How Long Does the Lamp for a Rear Projection TV Last?
Many RPTV manufacturers or reviewers perform in-house testing to determine how many hours the lamp should last. Unfortunately, the typical lamp for a rear projection TV doesn’t last as long as it does under the optimal conditions in the lab. Factors to consider when deciding how frequently you’ll need to replace your bulb include: • The number of hours you use the TV per day • The manufacturer’s or reviewer’s indicated lamp life • Air circulation around the RPTV RPTV lamp life varies from as long as 8,000 hours for more expensive models to 1,500 hours for less expensive models. Interestingly, lamps with longer lives often cost less to replace than lamps with shorter lives. The average user watches four hours of TV a day. With good maintenance and ventilation, a lamp with an 8,000 hour life would last 2,000 days, or almost five and a half years. Even with less than optimal conditions, you shouldn’t have to replace the lamp more than once every few years. In contrast, a rear projection t
