Pros And Cons Of DLP TVs

Different screen technologies offer different methods and working principles to be able to project a set of images based on the color combinations given by each pixel. In a sense, we can treat each and every HDTV as the same unit, with its advantages and disadvantages defining each of their own distinct “flavors”.

Why talk about the essential similarity of HDTVs you ask? That is because we are about to introduce to you another type of HDTV. The screen technology that is uses is yet again different from the rest, and in fact it may have the most unique working principle of all of them. Welcome to the world of DLP rear projection HDTVs.

How DLP rear projection technology works

Rear projection technology uses the idea of enlarging images with the use of mirrors. A “light engine” is used to create the default image, and then it is reflected by a set of small mirrors onto the projection plat of the main screen. The concept for this kind of imaging technique was already devised as early as the mid-20th century. In fact, commercial rear projection TV models were already available by the 1970′s, however due to the relatively blurry picture quality (especially at close range), CRT are still usually favored. They did improve vastly by the dawn of the 21st century, although they again fell out of use due to the continuous drop in the price of LCD displays.

This does not mean that they out of the consumer market however, because new modern upgrades to the technology has enabled it to be have the same high quality pictures as today’s LCD and plasma displays. In fact, with the use of DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology’s micromirror devices, it is even capable of bringing out high definition video better in larger screens than most other screen technologies (albeit at a limited degree).

Advantages of DLP rear projection HDTVs

There is actually no distinct advantage when it comes to modern rear projection HDTVs. The choice of purchasing this kind of display mainly depends on preference, although it does have a few positive points that is considered better than other displays.

• No screen distortion issues. DLP rear projection HDTVs do not suffer from LCD’s motion blur, and it does not have the annoying burn-in effect that is found on plasma TV. The different working principle of the micromirror projecting device is of course the reason this, although sometimes it can become faulty on a few very rare incidents (this largely considered as a mechanical failure and not an inherent screen defect though, so it falls under the service lifetime issue)
• It holds the best value/inch per unit currency than any other type of display. For larger displays, plasma HDTV might be the better choice, but when it comes to the largest displays, rear projection HDTV is definitely the best. No other screen technology can be economically packed within such a large screen area. This is because the screen itself is merely a projection medium; the component that actually does the image display is the small light engine inside the unit.

Disadvantages of DLP rear projection HDTVs

Sadly however, despite being able to catch up with other types of displays, it offers really nothing much else. Performance wise it would not really stand out that much, and might even be thrown into oblivion in the face of other newer and trendier display technologies.

• Specifications are all too mediocre. When directly compared with all display technologies, its performance level is not that bad. However, its score not really that particularly good either. In a specific category such as light output or contrast ratio, it would usually fall as one of the runner-ups.
• Has a relatively low native contrast ratio. This has been a problem that was long known to be with rear projection screens for a long time. The issue lies with the front screen of the unit, which has a tendency to bounce off light from the projected image. This can be fixed with a few added options and augments however, but the problem of internal reflection still persists.
• Lifespan can be potentially shorter. A DLP rear projection HDTV has more mechanically moving parts than plasma TV and LCDs. This automatically subjects it to a shorter potential lifespan, since the risk of mechanical failure is increased by a certain factor.

In the next article, size would be our topic. We’ll discuss every detail that needs to be addressed when choosing the right HDTV screen size.

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