On another forum there was a thread that talked about some new LED based home lights.
Link1 (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/migros_supermar.php)
Link2 (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1477)

That got me thinking. Samsung has a DLP rear projection TV that uses LEDs instead of a bulb. I saw one in a magnolia and think it had a better picture than a plasma/lcd. And then there is talk of laser rear projection TVs, probably at CES next year/2009.

So, how long before we see LED/laser based projectors and can stop having to worry about bulb maintenance? When will bulbs go the way of the VHS/Cassette tape?

When I bought my Benq pe7700 two years ago, and it went through all those bulb issues, I said I wouldn't buy another bulb-based projector. I guess I didn't think two years latter we would be still just as far off as then. I just bought another bulb machine. I lost, they won.

I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see non bulb projectors for at least 5 years. Each year manufactures are improving contrast ratio and picture quality, while still using bulbs, so I can't see them stopping anytime soon. Maybe when we get a bulb projector that can do 30,000:1 contrast, they'll think about using another light source. But by then, why bother? The money is just too good.