I also had a DLP (61" RCA/InFocus).
Yes, the bulb was a continual hassle.
I gave up on it and went LCD. And I had gotten the TV for free.
Feel lucky that your Mitsu doesn't have the plastic lens issue my InFocus did.
The newer bulbs ran hotter (brighter is good, right?), and melted the original lens in the middle of the light engine.
Much Frankenstein later, it worked.
But still the continual bulb replacement i$$ue.