What Is DLP Projector? Features, Uses & Advantages

The images projected onto the screen from most DLP-digital light processing projectors are formed from the projection source using reflective technology called digital light processing or DLP technology. The DLP processing board uses a digital micromirror device or DMD which acts as a light switch inside each DMD chip are million tiny mirrors coordinated with each other which correspond to one pixel of light in the projected image. These tiny mirrors tilt towards or away from the light source thousands of times a second to produce up to 1024 shades of gray. With the single-chip DLP projectors, a spinning color wheel is added to convert the monochrome picture into color. When the color wheel spins, it causes red green, and blue light to fall sequentially onto the DMD chip. When the on-and-off states of these tiny mirrors are coordinated with these flashes of light, over a billion colors can be created in a 3-chip DLP system white light source is passed through a prism that divides the light into a red light, green light, and blue light. Each DLP chip is dedicated to a primary color the red, green, and blue reflections from the three chips are combined and passed through the lens to project digital imagery made up of more than 35 trillion colors.

As opposed to DLP technology, where the ambient light is reflected from digital micromirror devices DMDs, or a DLP chip, LCD technology passes the colored light through the polysilicon LCD panel and are therefore known as a light transmissive device. A liquid crystal display basically comprises two transparent sheets of polarizing material with liquid-containing rod-shaped crystals sandwiched between them. The LCD panels themselves do not emit light but are backlit with red, green, and blue light. The light is lost when polarized light hits the edges of the transistors. The colored light does not pass through and a grid-type shadow is created. Due to this reason, many liquid crystal displays are equipped with a micro-lens array enabling a greater concentration of light onto the panel and reducing light lost after it passes through the panel.

While the DLP chip is made up of millions of tiny mirrors the LCD chip is made up of millions of tiny cells each cells opacity can be controlled by sending an electrical signal that controls the light transmission properties of the LCD panel light is polarized before it passes through the LCD an electrical charge is applied to the crystals in the layer causing them to rotate the plane of polarized light these on and off states can produce up to 256 shades of gray or 8-bit processing in a three LCD panels system. White light is passed through a series of dichroic mirrors that divide the light into red, green, and blue each chip is dedicated to a primary color the red green and blue images from the chips are combined and passed through the lens to project the image. Although, transmissive technology does not replicate the picture quality of the reflective surface such as DLP systems.

DLP technology creates colorful, sharp images, and has a clear contrast compared to those produced with traditional projector lamps. The space between pixels is greatly restricted since the micromirrors are separated by less than 1 micron. This improves the clarity of the final image. You get a sharper image with a resolution of 1080p which is smooth with no jitter. There is excellent grayscale linearity and you can achieve perfect geometry with the projection display.

The lens on DLP projectors can be extended through optical zoom lenses to enlarge projected images. This allows users to magnify the displaying static images without having to move the projector. When using optical zoom, the image quality is not compromised despite placing the camera further from the screen. An optical zoom with a wider field of view provides greater mounting flexibility.

In a projector, the contrast ratio refers to the range between the darkest and the lightest values. Pictures with a higher contrast ratio are of higher quality. The contrast ratios for DLP projectors vary from 500:1 to 100,000:1. Projectors used in home theater systems and high-end applications must have a good contrast ratio. A contrast ratio ranging from 10,000:1 to 100,000:1 is recommended for home theater projector types. You can go as high as 100,000:1 when it comes to the projection screen for large venues, such as auditoriums.

The advantages of DLP projectors are grounded in their construction and in the way they generate images.

• Due to their filter-free design and sealed chip, DLP projectors are easy to maintain.
• With their vivid colors, high contrast levels, and brilliant images, DLP projectors provide brilliant and better picture quality.
• As a result of the limited space between a dark or light pixel, the final image is much sharper.
• Most DLP Projectors have a high level of accuracy and do not create shadows on the direct-view displays.
• A DLP projector can produce the same image as LCD Projector but, with a better screen resolution.
• Due to the fact that DLP projectors only require one panel instead of three, they are typically smaller and lighter than LCD projectors.
• In places like clubs where there is a lot of dust and smoke, DLP projectors are a great choice because of their sealed optics.

• With most DLP home theatre projectors, you can experience the screen door effect and brief flashes of color across the screen that can create the rainbow effect.
• You do not get to experience much brightness with DLP as you can with LCD projectors.
• Due to the mirrored chip in the DLP projectors, the number of pixels is limited with imaging technology.
• Considering the time lag of amplification, video games can have a slower response time when played with DLP projectors.

Compared to LCD projectors, DLP projectors offer many advantages. If you plan on installing a digital projector permanently, you have to take some time to understand which technology is best for your personal needs and requirements. We generally recommend choosing an LCD projector if color reproduction is important for your application or if you need a sharp image. The DLP projector may be your best choice if you are planning to use it mainly for video or if you need a more portable model. Check out our blog on various advantages and disadvantages of a projector to get a better understanding before buying a new projector for your home.