Original and Genuine Projector Lamps Compared to Compatible Projector Lamps
When you’re purchasing projector lamps it is important to be an informed buyer. Unfortunately over the last 3 years the number of both compatible and counterfeit projector lamps being sold in the UK has increased dramatically. It is important you are armed with knowledge when you buy your projector lamps to ensure you don’t buy counterfeit and copy lamp products. Please read the important information below on original/genuine, compatible (copy-lamps), and counterfeit projector lamps.
Projector Lamp Module / Housing / Cage
The projector lamp module, also known as the cage or housing is the plastic surround that ‘houses’ the bare/raw projector lamp. The projector lamp module makes sure the projector lamp fits in the correct position in your projector, and connects correctly to the power from the projector. Every projector lamp housing is designed to be unique for each make and model of projector (so for example you cannot simply take any Hitachi Projector Lamp and place it into any Hitachi projector).
Some companies sell ‘bare-bulbs’ / ‘bare-lamps’/ ‘lamp-only’ options that do not include the projector lamp module. Projector Lamp Source only sells projector lamps with the module/housing. It can be very dangerous and damaging to your projector if you try to install a bare-bulb into your existing projector lamps housing. So the rule of thumb is, if you see a projector lamp without the housing for sale – stay away!
Genuine Projector Lamps, also known as Original Projector Lamps / OEM Projector Lamps
These are the bare lamps that your projector manufacturer puts into their final product. The bulbs are made by major lighting manufacturers such as Philips, Osram, Ushio, and Pheonix. These lamps are of the highest quality. It is important to ensure the projector lamps you buy are original lamps made by the above OEM projector lamp manufacturers.
Compatible/Copy Projector Lamps
The term ‘copy’ or ‘compatible’ means the lamp was made by someone other than your projector manufacturer or the original supplier of the lamp. Unfortunately the projector lamp will NOT be made by Philips, Osram, Ushio, etc. Compatible projector lamps can infringe on the original projector lamp suppliers’ patents, which in turn could expose you to unnecessary legal risks. They can also be dangerous and may invalidate your projector’s existing warranty.
Counterfeit Projector Lamps and bulbs
These lamps are the worst of the worst! Some UK online stores are selling them, and it is very hard to identify counterfeit lamps until you’ve made the purchase (or even after the purchase!). Counterfeit lamps are when the lamp inside looks like an original, but is supplied in fake projector manufacturer boxes. The only way to tell is to analyze the bar-codes on the lamps (as the boxes are near perfect copies). Projector Lamp Source has the knowledge to help you identify if you’ve been sold a counterfeit lamp as we know the bar codes. You won’t believe it but some reputable online shops don’t have this in house knowledge and have accidentally purchased/sold counterfeit lamps! Please don’t hesitate to contact us, or call us toll free on 0845 528 0527 if you need help.
Bare-Lamp / Bare-Bulb / Lamp-Only Options
These are projector lamps that are sold without the module. They are hard to install as you have to ‘break into’ your old projector lamp to remove the old bare-bulb, and then re-wire it to put the new lamp in. Projector Lamp Source strongly advises customers not to attempt this due to the safety risks involved.
If you have any questions on projector lamps, Projector Lamp Source is here to help! Please contact us, or call us at 0845 528 0527.
