When you purchase a rear projection television with digital light processing (DLP) technology, you’ll likely be advised that the lamps installed in the set will last you approximately five thousand viewing hours. If you’re lucky, you may be able to stretch an extra thousand of usage depending on the model you own. Nevertheless, it’s not too early to think about replacement lamps in the event your picture begins to darken. One issue certain to come to mind is how many lamps should you buy in advance, and where should you keep them?
Owning a DLP TV set, like the Toshiba 46HM15, 46HM95, or 46HMX85 models, evokes a sense of pride, and as it’s simple to install new lamps on your own you’ll feel a special accomplishment that also saves you money. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for some TV owners to buy a replacement lamp while the TV still works correctly. Especially if you anticipate rising prices, having the spare on hand well before the original lamps burn out expedites replacement, and you can return to watching your favorite shows with little interruption.
If you do buy lamps early, it’s important to store them in a safe place – preferably where there is little risk for damage. Housing and bulbs can crack if mistreated, so you’ll want to keep replacements on an upper shelf or in a closet that few people access. Just be careful not to hide them too well that you can’t find them when it’s time to install!
If you are able to track how often you watch television, you should be able to gauge when you’ll need to think about buying a new lamp for your rear projection set. Buying early can be beneficial if you’re trying to save money, so long as you keep the unused lamps safe.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on the D95 lamp and the Toshiba D95 lamp.