[John DB]

The bulb in my 8 month old HS50 with a paltry 430 hours on the clock has become very dim this past week

I think the original bulb is only covered under warranty for 90 days, can anyone confirm?
If that is the case I will be very disappointed at having to fork out a lot of money for a new one so soon and consequently will have absolutely no confidence in the longevity of the replacement.

Before I call sony service on monday morning, does anyone have any tips on extracting a new bulb from them if it is out of warranty or the cheapest place for a new one?

Cheers,
John.

EDIT Took a piccy of the bulb, it looks a bit suspect at the back of the reflector to me, manufacturing fault or just what a tired bulb should look like?
http://www.jdbradbury.pwp.blueyonder...nexpensive.jpg

[theritz]

I've seen lamps with 2000+ hours on them looking as good as new (and I mean that literally) - there's crazing in the reflector of the lamp in your picture and I definitely wouldn't expect to see that. I know that NEC were replacing lamps with crazing from HT1000s (Ithink I've got that right.... you can check over on avsforum, there was a thread about it) and that BENQ have dealt with premature failure on 7700 lamps, they had a bad batch, but I haven't read glowing accounts of Sony's customer service so I don't know how they will treat the issue.

You could contact the dealer you bought it from - they might have enough of a relationship with Sony to act as go-between.

Hope you get some result.......

Sean.

[John DB]

Thanks Sean, I'm very glad you also think my bulb looks dodgy, I had read the HT1000 bulb issue thread on AVS and that is what prompted me to take a picture of mine!

My dealer (Roy jowett in Colne or www.discounttv.co.uk) doesnt sell sony projectors anymore which is not surprising given the grief they had over getting the HS50 in stock in the first place only to be exacerbated by the panel alignment and 720p HDMI firmware issues!

You right, sony sure do have a bad reputation when it comes to customer service, you only have to look back to the HDMI 720p issue to confirm that but im not going to give in too easily

[mikeaitch]

Go direct to Sony Customer service, not Pencoed.

Quote your hours and the date you got the machine. And demand a replacement, nicely at first of course. My first bulb exploded internally at around 1200 hrs and they replaced it after a bit of to and fro with supervisors etc. The new one is now saying please replace bulb at just over 400 hrs. Sony agree the lifetime should be 200 hrs +

They can be quite reasonable, if a little long winded, so be persistent
HTH

[JorisS]

How can it say replace bulb after 400 hours? Didn't you reset the counter when you put in the new lamp maybe?

Ah that's off-topic.

Good luck John I hope you get a replacement, as it's rediculous the lamp would go after a mere 400 hours

[Jack the lad]

Removed by me. Shouldnt have really put out that info on the open forum.

[John DB]

Thats good to hear Mike, do you mind if I mention you by name (assume its Mike Aitch?) if they are being difficult?

Thanks for the support JorisS

Thanks Jack, thats great!
What does this chap do? Is he a customer service advisor or a manager? If you don't mind could I possibly have your real name and the nature of your HS50 problem so I know what im talking about when I ring him and sing his praises before requesting a £250 bulb! PM me if you don't want it public.

John.

p.s I love you guys

[Jack the lad]

Sean, your post bags full dude

[theritz]

Jack,

Thnx..... cleaning out now......


S.

[mikeaitch]

Originally Posted by JorisS

How can it say replace bulb after 400 hours? Didn't you reset the counter when you put in the new lamp maybe?

:

No, I was under the impression that the new bulb would do that automatically, and Sony didn't reset it when I semt it away as my dealer had the broken bulb.

john. will pm you my details if you think it will help

Turned on my HS50 tonight and can hardly see the screen
The machine is just over 12 months old but spent at least 2 months sat in Sonys repair centre. The hour clock is showing 492 hours, this was reset when it was away for the second time, I don't know if the bulb is original or not.
I presume the bulb has buggered, could someone who has had some joy please pm me the phone number and details so I can attempt a free or at least cheap bulb from Sony.
Cheers

[kgulls]

Just to say that when I bought my HS50 from my local Sony shop they were definite in there assurance that the bulb ,as well as the rest of the projector, had a 12 month guarantee.
That was one of the conditions that most concerned my purchase.

[mikeaitch]

Sony say they need to see the projector to check why the bulb says to change so soon <500 hrs

Picked it up today after going to the wrong address Wed...

But they say they will replace if some defect is found

Will keep you posted, in the meantime I've got a HS60 and H78 on home demo, from the initial hr or so I may well defect to the DLP camp anyway, the cost difference is about £350

Originally Posted by mikeaitch

Sony say they need to see the projector to check why the bulb says to change so soon <500 hrs

Picked it up today after going to the wrong address Wed...

But they say they will replace if some defect is found

Will keep you posted, in the meantime I've got a HS60 and H78 on home demo, from the initial hr or so I may well defect to the DLP camp anyway, the cost difference is about £350

Off topic, some impressions between picture quality of HS60 and H78 would be nice

[John DB]

Well I phoned today and was told that the bulb was faulty (really!) and that they were waiting on a new bulb to come into stock before sending it back.

So its good news, no £250+ bill for a new bulb Just wish they would hurry up!

Zig if I were you I'd be demanding a replacement bulb/repair. I mean you havent actually been in posession of the machine for 12months have you? Good luck!

[Sporran]

fairplay that is good news, didnt expect that answer though

[mikeaitch]

Originally Posted by tomjakl

Off topic, some impressions between picture quality of HS60 and H78 would be nice

See here:-http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293781

Don't want to hijack the thread - in short, I sent the HS60 back...

Originally Posted by John DB

Zig if I were you I'd be demanding a replacement bulb/repair. I mean you havent actually been in posession of the machine for 12months have you? Good luck!

Glad you got yours sorted
However I am sort of stuck as to what to do now.....................
I have had little joy so far with Sony, I have spoken to customer services who refered me to Pencoed who told me pretty much the same, 90 days warrantty on bulb, no exception. I ordered a bulb from elsewhere as I didn't want to be without for too long and not being hopefull of getting a result out of Sony. Today I took my projector down and managed to do the thing I most feared; I slipped a little stepping back down from my step, started juggling the HS50 whilst back-pedaling then launched it accross the room
It will be tonight before I assess the full damage, at the moment I have a broken front grill and the case popped out in places. The projector did fire up but I did not try it on the screen.
I am covered on my household insurance but at the moment dont know what to do, put the new bulb in and see if it works or contact my insurance company and get it sent off for inspection. If I try it and it works, it may well bugger up in a few months at even more expense. If I send it off then I could get a refund on the bulb I suppose and it should come back as new. Really not sure how to procede, any suggestions?

[Jack the lad]

Keep bulb. Insurance job the HS50. Get HS60. Spare bulb for said PJ

Originally Posted by jack daws

Keep bulb. Insurance job the HS50. Get HS60. Spare bulb for said PJ

Had a little look now, the focus ring is buggered so it looks like the optics took a knock. I have a picture of sorts but it will take more than a little superglue to fix it I will ring the insurance tomorrow and get the ball moving. A HS60 would be nice if it is wrote off, are the HS50's not still in stock though? I think I will send the bulb back for a refund, it will pay the excess for the insurance at least.

[mikeaitch]

Know how you feel. I dropped my HS50 when the missus opened a door and bumped me. It was away for 7 weeks and cost nearly £500, insurance claim, that's what you pay it for. There are some HS50s about but RRP is the same for both pjs...

[John DB]

Projector landed yesterday, only took sony 2 and a half weeks to source (they don't keep 'parts' in stock) and fit a bulb

Still at least it didnt cost me anything and as a result I treated myself to a screen upgrade, 69" to 92"

Picture is minty again and they have reset hour counter too.

Thanks to all who replied for your help and support

[theritz]

Glad you got a result..................


S.