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General discussion

2005 Samsung DLP Model HL-R4226W

Nov 19, 2008 3:52AM PST

First of all, this forum rocks, and it seems to be filled with knowledgable people. On to my question/problem....

1. The bulb was just changed a year ago.

2. I turned the TV on yesterday and it sounded like a fluoresent light burst.

3. I immediately thought I needed to change the bulb (duh, right).

4. So I opened up the back panel to check out the bulb.

5. I turned the TV on and the bulb nows makes a buzzing sound and flickers peridocally.

I was about to order a new bulb, then I started reading AVSFORUMS. Threads there are saying it could be a color wheel or even a light engine. I don't want to replace the bulb if it isn't the problem.

Do you guys think that's my problem? Is it a classic case of a bulb bursting? Or, do you think I have a bigger problem?

Oh, and also the lamp led on the front power button is flashing green.

Thanks guys, you rock!

Discussion is locked

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An initial idea...
Nov 19, 2008 5:39AM PST

What I would suggest is reseating the bulb. Take the one you have now, pull it out, push it back in, and try again.

Many times, a simple "bulb reseating" does the trick.

Keep me posted. If that doesn't work, we'll go to the next step.

--HDTech

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Thanks
Nov 19, 2008 9:53PM PST

Thanks for the fast reply...I will try that this afternoon and let you know my results.

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Thanks again!
Nov 20, 2008 5:17AM PST

I pulled the bulb out to re-seat it and discovered shattered glass inside the bulb. It's obviously blown, do you think this is my only problem more than likely?

THANKS again!

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A few thoughts....
Nov 20, 2008 11:37AM PST

Well, let me tell you a few ideas, and I'll let you choose the best one.

Sounds to me like a new lamp is probably a good idea. What you might do is go back to where you purchased it and note that the interal part of the lamp was defective. You may even get a new lamp out of it. That said, I don't know the probability of that since it has been about a year.

I don't want to guess problems that aren't there, since without a lamp, the television will not function properly. I'd purchase a lamp that you could return if the unit turns out to have more problems. I have a feeling that this will solve your issue, but since I can't physically look, I don't want to sound over-confident, either.

Does that help a little? Let me know your thoughts.

--HDTech

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I ordered the the new lamp earlier today
Nov 20, 2008 12:41PM PST

I didn't change the lamp myself, I'm the second owner of the TV. I was told it was replaced last Thanksgiving though.

Do you think the lamp was defective? Not that I could do anything about it now, but I'm worried it may be a bad ballast as well.

I did notice that it was a Phillips bulb (I ordered the same replacement bulb).

I hope it's just the bulb. Something else I thought of: I caught my toddler turning the TV off and on; who knows how many times he did this before I caught him. Could that have something to do with the bulb bursting? Oh, I can post a pic of the bulb if that helps.

Thanks again for your time, it is appreciated.

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Sure!
Nov 20, 2008 2:58PM PST

If you can post a picture, that would be great. A face shot (head on, glass up from top and angle) would be great. I'm not sure I'll be able to decipher, but pictures are always helpful.

Now did the front of the lamp burst? I thought I read in your original post that there was glass on the inside of the lamp, leading me to believe that the lamp didn't burst open, but burst internally. Can you clarify?

I don't know if the lamp was defective. I can't even speculate. But what makes you think you have a bad ballast?

As far as your toddler powering up and down, that kind of thing will age a bulb, but not significantly enough to necessarily break a lamp (to my knowledge anyway), but it would definitely 'put the milage on' as far as lamp life if done repeatedly.

A few things maybe I can share that will help you.

1. Lamps don't normally "break". It's an oddity that is usually a result of fingerprints or residue of some sort on the actual lamp. Lamps normally age and produce a darker picture near the end of the life of the bulb to the point where the brightness is amped and the lamp produces a poor picture. (In other words, you hate the picture and change the lamp).
2. Lamps CAN burst if your fingers come in contact with the new lamp. Under no circumstances should you touch the front (glass part) of the lamp. Open the box carefully so that you don't. If you do touch the lamp, I recommend you buy another one. (Oils from your fingers will actually boil on the face of the lamp, causing a crack and eventual physical breakage).
3. Lamps will last 3-5 years under normal use - figuring 4 years at about 8+ hours a day.
4. Lamps can age quicker if the TV doesn't have proper ventilation.

Keep me posted!

--HDTech

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thnaks for all the replies HD-tech
Nov 21, 2008 11:56PM PST

HD-Tech, thanks, your replies have been most helpful. As far as your questions:

Regarding the bulb itself: The outer portion of the glass didn't break, the glass cylinder broke on the inside of the bulb. I have never touched the glass, I guess it's possible the previous owner may have. I took a few pics, but I can't seem to find the USB so I can upload themSad If I can find it, I'll post them.

Regarding why I think it may be the ballast: If the bulb itself wasn't defective, I'm afraid that the ballast may have given the bulb to much juice to handle, causing the bulb to burst. I have no experience with this, just a thought I had.

My new buld should be here either today or Monday. I'll post results once I install the new bulb.

Thanks again

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follow up
Nov 29, 2008 11:50AM PST

Just wanted to follow up since so many don't...

I changed the bulb, and so far the TV works like new. Hopefully, it was just the bulb , and no looming problems down the road.

Thanks, HD, for all your help. It is much appreciated.


--Crutch

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My pleasure!
Nov 29, 2008 3:43PM PST

I'm glad to hear it worked out.

I understand what you meant with the bulb. The inner portion of the lamp was broken. I've seen that before (rare), but it does happen.

At first, I thought you meant that the front of the lamp broke.

Regardless, I'm glad you're up and running with a new lamp.

--HDTech