DLP Projector Lamps - That expensive???

[ol' boy]

I have an old SIM2 DLP projector i haven't used in years.
The dam thing cost $14,000 in the day (back when i had money)...
It stopped working a few years ago, and i haven't really bothered to touch it (its in a theatre room i no longer use)

This is the unit in question:




Now before it stopped working, it used to have trouble firing up the lamp when turned on.
And as bad as this sounds, a slap on the side of the unit while booting would generally get the lamp going (there were clicking noises, like a gas heater ignitor)
Around 5 or 6 years ago, it just failed to fire up, even though the rest of the unit ran ok.
I figured it was the lamp and never used it again (bought a good sized Flat screen TV by now)

I never got an OSD telling me the lamp hours were getting up, or any other OSD type warning.

So... I just started looking for a replacement lamp (it may not even be the lamp) and wow, they are $$$ and there seems to be 2 different options.

$1000

or

$140

Any projector experts here?
At the $1000 mark, i'd rather just buy a 1080p projector, its hardly worth fixing the old SIM2.

[cmangle]

I dont know about that projector dlp system but dlp tv's here in the states started out(8 years ago) with $400.00 usd replacement bulbs that are now down to $38.00 usd!

[ol' boy]

Ok, the SIM2 is Italian, so no doubt it will be temperamental and expensive too repair
I was surprised to see lamps so expensive for a product so old.

[weirdo]

not sure if this one is the one you need for yours ob >

[cmangle]

Ok, the SIM2 is Italian, so no doubt it will be temperamental and expensive too repair

So your saying not only is it Italian, it is female as well! 8^)

[cmangle]

dupe post

[TVguy]

And as bad as this sounds, a slap on the side of the unit while booting would generally get the lamp going (there were clicking noises, like a gas heater ignitor)

So... I just started looking for a replacement lamp (it may not even be the lamp) and wow, they are $$$ and there seems to be 2 different options.

The clicking noise is the gas discharge device which initiates the striking voltage (~ 2kV to 15kV) needed to begin the lamp discharge.
The kicker is that the only sure way to check the lamp (unless it is obvious that it has failed catastrophically) is by replacement. The ballast could also be faulty.
What part numbers are on the original lamp? The arc length is often specified in mm's as well as the wattage.
I may have some suitable second hand lamps in my box of "things that may come in handy".

Cheers

[ol' boy]

Thank You TVguy, i shall remove the unit from the ceiling and open it.
I will retrieve what ever information i can.
To be honest, its just been neglected ever since it stopped some time ago.... Pretty poor form considering the time, effort and money that went into the theatre room years ago.

I appreciate the offer of help. I will post some pics and specs of what i find.

[mtv]

The HT200 features a 800x600 pixels resolution

Don't waste your money even thinking about buying a lamp at any price, mate!

It's a dinosaur now by any standard.

[ol' boy]

Yeah i know mtv, but it currently doesn't go and if it only takes a simple lamp replacement to get it going, at least its working.
But i am hearing you! Hard to believe it was $14,000 in the day

You can get 1080p projectors now for a song. And to give you an idea how old it is, the cabinets and screen are 4:3 (worst mistake i ever made)
Still its a 2.7Meter motorised screen if i remember correctly.

May as well just buy one of these:

No doubt they will be $2000 in 4 years time.

[mtv]

May as well just buy one of these:

No doubt they will be $2000 in 4 years time.

It's amazing how far we've come with technology in general in a relatively short time and equally, what we now expect as minimum standard.

Not all that long ago, your $14K projector would have been state-of-the-art, teamed up with a remote controlled VHS machine.

[ol' boy]

Not all that long ago, your $14K projector would have been state-of-the-art, teamed up with a remote controlled VHS machine.

How did you know? Thats down there too! About the only good thing lift in the system are the Miller & Kresiel THX speakers, the Yamaha DSP-A1 Amp and the ridiculous amount i spent of silver plated speaker cable, $1000 for 50meters. The room is now a store room, an Aladdin's Cave of shit and old AV/Sat and Computers.



I could cry, i don't even want to remember what i paid for that from Encel Stereo in Richmond.... 26Kg, i might get more for it at the scrape metal place

[mtv]

Perhaps you could one day charge an admission fee to view your AV Museum.

[gordon_s1942]

I could cry, i don't even want to remember what i paid for that from Encel Stereo in Richmond.... 26Kg, i might get more for it at the scrape metal place

I hate to say it but you would get bugger all as scrap (speaker wire) as its not 'Clean', ie its plated.
As for the other components, the Charity stores wont take it unless its been 'tagged' as electrically safe and its 'Old Technology' now.
Today when briefly visiting the local 'free shop centre' I saw a quality turntable, amp, graphic equaliser, dual tape deck just chucked amid the debris......... certainly a $1000 when new.

[mtv]

I hate to say it but you would get bugger all as scrap (speaker wire) as its not 'Clean', ie its plated.

I think he meant the 26kg of the amp.

Such a pity there's so much of this type of gear sitting idle these days.

The amps are still perfect as stereo amps though and there's not many manufacturers still building them as well as they used to be.... especially the old Japanese-built amps.

Anyhow... back on topic, re: the projector lamp.

[ol' boy]

I think he meant the 26kg of the amp.

Such a pity there's so much of this type of gear sitting idle these days.

The amps are still perfect as stereo amps though and there's not many manufacturers still building them as well as they used to be.... especially the old Japanese-built amps.

Yes, but go trawl the A/V forums, and these old beauties are making a small come back.
Especially for the owners of High Quality D/A Converters.... especially a nice value one with some KT88's
Just add a FLAC file and your old gear is singing.

Shame my projector has no such second life possibilities