Both LCD and DLP are used in projectors suitable for home theaters, but they work in quite different ways and produce slightly different results. If you ask around – particularly in electronics stores, you’re likely to be provided with a mass of information that’s confusing and often just plain wrong. So here, in an effort to clear the fog surrounding projectors, is our guide to LCD v DLP.

LCD

LCD projectors have three separate LCD panels, one for red, one for green, and one for blue components of the image being processed by the projector. As light passes through the LCD panels, individual pixels (or picture elements) can be either opened or closed to either allow light to pass through or be filtered out. In this way the light is modulated and an image projected on to the screen.

LCD projectors have historically had three main advantages over DLP. They produce more accurate colors (due to the three separate LCD panels), they produce a slightly sharper image (although this is as good as undetectable when watching movies) and they are more light-efficient, which means they produce brighter images using less power.

However, LCD projectors also have some disadvantages, although as the technology improves these are becoming less and less relevant. The first of these is pixelation, or what’s known as the screen door effect. This means that sometimes you can see the individual pixels and it looks as though you are viewing the image through a ‘screen door.’ The second historic disadvantage of LCD v DLP is that LCD doesn’t produce absolute black, which means that contrast is less than you would get with DLP.

However, the advent of higher resolution LCD projectors (particularly ‘HD-ready’ projectors which have a horizontal resolution of 768 pixels or greater) means that pixelation is less of a problem than it used to be. And the improved ability of LCDs to produce high-contrast images is also allowing them to be taken more seriously by home theater enthusiasts.

DLP

Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a technology developed by Texas Instruments and it works by projecting light from the projector’s lamp onto a DLP chip, made up of thousands of tiny mirrors. Each mirror represents a single pixel and directs the light projected onto it either into the lens path to turn the pixel on or away from it to turn it off. Most DLP projectors have only one chip, so in order to reproduce color, a color wheel consisting of red, green, blue and sometimes, white filters is used. The wheel spins between the lamp and the chip and changes the color of the light hitting the chip from red, to green, blue. Each mirror on the DLP chip tilts towards or away from the lens path depending on how much of a particular color light is required for that pixel at any given instant.

The key advantages DLP has in the LCD v DLP debate is that DLP projectors tend to be smaller and lighter, have better contrast, and don’t suffer the same pixelation problems as LCD projectors. There is one problem that some users report with DLP projectors, although it appears to only affect a very small number of people. Because of the way DLP works, at any given instant, the image on screen is either red, green, or blue. However, the images change so quickly, that the human eye doesn’t detect this and your brain puts the red, green and blue images together to make a complete frame of video. Unfortunately, some people can see the individual colors, and others can detect them enough to cause eye-strain and headaches. However, technology has improved significantly with the introduction of six-color wheels and faster rotation speeds. The rainbow effect should be a problem for even fewer people. The best way to find out if you’re affected is to try out a DLP projector, perhaps by hiring one, before you buy.

Technology in both LCD and DLP projectors is improving all the time. However, at the time of writing DLP still has a slight edge in the home theater market.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of Master Home Theater Design (http://www.master-home-theater-design.com), a website which provides information, articles, and tutorials on getting started with Home Theater.

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DLP projectors – also known as Digital Light Processing projectors – have brought the proverbial silver screen to the home front. The fact that some theaters actually use this type of technology for feature movie projection makes this truer than you might imagine. After being digitally converted and placed on an optical disk – much in the same way as DVD technology is produced – the images are fed into the projector and sent to the movie screen. The main difference is that DLP projectors offer a high definition experience, as opposed to that of a DVD. The result is a picture that very nearly rivals the quality of a 70mm projection, but without the imperfections.

The color accuracy of the DLP system is outstanding, with an end result that beats LCD technology. Some of the advantages that make a DLP the projector of choice are its low power consumption, compactness, micro-mirror construction (which is responsible for the high level screen resolution), high contrast and brightness. All in all, this is the closest that anyone can come to having a bona fide cinema within the confines of their home.

With every set of pros, you’ll always find some cons lurking in the shadows. Such is the case with the DLP projector. For those who are particularly sensitive to certain visual effects, the DLP design produces a type of “rainbow effect,” which could serve as a distraction when looking from one side of the screen to the other during viewing. This will play out as a brief splash of colors, which is simply a result of the type of technology that’s used in the production of the DLP. Most people don’t even notice this color display, but those who are in tune to that sort of thing may see it as an annoyance.

While this is also true for LCD projectors, consumers might be disappointed to know that DLP projectors need to have their light source changed after every 2,000 to 3,000 viewing hours. All in all, though, this is nothing new and, when you consider the higher quality that this type of system offers, it shouldn’t be seen as much of an inconvenience at all.

Perhaps the most inhibitive aspect to the acquisition of a home theater projector and screen, such as the DLP, is that the cost will typically fall within the range of $3,500 to $5,500 for the mid-range systems, once you purchase everything that you’ll need in order to complete the set-up. In addition to that, you’ll have to consider the cost of the rest of your home theater system, since these figures only factor in the DLP expenses.

For those who can afford to do so, the DLP projector is an excellent investment, despite its few downfalls. While no projection system is perfect, DLP is currently the most capable set-up on the market for the price and provides a powerful theater experience for those who aren’t inhibited by space or finances.

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Actually, both types of technologies have their pros and cons.

Let’s start with various factors.

Picture Quality

Plasma TVs have better contrast ratios and show better blacks than an LCD TV. That means in a dark scene, you are able to see images more clearly defined. This is because in LCD technology, liquid crystals are unable to shut off all the light completely due to the presence of the backlight resulting in light leakage and therefore it is impossible to get absolute black. Because of this, plasma TVs are able to produce better color saturation than LCD TVs.

Screen Size

If you looking for a really big screen, then you have to go for plasma TV as they are available in sizes up to 103 inches! LCD TVs on the other hand come in maximum sizes of up to 65 inches. If you compare prices on both technologies for the same screen size, you will also realize LCD TVs are more expensive especially in larger screen sizes.

Life span

You may also want to factor in how long your new display device can last. Currently, both LCD TVs and plasma TVs have life expectancies of around 100,000 hours for the better made models from reputable manufacturers.

Power consumption

Again LCD TVs have this advantage over plasma TV. Power consumption for LCD TV is 30% less than plasma TV. With rising oil prices, maybe it is better to get an LCD TV. Further more, plasma TV generate more heat and if you live in an air conditioned home, the air conditioning usage will definitely rise too.

Viewing Angle

If you are going to invite many guests to your home, a plasma screen will do better. It has a wider viewing angle than LCD TV. Guests can easily view on either left or right side of the Plasma screen without fear of the loss of image which is inherent in LCD TVs.

Response Time

If you enjoy action movies or sport programs, plasma TV offer a better deal as it can handle fast moving images better than LCD TVs. Traditionally, most viewers can see blurring of moving images with the LCD format. However, this problem has been reduced compared to earlier generations of the technology as the response times for LCD TVs have come down to as low as 4 milliseconds on high performance models. With the advent of refresh rates of 120 Hz and even 240 Hz for the latest LCD TVs, there has been significant improvement in LCD technology’s handling of fast motion.

Burn in effect

Plasma TV suffers from this particular effect called burn in. You get a permanent ghost like image stuck on your screen. This is the result of having static display of the same image over long periods of time. LCD TVs do not suffer from this potential problem and, as such, are the preferred technology to choose if you regularly use your TV for certain types of sources (e.g. Business and news channels, NASCAR races, Computer images). Later generation, higher performance Plasma TVs have special circuits built into them that can virtually eliminate this problem.

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The term “big screen” is used to indicate a TV size larger than 40 inches in diagonal measurement. Until recently these are usually rear-projection screens, although we are seeing more and more flat-panel displays at competitive prices.

The appeal of Rear-Projection TV (RPTV)

There certainly is a great deal of consumer appeal for RPTVs these days. And it’s easy to understand. Part of it is due to the simplicity of the product. After all, what could be easier than getting a bigger TV? If you want a larger image with no muss and fuss, it can be purchased from any local big-screen retailer and delivered within a day or two.

Another the appeal of RPTVs is the impression created by big-screen retailers that RPTVs are cheaper than front projection systems.

Clearly there is a market for both types of home theater solutions. From a practical perspective your room size has a lot to do with determining which approach is best for you. If you don’t have a large viewing room, a 40″ to 60″ diagonal TV will probably be plenty. In this case, the rear-projection solution is more practical assuming you can fit the box into the space.

But if you want the large screen cinema experience and your room size will allow it, front projection is the way to go. Front projectors are made to produce screen images in the range of 70″ to 120″ diagonal or more. Once people realize they can get a picture up to four times the size for the same money as a good RPTV, it opens up a whole new world of entertainment possibilities.

How good is the Rear-Projection TV?

As noted above, the advantages of RPTVs are obvious. There is a wide array of products in different sizes and price ranges. There are usually several local showrooms in most areas. And they are simple to buy and install. However, RPTVs have several limitations that front-projection systems do not. Among them are limited screen size, poor viewing angles, excessive reflections, poor aspect ratio management, and loss of floor space.

Screen size is an obvious difference, but still worth thinking about for a moment. A 100″ diagonal front projection screen is four times the surface area of a 50″ RPTV. If you want to put real “theater” in your home theater, the projector and movie screen approach delivers it. RPTVs are just big televisions.

Digital Projectors

A digital projector is an electro-optical machine which converts image data from a computer or video source to an image which is then displayed on a distant wall or screen using a lens system. A typical resolution for a portable projector will be the SVGA standard (800 x 600 pixels), with more expensive devices supporting XGA (1024 x 768 pixels). The cost of a device is not only determined by its resolution, but also by its brightness. For use in large conference rooms the brightness should be between 2,500 and 5,000 ANSI lumens.

There are four competing digital projection technologies: high intensity CRT (almost extinct), LCD projectors using LCD light gates, Texas Instruments’ DLP technology and LCOS or liquid crystal on silicon. In 2004 and 2005, LCD front projection has been enjoying a come-back because of the addition of the dynamic iris which has improved contrast almost up to the levels of DLP.

There is a genuine market for both RPTVs and projectors for home theater. RPTVs are simple, but they have limitations in screen size and performance. Projectors and screens require some installation work, but once it is done you end up with a more dramatic theater experience.

The bottom line is this: if you are looking at digital RPTVs and your viewing room can accommodate a 90″ or 100″ screen, don’t overlook the possibility of a projector and screen instead. If you can afford a digital RPTV, you can afford a projector. And dollar for dollar the projector will often deliver the maximum “wow” factor for the money invested.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mitchell Medford is an author and product consultant for several consumer electronics manufacturers and satellite tv providers, including Dish Network.
Visit his website for more information on home theater, LCD TVs, and plasma televisions.

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Think about it , you can get images up to 120 inches or more whereas the largest plasma, LCD or rear projection TVs are only 72 inches in diagonal length. Furthermore, these huge televisions can cost more than a decent projector and screen combination.

Compare them to budget projector models which sells for less than $2,500. Now’s really a good time to consider them. They used to cost many thousands of dollars (high performance models still do) and prices for reasonably well performing models have since fallen significantly.

Now the market is in favor of new projector technologies such as LCD projectors or DLP projectors which utilize compact digital image chips which have brighter light output than CRT technologies. Now there’s no need to completely see your movie in total darkness. A dimly lit room will do just as fine.

The older CRT technology were heavier at over 100 pounds. These new generation of projectors are compact and light. They weigh from 5 to 15 pounds. You can carry the lighter ones around. There’s no need to rush home to watch your live sports programme. You can just simply bring it wherever you are, for example in a friend’s house. A compact projector is a great idea if you have several houses since there’s no need to buy a projector for every home. One projector will do simply fine.

Their small size is a boon. They may either be placed on a coffee table or be mounted on a ceiling. Imagine the mammoth hulk of a projection TV taking up your previous living room space which otherwise could have been used in more better ways.

New projectors boast an array of connectivity options which regular television sets lack. You can hook it up to your PC enabling you to surf super sized web pages, watch slide show of your digital camera photos or play computer games.

Nowadays you have the option of either having a projection screen or simply using the wall to project the image on.

Setting up is easy and new projectors offer simpler solution. Normally your entertainment console consisting of all the various components such as DVD Player, Cable set top box and other AV components will be in front of the living room while the projector will be mounted at the back of the room. So how do you reconcile the difference in location for all these gizmos? You either had to move all the components back or simply lay cables from the various sources to the projector behind.

Now there’s all in one home theater with speakers and DVD player thrown in together in one unit. There’s no need to worry about cables snaking from one end of the room to the other, not to mention the headache of setting up the projector system.

Another alternative would be wireless projector allowing you to bring your projector from room to room without worrying about wires and cables.

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Plasma TV for your home theater is actually only a receiver, much like your computer monitor, and is only one component of a great home theater. Still, it’s an arguable point that the plasma TV is the part of the home theater package that you’ll be viewing and is therefore a very important component.

Consider the technology of the plasma TV and you’ll understand why this is such a great choice for the home theater. Typically, a plasma TV is a flat screen monitor. Because of the thin design, it becomes very versatile in the home theater design. Remember the television sets of a few decades ago? They were bulky pieces of furniture and the rest of the room was often arranged around the television set. A plasma TV, by comparison, is easier to manipulate. Most models will even mount on a wall, making the home theater seem even more like a commercial theater.

If mounting the plasma TV isn’t a good idea for your home theater design, you could choose a cabinet mount. These are often attractive pieces of furniture and can even have built-in storage for other home theater components, movies, cords and other pieces of equipment.

Finding the right plasma TV for your home theater system is easier than ever before. The technology is becoming more commonly available and there are several major manufacturers of plasma TV sets. If you are shopping for a plasma TV specifically for your home theater, keep in mind the distance you’ll be seated from the screen to determine the size screen you need. You should also have at least a basic home theater design in mind to help you decide that kind of mounting equipment you need or what size cabinet you’re looking for.

About the Author

Tom Ace is the founder of Plasma tv Resources a website providing information on plasma televisions

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