DLP TVs

HDTV Expert - End of the Road for RPTV - by Pete Putman

Mitsubishi has ended all production of rear-projection DLP televisions effective November 30, 2012, discontinuing its 73-inch, 82-inch, and 92-inch models as part of an orderly exit from the consumer TV business. The collapse was driven by plummeting LCD prices, with Sharp's 70-inch Aquos undercutting the category at under $2,000, while global RPTV shipments fell nearly 75% from 32,000 units in Q4 2011 to just 9,000 in Q3 2012. For consumers, this marks the definitive end of large-screen rear-projection as a viable display option, leaving Mitsubishi to refocus on commercial AV, front projection, and laser and LED light engine development.

Pete Putman
Columns

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #525: Acer H6500 DLP projector

The Acer H6500 is a native 1080p DLP projector rated at 2100 ANSI lumens (1680 in Eco mode) with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, priced at approximately $865. It supports 24 fps playback, dual HDMI inputs, and screen sizes up to 330 inches, though the absence of lens shift capability complicates some room installations. For buyers willing to trade deep blacks for affordability, the H6500 offers a practical entry point into front projection at roughly the same cost as a mid-size flat-panel TV.

The HT Guys
Podcasts

HDTV Expert - Useful Gadgets: Mitsubishi HC7800 3D DLP Home Theater Projector - Pete Putman

The Mitsubishi HC7800 is a single-chip DLP home theater projector using a .65-inch 1920x1080 DMD with a 240-watt lamp, priced at $2,999 and supporting HDMI v1.4a frame-packed 3D. Post-calibration brightness measured 388 ANSI lumens in low lamp mode, with ANSI contrast at 477:1 and sequential contrast at 1048:1, making it a strong 2D performer but light-starved for 3D on low-gain screens. Buyers pairing it with a higher-gain screen will get solid value, though the bundled active-shutter glasses draw criticism for bulk and discomfort.

Pete Putman
Columns

Sharp® Unveils New 3D High Definition DLP® Home Theater Projector

Sharp's XV-Z30000 is a 1080p DLP home theater front projector delivering 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,600 ANSI lumens, with a 6-segment, 5x speed color wheel for accurate 3D and 2D imaging. The motorized lens shift, 2x optical zoom, and center lens design provide flexible installation options for dedicated home theater rooms. Priced at $4,999.99 and available March 2012, it includes two sets of 3D glasses and supports Crestron, Control4, AMX, and RS-232C control systems for custom integration.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector

The Optoma HD33 is a 1080p DLP projector priced at $1500, featuring a Texas Instruments DLP chipset, 1800 ANSI lumens (closer to 1200 in practical use), a 4000:1 contrast ratio, and dual HDMI v1.4a inputs with support for Blu-ray 3D and gaming consoles. The RF-based 3D sync system requires no line of sight, and a separate 3D calibration mode lets users optimize brightness independently from 2D settings. Buyers should note the absence of lens shift, the need for careful mounting alignment, and the additional $200 cost for two pairs of 3D glasses.

The HT Guys
Podcasts

3D All the Rage as Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions Debuts 3D DLP Home Theater Front Projector

Mitsubishi Electric's HC7800D is a 1080p DLP front projector built around Texas Instruments' .065-inch DMD chip, delivering 1600 lumens and a contrast ratio of up to 30,000:1 full on/full off. The projector supports dual HDMI 1.4 inputs for 3D signal passthrough, operates at a near-silent 25 dBa in low mode, and offers a lamp life of up to 5000 hours. Priced at $3,495, it targets home theater enthusiasts seeking large-screen 3D performance with proprietary 2D-to-3D frame conversion and minimal crosstalk using active shutter glasses.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

HDTV Almanac - Mitsubishi Chooses the Big Picture

Mitsubishi is exiting the small-screen consumer TV market, refocusing its rear-projection DLP lineup exclusively on displays 65 inches and larger, including a 3D-capable 95-inch diagonal model. The company has formed a new subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America Inc. (MEVSA), to manage both large-format consumer sets and commercial display applications. For buyers seeking a compact LCD for secondary rooms, Mitsubishi is no longer an option, but the brand remains relevant for large-screen and projector installations.

Alfred Poor
Columns

HDTV Almanac - Mitsubishi Abandons LCD HDTVs

Mitsubishi is exiting the LCD HDTV market to concentrate on DLP rear projection displays sized 73 inches and larger, including a 92-inch model demonstrated at CES 2011. A 73-inch Mitsubishi rear projection set retails on Amazon for $1,200, roughly 60 percent of the lowest price for a 65-inch plasma HDTV, underscoring a significant cost-per-inch advantage. For consumers prioritizing screen size over slim form factor, this repositioning signals that large-format rear projection may remain a viable, budget-friendly option despite declining mainstream appeal.

Alfred Poor
Columns

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Debuts HC4000 HD Home Theater Projector at CEDIA 2010 in Atlanta

Mitsubishi's HC4000 home theater projector, debuted at CEDIA 2010, uses Texas Instruments' DarkChip 3 DLP chip with BrilliantColor technology, delivering 1300 lumens and a 750:1 ANSI contrast ratio at a $1,495 entry-level price point. The projector supports anamorphic lens modes for 2.35:1 widescreen viewing, offers a 5,000-hour lamp life in low conservation mode, and operates at a quiet 25dBA. DIY home theater buyers get a filter-free, semi-sealed design with HDMI input and 1.5x optical zoom, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins
Vivitek Debuts Its Line of Home Theater Projectors

Vivitek Debuts Its Line of Home Theater Projectors

Vivitek made its CEDIA 2010 debut showcasing a full lineup of 1080p home theater and large-venue projectors, highlighted by two new models: the H9030FD LED short-throw projector with 20,000-hour lamp life and 50,000:1 contrast ratio, and the D8300 large-venue unit delivering 6500 lumens with advanced image processing from Gennum. Both models leverage Texas Instruments DLP and BrilliantColor technologies and support HDMI v1.3 connectivity. Custom installers gain a scalable range from entry-level to high-end LED options, covering diverse screen sizes and installation environments.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

Christie Previews 4K at IBC

Christie's new Solaria Series CP4230 projector marks the world's first demo of a DLP Cinema solution in 4K, featuring Texas Instruments' enhanced 4K DLP Cinema chip and designed to meet Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) specifications. Built on a foundation of over 14,000 digital cinema installations, the CP4230 includes Christie Brilliant3D technology for high-performance 3D and a '15 minutes to 4K' upgrade path for existing systems. Pricing is anticipated at 35% above 2K projector costs, making it a concrete consideration for exhibitors planning long-term digital cinema investments.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Nationwide 3D Experience Tour Brings Largest, Most Immersive Lineup of 3D TVs to Cities Across America

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America is launching a nationwide 3D Experience Tour, showcasing its 2010 lineup of DLP Home Cinema Televisions in a 995 sq. ft. mobile showroom, with screen sizes ranging up to 82 inches. The flagship LaserVue TV uses laser-based display technology to deliver approximately double the color spectrum of conventional TVs while consuming 50 percent less energy than EnergyStar requirements. The tour also features the Unisen Immersive Sound LED TV series, which integrates up to 18 speakers with algorithmic delay processing to produce 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound without separate audio components, giving consumers a hands-on benchmark for evaluating home theater performance.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

HDTV Almanac - DLP Still Alive

Mitsubishi continues to produce rear-projection DLP televisions at competitive price points, with the 60-inch WD-60638 listing at $1,199 and the 82-inch WD-82838 at $4,499, both 3D-ready out of the box. These figures represent significant value compared to LED-backlit LCD flat panels of similar or smaller screen sizes. For buyers prioritizing screen real estate over cabinet depth, rear-projection DLP remains a practical large-format option worth serious consideration.

Alfred Poor
Columns

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Adds New 75-Inch LaserVue TV to Bolster Industry's Broadest Line of 60-Inch-and-Larger 3D TVs Available Today

Mitsubishi's 75-inch LaserVue TV (Model L75-A91, $5,999) introduces a first-ever Cinema Color mode and StreamTV internet media, while operating at approximately 128 watts and exceeding Energy Star qualifications by over 50 percent. The accompanying 3D Starter Pack (3DC-1000) includes active shutter eyewear, a 3D emitter, and a 3D Adapter supporting HDMI 1.4a signal formats including side-by-side, top-bottom, and frame-packing. Buyers seeking large-screen 3D home theater will find this laser-driven display offers a practical path to cinema-grade color and energy efficiency at 75 inches.

Shane Sturgeon
Bulletins

HDTV Almanac - Simpler 3D Shutter Glasses

XpanD's second-generation X102 active shutter glasses use DLP-Link technology to sync with 3D-ready HDTVs and projectors without requiring a separate IR emitter. The display itself flashes a synchronization signal directly to the glasses, triggering the left-to-right eye switching sequence. For consumers, this means a simpler setup with fewer components and no additional hardware tied to the TV or projector.

Alfred Poor
Columns