Mitsubishi reveals HC5500 1080p projector, other forgettable ones

We've got good news and bad news. We'll go ahead and get the latter out of the way. Mitsubishi, like everyone else today, is introducing a few new projectors, two of which you'll likely care nothing about. Those are the education-focused XD500U-ST -- which packs a paltry XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution -- and the slightly less mind-numbing XD530U, which touts 3,000 lumens, an XGA resolution and wireless capabilities. Now, for the good stuff. The HC4900 (pictured) is being replaced by the 1080p HC5500, which is designed to operate at just 19dB in order to keep home theater enthusiasts smiling. Unfortunately, Mitsu hasn't seen fit to disclose pricing / availability details just yet (outside of the tempting $2,495 sticker on the HC5500), but hopefully all of that will come in due time. Full release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE OVERVIEW

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division, known for its award-winning, high-quality presentation and display products, is announcing a number of new products today at InfoComm. Full press releases and photography are available at www.mitsubishi-presentations.com, Press Room.

Mitsubishi's new XD500U-ST projector is designed for educators and presenters with limited space. The new XGA-resolution (1024 x 768 pixels) short-throw projector can be placed close to a screen or white board and achieve a relatively large picture. For example, the projector can display a 60-inch diagonal image when only 33-inches away, so presenters do not create distracting shadows while addressing their audience.

Mitsubishi is also showing it wireless projector, the XD530U, an XGA projector perfect for on-the-go presenters such as salespeople and teachers. For rooms with high ambient light, the XD530U blasts 3000 lumens of brightness; a center-lens design provides easy symmetrical set-up, and its instant shut-down feature makes this new projector easy to use in all types of environments.

Mitsubishi also brings higher-grade features to its newest 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) home theater projector, the HC5500, replacing Mitsubishi's wildly successful HC4900, upgrading features for the same manufacturer's suggested price of $2495. With a newly developed LCD panel cooling duct, the HC5500 is designed to be one of the quietest projectors in the world at 19 dBa, so you can focus on the movie instead of a distracting hum of the fan.

[oldmanhorton Posted Jun 18th 2008 10:09AM]

thats cheap for a 1080p projector!
but hopefully my schol will get one of the lesser ones cause our NEC projectors SUCK

[HemanC Posted Jun 18th 2008 12:31PM]

Usually Mitsubishi will have a huge rebate after Sanyo and Epson release their similar spec projector. I can't wait until the rebate war begin again.

[fastm3driver Posted Jun 18th 2008 2:21PM]

I paid $2000 plus a $500 rebate(I already got it) for the HC4900 about 4 months ago and couldn't be happier. I'm blasting a 125" glory on the wall and it looks amazing. The contrast is very good and I run it in low lamp mode rated for 5000 hours.
It has very goos position adjustably too. My only complaints are it is a big projector(compared to other sub-1080p's I looked at but 1080p projectors tend to be bigger anyway) and it could be brighter. I can play games on it with the basement lights on(you loose contrast though) so it isn't that bad but I'm not sure how it would work in the living room during the day.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2008 10:30AM]

Hopefully it'll have better blacks than the HC4900. That was the only downside of that otherwise excellent projector.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2008 10:53AM]

1200 ANSI Lumens as well. Pretty bright, esp for the low retail.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2008 10:57AM]

I have an HC4900 and it is a phenomenal device. I hope that they add native 1080p/24 support on this one. I also hope it improves the contrast a bit. Those are really the only complaints I've had about my projector so far. Mitsubishi makes a great projector at good prices. The "rated" bulb life is also very good (~5000 hours on low lamp mode).

[rcappo Posted Jun 18th 2008 11:40AM]

I have the HC4900 also. Once I got my room dark enough, and got a low gain gray screen and put black velvet around the borders, the gray levels are not a problem. Actually, it is the white levels that are 'off' from what my LCD HDTV looks like (the projector has deeper blacks than the LCD HDTV). I also had to put a HEPA filter on the air intake to prevent dust from getting into it. But, I am very happy with my projector, especially considering the price was under $1400 for a 1080p one.

[fastm3driver Posted Jun 18th 2008 2:26PM]

Agreed, but I think any ambient light will ruin your contrast. The blacks are very good IMHO and I've had over 5 different 50"+ HDTV's.
The price performance is #1.
It is also VERY quiet. I sit basically directly under it and can't hear a thing unless it is very very quiet.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2008 11:40AM]

I think it's time to upgrade from the stone age aka 720p.

[Eric H Posted Jun 18th 2008 2:34PM]

This is good news I am looking to put in a 160" screen in my new house.