LCD replacement bulbs

I'm still learning as much as i can about this whole HDTV/LCD thing so
please bare with me.

I've heard alot of talk concerning the light (?) bulbs going out on the
back these LCD's and that Sharp is the only brand that has a bulb that
the consumer can replace themselves.
Is Sharp the only brand that still allows this or are there others that
will offer these bulbs for the consumer?

I am still interested and looking to buy a LCD tv w/a 37-40 inch screen
size sometime down the road possibly within a year or two.

I hate to spend alot of money on one of these tv's and have to turn the
whole damn thing just to replace a silly bulb. BTW how much do these
bulbs cost including Sharp?

Also does anybody have a recommended brand both high and low end that i
should be looking at?

Thanks!

I have priced bulbs for my Hitachi LCD projection from $190 shipped for
aftermarket and $225 for Hitachi brand shipped. They vary a bit. I can
easily replace the lamp by pulling off a cover on the front and removing
a phillips screw on the lamp cover to reveal the lamp. Replace the lamp
like a cartridge and reverse the process.

I did purchase an extended warranty for $200 that will cover a failure
within the first 5 years, which for this type of TV is a good value. If
you purchase a warranty, make sure it covers the lamp!

dan

Sean White wrote:
I'm still learning as much as i can about this whole HDTV/LCD thing so
please bare with me.

I've heard alot of talk concerning the light (?) bulbs going out on the
back these LCD's and that Sharp is the only brand that has a bulb that
the consumer can replace themselves.
Is Sharp the only brand that still allows this or are there others that
will offer these bulbs for the consumer?

I am still interested and looking to buy a LCD tv w/a 37-40 inch screen
size sometime down the road possibly within a year or two.

I hate to spend alot of money on one of these tv's and have to turn the
whole damn thing just to replace a silly bulb. BTW how much do these
bulbs cost including Sharp?

Also does anybody have a recommended brand both high and low end that i
should be looking at?

Thanks!

Most manufacturers have consumer replaceable bulbs for rear projection
HDTVs.
However the estimated life of the critters is generally less, sometimes alot
less, than the manufacturer's "prediction."
My Toshiba DLP bulb lasted less than two years in not that heavy usage.
However the beauty of the system is that the set is like brand new when you
pop a new bulb in.
I am a real fan of DLP sets.
I agree that the cost of the extended warranty is worthwhile as it will
likely cover at least two bulb replacements.

"bmoag" wrote in message
. net...
Most manufacturers have consumer replaceable bulbs for rear projection
HDTVs.
However the estimated life of the critters is generally less, sometimes
alot less, than the manufacturer's "prediction."
My Toshiba DLP bulb lasted less than two years in not that heavy usage.
However the beauty of the system is that the set is like brand new when
you pop a new bulb in.
I am a real fan of DLP sets.
I agree that the cost of the extended warranty is worthwhile as it will
likely cover at least two bulb replacements.

as my dlp is nearing 2 years old, is there anyway to predict when the lamp
might go out so I can order one in advance? like...does it gradually dim
over time or does it look normal then 'just pop'?

"Sean White" wrote in message
...
I'm still learning as much as i can about this whole HDTV/LCD thing so
please bare !!!(sic)SNIP

No, I won't bare with you but I will bear with you.

We have had a Sony 42" LCD for 31/2 years and so far the original bulb shows
no sign of deteriorating. According to the handbook it is a user
replaceable part but must not be touched with BARE(!) hands. They cost
between $200 and $300 according to sources. Excellent pictures especially
in HD


with me.

I've heard alot of talk concerning the light (?) bulbs going out on the
back these LCD's and that Sharp is the only brand that has a bulb that
the consumer can replace themselves.
Is Sharp the only brand that still allows this or are there others that
will offer these bulbs for the consumer?

I am still interested and looking to buy a LCD tv w/a 37-40 inch screen
size sometime down the road possibly within a year or two.

I hate to spend alot of money on one of these tv's and have to turn the
whole damn thing just to replace a silly bulb. BTW how much do these
bulbs cost including Sharp?

Also does anybody have a recommended brand both high and low end that i
should be looking at?

Thanks!

Sean White wrote:

I'm still learning as much as i can about this whole HDTV/LCD thing so
please bare with me.

I've heard alot of talk concerning the light (?) bulbs going out on the
back these LCD's and that Sharp is the only brand that has a bulb that
the consumer can replace themselves.
Is Sharp the only brand that still allows this or are there others that
will offer these bulbs for the consumer?

I am still interested and looking to buy a LCD tv w/a 37-40 inch screen
size sometime down the road possibly within a year or two.

I hate to spend alot of money on one of these tv's and have to turn the
whole damn thing just to replace a silly bulb. BTW how much do these
bulbs cost including Sharp?

Also does anybody have a recommended brand both high and low end that i
should be looking at?

It is said that the light in the direct LCD sets should last 50,000 hours.

"Sam Spade" wrote in message
...
Sean White wrote:

I'm still learning as much as i can about this whole HDTV/LCD thing so
please bare with me.

I've heard alot of talk concerning the light (?) bulbs going out on the
back these LCD's and that Sharp is the only brand that has a bulb that
the consumer can replace themselves.
Is Sharp the only brand that still allows this or are there others that
will offer these bulbs for the consumer?

I am still interested and looking to buy a LCD tv w/a 37-40 inch screen
size sometime down the road possibly within a year or two.

I hate to spend alot of money on one of these tv's and have to turn the
whole damn thing just to replace a silly bulb. BTW how much do these
bulbs cost including Sharp?

Also does anybody have a recommended brand both high and low end that i
should be looking at?

It is said that the light in the direct LCD sets should last 50,000 hours.

I've seen specs that say 60,000 hours...and that's the "half life" point.

Sean White wrote:
I'm still learning as much as i can about this whole HDTV/LCD thing so
please bare with me.

I've heard alot of talk concerning the light (?) bulbs going out on the
back these LCD's and that Sharp is the only brand that has a bulb that
the consumer can replace themselves.
Is Sharp the only brand that still allows this or are there others that
will offer these bulbs for the consumer?

I am still interested and looking to buy a LCD tv w/a 37-40 inch screen
size sometime down the road possibly within a year or two.

I hate to spend alot of money on one of these tv's and have to turn the
whole damn thing just to replace a silly bulb. BTW how much do these
bulbs cost including Sharp?

Also does anybody have a recommended brand both high and low end that i
should be looking at?

Thanks!

You are looking at a flat panel aka direct view HD TV. The predicted
lifespan of the CCFL bulbs for flat panel LCDs is on the order of 60,000
hours or much longer than you will likely keep the TV. Replacing these
bulbs will be difficult, but you are unlikely to ever have to do so.
Lifespan of the display for direct view LCDs and plasma screens is not
an issue as both are usually rated to 60,000 hours to half-brightness
which is longer than the CRTs we have been using for decades.

Rear Projection TVs are a different beasts where the high intensity
lamp does have to be replaced every 2 to 6 thousand hours, depending on
whose numbers you use. The lamps in RPTVs are designed to be replaced,
but run anywhere from $100 to $300. However, there are new models
hitting the market that have LED lamps which are supposed to last the
lifespan of the RPTV, but I have not kept up on the details.

Alan F

"Cuddly Duddly" wrote:

We have had a Sony 42" LCD for 31/2 years and so far the original bulb shows
no sign of deteriorating. According to the handbook it is a user
replaceable part but must not be touched with BARE(!) hands. They cost
between $200 and $300 according to sources. Excellent pictures especially
in HD

Are you sure you're talking about an LCD? What you describe applies to
high intensity bulbs usually used in rear projection TV's or
projectors.

LCD TV's and monitors usually have several CCFL (Cold Cathode
Flourescent Lamp) light tubes. One LCD TV commercial advertised as
many as 32 compared to about 7 for 'normal' sets.
And they don't cost nearly as much as you stated - can be had for less
than $100.

http://www.lcd-backlight-ccfl.com/
http://www.j-right.com/html/ccfl_lamp.htm

BTW - LED backlights are starting to replace CCFL tubes. They have
longer life and supposedly more even and consistent light output.

-=tom=-

We have had a Sony 42" LCD for 31/2 years and so far the original bulb
shows
no sign of deteriorating. According to the handbook it is a user
replaceable part but must not be touched with BARE(!) hands. They cost
between $200 and $300 according to sources. Excellent pictures especially
in HD

Are you sure you're talking about an LCD?

Yep. It's a microdisplay LCD rear projection set. Replacement bulbs are
about $200.