Electrified TY-LA1000 Replacement Lamp with Housing for Panasonic TVs

The lamp showed up before expected. The only bad thing was they did not include instructions for resetting the lamp's time. So I still get that irritating message that my lamp is about to expire. I checked the owner's manual and all it said was follow the directions when you receive a replacement lamp. Needless to say when you do NOT receive any directions that is not very helpful. I contacted Amazon [because they asked to be emailed before I submitted a review of the item] and all they had to say was return it if I was not satisfied. Also not very helpful.

There's a reason we've moved beyond this type of tv. The bulbs have a finite life, and it is frustrating to keep replacing them.Supposedly, they last 2 years, but hey - do you think they're still making these bulbs anymore? Not really, there are probably a ton of them sitting in a warehouse, slowly getting older, and even if untouched, their actual final life is not going to be that long.And everyone selling them just drops the order to that superwarehouse... doubt the companies selling them ever even see the inventory.I've now bought four of these bulbs for my mother's tv - and the life has gone from 1.5 years to 1 year to 8 months to 8 months.That said, the price has gone from a horrendous 150 bucks to 100 bucks to 70 bucks to 45 bucks (always overnight delivery, can't live without that tv!)So, if you want to keep the tv going, pick the cheapest shipping, and what seems to be a reliable supplier. I personally bought from Electrified, and mostly because they allow "fulfilled by Amazon" allowing me to get the bulb overnight for 3.99 - but I will admit that they seem to be a reliable "8 month life" bulb supplier, and provide a 150 day warranty (they know what they are selling).So - 4 stars seems about right - wish I didn't have to do this every 8 months, but it makes my mom happy, and delays the inevitable move to a new tv - which will probably happen in the next 8 months, given I just bought the newest bulb.UPDATE: Well, the newest one lasted about five months. Actually a few days UNDER the warranty period, so if I wanted to complain, I could do so. This is only going to continue as the remaining inventory gets slowly used up. I'm getting yet one more bulb, but telling my mother to sell her tv and let me get her a new one for Christmas. I expect this new bulb will last a tiny bit into 2013 (4-5 months) and will need one yet again.Oh, and best I can tell, ALL the inventory is getting old, so even if you "pay extra" to get an OEM version, you're not going to see 2 year life spans anymore - I could be wrong, but that's why I keep buying the cheap ones.UPDATE: Still 3 stars, these don't last long, but I did call and complain that I was under 150 days, and they very nicely sent a new bulb as a replacement. Since I had bought one already, the replacement is still sitting in a box, so we'll see. The good news is that it is now Feb 2013, and the one I bought is still working - so five months on that one. We'll see when I need that replacement!All said, these bulbs used to be atrociously expensive. Even at $40, five months isn't that long to live. but still - that's what older technology gets you. I'm just glad $8 / month isn't terribly awful.But, yes, still no more than 3 stars.

UPDATE: My original review was 2010, it is now 2014. The bulb has not blown out yet, but it started to hesitate when turning on, a familiar symptom the last time it blew. To recap, my original bulb blew under a Panasonic Warranty extension because someone filed a class action law suit and won. I bought the second one for a seemingly outrageous $125 here on Amazon, but I believe that was an OEM part. For those who think these "cheap" replacements are a waste, I have found that the bulb I paid for has still cost me more than the second two cheap bulbs and that time span has been about 7 years now, so I would rather buy a cheap bulb every two years than a $125 bulb every three years... at that price I might as well get a new TV. However, my PT50LC13 has all the connectors used in modern times, and I have my HDMI receiver hooked up to it via a HDMI to DVI adapter. The sound comes out of the receiver and the picture is fantastic, works great with the PS3 and laptops newer than 2009 (older computers seem to want to only output in 4:3 mode, not widescreen). In other words, this TV still fits my needs so I am back buying another bulb for when the 2010 bulb burns out. Unlike others here, I don't get a nice warning on the screen, unless the warning is a blinking red power light when you try to turn on the TV.I believe this is a YMMV (your mileage may vary) type of review here, but I now have almost 4 years with this product and I am preparing to buy it again.___________Original Review____________This is the third bulb for my Panasonic PT50LC13 TV. I noticed the picture was getting dimmer and dimmer, until one day it made the familiar "POP" and I knew it was time to get a new one. Luckily, they are much cheaper now than they were when the second one blew and I took a chance and ordered this model which was cheaper than a few others around Amazon.The new bulb is very similar to the one in the TV and installation was quick; two screws and that cosmetic plate covering the front. The picture is as bright as it was when new and I hope this one lasts as long as the 6 years the previous unit lasted. If this one blows out prematurely, I'll be sure to update this review.

There was a minor struggle to get it installed, as it's apparently designed to fit a number of different rear projection televisions, but it did finally go in and it works great. I'm very happy with the 2 year warranty and will purchase this again from the same vendor when this one goes south.

Supposedly the warranty is 150 days. Mine quit after 148 days. Well see what happens and make a decision then.Update: They called me this morning To tell me they would honor the 150 warranty even though my warranty was for only 120 days! (back when I ordered it it was only 120 day warranty) Now that is good service! I also ordered another one which is now almost $10.00 cheaper just to get one quicker. I'll keep the replacement for the original purchase as a spare, since it will have no warranty. Time will tell on the product quality but the service of Electrified is solid!