Big Picture Big Sound

Inexpensive 1080p home theater projectors seems to be a theme here at the 2007 CEDIA Expo in Denver. Sanyo announced their first ever 1080p projector for consumers and now Mitsubishi is showing off not one but three different 1080p projector models, ranging from under $3,000 to under $4000. Like the Sanyo, the Mitsubishi projectors are all 3LCD models, taking advantage of the latest 3-chip LCD designs.

But Mitsubishi has a secret weapon on board two of the three models, and that is on-board video processing from Silicon Optix. Silicon Optix Reon-VX HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) processor, known for its ability to convert standard def video content to near HD quality, has been finding its way onto more and more high-end home theater components, including Toshiba's HD-XA2 HD-DVD player, Onkyo's upcoming DV-HD805, DVD players by Denon, and home theater receivers and preamp/processors from Denon, Onkyo, Integra and others.

The newest model, the HC6000, being unveiled this week, will feature an improved dynamic iris which can improve the contrast ratio to a whopping 13,000:1. It also includes two HDMI 1.3-compatible inputs.

Full press release included below:

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IRVINE, Calif., September 5, 2007 - Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division, known for award-winning, high-quality, high-definition presentation and display products, is showing a hefty line-up of affordable 1080p projectors at this year's CEDIA show in Denver, September 5-9, 2007. Mitsubishi has also reduced the price of its award-winning mid-level HC5000BL and is including a mail-in rebate of up to $300.

"Mitsubishi is committed to offering a wide range of affordable 1080p full HD projector choices for all who want an authentic home theater experience," said James Chan, director, product marketing, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division. "We categorize them as great, better, and best to give our customers a wide choice of options and pricing."

All three HD projectors, the HC4900, HC5000BL and HC6000, offer a great overall cost of ownership with 5000-hour rated lamp life in low mode and a convenient side-access lamp for quick and easy lamp changes. They are all also extremely quiet so dramatic scenes are easy to hear with its ultra-hushed, 19 decibel level in low mode. Power zoom, focus and lens shift add value to this projector and make installation simple.

Each projector blasts 1000 ANSI lumens in brightness, perfect for home theater environments, and uses three inorganic LCD panels that are more durable and provide a more color-consistent, even-toned image than previous generation LCD panels. They vary in contrast ratio, level of sophistication in video scaling and processing, connectivity options, among other specifications, and are priced accordingly.

Unlike other 1080p projectors, Mitsubishi incorporates the EmmyR award winning HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) high-performance video processor inside Mitsubishi's HC5000BL and HC6000 projectors, for higher quality movie images that match higher level home theater enthusiasts' expectations.

Reon-VX's HQV processing delivers sharp, detailed HD images by utilizing features such as true 1080i-to-1080p HD de-interlacing and a sophisticated multidirectional diagonal filter that ensures video that is free from jagged edges. HQV also makes standard definition material approach HD quality by employing advanced scaling, per-pixel detail enhancement and noise reduction technology that removes noise and artifacts caused by compression.

GREAT - Mitsubishi's HC4900

With a manufacturer's suggested price of $2995, Mitsubishi's HC4900 makes high-definition, 1080p home theater experiences affordable. With a 7500:1 contrast ratio and dynamic iris control, the HC4900 provides crystal clear and finely detailed imaging in racing scenes or film noir. With flexible HD connectivity, the HC4900 offers both HDMI and DVI for the true HD experience.

BETTER - Mitsubishi's HC5000BL

Introduced at CEDIA last year, the home theater market heaped accolades on Mitsubishi's HC5000BL. It offers a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and provides HDMI and DVI connectors, allowing for a true digital-to-digital link between the projector and its image sources. The projector is also available in standard black or optional white, with a new suggested price of $3495 plus a mail-in rebate of up to $300 when qualifying companion accessories are purchased together under the same invoice as the HC5000BL. $100 mail-in rebates are given for each qualified accessory such as a lamp, ceiling mount, any brand of screen, HDMI cable, DVD Player, HD-DVD Player, Blu-Ray Disc player, and or a Combo Disc Player.

BEST - Mitsubishi's HC6000

Debuting at CEDIA this year, Mitsubishi's HC6000 offers an improved HC6000 iris function for instant transitions from bright images to black or dark scenes and a 30% increased contrast ratio of 13,000:1. This combination makes the HC6000 look brighter and sharper with better color saturation and more overall detail even in fast action scenes or classic film noir. The HC6000 comes with two HDMI version 1.3 connectors making it compatible with all newer, high end players. This projector will be available in October 2007 for a suggested retail price that is under $4,000.

About Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Presentation Products Division

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Presentation Products Division markets an extensive line of professional presentation, front-projection high definition home entertainment, and rear-projection video wall cube display systems and digital signage monitors that are designed with DLPR or LCD technology, and is known for its award-winning, high-quality, accurate color reproduction technology. Products are sold through authorized distributors, resellers, retailers and system integrators throughout the United States and Mexico. Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America is located at 9351 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, Calif., 92618. For more information, please call 888-307-0312 or visit http://www.mitsubishi-hometheater.com