Mitsubishi HC1500 projector, Pros, Cons, and Typical Capabilities-2

Mitsubishi HC1500 Projector: Typical Capabilities

• Lamp Life
• Average noise levels
• Average black levels
• Pixel visibility (for a DLP projector)
• Remote control overall, including layout, and range
• Number and types of inputs

Mitsubishi HC1500 Summary

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Got $999 or less? If you can make the HC1500 work in your room, it's going to be hard to beat. In terms of picture quality, it has the advantage over the Optoma HD70, which is overall, very similar in design, and placement.

Overall, the HC1500 produces an extremely watchable and film-like result, as is typical of good DLP home theater projectors. Even better, it combines its picture quality with extremely bright output. Filling my 128" screen with sufficient brightness, even in best (Cinema) mode, was not a challenge, and as an added bonus, for most people with 110" or smaller screens, they will find that most of the time they will be able to run the projector in low power lamp mode, increasing the usable lamp life, and saving money.

The sharpness of the HC1500 is also very good, definitely above average among competing DLP projectors. If there is a downside to the HC1500 in terms of image quality, it is the very average black levels and shadow detail. This however is a trade-off. The HC1500 uses a color wheel, with clear segment, which boosts brightness, but costs it, in terms of black levels. For many, this is a perfectly good trade-off.

The combination of low cost, film-like image quality, and lots of brightness, earn the HC1500 our Hot Product Award.

The biggest challenge is whether it will work in your room. If you are planning to ceiling mount, you should have little problem, unless you have unusually low ceilings (less than 8 feet), due to the significant lens offset.