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Re-activateIf you own a Toshiba rear-projection DLP TV that's had a problem with short bulb life, you may be getting some relief. Last week, a court approved a class-action settlement that requires Toshiba to reimburse the cost of replacing the bulbs used in the lamps, and to extend the warranty for replacement bulbs from six to 12 months.
The settlement applies to 2004 and 2005 Toshiba rear-projection DLP sets purchased between January 1, 2004 and September 18, 2008. The lawsuit alleged that the bulbs used in the lamps were defective, and that Toshiba knowingly misrepresented the life span of the bulbs, breaching express and implied warranties. The suit claimed that while Toshiba estimated the life of the bulbs to be about 8,000 hours, many customers found they were burning out after 300 hours, or about two months of regular use. Replacement bulbs cost about $300 each if installed by the user.
Toshiba, which is no longer in the rear-projection TV business, denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to the terms of the settlement, which was approved by a federal district court on Feb. 24, 2009.
If you own one of these TVs and believe you are eligible to make a claim, visit the settlement's website (https://www.dlplampsettlement.com) for more information. While the warranty extension applies to all TVs covered by the deal, regardless of whether you file a claim, you will have to apply to get a new bulb or receive a reimbursement for one you've already purchased.
—James K. Willcox
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