Panasonic AX100U Developed Artifacts

My AX100U has developed some serious artifact problems. I haven't been able to identify a pattern (sometimes they don't show up, sometimes right away, sometimes after several hours). The projector was recently serviced for that common iris problem and the bulb was recently replaced as well.

I have a couple pictures you can see below, first one shows a close up, second shows how it goes across the entire screen. This particular shot IS blurry (the original content) so don't look at that as an issue.

Generally switching the input will temporarily solve the problem (switch to different input with content and then switch back). It seems to happen on both HDMI (HD-DVD player) and VGA (Xbox 360), rarely use component so not sure. This happens regardless of the image format, HD-DVD (HDMI 720p) where I first noticed it, Xbox (VGA) and regular 420p DVD as well.

Any ideas? I had an excellent experience with the Panasonic warranty service, but was able to take advantage of being out of the country . They are fast, but obviously I'd love not to have to give it up for even a few days.

EDIT: As the other poster mentioned it seems to have to do with colors or some other similar thing. As you can sort of make out in the images I attached it definitely follows the curve of the sand dune in the image. It is not static, if the image changes the artifacts change (IE it can't be like dust or something), they don't disapeer without an input switch, but they don't remain in the same place!

It sits on a wire shelf so gets excellent ventilation, and the filter was recently replaced with the bulb.

Also I consider myself technically-proficient, so don't be afraid to tell me to open it up. Though at this point I obviously don't want to open anything up far enough to void the warranty (I have an extended one so its still good).

Have you replaced a bulb or done anything I described? If we find a commonality maybe we can figure out what is causing it!

I'm a little scared that I actually had to look up your acronyms! Apparently I need to use more of the interwebs

Ugh really don't want to send it in, isn't shipping like $60, I'm so poooor . Maybe I'll do it over thanksgiving or something, well I guess they will probably be closed.

I should probably just send it in now, get working on memorizing those 160+ some odd conjugations for Russian before my final.

Update! Sent it in, they said it was my custom settings that made the colors neon, and that the artifacts are much less noticeable with default settings. However, I am not 100% confident in that since the problem would be tricky to replicate.

Repair meant the entire optical block, estimated at $865.36.

From my AX100 vs AX200 bulb you may have seen I am lucky and my GE Warranty will be replacing the projector for me. I am not sure, but assuming that means an AX200.

Looks like I will be buying an AX200U today (GE found an AX100 for me to buy but at $995 I figured I would spring the ~$950 for the AX200 lol), but I'm stuck because the GE Warranty I had was awesome, but it doesn't transfer to the replacement unit. Hmmmm... To buy a new warranty or not?