Huffer,
My projector, combined with a high-gain screen, throws a plenty viewable image for brighter materials like TV shows, even in the fully lit room in the evening. However, with many untreated windows, our living room is too bright during the daytime to use the front projector (or, in fact, RPTVs). Movie materials are in general much darker, and a good ambient light control is preferrable with the front projection.
tinfoilhat,
The price of a replacement bulb is mostly around US$350-$400, which you will usually need every 2000-3000 hours of viewing, depending on the projector model. Other than that, a front projector does not have any particular parts that will be worn out with use. Barring the initial defects, a projector should last as long as most other AV electronics.
