I'm interested in buying a DLP television. Has anyone owned one for longer than two years had any major issue

Answer 1

I've owned a Samsung 43" DLP Television for about 4 years now.

While I love it, I have had some problems.

I'm on my third lamp. I've had trouble early on with the lamp starting up some days, especially in the winter when it gets cold in the house (low 60s at night). These lamps were covered by the service plan I purchased from BestBuy.

With any projector system, you can count on having to replace the lamp at some point. They're expensive, but that's just part of owning a projector television. I'd recommend acquiring a replacement lamp BEFORE you need it.

More recently, after the warranty period expired, my color wheel started to go bad. It's a very noisy buzzing sound. This is a major problem with older Samsung DLP televisions. I'm sure they've resolved this one by now on the newer sets.

Here's a documented color wheel replacement process:
http://www.jangro.com/a/2006/07/24/samsung-dlp-replace-color-wheel/

After those repairs, my television has been running great.

I haven't had other problems, but others have commented that they had to replace other parts, specifically a fan or ballast (the device the starts and powers the lamp).

Those are Samsung specific, but can give you an idea of the sorts of things that can go wrong with DLP sets.

Answer 2

I've also owned a Samsung 42 in DLP TV for three years. I just replaced the lamp for the second time, this time out of warranty.
Had to take a service call to get it, which brought the cost to $547 Cdn with tax.

BTW: read the manual > it tells you how to determine the no picture problem is the lamp > two green lights and a flashing red on front. If that is the symptom, see if you can get a cheaper bulb from somewhere (ebay etc)

Answer 3

I have had my DLP front projector for about 5 years. I have replaced the lamp once. There have been no other problems. The lamp is supposed to last 2000 hrs, but I had to replace it at 1400 (it fllckered). I should have replaced it earlier as it gets dim over time, and I would guess that 1200 hrs is the actual life. However, no all lamps are the same and some may last longer. Note that both DLP and LCD projectors use lamps that eventually need to be replaced.

Answer 4

lamps are a problem with DLP TV's...not so with traditional projection units as they use CRT projectors that produce thier own light (like a regular tube TV). however, the light and colorwheel have now evolved to using LED's which switch colors faster and won't burn out like lamps. do a little research, find a DLP unit that uses LED's rather than lamps...i doubt the guys at your local box-entertainement center know what you're even talking about.

Answer 5

The lamps burn up in no time flat. Keep in mind they have a definate life to them. The more you use the TV, the shorter the bulb life.