The HC7000 is the flagship model among the latest home cinema entries from Mitsubishi. It shares many common features with the HC6500 and HC6000 such as a high-performance video processor, but delivers the highest dynamic contrast in the lineup. Here are some of the hits and misses for this AU$5,999 3LCD beamer, including a quick comparison with competing models out there.
Upside
3LCD technology has come a long way, particularly for the current D7 panel-based offerings. The HC7000 is no exception with its dynamic iris-assisted 72,000:1 dynamic contrast. This level of performance puts the Mitsubishi at the forefront of the pack and should give it a noticeable boost in black-level reproduction. Also making a welcome return is the HQV Reon-VX video processor commonly found in higher-end projectors and A/V receivers. Popular among the enthusiasts, this chip is renowned for delivering jaggie-free and clear video-upscaling, which is what you'll need for playing back DVDs and other standard-definition programs on its full-HD display.
To ensure a sharp picture and minimal projection distortion, the HC7000 has a quality built-in lens with three extra-low dispersion glass elements. These help improve chromatic aberration and focus, according to Mitsubishi. Additionally, the entire optical assembly is fully motorized for hassle-free focusing and adjustments, although its 1.6x zoom and 75 percent horizontal lens shift are only just above-average. If you're tired of the black letterbox bars, this beamer can be further upgraded with an anamorphic lens for cinemascope screens. To cater to both native 2.35:1 and non-ultra-wide aspect movie titles, there are two picture settings tailored for both types of content.
Unlike most projectors in the market, the HC7000 is shipped with an extended 5,000-hour lamp which will last almost twice as long as standard bulbs. The bulb can also be easily replaced via a side compartment without dismounting the projector.
For connectivity, this Mitsubishi may not be in the same league as the Panasonic PT-AE3000. Nevertheless, the spread of A/V jacks covers just about everything relevant to Australians. The most significant are two HDMI 1.3 inputs compatible with Deep Color and film-centric 1080p/24p signals. On the analog side, the selection includes a component-video and a PC terminal, both capable of accepting up to 1080p50/60 video feeds.
Downside
Although the HC7000 comes with horizontal lens shift, its miserable five percent coverage is hardly practical or useful. It leaves very little room for error when aligning the projector horizontally with respect to the screen - as a result proper installation by a professional is highly recommended.
On a lesser note, the Mitsubishi's 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness is rather low compared to other LCD projectors in its class. This is not an issue if you've full ambient lighting control in your projection room, but things will probably get a little tricky otherwise. Another caveat for low light output is the intended display size -- there might be insufficient lumens to support screens 100 inches or above.
Outlook
The AU$5999 is a sleek beauty with a refreshing new design and smooth curves. Price-wise, this Mitsubishi costs AU$500 less than the Panasonic PT-AE3000, plus you do get a higher dynamic contrast which is crucial for better picture quality. That's taking the rather large assumption that the dynamic contrast measurements are consistent between both manufacturers. However, this is highly unlikely since there's currently no industry-wide standardization.
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