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As I have expressed many times in my various articles, I am not a fan of rear projection HDTV, least of all being the single panel DLP variety. Oh, yes, one can get from such DLP applications a bright, high-contrast image with definition a little bit better that SDTV, but certainly not HDTV. That added with the spinning color wheel with its whirling noise, motion artifacts, and poor (very poor) color tracking makes a mockery out of the perceived "definition" of HDTV. But, now, there is new light shining that ameliorates many of these deficiencies to a great extent. Enter the elegant Light Emitting Diode (LED) luminance technology called "Phlatlight," an acronym for Photonic Lattice Light Source, developed by Luminus Devices Inc, Woburn, Massachusetts. Physically, the Phlatlight technology is deployed as individual panels, one for each primary color, red, green and blue. The light output from each panel is sequentially switched and focused on a single DLP. The DLP then generates the full color HDTV image that is, in-turn, projected to the viewing screen.
Individual Phlatlight LED Light Panels Advantages of this type of solid-state, micro-panel light source over arrays of separate LED's are numerous. But, arguably, the most salient characteristic offering the key to these advantages is the "lattice" structure of the emitting surface. This type of nanostructure fabrication allows the emitted light to be self-collimating, meaning that parallel rays are emitted from the surface without light loss from the panel edges. Self-collimation also eliminates the need for additional collimating lenses, thereby further increasing efficiency. Other significant advantages accrue from such single panel color light sources, including customized light-engine design, allowing the light panel to be matched precisely to given display chip parameters, simplified optical paths and enhanced reliability. The benefits to the users of this combination of advantages are bright, noise-free HDTV images with high contrast and superior color depth all in a very compact enclosure. Add these benefits to greatly enhanced system reliability, and the result is compelling. Manufacturers such as Samsung and NuVision are now marketing DLP RPTV's with PhlatLight technology in several screen sizes. Many of these models are even brighter, thinner second generation PhlatLight units. In addition, LG is employing PhlatLight chipsets in its HS101 pocket (front) projection unit. The PhlatLight system is also being developed for LCD flat panel display applications. In these applications the PhlatLight light emitting panels are located on the edge of the LCD display panel array, with the light being distributed to the array by light pipes. All of the advantages of Phlatlight sources described for RPTV are realized with flat-panel LCD applications. Look for these units in the market next year. It's getting better every day. Ed
Posted by Ed Milbourn, June 1, 2007 8:35 AM
Reader Commentary Ed, My experience with single chip DLP RPTV displays has been quite different from the assertions and perceptions in your openning paragraph. Most especially, the HLP and HLS series of Samsung HD DLPs can be calibrated to nearly perfect colorimetry. Certain DLP displays have included the adjustment parameters necessary to align their color primaries and secondaries to match both the 601 and 709 specifications. This is extremely rare in consumer televisions. What consumer displays have you seen with equal or better color accuracy? What exactly are you comparing DLP RPTVs to? Your description of "...definition a little bit better that (sic) SDTV, but certainly not HDTV," completely baffles me. This is far from my experiences in viewing, installing, and calibrating DLP RPTVs in the last several years. Perhaps you haven't been exposed to well-designed DLP RPTVs. There are ... I have yet to encounter a perfect HDTV design. Each display type has unique imaging strengths and weaknesses. Frequently, it's the specific application and viewing environment that determine which display type is best suited for the user. I simply cannot aggree with your generalized analysis of RPTV DLP HDTV performance. at the risk of putting you on the spot, so to speak, Ed, which HDTV design, in your estimation, comes as near to perfection as can be feasibiy expected with the HDTV technology as it stands today ? Given that the application and viewing environment are as near to the optimum without breaking the bank, so please don't do an end run around the question via the " it all depends " route. Edited by HD Library... Today, for RPTV, it is LCoS technology. For flat panel, it is LCD. Tomorrow, both will be better with LED lighting. Ed... Thank you, Ed, for your straightforward response. I happen to concur with your choices and prognosis.... People reading this thread should be aware that the statements made here are simply the opinions of individuals and not necessarily shared by others who do not necessarily have the same experiences voiced by the original poster(s). A lot of times some of these opinions (while the perfect right of the speaker) are so far off the mark from others' observations that they lead to rather heated discussions. In many cases, what one person considers extremely important is considered to be splitting hairs by another person. Everyone has their own perception of what makes for a good picture. I find it a bit confrontational when words such as "poor" and "mockery" are tossed about by someone trying to make an otherwise learned post. In my own experience I find it hard to describe DLP (even single chip DLP) in these terms or to state that HDTV on such devices is "certainly not HDTV." Maybe by that person's standards, but I would find it hard to believe that this is a major opinion by any... Robert, It is interesting you mentioned the key word ... Rodolfo, Thank you for your response. Your opinion and mine are on the same page here. It's just that you stated it far more eloquently and with considerably more substance than I did. Your analysis, as usual, makes for quite a compelling "view." I have absolutely no problem with people expressing their opinions on any matter in a public forum. That is, of course, their right and not something that I would argue against. My only concern is for the casual reader who might be looking for helpful information and take such a written position (especially one that mocks other alternatives) as technogical gospel rather than as opinion. The tendency for some to engage in "confrontational dialogue" is an unfortunate reality of our Internet environment and one of the reasons that I, as you, avoid certain sites where a combination of dubious information and an aggressive delivery make it hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Opinions are great to have and to share as long as e... More from Ed Milbourn
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About Ed MilbournAfter graduating from Purdue University with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Education in 1961 and 1963 respectively, Ed Milbourn joined the RCA Home Entertainment Division in 1963. During his thirty-eight year career with RCA (later GE and Thomson multimedia), Mr. Milbourn held the positions of Field Service Engineer, Manager of Technical Training and Manager of Sales Training. In 1987, he joined Thomson's Product Management group as Manager of Advanced Television Systems Planning, with responsibilities including Digital Television and High Definition Television Product Management. Mr. Milbourn retired from Thomson multimedia in December 2001, and is now a Consumer Electronics Industry consultant. |
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