HELP!!! - Optoma HD20 Vertical lines

I have an Optoma HD20 (DLP projector), which has started displaying vertical white lines recently. Below are the details
1. White vertical lines evenly spaced (20-25)
2. Random in nature - Sometimes go away when press the top, sometimes go away by themselves, but from the last month, have become more persistent.
3. Total PJ usage till now is less than 100 hours
4. Since I flew it with me from US to India, it is out of warranty, unless I ship it back to US, which seems unlikely at this moment. I think it may have experienced a bump or something in the handbag, since this problem started after coming back to India.

I see DigiComp as the authorized service center for Optoma in India. Do you know about their reputation in Pune or in general. I am a little concerned, since the bulb is practically new, they may swap it with an old/refurbished one. Also, anybody knows, how much the repair costs could be? Hope the DMD is good...

I have no experience with PJs, but just asking, you sure the PJ is not overheating?? Also,since sending back to US is unlikely, your only option is DigiComp ,right?U need to go to them for a checkup, wait out there with the PJ without leaving them with it if u are concerned and see what they have to say about repair costs.

About the new bulb, maybe u can keep it with you after checking up at the repair shop and making sure its NOT the bulb that is the culprit, or u can note down its serial number in front of them...i dont know whether this is possible, just giving ideas.

Regards

Digicomp Pune (Wakdewadi) has just a small office here. They don't carry out any repair work here. Mostly it would be sent to Bangalore for repairs by them.
Digicomp is very efficient & professional (or was when I had interacted with them).

Are you sure this is not a HDMI cable problem?

Yeah, not an HDMI problem, since I get the lines without any source connected. Also on the overheating, the lines are visible as soon as the projector starts up. I am planning to take it to DigiComp this weekend and see, what they have to say. Regarding the serial number, I did not see it on the lamp/casing, so not sure, if it has one...ideally it should, am just not able to find it.

In general one would never take the risk to over heat the projector and very true, sending back to America for repairs, is generally out of question while the service center is a good way out, these among other ideas i have been suggesting when 2 of the members had the problem with their projectors.

The authorized service center guys will rarely check the item in front of us and giving a quote for repairs across the table is out of question, as they have loads of work etc, they follow the log based on pending work.

V.

Thought of updating you all...I took the projector to DigiComp for repairs and told them how the white vertical lines used to disappear when pressed on the top. They called me next day and mentioned that the DMD chip had to be replaced. So waiting for the repairs to be completed in the next couple of days. Not sure how much it is going to cost. As of now, am hoping that everything is covered under warranty, as nobody asked me for the original sales receipt.

DMD chip is very costly. I hope you are right about warranty cover. Best of luck!

I hope ur PJ is fixed now. Just curious if it was DMD issue and did they fix it under warranty or you had to pay for it(how much?) I am also getting same issue since last week :-(.....

I may have found an easy solution for this problem. I was having the same problem (vertical black lines (sometimes white) all the way across the viewing area (usually the lines are paired). Sometimes they would come and go depending on the day (regardless of source), but then after awhile I could not get the lines to go away.... until today.

When I pressed down (firmly) on the top of the projector (about 2.5-3 inches behind the screen size dial and maybe an inch inside) I noticed that the lines would change randomly (distance apart, color, etc...) depending on how hard I was pressing. I will mention that I was also applying pressure to the bottom of the unit (so it was more like I was squeezing the projector). After squeezing it several times at a various degrees of firmness, the lines disappeared. I slowly let go of the projector and the lines have not come back since.

Hope this helps!