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Toshiba investigates DLP TV bulb lifespan

Toshibadlp One thing I tend not to think about in the total cost of ownership of a high-definition TV is that of bulb replacement costs on rear-projection models.

DLP (Digital Light Processing) TVs use lamps that have a limited lifespan before needing to be replaced. It's the same with projectors (did you know that the chances of  a bulb blowing are directly proportionate to the importance of the presentation you're about to give? At least, that's what it feels like...)

With replacement bulbs costing several hundred pounds, you'd hope your bulb lasts at least for its expected lifespan.

Toshiba say that the life expectancy of a bulb in their DLP TVs is between six and eight thousand hours, depending upon the brightness setting. Even under less than optimum (consumer) conditions, a bulb should last between three and five thousand hours. At 4 hours viewing a day, that would mean a bulb should last for around two years.
 

So, quite a shock for some Toshiba customers whose bulbs were burning out in just a few months.

Now of course we know that bad experiences make the headlines much faster, and are triggered at a much lower threshold, than good experiences, so we can't say that this is an indicative problem with either DLP technology, or with Toshiba's TVs.

Even so, it could get pretty expensive for owners if they have to replace their bulbs up to 4 times a year.

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Posted by Andy Merrett on May 30, 2006

Comments

I just called Toshiba for a replacement bulb for my DLP TV I've had since Jan 29 (the bulb blew May 31). The lamp bulb is under warranty for one year, so that's good news for most. The thing is, the service tech I spoke with says that the reason the bulbs aren't lasting long may be caused by those TVs being moved around in warehouses before they are sold. Nice to know, eh?? Just think of everything we buy..how much wear and tear do things have on them BEFORE we even make the purchase. That doesn't sit well with me.

Posted by: candy | June 1, 2006 2:59 PM

My bulb burned out in less than 3 months. I bought this tv with hopes of the buld lasting at least 2 years and with a 5 year warranty, I hoped to get a minimum of 2 bulds before the warranty expired. Toshiba is a pretty good name, my last tv was a Toshiba and it's 11 years old and still going strong. Now I'm wondering if I made a smart choice. And, by the way, I have to wait 7-10 days for a new buld.

Posted by: ifarmer | June 13, 2006 7:35 PM

My tv started to go dark a week ago and i heard it pop today. I bought the tv in December as a christmas gift for myself. I bought it from 6th ave . Called Toshiba today for a bulb replacement. I was a little worried since they were way to nice to my problem. They said the new bulb is getting mailed out and should be at my home in 5 business days. I hope it was a production glitch. Because I think this tv has the best DLP picture. total hours for bulb was around 250 hours

Posted by: 20 and out | June 14, 2006 3:44 AM

We have had our Toshiba since December 2005. Toshiba has had to replace the bulb 3 times! April, June and November. This is ridiculous. Each time I've asked if it is a known problem and they have told me NO.

Posted by: Candi Golden | November 29, 2006 10:55 PM

I have owned two Toshiba 52" DLP televisions (the first had to be replaced because the color wheel stopped working) and let me tell you these units are crap. I just lost my third bulb this weekend that was installed from Toshiba's whse in July. Toshiba should save themselves money and recall these junk televisions and give people their money back. That is exactly what I told the supervisor this past Monday when I called him to get my next bulb. Maybe soon they will start sending out bulbs in 2-packs so I won't have to go another 10 days without a television. They are spending a killin' on bulbs and then the shipping charges both ways for the new bulb and the old bulb. What a mess!!!!!!!

Posted by: David | December 7, 2006 5:42 AM

I bought my 52 inch DLP tv on Dec 12 2005. 12 month's later the bulb blew. Toshiba sent me a replacement which arrived Jan 21, 2006. Jan 22 2007 the bulb blew again. Toshiba mentioned that they last for 6-12 months. And this is what to expect for a big screen TV. A friend at work has a 52in JVC DLP and his is 2.5 years old and has had no problems. Toshiba said that these TV's are ment for a rec room just to view movies and not everyday viewing. It is dam hard to just throw out this big set. So I gues I will just have to live with it and work some over time at work each year to pay for a new bulb. I will buy 2 just in case. It is a great tv. It is just unfortunate that Toshiba has misled us by saying 5000-8000 hours. Its to bad. Thanks..

Posted by: Larry Gross | January 29, 2007 8:41 AM

I bought 46HM84 in July'05. The first bulb lasted for about 11 months and the second for six only. It's pretty pathetic if you look at the price and life span of these bulbs. Hopefully, there will be an OEM or cheaper generic replacement bulb available soon.

Posted by: Humayun | February 4, 2007 5:03 AM

Bought my Toshiba 46HM84 DLP tv in August 2005. The bulb finally blew in May 2007. Almost 2 years it lasted. I've been nothing but impressed with this TV except when the bulb blew. Ordered a new bulb (through my 5 year warranty) today, I'm just now hoping that it's the bulb and not any other stuff (ie circuit board) that's the problem *cross fingers*

Posted by: Nick | May 21, 2007 5:00 PM

^^^^^^^ Following up with my above post
New bulb came in 2 days. Easy to install. Works like a charm now. Just hope the life on this bulb lasts at least 2 years

Posted by: Nick | May 24, 2007 12:03 PM

This is a knock on wood comment. I bought a Toshiba 52" in January of 2005. Have moved the unit to Oklahoma and back to California. We watch a lot of TV and movies, no problem with bulb to date, run on low power setting. Not anxious to have to buy a replacement bulb, but will say I have been satisfied with product. Find it hard to believe they would say the unit is meant for only viewing movies and not for everday use.

Posted by: Terry | August 20, 2007 11:28 PM

Well, would you believe it!!! Posted the previous comment yesterday and last night was watching preseason football and pop went the lamp. About 3500 hours on low power setting. Sure not what Toshiba says for performance. Should not have posted earlier comment, it hexed me!!!!

Posted by: Terry | August 22, 2007 12:51 AM

Bought a 62" Toshiba DLP at Costco in 2005,bulb blew in 19 months..Ordered a new bulb, got it in a few days.This one lasted 2 months.....took 10 days to get a new one...Not impressed ....

Posted by: Ray | September 10, 2007 4:33 AM

I bought my Toshiba 46HM94 two years ago. As of last night I have gone through 3 bulbs. The first was covered by the manufatcurer's warrantee. The second covered by the extended GE warranty and I was just informed that the extended warranty only covers one bulb replacement. Now I have a problem with GE too and the original seller. If I had to do it all over again I would have purchased an LCD.

Posted by: Rick | October 17, 2007 8:21 PM

i have owned my 52 inch toshiba dlp tv for about 3 years now and have only had to replace the bulb once. but rencently i noticed that my picture keeps flickering and the images seem to freeze up for a split second, not sure if this is related to the lamp needing replaced or not! if anyone has had the same problem i would like to know if it is the lamp or something more more major!

Posted by: Mike Mcfarland | November 11, 2007 3:51 PM

I bought a 62 inch Toshiba on 3/26/06. The bulb popped 8/28/06. Then the second one popped on 1/15/07. Now a year later the third is going to pop. the color is fading and there's a purple flash on the screen. Toshiba needs to address this problem by just recalling these huge pieces of junk. My warranty won't last forever and I won't keep paying for it.

Posted by: mark | January 28, 2008 1:21 AM

Mine was replaced last Aug. 07 and needs to be replaced again (January 08.) Do something more than just replacing the bulb, please! Or you won't be getting another dime from me in the future!

Posted by: Pa Waddy | January 31, 2008 2:30 PM

Bought a 50inch DLP(Toshiba)Dec 26/07.Bulb blew on Feb 24/08...However reading the other comments are unsettling given mine must have lasted longer?Toshiba did sent me a free bulb within two days..I've read they have had problems with the lamp engine also...Good luck to all.......T.B.

Posted by: Tony | February 27, 2008 2:57 PM

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