JVC Projector Bulb Blown!

[kberg]

Ok, so I've had my JVC 56" HDILA TV since mid-August, and the user-replaceable bulb just blew last week. The TV was dim for a few days, then went black. The bulb is expected to have a life of approx. 6,000 hours, and I estimate I had about 1,000 hours on it before it died.

I called JVC last week and was informed by one of their reps. that approx. 25-30% of the TV's shipped using the "original" bulb have blown, and that about 90% of the bulbs returned to JVC by customers had (installation) fingerprints on them. Apparently, the bulbs were heating unevenly and then blew because of oil from "bulb prints". It appears that for JVC customers calling in regarding bulbs blowing prematurely, JVC is replacing the bulb at no cost to the customer, without regard to warranty conditions - JVC only asks that the blown bulb be shipped back to them in a pre-paid shipping package. So, I should have a new bulb in a few days.

I have to say that I am pretty disappointed with the bulb blowing early, but am pleased to hear that I also don't have to spend $200 on a replacement bulb so soon! The JVC rep. stated the the new "batch" of bulbs now being sent out should not blow that soon, although I have read some threads stating that some bulbs from the new batch seem to be blowing prematurely as well.

The bottom line is that I'm going to be tracking this issue and my specific circumstances over time, because I can handle spending $200 for a new bulb every three years or so, but no sooner. And I want to be sure that it is only a bulb problem, and not a ballast issue, or something else.

The worst part so far is the TV down time - it'll be about a week of no big screen TV if I get the bulb this Wed. or Thurs. - I know, I'll live!

Any comments on this issue are welcome!

[Zen Dragon]

Bummer on the quick bulb blow. Good news on the warranty replacement. If you are replacing the new bulb, do not handle it with your bare hands. Wear some cloth gloves to avoid the finger prints. Body oils are a problem for many high intensity, hot running bulbs and absolutely causes premature failure.
You probably knew that already, but thought I'd mention it just in case.

[unc2701]

I just had to replace the $300 one in my panasonic... that hurt, but I was probably close to the spec hours. My roommates used to leave the TV on all the time.

[Toxis]

We sell JVC at my store and we had two floor models blow their bulbs in under 1000 hours. They lasted 2.5-3 weeks on the floor, thats it. And we've had a TON of customers calling lately. JVC's had a lot of problems with their dilas over the years. I'm surprised their rep isn't worse than it already is. Oh wait, Consumer Reports rated them fairly high this past year. No wonder.

[kberg]

I just hope this is not going to be an ongoing problem/concern. I mean, normally one watches TV/movies to relax, not stress out over wondering whether the next time you turn on the set, or while watching a program, the bulb dims/blows out again. I believe that if this same problem occurs at least three times, it is customary for the manufacturer to just replace the defective unit with the latest "equivalent" unit - but this is just hearsay from me (hey, at least it sounds fair, doesn't it?).

I'm holding JVC to their 6,000 hour bulb life claim - I know many others will, too. Actually, I'd be ok with a bulb dying after 5,500 hours, if the replacement bulb lasts perhaps 6,500 hours, right? After all, it's an average life expectancy, so THEY claim.

[brettw22]

All I can say is it's good to hear that other things blow too early.......

[Zen Dragon]

Two potential problems if the bulb is blowing early.

1) They are using a cheap bulb. You may be able to rectify that by cross referencing it to a higher quality replacement bulb. Of course with it under warranty that would be a poor choice at this time, but perhaps in the future.

2) Poor regulation, or improper levels on the circuit feeding the bulb. Not much you can do there. JVC would have to create a mod for the circuit.