Fixing a RP CRT TV crack & Buying Front projector questions

[Rudyard]

Im not sure if this is the forum for this so apologies if its wrong but I have 2 issues that relate to each other for me.

1 - I have a philips 55in (140cm) rear projection TV. I also have 2 kids 2 y/o and younger whom I thought had put their grubby hands on the screen, until I noticed it is actually a crack that is spreading like your windscreen on your car does when it cracks!

Its not in the outer perspecx or plastic screen you can physically touch, it is a crack in the screen behind that (im not sure of how they are constructed but you cant rub it off (like I thought) or feel it, it is behind the outer layer and appears where the actual image is).

It is also slowly spreading in that windscreen type way (eratic, no set path, like lighting if that helps). WHilst it shows obviosuly in light scenes its not as bad in darker ones and it can go unnoticed in certain scenes.

However I know this will require one of either 2 things: A - get it fixed or B - chuck it out when it reaches a certain point

So going with A to start with, is it possible to get this fixed and is that likely to be worth it (will it be $200 or $2000??).
How do you go about doing this, call philips, an electrician, a shop.....I wouldnt know where to start.
If its really expensive is there a cheap DIY attempt that can be made knowing I could destroy it but if its to expensive to fix then its worth a shot.

And going with B leads me to my 2nd question.

2 - Ive always wanted a front projector for the big movie like experience, movies have been a (expensive) hobby of mine since my teens (yay I bought a laserdisc in 1997!).
Whilst Im finally getting on top of my finances laltely and will so in the coming years, my house I have now has a great room for this that ive never had before.

So if I have to go for a new TV I will hopefully look to put a projector in instead in this room. I would like a full HD one and have been reading about the Epson EMP-TW700 which sounds promosing and is at a reasonable price. I would not be able to buy for a little while but would like to plan and get my knowledge on them up well before I do.
So...

1- how do you get cables to the projector? My setup would have the DVD/RECIEVER/TV BOX all to the front or side of the room, with the projector up on the ceiling, presumably to the middle. How long can cables be and how do people overcome this?

Also as the room is fullbrick I take it cables runnin up the wall is the only option??

2 - Anyone with experience, how often do you have to change the globes and how readily available/expensive are they? It would not be the primary/only TV, upstairs will have the run of the mill stuff and this would be for sports, movies but still some general viewing, especially in winter as the fire place is downstairs.

3 - Are there any certain types that are no no's? i.e. like plasma/lcd/crt debate in normal tvs?

Thanks to anyone who could offer me some advice.

[Krispy Kritter]

To your first question, your best option would be to contact a certified Philips repair center. Repair will actually depend on the age of the TV and parts availability. And from what I've heard and read will likely be cost prohibitive (ie: several hundred dollars, which would be better spent on a new TV).

For your second question, you can buy long cables, so that isn't an issue. And aside from running them inside the walls (which isn't possible in a pre-existing room...especially in your case), your only option is to run them on the outside of the walls. They do make cable trim to help hide them.

[Rudyard]

Thanks very much Krispy Kritter, your help is appreciated.