Whenever I run out of relevant news on home theater systems, I can typically find a nice post on HomeTheaterBlog.com. Today, they had this to say about potential projectors for your system:
Buying a new high definition video projector can provide you with an immersive home theater experience that’s hard to rival with all but the largest of LCD’s and Plasma’s. There are however a few things to keep in mind with video projectors to ensure that you get the most out of your new investment.
Projector lamps, much like the stylus on a turntable, are designed to wear-out and must be replaced before they exceed their life expectancy. While projectors offer more for the money than ever before, the very component that is responsible for illuminating the screen (the lamp) remains a relatively costly part to replace. The cost of the replacement lamp should be factored into your final decision.