Mitsubishi HC1500 DLP Home Theater Projector Review - General Performance-4

HC1500 Projector - Light Leakage

You can see the light leakage in a oval shape, over, and more noticable to the right. Then there's an extra light aberation in the far upper right.

You'll note that there seems to be a mask around the DLP in the light path, because there is a black area all around the projected image. (Yep, that's not a screen frame!)

I never noticed it once, while watching hours of movies, but it is there!

The image above is from the HD1000U, however we saw the same results with the HC1500, as was expected.

Mitsubishi HC1500 Audible Noise Levels

The HC1500 could be slightly quieter, but then DLP projectors typically are noiser than LCD models. In low power mode, it is certainly quiet enough. Even those who are the most noise intolerant, should not have an issue. Run the HC1500, though, at full power and it may not please those same highly critical people. The noise level, claimed to be 31db at full power, is not by any means excessive. Most people will never notice it while watching a movie, unless they are listening for it. The sound is low pitched (no high pitched "whine"), and even if you notice it (listening for it), I suspect that as you settle into your movie, even if you notice it in quiet scenes, it shouldn't be intrusive. So, concern is only for those who really hate hearing any fan noise at all, ever!

I would say that it is just slightly quieter than the HD72. On the other hand, The Panasonic PT-AX100U is definitely quieter in both full and low power modes.

HC1500 Projector Screen Recommendations

If you are looking for the best screen to maximize movie watching, I would automatically recommend high contrast gray surfaces. They will darken the blacks, and help reject a little side ambient light. Since the projector has brightness to spare on all but the largest screens, this is probably the best way for most to go. You could use either a dark gray surface, (like the Stewart Grayhawk, or their Firehawk, which I use). Virtually all screen manufacturers make such gray surfaces. I think the lighter grays are probably more desireable than the darker ones, unless you have a small screen - less than 110" diagonal.

If movies are only one segment of what's important, and you favor an emphasis on brightness as people watching sports and Discovery HD, you could consider a white surface, with or without gain. Just remember that your black levels will be brighter and more visible

HC1500 Projector Measurements and Calibration

I should note that the grayscale color temperature in every setting was extremely consistent, from dark grays to almost white. Like most projectors, pure white tends to shift the color temperature a bit, usually cooler (more bluish).

HC1500

H1500 Image Noise

The amount of image noise is typical - nothing to write home about. Image noise was minor and about standard for DLP projectors. Walk up closer to the screen and you can see it easily, but at normal seating distances, it should rarely be of notice, even on large stationary and color consistent areas (like a blue sky around dusk).