Mitsubishi HC6000 Full HD 1080 LCD Projector Review
As the wave of new 1080 projector models is about to break, we get a UK exclusive first look at the HC6000 from Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi launched their first 1080p projector, the HC5000 late last year and managed to create quite a stir in AV circles with regard to the projectors performance and price point. This year they go one step further with not only an updated top of the range machine (the HC6000 reviewed here), but have also repositioned last year’s success in the budget body of the HC4900. We will hopefully get a look at the budget machine in a few months time, but here we have the pleasure of examining the top of the range HC6000.
The first thing to hit you when opening up the packaging is that the HC6000, in terms of body design, looks identical to last years model, with the same white top and right hand lens position. The unit measures 334mm x 352mm x 125mm (W x D x H) and weighs in at 5.6kg with an accessory box containing a power lead, remote control and batteries, a lens cap, 232C cable and an air intake filter. Lens shift, zoom and focus are all motorised and can be controlled easily with the remote control to set the projector up in less than 10 minutes.
Most of the new generation of LCD projectors use 3LCD technology which is supposed to produce improved black level performance, contrast ratios, and especially ansi contrast performance. Mitsubishi have published their figures as 13,000:1 on/off with around 1000 lumens brightness. With most of the published figures from manufacturers looking rather optimistic (such as Epson claiming 50,000:1 for their latest product - due for review soon), you will be happy to note that during this review, we will be able to give you the real world figures when used in an optimised Home Cinema environment with full light control.
The LCD panels used in the HC6000 are of the inorganic transmissive liquid crystal variety and utilise a stripe pattern array and 3 primary colour drive shutter system. They measure 0.74” in a 3LCD configuration and are classed as D6 generation panels. Many of the new LCD projectors hitting the market in the next month or so will be the D7 variety so it will be interesting to see if this makes any real world difference to the HC6000s performance. Resolution is as expected, full high definition 1920 x 1080 pixels.
The projector utilises a 160w UHP lamp with the projection optics receiving a new 14-group/17 lens system. This is made up from an extra-low dispersion glass lens which is quoted to eliminate chromatic aberration and produce a resolution improvement across the entire image. The lens also incorporates a fixed aperture within to further improve the black level performance as well as the new auto-iris system. The iris includes a new control algorithm which Mitsubishi claim works as quickly as 1/60th of a second and is so fast as to not be seen, even with difficult material where deep black and solid whites are mixed within scenes. I have never been a fan of auto iris systems as they can be slow and cumbersome, washing out difficult mixed scenes, but it will be interesting to see this new system in action and witness if it really is invisible to the eye.
The HC6000 also boasts state of the art video processing according to Mitsubishi, provided by the HQV (Hollywood quality video) Reon-VX processor from Silicon Optix. With 10 bit processing of interlaced and progressive signals the projector is said to provide accurate and artefact free 3-2 and 2-2 pulldown performance with SD material for TV and DVD sources as well as handling 24fps high definition material. The projector handles the 24fps signal by quadrupling the refresh rate to 96hz this should provide judder free, smooth film playback. Also included in the projectors array of processing tricks is a 14-bit gamma correction system which should improve gradation effect and express shadow detail in dark scenes. Also inside the projector is a new cooling system which drops the noise level of the projector even when running in high lamp brightness modes, and Mitsubishi claims this is as low as 19db.
Finally we take a look at the rear of the projector which now boasts 2 HDMI ports, 1 component, 1 S-video & composite (RCA) plus VGA and a serial port. Also included here is a 12v trigger for use with electric screens when the projector is switched on or off, raising or lowering the screen automatically. Connectivity looks very generous and there should be enough here to connect up even the most demanding of Home Cinemas.
So with the overview complete how does the HC6000 actually perform in the real world? Read on…. (click the drop down to select the next page or use the direction arrows).
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