up to 3000 hours. I guess the "up to" needs emphasis. I bought the projector off Ebay last summer (August 07) and didn't really start using it hard core until last spring when my Theater room was completed. The project came with 470 hours on the bulb. I'm sure the original owner could have reset the bulb timer at some point. I only paid $500 for the projector so I'm not complaining.

What would you do now?

1) Buy a new bulb for $400? Then possibly upgrade after that bulb dies to a 1080p model.

2) Buy a used projector for ~$500. I could probably get a Sanyo PLV-Z4 or a Panasonic PT-AE900U with fairly low lamp hours.

3) I've considered, but don't know if I can go that long without something, is to wait until Christmas and get something like a Sony VPL-AW15, Sanyo PLV-Z60 or Panasonic PT-AE200U brand new.

The Epson 720P unit frequently goes on sale for $1199 and usually includes a coupon for a second bulb.

A little pricer than what you are looking at but a nice option as it gets you two bulbs and a new warranty.

1400 so far and still going strong on my Mits 1500.

I have and LG dlp..I think the bulb just went...any idea how much it is to replace?
Also I took out the extended warranty, it's still covered, any chance it's covered?