Hey guys,
Accidently got here through Google and I thought I chime in...
As "JohnnyCage" has mentioned, in partnership with FixYourDLP.com, we are selling the current model Philips lamps (used in all newer Samsungs DLPs, RCAs DLPs, and Philips LCOS, along with some of the Sony Projection LCD TV, just to name a few...) as a replacement for what we refer to as the old "Big" lamp.
There’s lots of information on the FixYourDLP site, so feel free to check that out.
Why have we stopped selling the older lamps? Reliability. Samsung claimed 5,000-6,000 hours as the mean life for their lamps...how many of you guys reached these numbers?!? Chances are only a few!
You've got to remember DLP, D-ILA, LCOS, Projection LCD (or whatever your manufacture calls it) is a relatively new technology. UHP Lamps are a relatively new innovation (by Philips, BTW). Just as plasma TVs have had lots of problems when they were first introduced (Burn-ins, overheating, super-sensitive plasma panels prone to cracking, vertical and horizontal lines, etc, etc.), rear projection TV technology has its own issues...the biggest being the lamps!
Take the JVC D-ILA lamps for example...we get calls on a daily basis with upset customers reporting poor lamp life. What we tell them? We understand their frustration...they spent $1K-$3K on their TV, only to have the lamp fail just as the warranty expired. But we tell them there is a new revision of their lamp available; either buy the new revision lamp from us or get it from a trusted source that's not stocking the older revision lamps!
The same is true for the older Samsung TVs...and also the RCAs. They both use Philips 120W UHP lamps. We've got lots of suggestions on FixYourDLP on how to promote long lamp life, but the fact is there is a NEWER lamp out there...and it's available for your TV with our adapter.
Why suffer with the older design? Incorporate some our TV maintenance suggestions and buy the new "Small" lamp. You should easily see 5,000+ hours out of your next lamp!