Why DLP HDTV Looks So Great
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Dlp Hdtv.

Consumers have been asking, why DLP HDTV looks so great? DLP (Digital Light Processing), is a new technology that is enhancing the HDTV viewing experience for consumers. Texas Instruments developed DLP, the technology relies on millions of Digital Micromirror Devices or DMD to give unrivaled life like HDTV images in 1080p resolution, the highest resolution possible.

The heart of this technology is the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) or the DLP chip. This was invented in 1987 a researcher named Dr. Hornbeck of Texas Instruments. The DLP chip has up to 2 million microscopic mirrors that are less than 1/5 the width of a human hair. It is the DLP chip and surrounding sophisticated electronics that are called Digital Light Processing Technology. DLP technology is usually manufactured on rear-projection widescreen HDTV's.

The thousands of mirrors that comprise the Digital Micromirror Device have less than a micron of space between them. Thus keeping the gap between pixels at a minimum you get a razor sharp image regardless of the display size and an elimination of the pixelation found in other technologies.

DLP HDTV projection systems offer brighter pictures than other technologies, because of the mirror based construction light is used more efficiently. The clarity of the images is thus enhanced. Images are seen in the visually breath taking way they should be in home theaters.

White light from the lamp in the DLP projection system goes through a color wheel as it travels to the surface of the DLP chip. The colors red, blue and green are filtered and a single chip DLP projection system has the ability to create a minimum of 16.7 million colors. DLP Cinema projection sytems have a 3-chip sytem that do not use a color wheel, each chip seperates the red, blue and green, they can reproduce a minimum of 35 trillion colors.

The color reproduction is far superior and more life-like and is another reason why DLP HDTV looks so great. In HDTV home theaters blacks are richer and more darker shades are possible.

Compared to flat panel plasma and LCD TV sets, DLP HDTV is less expensive. It also produces superior picture quality and has an extensive life span when compared to a cathode ray tube (CRT)projection TV and burn-in is not a problem. However, LCD TVs have better contrast levels and outlying range of colors than DLP HDTV. But, when it comes to refresh rate (which makes pictures unblocked and smooth), DLP HDTV has an advantage. This feature is very important, especially for gamers and watching sports or anything that is in constant motion.

The fact is that DLP is a very versatile display technology. DLP is the only display technology on the market that will allow the world's smallest projectors under 2-lbs., that can also light up the largest movie screens up to 75 feet. This versatility is one of it's biggest advantages. The ability to make a wafer thin display while reproducing stunning high definition images. Fitting a DLP HDTV projector system into the home without will not require

Prices vary by size and manufacturer. Manufacturers include Samsung, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Panasonic and others. You can get a screen size as small as 30" up to 70" and larger. The choices are numerous and the picture is startling life-like. With prices steadily declining for projection HDTV's consumers may now find that the best DLP HDTV fits into their budget. If so you will soon see for yourself why DLP HDTV looks so great.