Fading picture that looks dark and dull on a 42" Samsung DLP tv.

When you say "distort the picture", are you referring to dark image? double picture

Sounds like your color wheel is going out.

color wheel

If your TV looks 3D, warped, or distorted it likely has a convergenge problem.
If however it just looks dull, washed out, redish, greenish, or blueish or if it looks like objects on the screen have halos the fluid in the lens has soured.
You can search google for parts or you can get the parts with repair instructions from sites such as www.TvRepairKits.com

Quite typical, for an aging lamp about to go out, to get dim.

These sets have several common problems which are listed below.

Problem #1) Convergence

Yours may have one or more of the following symptoms

• Screen Looks 3-D
• Colors wont align
• Screen may look distorted or warped
• No Audio/Video - makes a chirping sound.

Problem #2

Another common problem is dull or washed out video.
Your TV may have one or more of the following symptoms....

• Dull looking picture
• White looking picture
• Halos around objects
• Red/Orange looking picture

You can see some more examples and find the fix here...

http://www.fixya.com/support/r2861467-solution_video_looking_whiteish_dull

These sets have several common problems which are listed below.

Problem #1) Convergence

Yours may have one or more of the following symptoms

• Screen Looks 3-D
• Colors wont align
• Screen may look distorted or warped
• No Audio/Video - makes a chirping sound.

Problem #2

Another common problem is dull or washed out video.
Your TV may have one or more of the following symptoms....

• Dull looking picture
• White looking picture
• Halos around objects
• Red/Orange looking picture

You can see some more examples and find the fix here...

http://www.fixya.com/support/r2861467-solution_video_looking_whiteish_dull

only the samsung mobiles are the best but the other products are extreemly worst thats what my experence says

Color Wheel, Go website Encmpass Parts Distr Look up the part # if they do not have it in stock then go to E-Bay look under Electronic 1-800-638-3328

it sounds like the dmd board is failiing