Ask the doctor


The Pros And Cons Of Dlp Hdtv

Comparing DLP HDTV Units to Plasma and LCDDLP HDTVs are considerably less expensive
Reveals  Strengths  and  Weaknessesthan LCD or plasma displays that offer the
same resolutions. They are smaller, lighter,
Digital Light Processing or DLP is one of theand thinner than CRT projectors, and while
latest HDTV technologies that is taking thethey are lighter than LCD or plasma displays
television industry by storm. Developed bythey are not as thin. Like plasma, DLP units
Texas Instruments, DLP is a process in whichdo not suffer from phosphor burn-in of CRT
millions of microscopically small mirrorsunits  or  image  persistence  of  LCD units.
called Digital Micromirror Devices or DMDs
reflect light onto the television screen. TheOne great advantage to DLP HDTVs is that they
large number of mirrors, each representinguse an easily replaceable light source, which
one or more pixels, ensures a high qualitymeans a potentially longer life than CRT or
image. DLP HDTV can come in the form of frontplasma units. The light source is easier to
projectors, which are standalone units, orreplace than the backlights used for LCD
rear projectors, which compete against LCDdisplays, and on DLPs is often
and Plasma flat-screens. DLP projectors haveuser-replaceable, eliminating the need for an
mostly supplanted CRT projectors, and is alsoexpensive  trip  to  the  service department.
one of the primary technologies used in
digital  cinemas.The biggest problems with DLP HDTVs are
response time and contrast. The response time
One  or  Three  Chips?problem with DLP primarily occurs when
dealing with a low-resolution input, such as
One disadvantage to DLP HDTVs is that mostanalog signals and older video game units.
single-chip systems, which are standard inNewer consoles such as the PlayStation 3 and
home units, can produce a "rainbowXbox 360 do not have this problem, nor do
effect" of red, blue, and green shadowsHDTV cable and satellite systems. The
when showing a bright object moving quicklycontrast on DLP units is slightly below that
across a black background. This is caused byof LCD or plasma units but comparable to
the movement of the color wheel, whichthem, but is only mediocre compared to a CRT.
rapidly spins in front of each DMD to produce
color. Some people rarely see this effect,Conclusion
while others perceive it all the time. As the
effect can lead to eye strain, headaches andDLP HDTVs are a fantastic option for anyone
migraines in some viewers, anybodywho wants high definition on a budget. The
considering purchasing a DLP HDTV would beadvantage of the easily replaceable light
well-served to see an in-store demonstrationsource cannot be overlooked, because the
of the unit they are considering beforebulbs can cost as little as $200, and when
purchasing. More recent DLP units incorporatereplaced the unit should perform like new.
several technologies that greatly lessen thisHowever, the picture quality, while
effect, and three-chip projectors do not havedefinitely HDTV-level, is not as good as a
this  problem  at  all.LCD or plasma unit. In short, DLP is HDTV on
a budget, but if you can afford it you should
Pricing  and  Other  Considerationsgo for LCD or plasma.



1 A B C D E F 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136