Projection TV

[joytimeday]

I am considering getting a new Projection TV to replace the old tv. The Panasonic PT-56LCZ70 caught my eyes, I noticed it at a review site:
http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-tvs/panasonic-pt-56lcz70/4864-6484_7-32306514.html?...8196&tag=uolst
A decent deal the lowest price I can find for it is $997:
Has anyone had it? How it works?
I've always heard that Panasonic is the way to go. I would like to stay under $1200. Any advice?? Thanks!

[gll99]

Didn't I just read that they are dropping the projection tv line to concentrate on flat panels? Hold on a bit they may be mass dumping them soon.

[budz]

SONY just announced they're no longer going to manufacture rear projection TV sets. They're going to focus on LCD TV's. Instead of getting a rear projection like the PANASONIC model you posted invest your money into a LCD or PLASMA TV. Those rear projection sets have to have the bulbs changed every 2 years and they're very costly at about $200 a pop.

[samijubal]

There are a lot of people that aren't even getting 2 years out of the bulbs. Those bulbs lose 25% of their brightness in the first 500 hours. A plasma isn't even broken in until 200 hours. RPTVs may be cheaper up front, but you'll pay a lot more over the life of the TV. According to CR, LCD and plasma have 3% breakdowns in the first 3 years, RPTVs have 18% in 3 years.