Toshiba TDP-MT500 LCD projector review

The Toshiba TDP-MT500 is a high end DLP based LCD projector. Unfortunately this display only supports 1024x576 resolution and NOT native 1024 by 768. This means that for widescreen movies it looks great but for XGA computer presentations it looks bad.

Toshiba TDP-MT500 LCD projector
Only designed for movies with it's native 16:9 support

Coming in with a list price around $2500 this projector certainly isn't cheap. I certainly wouldn't recommend this projector since the lack of native XGA (1024 by 768) is a real handicap if you want to connect it up to a computer.

The Toshiba TDP-MT500 LCD projector, quite a high price for a non XGA projector

You will have to be certain that you will never need to connect this up to a computer in order for you to consider this LCD projector. However if your only need is great DVD viewing then read on and find out some good points about this projector.

The color decoding on the MT500 is very good especially when you consider the price. The highly capable DLP light engine delivers rich color and eliminates rainbow artifacts for all but the very susceptible viewers.

Deinterlacing and scaling for both standard and HDTV was precise and clean. The MT500's image is sharp even with the sharpness control turned down to almost zero, which is where it needs to be to eliminate ringing. But once this was done the video image from both DVD and HDTV was beautifully smooth.

For movies the native wide format is very nice. The brightness is only average but the unit does have a great contrast ratio as even gloomy scenes had lots of detail in the dark areas. All colors were accurate and there was little to complain about.

Here are the specifications:

Projector Technology: DLP
Brightness (in Lumens): 700
Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
Maximum Native Resolution: 1024x576 widescreen
Estimated Lamp Lifespan: 2000 hours
Inputs: Composite, S-Video, Component, VGA (with pass through)
Replacement Bulb Cost $300.00

Toshiba TDP-MT500 LCD projector home theatre movies with native 16:9 wide screen

Basically if you only watch movies in a darkened room this might be the projector for you.

Otherwise I think there are much more flexible and cheaper options out there for you.