[Simebaby]

Hi Guys / Gals

Got my first HD100 in May of this year - it ran fine for a couple of months and then developed what I can only describe as flickering - this was a flickering of the brightness levels (e.g. like a dying bulb). After a bit of back and forth JVC replaced it with a brand new PJ (they did check the old machine, but said they couldn't find a fault, and the bulb was fine - however the installer checked it before sending it back, and they could see the flicker so it wasn't just me) - but last night I noticed the flickering again on the new one - though now it appears to have stopped.

Has anyone here owned a HD100 and had a similar issue? Or does anyone know of a similar issue being discussed (did a google, but nothing was revealed). Just a concern as if the new unit does end up going back with the same problem, I really don't know whether I'd want another one.

Cheers all

Si.

[stainless-steel]

Hi Si,

It's definitely the PJ is it? Any chance someone nearby is using a high-load appliance that's causing the power supply voltage to sag momentarily?
I get a similar effect in my house, its very noticable during the winter, although I can't say I've seen the effect with the projector, mainly incandecent light bulbs.

Is it a rapid flicker, or a slight change in brightness that lasts a fraction of a second every so often?

[X3ELS]

Sounds to me like you have had the same thing with two lamps. Try turning the lamp to high power mode in the menus and see if it stops....

[Simebaby]

Hi

Stainless - I've not seen this happen with any other lights in the house. I probably should have mentioned that when the installer saw it, it was in their demo room, so that should rule out anything specific to where I've got it installed. It's a slight change in brightness at random intervals, not a rapid flicker.

X3ELS - I tried changing the lamp power on the first (faulty) one - it may have cured it for a minute or two, or it may just have been my eyes adjusting to the increased brightness - but after a minute, it came back (if it had ever gone).

JVC insisted the lamp had been checked, and it was fine.

Si

[X3ELS]

Hmmm

So if you have tried it at the dealers, i am assuming with different cables and source components then i would have to say its a fault, i assume it is 100% random and cant be recreated with the same material?

i have never seen this before...

[Simebaby]

Originally Posted by X3ELS

Hmmm

So if you have tried it at the dealers, i am assuming with different cables and source components then i would have to say its a fault, i assume it is 100% random and cant be recreated with the same material?

i have never seen this before...

Yep - the PJ actually exhibited this flicker with no source input connected at all, on the blue screen.

More noticable on a solid white picture, but definitely there with no input.

If the 2nd one does go the way of the first, could I refuse a 3rd? Would that be down to the original supplier, or JVC?

[coldmachine]

This is actually not an unheard of issue, and is well very known in front projection circles. Its a fundamental problem with any arc discharge lamp.

In almost every case it is caused by an unstable or "wandering" arc in the lamp. The point at which the arc strikes begins to move slightly on the electrode, this causes the flickering that is most frequently seen when this occurs. Solutions such as Hooked Electrodes can prevent the arc from wandering down the electrode shaft, and thus away from the ideal optical position and minimize wander. An initial period on high power can help stabilize the arc, if you are worried about a reoccourance.

In many cases users are simply unaware of the basic technical issues and will condemn a brand or model on the basis of this issue, when the PJ companies are not responsible for lamp manufacture. Any dealer or installer should be aware of this.

I cannot, obviously, guarantee that this is the case with you, but in every case I have heard of or read about, it always has been.

Hope this helps

[Simebaby]

Originally Posted by coldmachine

This is actually not an unheard of issue, and is well very known in front projection circles. Its a fundamental problem with any arc discharge lamp.

In almost every case it is caused by an unstable or "wandering" arc in the lamp. The point at which the arc strikes begins to move slightly on the electrode, this causes the flickering that is most frequently seen when this occurs. Solutions such as Hooked Electrodes can prevent the arc from wandering down the electrode shaft, and thus away from the ideal optical position and minimize wander. An initial period on high power can help stabilize the arc, if you are worried about a reoccourance.

In many cases users are simply unaware of the basic technical issues and will condemn a brand or model on the basis of this issue, when the PJ companies are not responsible for lamp manufacture. Any dealer or installer should be aware of this.

I cannot, obviously, guarantee that this is the case with you, but in every case I have heard of or read about, it always has been.

Hope this helps

That is very helpful, thank you. If the problem reoccurs (not seen it since the first occurance on the second projector), I shall definitely mention it to the installer and/or JVC.

Is it a problem inherent with Arc discharge lamps? Or would a lamp showing this behaviour be classed as "faulty"? I ask as the lamp has a 6-month (I think) warranty, so if it was classed as a fault I would ask for the lamp to be replaced before sending the projector back (again!).