Upgrade my Mitsubishi HC3 to HC1000U... Worth it?

[gentrinity]

I am the proud owner of a Mitsubishi HC3 that I bought about two years ago. Although the lamp is starting to fade, I still love the dang thing. Its a thing of beauty. I watch NBA and occasionaly play games. Not really that big of a movie lover, hence, I prefer bright screens for sports and games. Plan on playing Xbox 360 on it quite a lot.

However, given that it is not HD, I decided to look into the market since I probably need a replacement bulb soon anyway.

Is this going to be a big jump in quality? Going from a HC3 to HC1000U? Am I going to drool all over myself when i compare the two?

Id appreciate any comments. I have done my homework and for the price, it seems to be the best choice, and hell, I cant complain about Mitsubishi PJs, I love the one I have and its still going strong.

Also, what do y'all think of the screen im using? I have a huge art canvas paper, its white, but slightly diffussed. Its sort of a cast paper if that makes sense. Is this sufficient for my viewing experience or am I seriously dampening my PJs capabilities?

 

[Hi Ho]

I've never seen the HC3 but I own an HD1000 and I'm just speculating here but I would think you would see quite an improvement going from a three year old LCD projector to a new DLP. They have advanced more and more every year and all I can say is my HD1000 produces a superb picture. Just the fact that you would be going from a non-HD LCD to a 720p DLP should make for a marked improvement. I'm guessing that screen door effect is at least somewhat visible with your current projector. It is virtualy invisible on the HD1000. Black levels are also probably better.

 

[gentrinity]

Ok, thanks alot for your reply. So what youre saying is that in just technology and time alone will guarantee a much better viewing experience. Thats awesome. I dont really see any screen door effect though.

Ill be getting it soon I guess.

 

[Audioholics]

So far I have not been impressed by Mitsubishi's DLP home theater projection products in general. The new 5000 looked nice, but it was 3LCD. DLP and Mitsubishi = rainbow effects the likes of which I've never believed possible.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Wow, you're really in the minority there, Clint. I'd say that Mits makes some of the most highly regarded PJs on the market. The pro reviews and thousands of posts at AVS would seem to concur. YMMV, I guess. I'll soon see- I'll likely order a Mits DLP within a week or two.

FWIW I've never really noticed RBE with any brand of DLP PJ, but I've never viewed the older ones with 2X color wheels.

 

[Audioholics]

Maybe my internal optical timing is out of sync with their preferred method of doing things, lol.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Are you bothered by DLP in general? I must have the lowest sensitivity to RBE of anyone in North American; honestly, I never see it. SDE is a bigger deal to me. Black levels are my fetish, and if I had a realistic way to use it I'd buy a CRT PJ. Til then DLP is the only way I can get the blacks I need (at a price I can afford).

 

[Hi Ho]

I notice RBE once in a great while (like once per movie) but it doesn't bother me one bit.