Panasonic PT-45LC12 45 in. HDTV-Ready LCD TV

I've had the PT-45LC12 for less than 5 years and I'm on my 3rd lamp ($300 each). I get about 1500-2000 hrs out of the lamp, and then I go back into my pocket to dish out another $300 for a new one. Panasonic claims 5000-10000 hrs of lamp life for the set. Unfortunately my set was not covered in a recent class-action law suit Panasonic lost regarding short lamp life. I have NO idea why my set was not included in the suit since I've experienced the same issue, as have MANY other owners (just do a little research online ... you'll see.) Three months ago my set stopped working altogether. An estimate for the repair was almost $800 (bad ballast). I've been dealing with Panasonic for over 3 months trying to get them to pay for the repair, or at least offset my out-of-pocket expenses. I will say they FINALLY did agree to pay for about half the cost, but considering I paid $3000 for the TV, have about $600 in lamps (so far), I've been without the TV for 3 months dealing with Panasonic, and am forking out almost $300 for this repair, I find it extremely unacceptable to have to spend almost $1000 in order to maintain a 4.5 year old TV. I could go out and buy a NEW HDTV (and it's NOT going to be a Panasonic!) for not a heck of a lot more than I'm sinking into this one. And, oh, I'll be continuing to sink $300 more into it every 1.5 years if I decide to keep the set. That's if something ELSE doesn't break. I'm considering selling it after this repair so I can get a more reliable HDTV. Shame on you Panasonic! Never again will I buy ANY Panasonic product!