Mitsubishi HC5500 Home Theater Projector Review: General Performance-1

Posted on August 9, 2008 by Art Feierman

Mitsubishi HC5500 Projector: Menus

Mitsubishi's menus are basically the same on the HC5500, as with the older HC4900, HC6000 and HC5000, but with a few minor changes (for example the HC5500 has an iris control, that the irisless HC4900 lacks). Since there are few changes, for the moment here's a link to the menus of the HC6000 review's menu section, as the controls are almost identical.

Mitsubishi HC5500 Projector: User Memory Settings

The HC5500 allows you to set User areas for Color Temp, and Gamma. Your User Color Temp settings, as noted, can be based on the existing different color temp areas (Warm, Medium, Cool), but not High Brightness. Make all your settings changes to all areas (including, also, brightness, contrast, iris on/off, etc.), and you can save them in the AV Memory Save area. You have three User Memory Save areas to use. Although having two or three more User defined settings would be nice, three is an acceptable number, and should keep almost everyone happy!

Mitsubishi HC5500 Projector: Remote Control

Click to Enlarge.So close

The HC5500 uses the same remote control as the HC6000.

This remote has discreet buttons for On and Off, as well as an Auto Position button on the top row. Then come two rows allowing direct access of the different sources (DVI, HDMI, Computer, etc.)

Row four has three buttons, one for each User savable memory.

The four arrow keys and center Enter button for navigating the menus.

Next row: Left side is the Menu button. Next, a button to select different Iris options and finally, Aspect ratio change. Next come two more rows, including Contrast Brightness, Color Temp, Gamma, Sharpness and Color (saturation). Basically most features on the Image menu, can be directly accessed without going through the Main and Image menus.

The last row on the HC5500 remote control has one button that toggles between controlling the lens' Zoom and Focus (arrow keys handle the actual adjustment), another for controlling the Lens shift, and finally a Noise Reduction button.

I was able to access most of the controls - including the Menu and arrow keys without having to shift my hand on the remote - something all remotes should strive for. Hitting any button engages the backlight - moderately bright, no problem there.

I also found that there was sufficient spacing in the remote that I could easily find the Menu button as well as the arrow keys/Enter buttons without having to look at the remote.

he range of the HC5500 remote control is average. With the projector about 17 feet from the screen and my seating position 11 feet from the screen (28 feet total), I had only occasional success bouncing the remote's signal off of my screen and wall, to the projector. As a result, I got used to pointing it over my shoulder, at the projector. Of course I'm talking a 28 foot trip for the signal, when I try to bounce off the screen. Also, it seems to me, that high contrast gray screens, like my Firehawk G3, aren't really good surfaces for a good bounce. At slightly shorter total distances, the remote became more reliable. I conclude that if you are using a 100" or 110" screen you should have better luck (mine is 128")