5. Mitsubishi HC5500

Mitsubishi has updated its Full HD fleet with three models, the HC7000 (top end of the range), the HC6500 (middle/top end), and this HC5500. What it offers is best described by the manufacturer: "The HC5500 has the best FULL HD projection performance at the best price".

Handling, Design

We rated this projector a severe 3 stars in this category, but it is justified if you compare it with the best in this area from Sanyo. The zoom, focus and lens-shift are all motorized. The motor has two speeds, rapid and slow, which allows for precision. This was a system already built into the HC6000.

Two negative points to note are the fact that you can’t move the image sideways, and the zoom function is very weak. The differential between maximum and minimum image size is much smaller than on the PLV-Z3000, for example. What does this mean in practice? You have to place the projector along the angle of projection, with little latitude in terms of distance from the projection wall. Energy consumption is also problematic: on stand-by the HC5500 uses 6.7 watts. When turned on, it uses 172.6 watts. Finally, the remote is similar to the previous models: back-lit and with plenty of shortcuts. Connectivity is ample: 2 HDMIs, 1 YUV, 1 VGA, 1 composite.

Projected image

We always start this section with an important reminder. All of the Full HD projectors we test are high quality. Their image quality really is good and will satisfy 95% of the population. There are nevertheless some small differences and these are what we’re going to look at. Remember the importance of getting the settings right on these machines. There are quite a few to remember and we have described them in the sidebar.

The best description of the HC5500 image quality is to say that it is a " general consumer projector". The colors are bright and clear. In comparison with a product such as the Sanyo PLV-Z3000, a great majority of spectators would go for the Mitsubishi. However it doesn’t produce as true and natural an image as the Sanyo. Here is a more detailed analysis.

We measured black levels at 0.13 cd/m². Very deep. A little less so than the HC6500, but an excellent result all the same. When you study the blacks a little more closely you do notice a slight tendency towards violet (this is true for all colors), something you don’t get with the higher end products. The depth in blacks is supported by a dynamic iris. According to the manufacturer, the iris is faster than on the previous generation. Nevertheless, a sudden reduction in brightness, say when you go from a very light scene to a very dark one, does sometimes bring about a drop in overall brightness. This is a result of the too-slow closure of the iris. This is only visible in certain cases, however the practiced eye will notice it.

On a paused image you can see chromatic effects (that you don’t get on the HC6500). They manifest themselves in the form of a green or violet line near white zones, and are probably linked to the fact that the LCD emissions are out of sync. They appear so as to better cover spaces between LCD cells. Don’t worry, they are not visible when in movement and from a distance of 3 meters. There is also a saturation of whites in very light zones. Here, Sony does better with its VPL-HW10 and manages to differentiate between the tones, where the Mitsubishi only displays a uniform white. This is because of a problem with the iris. When you deactivate it, the problem is resolved at at the expense of the black levels, which fall. It is a trade-off.

Video noise isn't as well-controlled as on the Sanyo. Upscaling from an SD source is good, however we did prefer the results on the Sony VPL-HW10. Fewer parasite pixels and aliasing on diagonal lines. You also notice increased image precision (more marked and defined traits) on the Mitsubishis (both the HC5500 and the HC6500) in comparison to the Sony.

Should you spend more?

If you are truly picky when it comes to image quality, then yes. Otherwise, no. After applying the settings in our sidebar, the image quality is really at an excellent level. You can get straighter lines with other models. You can also reduce video noise. But pay $1,000 extra for that? Unless you are a true afficionado, we recommend you stop here.

If you are new to the world of home projection, starting out with the HC5500 is a very good move. A dynamic image, deep blacks, sharp colors. A very attractive general consumer image. If you are a little more expert, look up the range.

• HC5500 LCD Projector...
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