Buyer Beware! Don’t buy OEM Compatible or Replacement lamps. The word compatible usually means a generic, while replacement can mean a variety of things. If you have any doubt in your mind, call the company before you buy. Ask if it’s the same lamp that came in your TV or not! Our general rule of thumb here is that the best lamps are usually Philips which is 100% compatible with most television lamps. If not a Philips, try an Osram. Then if not Osram, think again before you buy. Lamps are usually designed to work with the ballast that power them. Philips lamps are always preferred with a Philips lamp driver (or ballast) in most circumstances!

Here are some examples of websites listing OEM Compatible, Replacement, or Original. We will be examining the Philips LCOS television with lamp unit part number 312243871310. The original lamp is manufactured by Philips Lighting.

The company claims to not sell OEM compatible...

Discount-Merchant.com sells an Original OEM Philips, but says it's an original Philips/Magnavox! We know DM is one of the largest Philips distributors, so we'll let that slide this time.

This company is known to sell Osram, not Philips. In this case, OEM Replacement is very misleading! buyer Beware! Don't be fooled into buying an Osram lamp for a Philips TV, when Philips is obviously the better brand.

We're not sure if they are OEM or not, but they claim that it is (And that's one really good price if it is!) If you get an Osram from DiscountTVLamps.com for this lamp model or Philips part number, ask for an exchange!

LampResearch.com has actually ordered parts from most of these internet retailers before and we can tell you that you get what you pay for, so call and ask before you order. Ask for genuine. Ask for OEM. Ask if they are an official, authorized distributor.

We’ll keep updating this list, but it’s safe to say, stay away from companies that mislead you on OEM product. You could buy a cheaper product, but you’ll pay for it in the end! As we stated before, if you aren’t sure about it, call the company and ask. Better yet, call a few companies. Making 2-3 phone calls to reputable dealers will save you $$$ in the long run.

So River Valley Electronics makes our naughty list for misleading customers, while other internet retailers for OEM lamps receive kudos. This Christmas season, make sure you buy an original lamp for your television, and Santa won’t leave you a lump of coal!

• inferior workmanship quality
• lower manufacturing costs
• poor and inconsistent product lifespan

If you’re buying a generic high performance lamp, be prepared to eat the cost of its usage. An OEM product may last 3 times as long for only a few extra dollars. There is risk of premature explosion and loss of lumens associated with purchasing an off-brand, or generic lamp product.

For example: If you buy an OEM Philips for your television, it may cost about $150, but last you 3 years. If you purchase an off-brand, generic product for $100, you will have save $50, but the lamp may only last about 6 months to 1 year. The cost-benefit analysis maintains you’d be better off purchasing the OEM lamp. You can even purchase a compatible brand name such as Osram–though it may not last as long as the Philips, it has a more consistant lilfespan than the generic manufacturer.

Digital projection lamp: original vs. imitation. Source: Philips Lighting

If you’re concerned about purchasing generic products, or have purchased a generic product by mistake, call the merchant you purchased the product from. It is your right to ask them if they sell an original product for your television–anything else is misleading. You should also find out which brands are OEM for your television. For a detailed guide, please visit our Lamp and Brand Guide.

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacture. An OEM part means that the part you’ve purchased is made by the same company that manufactured it originally.

For example:

Samsung and Sony both manufacture a line of DLP and LCD projection television sets. They don’t manufacture the lamp inside, but order it from their supplier, Philips Lighting. The OEM lamp part is made by Philips. All subsequent aftermarket parts may be manufactured by other companies such as Osram and DNGO.  Philips also manufactures aftermarket replacement lamp parts as well. Because your Samsung or Sony TV uses a Philips lamp out of the box, it’s recommended that you replace it with an OEM part, or OEM aftermarket part made by Philips.

There are many lamp merchants that list items as original replacement, OEM Compatible, or 100% Compatible. This doesn’t mean OEM. Look at the fine print and make sure the lamp you purchase is an original, OEM product. You can look at our Lamp Research Guide to find out who the OEM part manufacturer for your television is, as well as which brands are truly 100% compatible.

When dealing with DLP or LCD projection, there are only a handful of manufacturers you should be on the lookout for when you purchase from a reputable dealer: Philips (the leading manufacture), Osram, Matsushita, and Toshiba. When in doubt, just look at the cost. Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better.