Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

[Innov8tive1]

Someone has given me a HL-R4664W that apparently has color wheel issues. I have not picked it up yet to confirm the diagnosis but assuming that is all that is wrong with it, it would seem to be a reasonably easy fix. I have 15 years experience with CRT sets but virtually none with any of the newer technologies. Does anyone have some experience or tips to share about color wheel replacement, this set and it's value and if it is worth me putting any money in to a 5 year old DLP? Also where would be a good place to start looking for parts?

Thanks

[PlainBill]

Re: Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

Someone has given me a HL-R4664W that apparently has color wheel issues. I have not picked it up yet to confirm the diagnosis but assuming that is all that is wrong with it, it would seem to be a reasonably easy fix. I have 15 years experience with CRT sets but virtually none with any of the newer technologies. Does anyone have some experience or tips to share about color wheel replacement, this set and it's value and if it is worth me putting any money in to a 5 year old DLP? Also where would be a good place to start looking for parts?

Thanks

Google HL-R4664W Color Wheel That cross identifies to Samsung BP96-00674A. Prices range from $105 - $155. I'd check around. It seems to me the color wheel was a frequent failure point on Samsung DLPs.

Certainly $125 (adding shipping) is a lot cheaper than a new LCD, or even a used plasma.

PlainBill

[Innov8tive1]

Re: Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

I had started looking and that was the conclusion I came up with. I really don't need another TV right now but it would be a nice one to keep in reserve.

[Dgtech]

Re: Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

Thats a 46".... takes up too much space. Throw it away and buy a Plainbill repaired LCD TV. It comes with a warranty.

[Innov8tive1]

Re: Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

Thats a 46".... takes up too much space. Throw it away and buy a Plainbill repaired LCD TV. It comes with a warranty.

The only reason I took it is to try and keep it out of the landfill if even just for a little while. My TV needs are currently met........well I have too many as it is but I hate to see a set that is only 5 years old go for trash just because it needs $125 in parts and isn't "skinny" enough. I might just fix it and give it to the in laws. This world is screwed because of attitudes like that.

Edit: No offense Plainbill, I'm sure your sets are great and you are doing your part to keep 'em out of the landfill too

[Dgtech]

Re: Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

Yeah, I was joking about that. These TV's were a limited bad design. They were quickly obsolete and not cost effective to own. They are still nice to use though if you got the money for the $125 color wheel and occasionally a $120 lamp or two. These are being sold on Craigslist nowadays for about $300 in working condition. DLP's are like a car that you would keep getting a tune up on every 10K miles. Uggg.... There are oganizations that do recycle materials from electronics. That may be the better option.

[Innov8tive1]

Re: Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

I realize that it's the manufacturer's fault in a lot of this but it still bugs me that all this stuff gets tossed. The manufacturer should be made to either produce a set that will last and if they don't they should be made to take it back and recycle it properly.
Just my little rant. If I do decide to fix it, I might just put it in a place where it doesn't get much use.

[PlainBill]

Re: Samsung HL-R4664W DLP - opinions requested

I realize that it's the manufacturer's fault in a lot of this but it still bugs me that all this stuff gets tossed. The manufacturer should be made to either produce a set that will last and if they don't they should be made to take it back and recycle it properly.
Just my little rant. If I do decide to fix it, I might just put it in a place where it doesn't get much use.

There are a couple of thing to remember on this. The CRT TV is the result of more than 50 years of product evolution. For a large part of that period it was much cheaper to repair the existing set that to buy a new one, and parts were readily available - often as close as the nearest drug store. Also, the new model had few advantages over the existing product.

While I lack personal experience, I believe current digital TVs are no less reliable than 1950's TV sets. However, they are much harder to repair. And the new product is cheaper, does more, and is hopefully more reliable that the old TV. Unfortunately, the 'pull the old one out and pop in the new $2.39 part' are gone. While sockets make part replacement easier, they also decrease reliability and increase costs. While I hope the pace of innovation slows, I won't count on it. Why use the old design when new chips make it possible to use 2/3 the number of parts and cut costs?

Some companies ARE replacing TVs that turn out to be unrepairable. Sony sets with a 'balancer'(?) failure is one that comes to mind.

PlainBill