Lamp Timer and Color Issues with Sony VPL-EX4

The Sony VPL-EX4 projector can be problematic when replacing the lamp.  This projector does not allow you to reset the lamp hours without entering the service mode first.  Accessing the service menu is not including in the projectors documentation and they instead suggest contacting a Sony service department.  This is silly since in normal day to day operation the lamp will only last 8-12 months (School setting), to be expected to contact a service person to put in a lamp and reset lamp hours with 30 projector units is not realistic.  Epson printers and most newer projectors in general allow you to easily reset the lamp timer through a simple menu using the console or remote.

Okay back to the Sony VPL-EX4, to access the service menu you need to user the remote and hit  ENTER | ENTER | LEFT | ENTER.  This can sometimes be a bit tricky to take effect, it seems to help to be only 3-4 feet away almost directly in front of the projector when hitting the keys on the remote.

In Service mode press the enter key until you get to a screen that says System Protect ON.  Here you can turn System Protect OFF then click DATA Reset and then restart the projector, this should clear out lamp hours.  You can also do a Hard Reset but be warned that this will cause all of the color settings to reset to values that do not work well.

If you hit the Hard Reset and need to fix the colors here are the correct values  in Order starting from the first screen of the service menu.  Why these are not the defaults I have no clue but if you match your settings to mine below the picture color will look good.

Screen P1-1 (Notice you must turn ON a setting near bottom)

Screen P1-2

Screen P1-3

Screen P1-4

Screen P2

Screen P3-1

Screen P3-2

Screen P4