Projector lamp dim help

[nacartl]

My picture is looking very dim.  My lamp hours are under 2,500.  I read that the life span is 'up to 6,000 hours' and mine is under half of that.  Is it likely that the lamp simply needs replacing already?  (or might I need to investigate other possible causes?)

Also, is it a simple job for a non-expert like me to change the lamp?  

My projector is VPL-VW320 and my lamp is LMP-H280/H220. 

Bonus points if anyone can tell me the difference between the lamp models H280 and H220?

Thank you!

[Piscie]

Hello @nacartl, are you getting an error message that the lamp needs to be changed? If so, this would seem to mean that the lamp needs to be changed as per the instructions manual: https://pro.sony/support/res/manuals/4580/45801730M.pdf - page 20.

As for the lamp differences, they differ in lamp wattage. The LMP-H280 is 280W while the LMP-H220 is 225W: https://pro.sony/support/res/manuals/4580/3538063a43db84b661a4ae57653ec149/45805122M.pdf

[nacartl]

Thank you.  I’m not getting the error message.  Could it still be worth changing the bulb to improve picture brightness?

[royabrown2]

@nacartl 

It will cost you just over £200 to try that out, and you may find no difference because a projector fault is causing the issue, not the lamp dying.

I suggest you talk to the nice people operating the helpline in this link, and see what they think:-

https://www.mplamps.co.uk/projector-bulbs/Sony/LMP-H280.html?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiIOmBhDjARIsAP6YhSX...

[Piscie]

Hey @nacartl, according to the manual, if the picture gets dim, that means the lamp needs to be replaced, even without an error message. You can also contact Sony directly and provide them with a sample of the picture quality: +44 (0) 203 901 5561 or elitesupport.en@sony.com

[nacartl]

Yes I’d rather avoid the expensive experiment if possible!  Thanks I’ll try that.  

[nacartl]

Cheers, I’ll give it a try.

[HannahEd01]

Hey nacartl, did you manage to solve the issue?

[nacartl]

I'm still working on it, thanks.  Nic