Well, thanks for that. Just love having the wind knocked out of my sails.
Silly me. Here I was thinking it was a good thing to share my thoughts about what seemed to be a cool discovery. Perhaps the picture WILL be brighter when the time comes to put in a new bulb. That will be nice.
However, I figured that in a day and age when tv's and other things are made to crap out in a short amount of time, I was lucky enough to purchase a product that has lasted and, after all the use and time, STILL has, IMHO, a better, sharper and brighter picture than a new Sharp Aquos that I picked up for my office.
When the time comes that I do have to replace the lamp, I will indeed marvel at whatever increase in brightness occurs. I will just remember not to share it here.