Epson Powerlite Cinema 550 Home Theater Projector Users Guide

							Maintenance51
5. Press in the latches securing the lamp cover and lift off the cover.
6. Loosen the two screws securing the lamp (they don’t come all the way out).
7. Grasp the lamp as shown and pull it straight out.
Warning:  The lamp(s) in this product contain mercury. Please consult your state and 
local regulations regarding disposal or recycling. Do not put in the trash. 
						

							52Maintenance
8. Gently insert the new lamp and tighten its screws.
Caution: Don’t touch the glass portion of the lamp assembly. Touching the glass could 
result in premature lamp failure.
9. Replace the lamp cover. (The projector won’t work if the lamp cover is open or loose.)
10. Reset the lamp usage timer, as described below.
Resetting the Lamp Usage Timer
After replacing the lamp, plug the projector back in, turn on the power switch on the back, 
and press the P 
Power button. Then follow these steps to reset the lamp usage timer:
1. Press the 
Menu button on the projector or remote control.
2. Use the menu navigation buttons to open the 
Reset menu, then select Reset Lamp 
Hours
. 
3. When you see a confirmation prompt, highlight 
Yes and press the Select button.
4. When you’re finished, press the 
Menu button to exit.
The lamp usage timer doesn’t register until you’ve used the lamp for at least 10 hours. 
						

							Maintenance53
Checking the Projector Status
You can use the Info menu to view information about the current display settings and how 
long the projection lamp has been in use. To access the Info menu:
1. Press the 
Menu button on the projector or remote control.
2. Use the menu navigation buttons to open the 
Info menu. The following information 
appears:
Note: The information displayed depends on the currently selected image source. The Lamp 
Hours shows 0H until you’ve used the lamp for at least 10 hours.
The resolution indicates the total number of scan lines in the source signal. The number of 
visible scan lines depends on the signal format standard and selected display settings (see 
page 65).
Storing the Projector
If you need to store the projector for an extended time, do the following:
■Make sure the temperature of the storage area is within 14 to 140 °F (–10 to 60 °C).
■Attach the lens cover and retract the feet.
■Remove the batteries from the remote control.
■Pack the projector in its original packaging or equivalent.
■Lamp Hours■Video Signal
■Source■Refresh Rate
■Input Signal■Sync Info
■Resolution 
						

							54Maintenance
Transporting the Projector
Note: Epson shall not be liable for any damages incurred during transportation.
The projector contains many glass and precision parts. When shipping the projector for 
repairs, use the original packaging material if possible. If you do not have the original 
packaging, use equivalent materials. Be sure the carrier is capable of transporting fragile 
equipment and is aware that the projector is fragile.
Before transporting the projector, make sure you center the lens by turning the lens shift dials 
until they click.  
						

							Problem Solving55
Problem Solving
This section explains how to interpret the projector’s status lights, solve problems with the 
picture and remote control, and contact technical support.
What To Do When the Lights Come On 
or Flash
The lights on top of the projector indicate the projector’s 
status and let you know when a problem occurs.
If the projector isn’t working correctly, first press the 
P
Power button or the Off button on the remote 
control, let it cool down, turn off the power switch on the 
back, and unplug it. Then plug the power cord back in 
and turn on the projector. If this doesn’t solve the 
problem, check the status lights on top of the projector.
Light state Cause and solution
P power light does not 
come onMake sure the power switch on the back of the projector 
is turned on and the power cord is connected securely 
both at ends.
P power light is orange The projector is in standby mode. Turn off the power 
switch in back to turn off the projector, or press the 
PPower button to turn it on.
P power light is flashing 
greenThe projector is warming up. Wait for the picture to 
appear.
P power light is flashing 
orange and you can’t turn 
the projector on or offThe projector is cooling down. Wait until the light stops 
flashing and shines orange. Then turn off the power 
switch in back to turn off the projector, or press the 
PPower button to turn it on.
Power light
Warning light 
						

							56Problem Solving
Solving Picture Problems
You cannot turn on the projector.
■Make sure the power cord is connected and the power switch is turned on. Then wait a 
moment for the power light to turn orange before pressing the P 
Power button.
■If you’ve set the Operation Lock, the control panel buttons are disabled; you must use 
the remote control to turn on the projector (see page 31).
warning light is 
flashing orangeHigh-speed cooling is in progress. If the projector gets too 
hot again, projection stops automatically. Make sure there 
is plenty of space around and under the projector for 
ventilation. Clean or replace the air filter if necessary (see 
page 48).
warning light is red The projector is too hot, which turns off the lamp 
automatically. Let it cool for five minutes, then turn it back 
on. Make sure there is plenty of space around and under 
the projector for ventilation. Also, clean or replace the 
filter if necessary (see page 48). 
If you are using the projector at an altitude above 4900 
feet (1500 meters), turn on High Altitude Mode so the 
fan can properly cool the projector at the high altitude air 
pressure (see page 46).
warning light is 
flashing red at 
half-second intervalsThe lamp needs to be replaced (see page 50). Make sure 
you have a spare lamp handy. Check to make sure the 
lamp and lamp cover are securely installed.
warning light is 
flashing red at 
one-second intervalsThere is an internal problem.
 Turn off the power switch on 
the back of the projector, and unplug it from the electrical 
outlet. Then contact Epson for assistance (see page 61). Light state Cause and solution 
						

							Problem Solving57
No picture appears on the screen or you see the No Signal message displayed.
■Press the Source button on the projector or one of the Source buttons on the remote 
control to select the correct input source. Allow a few seconds for the projector to sync up 
after pressing the button.
■Press the Blank button on the remote control to make sure the picture hasn’t been turned 
off temporarily.
■Check that the P power light is green, not flashing, and the lens cover is off.
■The projector may be in standby (or sleep) mode. If the P power light is orange, press the 
Power button to turn the projector back on. 
■Make sure your video equipment is turned on.
■Make sure your cable(s) are connected correctly (see page 18).
You’re using a computer and no picture appears on the screen.
If you’re using a PC laptop:
■Press the function key that lets you display on an external monitor. It’s often labeled with 
an icon such as  , but it may also be labeled 
CRT/LCD. You may have to hold down 
the 
Fn key while pressing it. Check your laptop’s manual or online help.
On most systems, the   key lets you toggle between the LCD screen and the 
projector, or display on both at the same time. Allow a few seconds for the projector to 
sync up after pressing it.
■If the function key doesn’t let you display simultaneously on both screens, you might 
need to use the Display utility in the Windows Control Panel to make sure that both the 
LCD screen and external monitor port are enabled. From the Windows Control Panel, 
open the 
Display utility. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab, 
then click 
Advanced. The method for adjusting the setting varies from computer to 
computer; you may need to click a 
Monitor tab, then make sure the external Monitor 
port is set as your primary display or enabled. See your computer manual or online help 
for details.
If you’re using a Macintosh with OS X:
1. Select 
System Preferences from the Apple menu and click Displays.
2. Click 
Detect Displays.
3. To display the entire desktop on both your projector screen and LCD screen, click 
the 
Arrange tab. (If you don’t see this tab, make sure it isn’t hidden by another 
window.) 
						

							58Problem Solving
If you’re using a Macintosh with OS 9.x or earlier:
1. From the Apple menu, select 
Control Panels, then click 
Monitors and Sound.
2. Click the 
Arrange icon, and 
then drag one monitor icon on 
top of the other.
If the 
Arrange option isn’t available, you 
may need to select one of the Simulscan 
resolutions. Click the 
Monitor icon and 
then select a Simulscan resolution from 
the 
Resolution box. (Allow a few 
seconds for the projector to sync up.)
The picture is upside-down or reversed.
Change the 
Projection setting in the Settings menu (see page 45).
Only part of the picture is displayed, or the picture is distorted.
■Press the Aspect button to select a different aspect ratio (see page 26).
■If the Aspect is set to Zoom, you may need to use the Zoom Caption option to see the 
top or bottom section of the screen so that subtitles are visible (see page 43).
■Check the Output Scaling to make sure it’s adjusted correctly (see page 43).
■Use the Position setting to reposition the image on the screen (see page 43).
■If you’ve connected a computer and you see only half the image, make sure the 
computer’s Dual Display setting is turned off.
Click here
4.Click Mirror Displays in the lower corner 
of the screen. One of the monitor icons 
automatically moves on top of the other.
Click here
Drag one 
monitor icon on 
top of the other 
						

							Problem Solving59
The picture isn’t rectangular.
■If the image looks like  or  , the projector has been placed off to one side of the 
screen and angled toward it. Face the projector straight ahead (instead of at the center of 
the screen), then use the horizontal lens shift dial to center the image (see page 24). 
■If the image looks like  or  , use the remote control to access the Keystone 
function to correct its shape (see page 25). Or press the u and d buttons on the 
projector’s control panel.
Note: You won’t have to use the Keystone function to correct the image, as long as you place 
the projector level (not angled up or down) and at a height between the top and bottom of the 
screen. Then use the vertical lens shift knob to position the image. This produces the 
best-looking picture.
The picture contains static or noise.
■Make sure the Input Signal is set correctly for your connected video equipment (see 
page 45).
■If you’re viewing still images and you notice flickering or horizontal lines, turn on the 
Progressive setting (see page 37). 
■Make sure your cables are securely connected at both ends.
■If you’re using an extension cable, you may pick up interference unless you use a signal 
amplifier. 
■If you’re displaying the same image on your computer and projector screen, try turning 
off your laptop’s LCD display (see page 57).
The picture is blurry.
■Make sure the Input Signal is set correctly for your video equipment (see page 45).
■There may be dirt on the lens. Clean the lens as described on page 47.
■Adjust the focus (see page 26).
■Make sure the lens is not fogged by condensation. If you’ve just moved the projector from 
a cold environment, wait a couple of minutes before using it.
■Adjust the Sharpness setting (see page 37). 
■If you’re projecting from a computer, you may need to adjust the Tracking and Sync 
settings (see page 40). 
						

							60Problem Solving
The colors on the screen don’t look right.
■Make sure the Input Signal is set correctly for your connected video equipment (see 
page 45). 
■Press the Color Mode button on the remote control to select a different color mode (see 
page 28).
■Check the brightness and contrast settings (see page 35).
■Fine-tune the colors with the settings listed on page 38.
■If the picture looks dark, you may need to replace the lamp. Check the lamp usage timer 
to see how long the lamp has been in use (see page 53). Replace the lamp if it’s close to 
the end of its service life (see page 50). 
Solving Remote Control Problems
The projector doesn’t respond to remote control commands.
■Make sure you’re within about 30 feet of the projector, and the remote control is not 
angled away from the projector by more than 30° in any direction.
■You may need to replace the remote control’s batteries (see page 20).
■Dim the room lights and turn off any fluorescent lights. Make sure the projector is not in 
direct sunlight.
■Turn off nearby equipment that emits infrared energy, such as a radiant room heater.