I have a Screenplay 4805 and I think the lamp is going on it. I bought it as a refurb for about $600 a number of years ago, and it looks like the lamp is going to run around $300 (which I knew going into it).

However, now that that time is here, I'm wondering if it would make more sense to just get a new projector. I can get a different 4805 on eBay for the cost of the lamp, so it seems kind of silly to replace it. Especially since I'm not particularly tied to the projector. It has served me well but I would upgrade if it made sense.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

I did that. My first projector was an X1 that ran about $700 or so. I kept for about 2 years and then rather then get a bulb, upgraded to 720p with the HD70 for about $800. Now the HD70 is about 18months old. If it makes it to christmas, I might upgrade again to 1080p.

I have used the X1 for work from time to time so I might get a bulb for it. Or it might sell it (I know, not worth much) and use the HD70 or an outdoor theater.

I'm leaning toward getting the bulb at this point, mostly because anything more is going to cost more. But I definitely think I'll replace it when the new bulb goes.

Ditto

Got 3750 hours out of the X1 bulb in 3 years but it was looking awfully dim (plus the occasional color-wheel-of-death-squeal for about a thousand of those hours). Sold projector on ebay for $100.

Replaced with an Optoma HD72 for about $800 AR - $100 for the projector = $700. Rather than buying an X1 bulb.

The step up to 720p was worth it for the $400 premium.

Then again the HD72 bulb was "dead" at about 1300 hours, after an RMA on the projector got me another 400 hours (first problems started at around 900 hours...there's an Avsforum thread about HD72 premature bulb issues).

I ended up buying a new HD72 bulb this past February rather than upgrading. 1080p is still too expensive.

Honestly I like 720p just fine since most games are still 720p native, and less scaling on SD-DVD = better in my book.

I'll wait for the Hd72 bulb to go, and 1080p to be sub-$1k, before stepping up.

I'd say it would be a waste to buy a bulb at this point. If you hunt around enough you can get some of the good entry-level 720p projectors for under $800-$900. I saw the HD70 on clearance at BB a while back for around $600.