If you do not know how long do projector bulbs last, let us clear that in full-fledged details. The projector bulbs are often confused for calling it the projector lamp, but that is not right.
The projector bulbs do vary in its lifeline, given the fact what kind of bulb or the lamp your projector got.
From old to new versions, every projector under 2000 does come with a variety of bulbs that have variation in the result deliverability and life expectancy.
See, we are NOT talking about the lamp where the bulb reacts as just a component, one part of the lamp assembly where the bulb rests and emits the light projected on the screen.
Let’s find out what sort of the bulbs the projectors got AND find out how long do projector bulbs last.
Contents
How Long Do Projector Bulbs Last
Before knowing things about how long do the projector bulbs last loaded on the different projectors.
Kinds of Projector Bulbs AND How Much They Would Last
- Halogen
- UHP Mercury
- Metal Halide
- Xenon Arc
- LED
1. Halogen
First-ever and the introductory bulbs used in the projectors were named ‘Halogen.’ Came as the stock in the older projectors that were famous back in the time (but not anymore.)
They are even found to be much brighter when hooked into the projector than the standard halogen bulbs used in car headlights.
And how much they would be able to last (live for), take it from here.. They could go up to 3,000 hours to up to 5,000 hours at best, and as with the average, count it between 1,500 hours.
In more rarest cases (if you were able to purchase the new projector that has not been used by any chance), it can go from 20,000 hours to well over 30,000 hours, meaning it would be able to live the healthy and non-stop operative life for 2 to 3 years before it goes to be experiencing the overheating concerns.
Then the lifetime duration has been passed; the bulb would not die all at once but loses its power and the strength up to 70 percent resulting in not emitting out the stronger light, and the graphics would turn blurred.
2. UHP Mercury
UHP, or Ultra High Performance, that actually very well relates to the amount of the pressure combined in the bulb that is considered way too efficient to be seated into the projector.
Introduced back in the mid-1990s and was pushed into the market from Philips, it has been a widely used projector bulb used today.
As they are power-efficient, meaning consuming the least energy and lasting up to 3,000 hours to over 5,000 hours, so that is going to live quickly for years of operation before you find the need to change/replace the UHP mercury bulb.
3. Metal Halide
Metal Halide, otherly known as HID or the High-Intensity Discharge kind of the bulb, is actually loaded into the high-end and expensive projectors available.
Comparatively expensive due to the technology as they are a little costly to replace with, but the performance-wise, they go from 1,000 hours to 2,000 hours AND sometimes well over 4,000 hours’ mark.
So, opting for a Metal Halide bulb in your projector is going to be your wisest move to enjoy projecting your favorite content without needing to replace the bulb anywhere soon.
4. Xenon Arc
Only-to-be-seen in the IMAX theaters and the cinema halls that cover the larger and oversized screens with the best of the result, the bulbs from the Xenon Arc family have the capacity to accommodate over the larger gathering at a time.
Made the Xenon Arc bulbs with the highly-spectral distribution, which confirms to deliver the increased luminosity welcomed by the Xenon gas, which acts as a medium between the electrodes under the pressure level of around 300 atmospheres for outputting the never-experienced results.
Well, they equip a shorter lifespan, which ranges between 500 hours, but that is too adequate for the cinemas and theaters to have it get replaced in a month or two without any impact on their wallet (IYKWIM!)… 🙂
5. LED
Hot in the market, the LED bulbs are the way to go for projector bulb type that has been winning its spot into a variety of projectors used for home theater, business, education, and the mini and portable projectors for churches around the globe.
LEDs are claimed to live between 20,000 hours to up to 30,000 hours, which has an advanced life expectancy that exceeds 4 to 6 times than the traditional bulbs used in many modern and older projectors.
Related: Top 5 Best Projectors For Bright Rooms
When to replace the Projector Bulbs?
No more of a problem, knowing when you need to change the projector bulb is quite an easy task.
The projectors come with the built-in function to know how long your projector has been on.
To follow the exact detail to know the lamp life, do as we suggest;
- First, press the “Menu” button to launch the on-screen menu of your projector
- Head to ‘Setup’ OR ‘Options’
- Select ‘Lamp Life’ or ‘Lamp Hours’ (whatever name it got)
- Press ‘OK’ and get to see how many hours it has hit
The following process would not vary from model to model but still, found any problem than consulting your Manual Guide came boxed with the projector.
If it has lived up and surpassed the lifetime your projector bulb got (claimed by the manufacturer) and you do experience the light getting dimmed, it is the time to replace the bulb other than running the projector with the bad one.
Conclusion!
The more you ought to invest, the higher the lamp/bulb life you would enjoy.
And we got one thing here to share at least… Operating the projector on the ‘ECO Mode’ would extensively converse the projector’s load to increase the bulb’s life to many more hours.
So, we believe you would not have to ask anymore how long do projector bulbs last. AND whenever you do, let’s jump right here to refresh your memory! 🙂