HDTV Forum

Hi, new to the forum, hoping someone can give me some insight here. I have a Toshiba 56HM66 DLP, After about 3 months of use, it started getting a "negative" looking effect. I got a Toshiba certified tech out and stated the "Light Engine" needed replacing. It does not qualify for the "recall" as seen in various posts and is out of warranty. The estimated cost to repair was about $900 of my hard earned money. I contacted an online parts distributor PartStore. When I inquired about the "Light Engine", they stated it was not a lamp but the part I needed was an "Optics Block 95.L" which I assume is the Light Engine?????????? with a cost of approx $365. So here are my questions, can anyone confirm if this is correct? I would hate to buy this only to find out the part is not considered the "Light Engine". Is the Light Engine different from the Lamp? I feel im fairly tech savvy, how difficult are these to replace yourself? Does anyone know if there are online instructions in replacing these? I went with the Toshiba DLP because I have had very good past experience with an older RP and CRT but since the purchase of this one and the crappy Toshiba technical support, this will probably be my last. Any help would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!!

We can't help you with self repair but I am interested in the estimate since the part price you quoted plus some sales tax is about $400 and you are saying the labor on this repair is $500? If so could you break down the labor? Also, what was your minimum fee so far if you bail on the repair - the service call or estimate fee?

The service call was $85, he didnt give me a break down on the how much the part versus labor was. I'm going to try and contact him today to get the breakdown including the part number. I just wasnt too sure on if the "Optics Block 95.L" is the Light Engine and if I should replace the bulb at the same time? Thanks for your help, its greatly appreciated

For the casual viewer you replace the lamp when light output has dropped to the point you can tell your picture is dim or discolored. For performance videophiles the lamp should be replaced when light output has dropped by 25-50% depending on which camp you are in along with an optical cleaning.

Replacing the light engine has nothing to do with the lamp concern...

As for the repair, all I can say is $500 labor for this job would be considered high in any state or city of the US.

Thanks Richard, so is the Optics Block 95.L the light engine?

Dunno... that's not a part number and I can't tell you or help you confirm what the part number is... but that's about the right price for retail.