Posted on August 4, 2007 By Art Feierman
This is easy. First of all, the new Mitsubishi HC1500 home theater projector from Mitsubishi, is essentially a reworked HD1000U. There are almost no differences in performance, although the HC1500 (link to specs) is slightly brighter. Mostly the HC1500 is simply redesigned to be less expensive to build in volume, and that’s good for consumers.
Of course it’s been quite a while since I reviewed the HD1000U, when new (10/06), but the competition the HD1000U faced back then is essentially the same as the HC1500 faces today. First of all, there are very few under $1000, 720p resolution projectors. Of those, the Optoma HD70 (the first) is still out there, as is an Hitachi projector (we haven’t reviewed yet). BenQ has just launched their W500. For more money, biggest names – Panasonic’s PT-AX100U, and Sanyo PLV-Z5, also were shipping when we reviewed the HD1000U.
As a result, this review will canibalize some paragraphs from the older review, but focus on how the HC1500 fits into the current “world order”. If you’ve previously read that HC1000 review, the biggest change is probably the perspective, as the HD1000U when reviewed, was $1495 (with free spare lamp), vs. $995, so its position in the market has changed since the review, and there is some fresh competition.
Like its predecessor (at the end of its life), the Mitsubishi HC1500 home theater projector is priced right – under $1000, and provides excellent value.
So far, of all the under $1000 720p resolution home theater projectors we’ve reviewed, the HC1500 currently provides the best value – price/performance – in terms of picture quality!
The HC1500 earns our Hot Product Award.
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