HLN467W bad flickering and dark picture

[jennfa]

Hi, My Samsung HLN467W is 6 years old. I have never replaced the bulb. This summer on very hot days, the picture starts out with a white flickering and then within 5 minutes gets really bad mostly when there is white on the screen. If there is no white, the picture is almost back to normal. It has never shut off on its own and does not happen all the time. I usually shut it down for half an hour and it is fine for a little while then starts again. The picture has become very dark as well. Nowhere near the HD it was. There has never been any skreeching noices. I'm really hoping it's just the bulb.
Thanks,
Jen