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Calculating the lifespan of the projector is not a difficult task. You must have a few pieces of important data to calculate but don’t worry this data is provided already by the brands. So, how many years does a projector last?
At A Glance: A projector will last from 5-20 years depending on its lamp life. For example, a projector that has a lamp life of 16000 hours will last for 11 years if it is used for 4 hours daily. Different brands and different models of projectors will last for different years.
Keep reading as I will reveal many more aspects of the lifespan of a projector. You will have huge knowledge about projector life spans after reading this article.
Do projectors have a lifespan? (Lamp life + Projector’s other parts)
| Lamp Life | Hours per day usage | Will Last for how many years? |
|---|---|---|
| 6000 Hours | 4 hours per day usage | It will last for 4 years, 1 month, and 7 days |
| 10000 Hours | 4 hours per day usage | It will last for 6 years, 10 months, and 5 days |
| 12000 Hours | 4 hours per day usage | It will last for 8 years, 2 months, and 19 days |
| 15000 Hours | 4 hours per day usage | It will last for 10 years, 3 months, and 8 days |
| 20000 Hours | 4 hours per day usage | It will last for 13 years, 8 months, and 9 days |
| 30000 Hours | 4 hours per day usage | It will last for 20 years, 6 months, and 14 days |
The lamp life of a projector varies from lens type to type. The LED, LCD, and DLP lens projector will have a lamp life of 5000 to 20000 hours while the LASER lens projector will have up to 30000 hours.
These were the hours that a lamp will last. But the projector is not made up of only a lamp. It has complete circuitry inside it. Many modern projectors have a processor chip built-in that is used to process the picture for optimal quality.
So the projector lifespan by keeping the lamp life apart will last for 20 years or a lifetime by considering the good care factor. But don’t keep a projector for that much longer because projector technology updates so quickly. The same project after 3 years will feel old.
The good care factors will be to protect the projector from a power surge, dust, overheating, and a lower power supply.
Read my guide about the best short throw projectors for home theater. These projectors are the best fit for smaller spaces.
Know more from this youtube video.
When should I replace my projector?
In-Short: Replace a projector whenever the updated version has a newer feature that fascinates you or your need for that feature. Keep the projector as long as you are comfortable with the outdated features.
In-Depth: The replacement of the projector doesn’t have a specific time duration to make the move. This is dependent on your personal choice. But my advice will be to replace it as soon as an updated version of it has a better feature that suits your needs.
Every feature has its caliber to think of.
1st feature example: But I replace my projector after every 2 years or 3 years. But for a newer one, I am not saying about 8K or 16K when there are 6-8 years from now.
Today, 8K is just a luxury. There is not that much enough content nowadays available in 8K. There is no need to upgrade to an 8K projector unless there is widely available content in 8K. Like nowadays 4K is a mainstream phenomenon. You will be just future-proof and that’s it.
2nd feature example: If the newer projector has a better image processing processor or has a better contrast ratio, and you truly believe to go for it and have the best picture quality. Then go for it.
3rd feature example: If your current projector is not letting you install android apps and in the future, an updated version can do so, and you want to make your kids happy by letting them play android games on a bigger screen. If you really feel like going for it, then yes you can upgrade.
Read my guide about the best projectors under $500 for home theater. Few features will amaze you.
How do I find out the lifespan of my projector?
In-Short: Divide the lamp life in hours by your per day usage hour and then multiply the value by 0.002738 and the result will be its lifespan in years. For example: Divide the 6000 hours of lamp life by 4 per day usage and the result will be 1500. Multiply this by 0.002738 and the result will be 4.107 years.
In-Depth: What does this 4.107-year clarify? It shows that a projector with a lamp life of 6000 hours that is used for 4 hours per day will last for 4 years, 1 month, and 7 days.
How to get this lamp’s life value? This lamp life is provided already by the projector’s manufacturer. You can get it on the user manual of the product or from the website of the projector’s manufacturer.
But be cautious, many brandless projectors’ lamp life will often lie. They will say it is 10000 hours but in reality, it will be less than 6000 hours. That’s why I always recommend buying a projector from a reputable brand.
Know about the drawback and benefits of a projector for a home theater. I have written about the 21 points to decide.
How do I increase the life of my projector lamp?
In-Short: There is an eco-mode in almost all modern projectors. By keeping this feature on, your projector will last a few thousand hours more than its actual life.
In-Depth: However, this eco-mode does come with downsides. This eco-mode will drastically reduce the brightness of the image but don’t worry about it. If your home theater is dark and the incoming light is blocked, then it will not affect the picture quality of the image.
That’s why it is recommended to keep the theater room dark and block the light coming to the room.
There are a few projectors from reputable brands that provide a well bright image even in eco-mode, but sadly they are very few in the market.
This eco-mode can increase the usual lamp life of a projector from 5000 hours to 8000 hours or even 10000 hours. Look, this life span will be increased. Interesting. Isn’t it?
Know, can a projector screen get wet? I have answered important questions in this guide.
Did you get something out of this projector lifespan guide? Hold On We Have Something Exciting To Share.
[the_ad id=”4771″]FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a projector bulb?
A bulb replacement will cost you from roughly $2500 to $5000 depending on the caliber of the lamp.
A low-quality brandless bulb will cost you even $1500 but a bulb with the best quality on the market will cost you even higher than $5000.
How do I know if my projector lamp is dying?
If the color vibrancy is fading and the colors are looking more washed out to bright and dark areas of the screen and the picture is losing its brightness, then the lamp is dying.
These are the most known signs of the lamp dying, but in some rare cases, the lamp will start flickering without any reason along with all other signs mentioned above.
But if it is only flickering and not showing the above signs, then the bulb is faulty and can be replaced by the brand warranty.
Which is the better TV or projector?
They are winners in their respective categories. Like, a TV will win in maintenance, brightness, contrast ratio, brightness, and space management while a projector will win in cost, resolution, screen size, and portability.
No one product is an absolute winner. Each one has the upper hand in one category and lacks in another.
Helpful Resources For The FAQs To Read More
- This was my opinion, read more about it on CDW Blog. (Resource for the first answer)
- This was my opinion, know more from this youtube video. (Below Video Resource for the third answer)
