What to do? Projector broken. Repair or replace?

Phate · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:07

Hi all,

I have an Optoma HD30 and it recently developed a fault of white lines being projected across the image.

I have contacted Optoma and my unit is out of warranty (turns out it was a refurb unit which I didn't realise and therefore only had a 1 year warranty, not 3 like a brand new one)

So I need to decide what to do. I can send it to Optoma to be assessed and get a quotation for repair. If they do this and I do not proceed and they just return it to me its a €50 cost.

Does anyone have any experience at how much this might cost to repair? or would I be better buying a new projector?

On the note of a new one. What does one cost these days for one of equivalent performance to the HD30. I don't need one all singing and dancing...just one as good as it will be replacing.

Thanks in advance...

Jake

Phate · 12 Dec 2016 at 15:07

OK I've spoken with Optoma and described the fault. They have estimated it could cost anywhere from £80 - £400 + VAT to repair it, plus delivery charges back.

I've also looked online at some potential fixes for the issue. Which I think I'm going to give a go. it's stuff like pressing down in certain parts of the casing to try and help the connections out etc. Or taking the casing off and blasting compressed air through it.

If not, I will sell for parts and then replace it.

Can anyone suggest a projector which matches the specs of the Optoma HD30?

Thanks very much

Jake

Phate · 12 Dec 2016 at 15:19

richyfingers said:
My Optoma 131xe developed the same fault you described and I followed the fix you mentioned. Took most of it apart blew some air through and squished it all back together. Works a treat now.

Worth a try.

Can I ask. Did your process involve a gentle encouragement with a sledge hammer at all?

Sounds like it's a bit of a common issue between these Optomas. But yep I plan on taking the casing off (10 min job) compressed air throughout and seeing how it goes.

Phate · 12 Dec 2016 at 15:20

Psycho Sonny said:
AVForums is your best bet tbh. Not many on here have projectors or know much about them. We do have a few but hundreds on AVFORUMS.

Have posted a similar thread on there

Phate · 12 Dec 2016 at 16:37

Mr.Cookie said:
where did you buy it from, you may find you have additional warranty via retailer. I've got the hd50 which i think is the replacement model (certainly from price point) and am very happy with it.

Good luck with repairing though.

Was originally off Optoma UK from their eBay shop. Turns out it was a refurbed model which only came with 1 year warranty. Not the normal 3 years it should have had it been brand new.

Phate · 12 Dec 2016 at 17:17

Mr.Cookie said:
ah okay was thinking maybe richer sounds, i had rangemaster pull that one on me with a cooker purchased from currys as ex display, currys said 2 year but when contacted rm in the second year they were most unhelpful. thankfully i sometimes did their repair work

have you tried contacting richer sounds as they have in house repair team, not sure if its only for stuff they sell though.

I haven't. But the thing is I live in Portugal. So sending anything back to/from and the costs soon start adding up and then it quickly gets to the point where I should have just bought a new one

Phate · 13 Dec 2016 at 19:22

Well after a pretty horrendous day I thought I'd see if things improved and got the projector out of the box. Put it on the table, switched it on...white lines as before. Pressed around a bit as per described online....saw changes, some lines gone...but not fully....then took the Del Boy method and gave it a good firm slap!

Hey presto, it's working

Well, the white lines are gone anyway. I've plugged it into my laptop and playing an anime right now, all seems fine. Will stick a proper 1080p movie on in a moment and see how it handles it.

Only projecting onto a wall right now. Hard to tell if its as shape as before but we'll see