DLP VS LCD

There is no simple answer.

I prefer DLP hands down. With LCD I tend to see motion blur and the screen door effect and it drives me nuts. Others may have similar issues with DLP. Although the latest of both these technologies seems to have improved on all of these issues.

Bottom line - go find one of each and watch it for 10-15 minutes. The only thing that matters is what you prefer. It's your money.

As far as nature of the beast... LCD projection uses transmissive LCD technology which is actually outdated. Yes, there have been big improvements but you can't overcome the nature of the beast. LCD requires the light path be cooled and that means filters need to be kept clean. Even then, that won't stop candle soot or tobacco smoke from being drawn into and through the light path. LCoS and variations there of, SXRD and DiLA, also require light path cooling. Some have had to replace very expensive light engines due to either the filters not getting cleaned causing a melt down or getting deposits of dirt and debri on the panels which shows up on screen.

DLP is the only MD technology that does not require this; the light path is sealed.

Nice to see factual information to help users make an intelligent buying decision.

I recently bought a new Samsung 46" LCD and struggled with the same question. I read all about both and spent time at the big box stores looking at both. Having just watched the NBA finals in over-the-air HD, I noticed NO blurring during fast action, so I'd say that the latest fast-response LCDs have that issue under control. Since the big box stores have all their DLP sets in subdued lighting situations, I'd guess that DLP might not be as good as LCD if you have a bright viewing room as I do. I also noted that the viewing angle on my Samsung was much wider than that of the DLP sets I saw. I finally took my wife to Best Buy and we looked at DLP, LCD and Plasma sets for a while before she told me that, clearly, the LCD sets had the superior picture. One other point: if you do have a bright viewing room or have lamps in the room while the TV is on, I'd advise against the shiny surfaced screens on some of the more expensive LCD sets. My Samsung has the matt finish screen, and we see NO reflections at all from windows or lamps.

There have also been multiple reports from owners on AVS Forum of dust particles becoming lodged in the light path of LCD and LCoS projectors (both front and rear projection). This results in blurry blobs in the image.

Another shortcoming of these 3-chip devices is chip misallignment from the factory. This results in color fringing of edges in the image and compromised sharpness. Single-chip DLP, by it's nature, will never have this problem.

Certain DLP projection displays uniquely allow for precise color management that provides very nearly perfect color primaries. LCD and LCoS displays have notoriously oversaturated, inaccurate, green primaries, and frequently oversaturate the red and/or blue as well. These devices can offer a decent gray scale, but as one moves outward in color space, toward more vivid coloration in an image, image fidelity will increasingly suffer. This is seen in any display type that does not provide effective color management, or accurate color from the start.

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.
www.cinemaquestinc.com

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"

I recently bought a new Samsung 46" LCD... we looked at DLP, LCD and Plasma sets for a while before she told me that, clearly, the LCD sets had the superior picture.

Appreciate the input although I am not sure what comparison TimH was eluding too. Seems most of us rightly assumed he was comparing projection technologies since DLP does not come in a flat panel. That said, I hear there will be some DLP product released by well established manufacturers towards the end of the year roughly twice as thick as LCD and Plasma flat panel technology. This should not be mistaken as an endorsement of that application; just sharing some tech news.

I have yet to see one of these extra-slim RPTV displays that does not have noticeable geometric distortion. This is due to the extremely short light path and reflection angles demanded by the constrained depth. Most obnoxious is the obvious bow along the top of the image with Cinemascope films. Look before you buy.

One comment, the danger of viewing different TV's in the "Big Box" stores is that they have no concept of how to set up a TV for optimal viewing. Typically, the TV's are brighter than recommended, which makes them appear better over the short term. However, viewing this picture setting over the long term would prove to be tiring and untrue to the eye. That is one of the reasons it costs more to buy from a dedicated small electronics shop, where you can view the best picture setting and compare the difference.

I would prefer the DLP. My lamp has lasted about 7000 hours(nearly 3 years) and I just replaced it for $200. Now I have a new TV. It is also calibrated(or was with the old bulb), and I have never seen a display anywhere-store, home or hotel, that could beat my 61" Samsung DLP for a great picture. But, results may vary.

i think LCD is better then DLP.

i think LCD is better then DLP.

Better in what way? Based on what?

I would say LCD because DLP big screens still require a phosphorus screen to display the image. These screens eventually go from black to gray (due to the natural effect of light hitting it so much) therefore degrading the image. This is one of the reasons why HDTV projection tv's suck in the long term.

Unless my understanding of DLP is woefully inadequate this is not true.
DLP does not use phosphorus it uses mirrors on a chip.
Hence it has super bright output.
Professionally, I can tell you that it makes for very bright projectors
in theaters and rock concerts, etc.
The most expensive ones use three chip sets and combine a Red/Green/Blue
image to form one full color projected image. These are the best and cost.

Brian.

You are correct Brian, DLP uses a 'chip' with an array of tiny mirrors electronically microscopically tilted to focus pixels of light through lens and mirror to screen. Original DLP sets and most current use a moterized wheel of color panels rotating between a High Intensity Light source and the DLP array to provide the colors. Some current DLP sets use LED color light source to eliminate the motorized color wheel mechanism.
Original projection sets (front and rear) used red, blue and green CRTs. This seems to be the technology chiques is thinking of.
My first HDTV was an RCA 61" rear projection using CRTs. I enjoyed it very much for about 6 years when I replaced it with a Samsung 61" DLP with their new LED light engine. It has been great (for a year now).
For the larger screen sizes (>52") the DLP offers a significant price advantage. I also like that I can't see the actual pixels at close viewing. The LED light engine should last the life of the set and should not shift in intensity and color as with a high intensity bulb. Also, it eliminates the (hi failure possibility) mechanical color wheel and motor. Elimination of the color wheel also has the advantage of not having the 'rainbow' effect some individuals perceive when viewing a DLP set.

From the initial question, the question is comparing LCD display technology to DLP technology. Yes, I agree; projectors do not use a phosphorus screen, but "television" DLP displays do. The DLP chip is simply what creates the image.

If you use a projector, to get maximum image quality ambient light must be at a minimum (pretty much dark). Unless you have really nice expensive plantation type shutters (or plywood on your windows), this is not practical in most house holds during the day with basic blinds or curtains.

Forget about using a projector to watch something outside during the day.

sorry to be pedantic but DLP means the mirrors on a chip system. No phosphors involved.
The screens are plastic special purpose RP screens built into cabinets to make DLP Televisions.
If you have any other questions check out the web site of the manufacturer, Texas Instruments.

http://www.dlp.com/tech/why.aspx

The version you may be referring to is RP (rear projection) using CRT guns. This is 20 year old tech.
Nothing horribly wrong with it except that it is expensive, low output, and a pain in the bum to register correctly.

And if you have a professional 3 chip DLP projector you will be able to see it fine in daylight. We are talking about
5K to 10K lumen output levels. These projectors cost upper 5 to lower 6 figures so most people will have never used
them. I am a stage hand so I have and they are awesome. About half of the screens you see at rock shows are DLP.

Having said all of this I will add that I know quite a few professionals that prefer the color/image rendering of LCD over DLP.
I prefer DLP's sharpness but they still prefer the smoothness of LCD instead.

Brian.

chiques,

The members are not steering you wrong... DLP does not have phosphors, only CRT and plasma.