Why do projectors need to warm up?

Question

im just wondering because the science i see behind it says tht it should just turn on immediatley shouldnt it i just dont understand and was wondering why this is or what it is doing.

Answer 1

If the bulb cost $1 it wouldn't matter but at $200+ a pop it makes sense to take every measure to extend the life of the bulb. Most standard bulbs fail when first turned on or turned off, not when it is in operation. So projector lamps warm up and have a cool down period as well to extend the life. Also the color changes as the temperature changes and the projectors color should be balanced to the standard operating temp. This means colors aren't accurate until the lamp heats up some.

Answer 2

It  takes anything some time to go from room temperature to red hot. This is the same thing. Inside the projector is a very expensive and powerful lamp (light bulb), in order for it to work properly, it needs time to heat up and cool down.