I'm interested in getting a big flat screen TV in the next year or so (prolly around 42"), but I'm worried about the lifespan. I heard from a friend that plasma's are only good for a few years. I really don't want to drop like $1.5k - $3k on a TV and have it only last a few years. My wife and I do watch a lot of TV,maybe around 5 hours a day, sometimes more because I like to leave it on while I'm whoring HAN even tho I'm not watching it

Do plasma's and LCD TV's really only last a few years? And if so, why?

Also, what do you guys think of projectors? I know you have to replace the bulbs every 3000 - 5000 hours but are they a better option if used just for movies?