Projector Guide

To-day's high resolution LCD and DLP video projectors are capable of projecting huge pictures while still maintaining very good image quality. However not all projector technologies deliver equally when used in different surroundings.

The LCD projector works by passing a powerful light source through a transparent LCD chip made up of individual pixels (which display the moving video image); the image is then projected through a lens onto a large screen. One may consider technically the LCD projector as a slide projector with the slide being replaced by the transparent LCD panel.

Digital Light Processing devices - more commonly know as DLP, forms part of a new family of video projectors based on digital micro-mirror device (DMD) technology.

Like LCD, the actual image is displayed on a chip - however, the chip used in a DLP projector is different; it employs anything between one and two million mirrors arranged in an array, with each mirror representing a pixel; these mirrors modulate the reflected light according to the incoming video signal.

Historically, DLP projectors boasted better contrast and black levels, and delivered a more film-like image rendering them a favorite choice with home theater enthusiasts when it comes to home theater projector choice.

At the same time, LCD projectors had better color saturation, improved brightness levels, with less fan noise and lower operating temperatures. Until a couple of years ago, LCD projectors were also cheaper.

But because of improvements in both technologies, these designations matter less and less to the end-user, as performance and price for both DLP and LCD home theater projectors are more or less equal. DLP have equaled the color saturation originally only possible on LCD video projectors, while LCD technology have improved to such an extent that it has practically closed the gap with DLP in the area of black level performance

However, there still remain a few minor differences between LCD and DLP projectors that are inherent to the respective technology: home theater DLP projectors tend to be a bit smaller, because the technology takes up less space. In addition, DLP projectors still have a slight edge over LCD when it comes to black levels. On the other hand, LCD projectors still have a brightness advantage.

• Size: small (fits in backbag, hand luggage )
• Ansi Lumen: 2k - 4k
• Contrast: any ratio
• Type: DLP / LCD
• Lens: fixed

• Size: medium (bag or case)
• Ansi Lumen: 4k - 8k
• Contrast: 1000:1 and better
• Type: DLP / LCD
• Lens: fixed

Extreme powerful projectors are usually operated and transported by professional technicians.

• Size: big (need a car to transport)
• Ansi Lumen: 10k - 20k
• Contrast: 2000:1 and better
• Type: DLP / LCD
• Lens: wide angle, normal, tele lenses available