Don't want your DLP bulb to blow out prematurely? Thinking about getting high-end cables? You'll want to read this
As HDTVs becomes mainstream, some people are running into trouble. Here are few tips for home theater novices:
1. Turn down the contrast/brightness
One
of the main reasons to buy a rear projection TV (LCD, DLP,
LCOS/SXRD/DILA) is that there's no risk of burn-in. This is
because you're regularly replacing the bulb.
Unfortunately, as some users have discovered, these ~$300 bulbs burn out far quicker than you'd expect.
One
of the main culprits for premature failure is running the bulb at its
maximum intensity. Most TV manufacturers have the standard
television settings with the contrast and brightness higher than it
should be and call it the "Vivid" or "Dynamic" setting. This is
intended to draw your attention to that particular set in the
showroom. Unfortunately, this causes the bulb of a rear
projection TV to wear out very quickly. In the case of plasma TVs,
a bright picture increases the risk of burn-in.
If your
TV supports a low-power mode for the bulb, use it. Not only will
this make the bulb last longer, but it will usually improve the overall
picture quality, allowing dark blacks to be seen as black as opposed to
gray. Use simple tools such as the THX Optimode to help you set
the brightness and contrast of your TV to an appropriate level.
You can find the THX Optimode on any THX-Certified DVD, including any
of the Pixar movies.
2. Don't turn a rear projection TV on and off repeatedly
When
you turn off a rear projection TV, try not to turn it back until
the bulb has had a chance to cool down (10-15 minutes).
Restarting a hot lamp requires higher voltage to restrike the arc which
will significantly diminish the lifespan of the bulb.
3. Be careful with high-end cables
A
secure and tight connection between the television and the video cable
is helpful for obtaining maximum picture and
sound quality. For most audiophiles and videophiles,
the stronger the bite, the better. Unfortunately, this
means that you have to be extra careful when removing
cables. If you aren't gentle, you risk damaging your TV set and pulling the parts off of your TV.
Most people like to twist as they pull the cables out, but if the bite
is too strong and you twist too much, you can break the internal solder
points. If you cannot pull the cable straight out, a gentle
diagonal rocking motion is your best hope.
The best thing to do
is to avoid this problem in the first place. If a cable is stiff
when you are installing it, don't force it in. Instead,
use pliers or some other tool to gently open up the outside ring
of the connector. You don't need to bend it much and while you
may not see a difference, you should just feel the cable going in
smoother.
"So if you want to save the planet, feel free to drive your Hummer. Just avoid the drive thru line at McDonalds." -- Michael Asher
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