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Difference between DLP(Digital Light Processing) and LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) projectors.
A projector is a visual display unit that is used to project pictures and films onto a screen. Depending on the technology used, several types of projectors available such as LCD projector, LED projector, DLP projector, 4K Projector, Laser projector, etc. In this article, we will discuss about DLP and LCD projectors, and how they are different from each other. The basic difference between the two is that DLP projectors use a series of mirrors placed on a microchip that act as pixels, whereas LCD projectors use liquid crystals placed between two transparent electrodes and two polarizing filters.
What is a DLP Projector?
DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. A DLP projector uses reflective projection method combining micro-electrochemical system (MEMS) and projection display using Digital Micrometer Device (DMD) microchip. The microchip is made up of MEMS array of semiconductor-based digital light switches which are used to efficiently control the source of light.
The first DLP projector was developed by Texas Instrument in the year of 1987. The major parts of a DLP projector are – a DLP microchip having microscopic mirrors, light source, projection lens, color filter, digital video graphic signal. The microscopic mirrors are either tilted towards the light source or away from it to create an image on the screen. The rapid tilting of mirrors create a pixel on the screen and colors are added using a color wheel.
DLP projectors are mostly used in digital cinema projection. DLP projectors have poor viewing angle, but are cheaper than LCD projectors.
Image projection − Digital light switches in DMD chips work as mirrors. Each mirror is hinged and flip with two angles. First angled mirror reflects the light to projector aperture and produces a light pixel. Other angled mirror reflects the light far from projector and generates a dark pixel on screen. Gray scale is generated by flipping mirrors at very fast speed between two angles.
What is an LCD Projector?
LCD projectors use Liquid Crystal Display devices which are very small and are used to transfer the light instead of reflection. LCD projector uses three panels to represent each color and a fourth panel is used to improve the color quality.
In an LCD projector, the liquid crystals are placed between two polarizing filters and two transparent electrodes. When an electric supply is connected to electrodes, the liquid crystals work as pixels. These liquid crystals either allow the light to pass through or block it. It is important to note that the liquid crystals do not emit their own light. Therefore, in case of LCD projectors, an external source of light is required.
The chief advantages of LCD projectors are their small size, better viewing angle, better picture quality, etc. However, LCD projectors consume comparatively more power and suffer from burn-in effect.
Image projection − Changing electric signals are sent to each pixel in swift manner. Light is transferred through LCD panel and generates a bright pixel on screen and similarly light can be absorbed to generate a dark pixel on screen.
Difference between DLP Projector and LCD Projector
The following table highlights the important difference between DLP and LCD projectors −
| Factor | DLP Projector | LCD projector |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Reflective technology is used to project images. | Transmissive technology is used to project images. |
| Pixel visibility | Pixel visibility is poor. | Pixel visibility is high. |
| Color support | Those Colors are available which are acceptable for brightness. | LCD projectors are highly configurable to set color quality and accuracy. |
| Misconvergence | Misconvergence is not present. | Misconvergence is present. |
| Projection | Image is projected on screen by reflecting the light. | Light is transmitted to show the image on the screen. |
| Gap | Smaller gap between pixels as compared to LCD. | Large gap between pixels as compared to DLP. |
| Viewing angle | DLP projectors have the viewing angle less than 40°. | In LCD projectors, the viewing angle is upto 165°. |
| Power consumption | DLP projectors consume less power. It is because, there is no need of extra power for powering mirrors. | LCD projectors consume relatively more power than DLP projectors. |
| Refresh rate | For DLP projectors, the screen refresh rate is more than LCD. | LCD projectors have less screen refresh rate than DLP. |
| Thickness | The thickness of DLP projectors is more. | The thickness of LCD projectors is less. |
| Operating temperature | The operating temperature of DLP projectors is low. | The operating temperature of LCD projectors is high. |
| Burn-in effect | DLP projectors do not suffer from burn-in effect. | LCD projectors suffer from burn-in effect. |
| Lifespan | The average lifespan of a DLP projector is about 80,000 hours. | The average lifespan of an LCD projector is about 60,000 hours. |
| Applications | DLP projectors are used as simply projectors or in TV screens. | LCD projectors are used in TV screen, monitor screen, laptop screen, cell phone screen, etc. |
Conclusion
The most significant difference that you should note here is that DLP projectors operate based on the reflective technology of image formation, whereas LCD projectors are based on the transmissive technology of image formation.
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