I wish I have see the `` costly mistake '' review before I buy my 8100 in Feb. . I , too see the concern about `` beta '' unit , and discount they . well , I be initially a very satisfied buyer . this be the second projector I have own , the first be a Panasonic 720P pt ax200u . the 8100 be a big improvement over that one in picture quality , perceive brightness , etc. , as it should be , be several year newer technology and 1080p resolution . for 600 hour and 5 month , I be happy . then all of a sudden , the bulb severely dim . I spend the next 5 minute check various setting , hope to make this go away so we can finish watch the movie we be streaming from Amazon , then POP -lrb- loud -rrb- go my bulb , like the old-school flashbulb of yore , scare the \* ^ -lrb- \* ^ out of I and my wife . the next day , I check my warranty information , and discover that the advertised 4000 hour bulb be only warranteed for 90 day . my bad , should have read the fine print . I go online and find out that I be not alone , other have be experience this same kind of premature failure , and there be hint that Epson be `` extend '' the 90 day in the interest of customer service . so , I try the Epson `` direct customer line '' card provide with my projector , only to find the pin the supply on the card be not valid . ok , I spend my dime and call the support toll number . I describe my problem to the 1st level support specialist , and he instantly transfer I to a `` projector bulb specialist '' who take my info . and with no argument agree to send I a replacement bulb , after walk I through the extraction procedure -lrb- little bit of glass rain down on I in the process , as it be ceiling mount -rrb- . ok , I say , I be a satisfied customer , but kind of worried about the next bulb 's life . three day later , the bulb arrive , it be the WRONG one . I call support , same drill , this time they keep I on the hold for a long time , then transfer I to a `` customer relation '' specialist . she proceed to tell I that Epson policy be that they can not send I the correct replacement until they receive the wrong one back , and that I can not return it until they send I a return label . I say , wait a minute , this be you fault , not mine , I be not happy about this , my projector will be down a week , be not there someone who can authorize a expedited replacement , you can take my credit card # for security ? no , she say , due to the value of the bulb , it be company policy , and that be that . five day later , I finally get the return label , which be send regular US Mail , and it be for regular ground shipment , not even expedite . take 3 more day for they to get it , and then they do Fedex Next Day the replacement , but after the cutoff , so I finally get the replacement more than two week after the failure . it work so far , but who know how long it will last , or if they 'll replace another one after more time . have to be without live room entertainment for 2 week , and deal with service that do not care about customer satisfaction or even get the part #s right be not that entertaining , either . probably the last Epson product I 'll ever buy . my 3 1\/2 year old Panasonic projector be still go strong , install elsewhere , on it be first bulb , after 3000 hour , ironically .