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