This is my first time checking out the front projectors on AVS and im getting the feeling that lamp life is extremely short on these units.

Im seeing 800-2000 hours and then its a 200-300 dollar price tag?

I would love to hop into the large screen arena but if this is the case im afraid ill have to stay at the direct view 50 inch arena.

Is the lamp life a problem for people who would use it everyday for gaming and movies?

It will work out to be about 10 cents to 20 cents per hour of operation.

This is my first time checking out the front projectors on AVS and im getting the feeling that lamp life is extremely short on these units.

Im seeing 800-2000 hours and then its a 200-300 dollar price tag?

I would love to hop into the large screen arena but if this is the case im afraid ill have to stay at the direct view 50 inch arena.

Is the lamp life a problem for people who would use it everyday for gaming and movies?

i just posted a question about lamp life regarding my PJ's lamp replace light coming on after 2092 hours...
that's 2092 and i play games for about 2-3 hours 5 nights a week on it.

if you're thinking about a PJ, i'd recommend it mor ethan anything. you can get a good PJ and replace 2 lamps in 6 years time and it'll still cost less then most quality flat panels.

i say go for it.

Thx for the replies.

I think i may pass on projectors for now, when i rack up 9k hrs on my 50' panny and still hope i get another 2k i just dont think i could afford a 300 dollar lamp every 2k.

Id go through that in less than a year.

If 50" is what you were looking for, then you came to the wrong place. If you were looking for alternatives to a 60" or 72" plasma then you can work out the economics.

Once you go big, you will never go back.

The plasma cells might last 9K hours but the electronics will fail before then. Unless you got a dirt cheap steal of a price for your 50", the PJ will still cost the same or less at the end of the product life for both and you will have been gaming on a 100 to 120 inch screen instead of a 50 inch screen.

If cost was all you were considering...

4000+ plus hours on my HD70...and still jaw dropping everytime I watch it.

Normal useage is 10-12 hours a day...everyday!

Once you go big, you will never go back.

You said it, Bubba.

I'm on my 3rd projector in 6 years, and after my last one's bulb reached the end of its useful life, I briefly considered going to a 61" JVC HD ILA television, but then I regained my senses and I got another front PJ instead. I love it even more than the previous two. I watch on a 100" screen.

What you said is probably sig worthy.

4000+ plus hours on my HD70...and still jaw dropping everytime I watch it.

Normal useage is 10-12 hours a day...everyday!

Then it's true: it's better to run longer stretches than shorter amounts of time with more frequency. (I'm aware of the 2 hours/strike ROT)

Any other specifics you can give in terms of how you use it? 4000 hours is fantastic.