Mitsubishi's first 1,080p projector, the LVP-HC5000

Runco, obviously, is already in the game. So are Sony, Sharp, Marantz, JVC, and even a little outfit called projectiondesign. But when it comes to 1,080p front projectors, we've been wanting to call up Mitsubishi on our Boost Mobile phone and ask them "Where you at?" Well the venerable rear-projection TV manufacturer has apparently been biding its time in order to release its first full HD unit, but the pricetag on this 3LCD model may convince you that it was worth the wait, as the LVP-HC5000 will cost "just" 450,000 yen (about $3,890) when it hits Japanese shores on October 12th. Even at this bargain basement price, you're still getting a very respectable set of specs, most notably a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 (though static is a mere 2,000:1), 1,000 nits of blinding brightness, as well as a full complement of inputs including HDMI, DVI-I, component, composite, S-Video, and even D-sub. Yeah, this all sounds like a pretty good deal; now we're just hoping that they'll ship this puppy overseas and help us finally purge that embarrassing 27-inch CRT from our otherwise kick-ass home theater setup.

[Via HDBeat]

[Grant @ Aug 22nd 2006 2:09PM]

Wow. This is the first 1080P projector that the cost makes it feasible for many people. Well done.

[Loban @ Aug 22nd 2006 2:26PM]

Hey, I still only have a 27" CRT. :( I was saving up for a new plasma, but then my wife went and got pregnant with twins, so there goes that plan.

[Steve @ Aug 22nd 2006 2:48PM]

As the 1st poster said this is a very big step towards making a 1080P projector obtainable for the average person. I wonder how much replacement bulbs will cost?

[Nate @ Aug 22nd 2006 2:49PM]

Loban,
I'm assuming that these kids are yours and if they are, well than if you kept it in your pants youde prolly be enjoying HD by now!

Its about time 1080p started coming down in price. Couple more years and I'll be switching my 480 to 1080.

[branden @ Aug 22nd 2006 3:40PM]

The 1080p is not much better than the 1080i. If you were to wait, then go ahead and wait, but wait till the 1920x... resolution finds its way into home televisions.

[Matt @ Aug 22nd 2006 4:20PM]

Branden: way to go with the completely nonsensical comment, buddy. Did you mean to say that 1080p isn't much better than 720p? Or are you running some sort of CRT-based 1080i projector. Or are you comparing your 1080i crt with a 1080p projector? Or are you just comparing 1080i content with 1080p content? I have no idea. Whichever it is, you sound like an idiot. Additionally, 1920 is the width of a 1080p image, not a higher resolution format. That would be the 4K format (4096H X 2160V).

[dave k @ Aug 22nd 2006 4:41PM]

I find I much prefer 720P to 1080i myself. It's material that I've shot so I know what the scene looked like before it was encoded. It's also been said that 1080i is really 540 horizontal lines with all the problems of interlace into the bargain.

That said; does anyone know what "dynamic contrast ratio" is supposed to be?

[Projectors @ Aug 22nd 2006 5:52PM]

Not only is this an awesome projector for the fact that it's one more in a line of 1080p projectors, but the fact that it is under $4,000 makes it so that other manufacturers now have to compete against Mitsubishi's price. You can expect many other manufacturers to follow suit and drop prices on a lot of their projectors now, both 1080p and 720p projectors.

[AML @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:24AM]

Ive still to see any 1080p displays in Japan. Almost all the "Full HD" displays are only 1080i.

Not sure if this PJ is really 1080p, i hope it is coz if so ill get it and dump my 42" plasma