As a die hard HDTV aficionado, I normally love reading about anything that has to do with the HDTV experience. With it’s crisp picture and it’s unmatched sound quality, HDTV has the power to make even bad television entertaining. Even when I’m not watching TV, I still love researching and learning about the technology, but when I came across a recent post by the Technology Evangelist, it sent shivers down my spine. (warning: link is not safe for TV enthusiasts)
It’s New Years eve. My wife and I are snuggled up on the couch watching the ball drop. 10! 9! 8! 7! KABLAM!!! Our micro-projection HD set turns off with a loud popping noise. Immediately I fear the lamp has shattered, but I think that maybe I just sat on the remote and shut it off. Looking at the remote on the table I realize my fear came true.
As someone who watches my fair share of TV, I worry about the day when my tube finally does give out. Reading through the post, I can’t help but imagine how horrible it must have felt to suddenly know that you can’t watch anymore TV without spending the time and money to get repairs done. Right now I’ve been living without my Xbox 360 for a few weeks while repairs are being made and that has been bad enough, without my daily fix of HDTV, I’d be a raving lunatic. (or at least more raving than normal 
)
Deep down inside I’ve always hoped to sell my big screen before my tube goes out in a stupendous bang, but between my marathon sessions of the X-Files and my bad habit of falling asleep with the TV still on, I’ve got a sinking feeling that I’ve already exhausted at least half of the life on my lamp. While most HDTV purchases tend to be based upon price, screen size and brand, in retrospect it would not have been a bad idea for me to research the average life of various HDTV sets before actually committing to a purchase. I’ve never had any issues with my 60″ Sony Wega, but at the rate that I’m devouring HDTV content, it’s only a matter of time before I’ll have to write my own epitaph for my big screen TV experience.
Davis Freeberg is a technology enthusiast living in the Bay Area. He enjoys writing about movies, music, and the impact that digital technology is having on traditional media. You can read more of his coverage on technology at www.davisfreeberg.com.
Could you just budget a replacement bulb? (And hope the lamp assembly survives any explosion.) Though, I sold my projector before needing to couch up $400 for a new bulb.
I’m sure if my TV does eventually go out, I’ll be shelling out the cash to get it fixed, but fixing a 60″ big screen won’t be cheap and it won’t be easy. Just getting the TV to the repair shop without an SUV will be problematic, but the worst part would be trying to live without my HDTV for a few weeks while they fix it.
Toshiba’s lamps only burn out during the SuperBowl, so you’re safe the rest of the year!
Davis, I think you need a second HDTV. You know, for backup!
Funny you should say that because Thomas Hawk keeps trying to get me to buy another HDTV. He doesn’t like that I bought a rear projector and wants me to get an LCD or Plasma. I’ve been tempted, but I’m going to wait another year and let the prices drop. If my HDTV does blow out, you can bet that you’ll hear about it though because the time I spend blogging would probably triple.