The Diamond HC9000D was Mitsubishi's first 3D-capable projector, released earlier this year. The company recently added a step-down model (the HC7800D) and decided to lower the MSRP of the HC9000D from its original MSRP of $9,995 to $5,995. We have not performed a hands-on review of the HC9000D, but here is an overview of its features. This 1080p projector uses SXRD technology (a form of LCoS, or liquid crystal on silicon) and features Silicon Optix's ReonVX video processor, an auto iris to improve contrast, two anamorphic picture modes, and a 120Hz refresh rate with de-judder technology. It has a quoted dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1 and a quoted brightness of 1,000 ANSI lumens. The HC9000D supports a tabletop or ceiling-mount setup, as well as a front- or rear-projected image. It offers motorized 1.8x zoom and focus controls, 100 percent vertical lens shifting, 45 percent horizontal lens shifting, keystone correction, and adjustable feet. The HC9000D measures 18.9 x 20.8 x 7.8 inches, weighs 33 pounds, and uses a 230-watt lamp, with a listed lamp life of 4,000 hours in Low mode.

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The HC9000D uses active 3D technology, which means it alternately flashes a full-resolution left-eye and right-eye image. Active 3D requires the use of special active-shutter 3D glasses that sync with the projector's signal to direct the appropriate image to each eye. The HC9000D requires the addition of a separate 3D emitter that allows the projector and glasses to communicate; Mitsubishi includes neither the emitter (EY-3D-EMT1, $189) nor the 3D glasses (EY-3DGS-1U, $139 each) in the package.

The connection panel includes two HDMI inputs, plus a single component video, VGA, S-video, and composite video input. You also get RS-232 for integration into an advanced control system, dual 12-volt triggers, and the 3D emitter port to attach the EY-3D-EMT1. The setup menu has a fairly thorough assortment of picture adjustments, including: seven picture modes; six color temperature presets, plus RGB gain and offset controls for advanced white balance adjustment; five gamma presets and an adjustable user mode; noise reduction; detail enhancement; a cinema filter that enhances brightness; frame-rate conversion with settings for off, true video (produces that smoother, video-like effect), and true film (a more subtle use of frame interpolation); and a color management system that lets you adjust the gain, saturation, and hue of all six color points. You can also manually adjust the iris setting in precise increments to suit your needs. The HC9000D offers four aspect-ratio options, including two anamorphic picture modes that allow you to view 2.35:1 images with no black bars (when the projector is mated with an add-on lens). There's also a seven-step overscan adjustment.

In the 3D realm, the HC9000D offers the ability to select a 3D input format (auto, frame packing, side by side, top and bottom, and 2D) and swap the left and right images if necessary. The 3D Brightness setting allows you to adjust the timing of the shutters in the glasses from 2.0 to 5.5 milliseconds to find a desirable balance between image brightness and crosstalk. This projector lacks 2D-to-3D conversion.

Read about the high points and low points of the HC9000D 3D projector on Page 2.High Points
• The HC9000D is a 3D-capable 1080p SXRD projector. It uses active 3D technology.
•
The projector has a variable iris: You can let it do its thing
automatically, or you can precisely adjust it to suit your tastes.
• 120Hz technology is available for blur and judder reduction.
• It has dual HDMI inputs, as well as a 12-volt trigger and an RS-232 port.
• The projector offers a nice assortment of picture adjustments.
• Motorized zoom and focus controls, as well as generous lens shifting, are included for easier setup.
• You can adjust the shutter speed of the 3D glasses.
• Two anamorphic picture modes are available.

Low Points
•
The package does not include 3D glasses or the add-on 3D emitter that
allows the projector and glasses to communicate, and these items carry a
higher-than-average price tag.
• Mitsubishi has opted to use IR instead of RF for its sync emitter.

Competition and Comparison
Compare
the Mitsubishi HC9000D with its competition by reading the reviews for
the JVC DLA-X3, Optoma
HD8300, and Panasonic PT-AE7000U. Learn more about
3D Projectors by visiting our Video Projectors
section.

Conclusion
The field of 3D projectors has gotten a
lot more crowded since Mitsubishi first introduced the HC9000D, and this
projector faces some stiff competition from lower-priced models from
JVC, Sony, Optoma, Epson, Panasonic, and Mitsubishi itself. The JVC
DLA-X3 immediately comes to mind as a similarly featured D-ILA projector
that comes in at a lower price point. That being said, the performance
reviews I've seen for HC9000D have been quite positive, so it may be
worth a demo if you want a strong 2D theater projector that also
supports 3D.

Additional Resources
• Read more video projector reviews from HomeTheaterReview.com's staff.
• Explore screen options in our Projection Screen Review section.