Mitsubishi 5500 $2,499MSP - Page 2

Not with the HC6000. Never had an audio sync issue with it.

The HC6000 in particular does a real good job upconverting , DVD cable and sat 480i images to pretty good images.

I have used an HD XA2 with a HC6000 using both component (non HD XA2 Reon upconverted output) and HDMI (HD XA2 Reon upconverted output) to a HC6000 and to analog 5.1, optical, coax and HDMI audio inputs into several AVRs and never got a lypc sync issue. Not sure why but the HC6000 seems more stable in its audio sync. Using mostly Denon AVRs.

The HC5500 seems like it would be as stable.

No answer yet on the status of what panels will be used. Myself and others that had some conversations with Mitsubishi reps seem to be that the logical business sense thing would be for them to use the same panels (D6) as the HC6000 and then later this year roll out a upgrade to the HC6000 (HC6500???) with the newest available panels at a higher price point. Otherwise not a lot they can add to a HC6000 sucessor this year.

Did confirm that this HC5500 will have the same very good auto iris as the HC6000 with the additional support for constant height setups, and IIRC better lumens. Optics should be similar.

Looks like it will have the same or better performance as the HC6000 at a lower price. By introducing this Mitsubishi can extend HC6000 sales until they exhaust inventory for those that specifically ask for that model and then can announce an HC6000 sucessor at a higher price point in the future.

The individuals that are the Mits product and marketing managers for the home video projector side of Mitsubishi Presentation products changed this year. The new decision makers seem to be more in tune with the retail channel and to home theater applications instead of just corporate projectors. This HC5500 seems to be a nice response to the 1080p home theater appliction marketplace.

I hope this comes out in time to match up to the Pioneer BDP-51FD.

I have two quick questions regarding the onboard Silicon Optix video processor in the HC55500.

1. Is this the same onboard processor found in high end receivers? Will I get the same quality upscaling going source direct BDP-51FD -> HC5500? or do I still need a quality external processor?

2. is the upscaling limited to sources coming from the HDMI port? The reason I ask is, I have a nice sized LD collection and was curious if the projector can upscale Composite or S-video inputs.

any info is appreciated!

Did they confirm that it is to be released any day now?
if so

I did read somewhere it will be out sometime in June, but if the Mit rep also told you that, than great.

Well, if they're planning to release it in June, they better hop to it! They're down to 5 days including today!

btw, for those that have the Mit HC4900 or HC6000, is the bulb life really 5000 hours? I read that somewhere. that is amazing considering most others I've seen are only about 2000.

Cine4home has a great article about dynamic irises and ranks the one in the HC6000 near the top and the one in the HC4900 down closer to the bottom. Goes along with what some people here have said and looks like it would be a good thing if the HC5500 does get the DI of the HC6000.

It is in German, but it can be translated with Babelfish by going to http://babelfish.yahoo.com/ and entering www.cine4home.de in the "Translate a web page" part, then picking German to English and hitting the Translate button. This one is the 2nd article down right now. It includes pictures of most of the different irises in use.

--Darin

5000 hours is based on the low lamp mode. I only have 200 hours on mine BUT what makes me halfway believe Mits is that the built-in lamp timer is set up to give warnings based on a 5k hr timeframe. The timer also automatically advances the hours faster when using the high lamp mode which is only rated at 2000 hours. (Even more incredible is that Sony rates my Rear Projection SXRD Kdsa3000 on low lamp high altitude setting at 8000 hours! Been watching it for over 2 years and although have a spare bulb; haven't had to replace it yet.)

With the 4900 I am watching an 8' (sometimes 10') wide picture with all-white walls and ceiling. There are lots of windows and while most have room darkening shades, there is still a fair amount of light leakage. Despite all that, I still find the low lamp mode works for me. (Although my usage would seem to put me at around 4 to 5 years for a lamp replacement, I still went ahead and procured an extra bulb just in case Mits stops making the bulb; which they did on my 9 year old Mits VL2000.)

any idea if this has a shorter throw than its predecessor?

Thanks for the info. It sounds like if you can view it on low lamp with your set up, I'm guessing most can
Thanks again.

Yeah my 4900 is in Low Lamp mode also, and I've never wanted more brightness. I do have alot more light control than tocaje.

Might be a matter of what you're used to--I would recommend for *anybody* though that they start with their pj in low lamp mode and then (hopefully) forget about it if it looks good. Cuz there may be a perception problem if you start w/high bright and then try to switch to Low.

Low is also better since the fan will run slower & quieter...

Anyone have any idea when the specs will be released and when these will actually be available? just called AVS and they said they don't expect them for a while--perhaps even several months (but no idea, really). Why would Mitsubishi have a press release recently saying June 2008 and it is already almost July with no sign that they are even close to shipping? Hmmm...

personal experience with both models. the auto iris of the HC6000 is amazing.

My channel contacts and my personal contacts at Mitsubishi presentation products say the HC5500 will have the better HC6000 auto iris.

Still waiting on what panels will be used, but the HC5500 seems to have all the specs (and constant height anamorphic 2:35 support as well) as the HC6000 at a lower MSRP.

I thought you'd gone the way of the do-do bird. Saw this post and checked over at the Mits 4900 gang and you're there today too.
So...are you thinking of a new unit? I know I'm so happy with my 4900 that I'm not about to try and see a demo of anything...ignorance is bliss (My being here at this thread doesn't really count, does it?). Besides, I've got a five year warranty which goes into effect after the MITs 2 year thing plus an extra bulb in the closet.
By the way, was anyone ever able to find a lamp only part number without having to buy the cage assembly?

This is exactly what I've been waiting for will be buying when they are available. Hope there is 1080p/24 support although that is not a deal breaker for me

That's the 2nd time I've seen someone reference 1080p/24 support. Did the older HC4900 not have true 1080p/24 support?

What about the more expensive HC6000?

4900 does not, dunno about the 6000

Mitsubishi HC5500 Projector Specifications
(show metric units)
MSRP (USD) : $2,495
Brightness (Lumens) : **
Contrast (Full On/Off) : 10000:1
Variable Iris: **
Audible Noise: **
Eco-Mode: 19.0 dB
Weight: **
Size (inches) (HxWxD) : **
Std. Lens: Focus:
**
Zoom: Manual
Throw Dist (feet) : **
Image Size (inches) : **
Optional Lenses: **
Digital Zoom: **
Digital Keystone: **
Lens Shift: **
Networking: Wired:
**
Wireless: **
Warranty: **
Performance:
H-Sync Range: **
V-Sync Range: **
Compatibility:
HDTV: 720p, 1080i, 1080p/60
EDTV/480p: Yes
SDTV/480i: Yes
Component Video: Yes
Video: Yes
Digital Input: **
Computers: Yes
Display: Type:
3LCD
Native: 1920x1080 Pixels
Maximum: **
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (HD)
Lamp: Type:
**
Life: **
Eco-Mode Life: 5000 hours
Quantity: 1
Speakers: No
Max Power: **
Voltage: 100V - 240V
FCC Class: B
Special: **
Status: Announced
First Ship: Pending

** this item is either not applicable, unpublished, or unknown
Comments: The HC5500 comes with the Reon-VX video processing chip often found in more expensive high-end devices and offers advanced noise reduction and reduced chroma up-sampling for superior video performance.
The Mitsubishi HC5500 is manufactured by Mitsubishi.

Even the dirt cheap Reon powered BenQ W500 takes a 1080/24p signal. And it certainly looks more detailed and smoother than sending it a 720p signal.

I have my eye on this projector and I'll be dissapointed if it can't accept 1080p24. It doesn't need to display in 24p but hoping it can at least display it properly. This is not hard to implement.

Ha, ha! I've only had my 4900 a few months and still am awed by it! Honestly I don't know what it would take to get me to upgrade--maybe a Reon chip would make my old laserdiscs watchable again. I dunno, then again I might keep the 4900 'til Mits comes-out with the HC9500.

I'm here mostly to re-affirm my purchase decision, but if I were in the market TODAY I would definitely put the 5500 at the top of my list...

I don't understand the clamor for 24p, but then I've never seen it. Maybe someone here can tell me if it's just a Purist thing (film shot at 24fps, gotta project it as that) or if it truly results in noticeably smoother playback.

I noticed that the zoom is listed as manual. Does this mean the 5500 no longer has the power zoom-focus-shift on the remote like the 4900?

The HC6000 has a known bug issue with 1080/24p that to my knowledge was never fixed even on late production units. Also the price of the 6000 was always too high for my taste. That said I could care less if it has the new D7 panels because if it has the iris of the 6000 with the D6 panels and REON processing for a 2k street price they will sell these like hotcakes

I want to replace my loud Epson projector so bad, everything I read tells me to go Mitsubishi. I was about to buy the HC6000 but then I saw this thread and now I have to at least wait and see the reviews.

I'll stomach through with my Epson while I was I guess. It's so loud

...looking for D7 panels, heathly light output, and decent optics. How's the lens-shift on the current models?