Mistsubishi has updated its Full HD fleet with three models, the HC7000 (top end of the range), the HC6500 (middle/top end), and this HC5500. What it has to offer is clearly set out in the manufacturer’s product description: "The HC5500 has the best FULL HD projection performance at the best price". An interesting offer.

Handling, ergonomics

We have been very severe with our rating in this section: 3 stars. And yet it is justified if you compare it with the best in this area from Sanyo. The zoom, focus and lens-shift are all motorised. The motor has two speeds, rapid and slow, which gives excellent precision. This was a system already built onto the HC6000.


Two negative points to note are the fact that you can’t move the image sideways and the weakness of the zoom. The differential between maximum and minimum image size is much smaller than on the PLV-Z3000 for example. What does this mean in practice? You have to place the projector along the angle of projection, with little latitude in terms of distance from the projection wall. A second negative point to note in terms of energy consumption: on stand-by the HC5500 uses 6.7 watts. When turned on, it’s a little better with 172.6 watts. Finally, the remote is similar to the previous models: back-lit and with plenty of shortcuts. In terms of connections, you have everything you need: 2 HDMIs, 1 YUV, 1 VGA, 1 composite.

Projected image

We always start this section with an important reminder. All our Full HD projectors are very high flyers. Their image quality really is good and will satisfy 95% of the population. There are nevertheless some small differences and these are what we’re going to look at. Remember the importance of getting the settings right on these machines. There are quite a few to remember and we have discribed them in the inset.

The best description of the HC5500 image quality is to say that it is a " general consumer projector". The colours are bright and clear. In comparison with a product such as the Sanyo PLV-Z3000, a great majority of spectators would go for the Mitsubishi. However it doesn’t produce as true and natural an image as the Sanyo. Here is a more detailed analysis.

We measured black levesl at 0.13 cd/m². Very deep. A little less so than the HC6500, but an excellent result all the same. When you study the blacks a little more closely you do notice a slight tendency towards violet (this is so on all colours), something you don’t get with the higher end products. This depth is supported by a dynamic iris. According to the manufacturer, the iris is faster than on the previous generation. Nevertheless, a sudden reduction in brightness, say when you go from a very light scene to a very dark one, does sometimes bring about a drop in overall brightness. This results from the too-slow closure of the iris. This is only visible in certain particular cases, however the practiced eye will notice it.

On a paused image, you can see chromatic effects (that you don’t get on the HC6500). They manifest themselves in the form of a green or violet line, near white zones and are very probably linked to the fact the LCD emissions are out of synch. They appear so as to better cover spaces between LCD cells. Don’t worry, they are not visible when in movement and from a distance of 3 metres. Note also a saturation of whites in very light zones. Here, Sony does better with its VPL-HW10 and manages to differentiate between the tones, where the Mitsubishi only displays a uniform white. This is because of a problem with the iris. When you disactivate it, the problem is resolved ut at the expense of the black levels which fall. You pays your money and you takes your choice.


Video noise is a little less well controlled than on the Sanyo. Upscaling from an SD source is of good quality. However we did prefer the results on the Sony VPL-HW10. Fewer parasite pixels and aliasing on diagonal lines. You also notice increased image precision (more marked and defined traits) on the Mitsubishis (both the HC5500 and the HC6500) in comparison to the Sony.

Should you spend more?

If you are truly intransigent when it comes to image quality then yes. Otherwise, no. After applying the settings in the inset, the image quality is really at an excellent level. You can get straighter lines, yes. You can also reduce video noise. But pay 1000 euros extra for that? Really, unless you are a true afficionado, we recommend you stop here.