If you own a digital light processing (DLP) television, eventually you’ll need to come to terms with lamp replacement if you want your model to last as long as possible. It’s no secret that it is much cheaper to buy a new lamp than a new set altogether, but when it’s time you are faced with choices. Do you buy a lamp with housing or not? The steps you take in repairing your television will be affected by how you choose.
What is Housing?
If you are not a mechanic, you no doubt will be confused when it’s time to buy new lamps for your TV and you’re asked if you want one with housing. Once you see the lamps up close, however, the meaning becomes clearer. Housing is the term given to the protective casing around the lamp’s bulb. When you bought your DLP set, the lamps included came with their own housing. As the lamps begin to fade, you have the option of keeping the original encasement and just replacing the bulbs, or installing a whole new lamp altogether.
Is it easier to keep the original housing intact and just replace the bulbs? Some may argue yes. When you buy lamps for specific sets, like the KDF55WF655, KDF55XS955, KDF60WE655, KDF60WF655, KDF60XS955, KDFE55A20, or KDFE60A20 models, you want to be certain the new bulb will fit properly. If by chance you have moved your television, or something else has happened that might have caused the housing to warp or crack, you’ll know it’s better to replace everything at once.
Keeping a new bulb in the housing it comes in, too, makes for an easier install. You might discover, too, certain lamps work better when they are not transferred to different casing.
However you buy your new DLP bulbs, be sure to check the housings as they arrive to make sure they are in usable condition. The better the quality, the longer the life of your TV.
By: Kathryn Lively
About the Author:
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on XL2200 lamps and XL-2200 lamps for DLP television sets.