Replacing A Projector Bulb (How-To with Pictures)

[Andrew Robinson]

I've been a front projection enthusiast for many, many years and while I've owned many projectors none longer than my Anthem LTX-500 D-ILA projector, which is little more than a rebadged JVC D-ILA projector. I've had the Anthem projector for five years and in five years I've racked up a fair number of hours on the bulb -a little over 1,000 hours to be exact. While my Anthem has never been what I would call a "light cannon" its image was visibly dimmer than normal, evident in its less than 7 foot lamberts (in HIGH lamp mode) worth of light output on my 100-inch Dragonfly 1.2 gain screen. (Note: I have NOT used the Anthem in some time due to my busy review schedule, so please do not think that I was comparing new projectors' light output to my Anthem -that would be silly )

Time for a new bulb.



Knowing my bulb's model number I went on Google and simply typed it in and was was greeted by a myriad of choices via online retailers as well as JVC's own site. One thing that was largely constant between all of my potential purchase options was the price -roughly $300. There was one website however that had an advertised price that was far lower than what was being listed as MSRP for my bulb. I'd seen this before but the lower price replacement lamps were always just that, the lamps. I don't recommend buying raw lamps unless you really know what you're doing but most of the time when you shop for a replacement lamp you'll be getting the lamp in its appropriate housing but you're going to want to make doubly sure.

The site that caught my eye was a website called Projector Lamp Genie (www.projectorlampgenie.com/us/home) and upon closer inspection the replacement bulb they were advertising was not a JVC factory original but an OEM bulb from Diamond Lamps. I had heard of Diamond Lamps before but thought they were only available to dealers, at least that's what I was told from another lamp distributor like Projector Lamp Genie. To be sure I sent Lamp Genie an email and they promptly replied and informed me that they do carry Diamond Lamps and in fact sell them direct to consumers. The great thing about Diamond Lamps is that they're guaranteed to work with your projector just like factory originals, they have the same specifications but carry a longer warranty than a factory authorized replacement. That and they're half the price, well, at Projector Lamp Genie they are. So to recap, a factory replacement bulb for my Anthem was priced at $297.66 and the Diamond Lamp replacement from Projector Lamp Genie listed for $152.90. Can you say "Buy Now!"

I placed my order online, which was quick and painless, and in less than a week (free standard shipping) my new bulb arrived.



To install the new lamp in my Anthem projector I had to first take it down from my Sanus mount. First step; removing the lamp cover at the rear of the projector. Your projector's lamp cover may be located along the side but if you have a newer model JVC it should be in the rear. A small phillips screwdriver is all you need to remove the lamp cover.



Removing the lamp cover will expose the lamp. Loosening the two large phillips screws will allow you pull the lamp out by its wire handle. Do so gently. Removing the lamp will expose the lamp window (shown below).



You can clean the lamp window (which you should to ensure maximum brightness from your new bulb) using a few cotton swabs (Q-Tips) and some 99.7% Isopropyl Alcohol. Use just enough alcohol to get the swab damp, not soaked and use the swab to clean the window. It may take a few swabs and whatever you do DO NOT pour or spray any alcohol on the window itself. Wait for everything to dry before installing your new lamp.

To confirm that the Diamond Lamp was the same as the JVC factory lamp I photographed them together.





After letting my projector sit for a few minutes to ensure the window was dry I then swapped the new bulb in for the old by sliding it, lamp down, into the hole and tightening the two large phillips head screws.



From there all you have to do is put the lamp cover on and you're all set.

Honestly, the whole process couldn't have been easier and after a few hours of viewing on the new Diamond Bulb I see no reason as to why one would spend more for a factory authorized lamp. Seriously, save your money, go to Projector Lamp Genie and get yourself a Diamond Lamp. Also, if your projector has about 500 hours on it or more it's time to replace the lamp. Don't wait for the projector to tell you when it's time to change out your bulb. For maximum performance do it before your lamp gets to half its life. $150 every 500 hours or so isn't a bad investment.