Projectors and Screens

 

LCD Projectors and DLP Projectors

LCD Projectors
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projectors contain three separate LCD glass panels (they are commonly referred to as 3LCD projectors), one each for the red, green, and blue components of the video signal. Each LCD panel contains thousands (or millions) of liquid crystals that can be aligned in either open, closed, or partially closed positions to allow light to pass through. Each liquid crystal behaves in essence like a shutter or blind, and each represents a single pixel ("picture element"). As red, green, and blue light passes through the respective LCD panels, the liquid crystals open and close based on how much of each color is needed for that pixel at that moment in time. This activity modulates the light and produces the image that is projected onto the screen.

Projected images are produced by the combination of light shinning through the LCD cells. LCD's have excellent color saturation, usually have adjustable brightness and contrast, are typically brighter than DLP's at the same lumen output, and have a broader range of connectivity.

DLP Projectors
DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors were developed by Texas Instruments and project images by reflecting lights against hundreds of tiny mirrors called digital micro devices (DMD). Each mirror represents one pixel, is powered by electronics that adjust the angle of the mirror according to the color begin displayed. DLP projectors are lighter in weight than their LCD counterparts.

They are all digital technology and typically have higher contrast ratios, meaning that they project video images better than LCD's.

LCD Projectors vs. DLP Projectors
There doesn't seem to be a clear preference towards either. The main difference is in how the projector will be used— business, educational, or home theater use. Both technologies produce excellent pictures, and are getting better all the time.

Picture quality in digital projectors has improved dramatically over the past decade with significant increases in contrast, resolution, and color performance. Prices have dropped like a rock, and high quality projection systems that once were very expensive and mainly aimed at wealthy consumers or businesses who really needed them, are now within the budgets of mass consumers.

Some manufacturers are producing only 3LCD projectors, whereas others still manufacture both 3LCD and DLP projectors. The bottom line is that whichever format you prefer, the prices are getting lower all the time.

Home Enhancement Systems is an Optoma Authorized Reseller and a ViewSonic Authorized Partner, and also has projectors available from Epson an other leading manufacturers.

Screens

The video projection screen is just as important as the projector itself. Projection Screens come in various fabrics, sizes, and prices.

The type of screen that will work best depends on the projector, the viewing angle, the amount of ambient light in the room, and the distance of the projector from the screen. The following outlines what you need to know before purchasing a video projection screen for your home theater.

Room Characteristics
Take a look at the room you will be placing the video projector in. Is the room of sufficient size to project a large image on the wall area you intend to use? Check for ambient light issues, such as windows, french doors, or other factors that would prevent the room from being dark enough for video projection use.

Screen Distance, Size and Seating Position
The projector-to-screen distance determines how large an image can be projected on the screen, while the viewer seating position determines the optimum viewing distance. The lens type of the video projector being considered also determines how large an image can be projected from a given distance. Video projectors have different lens characteristics. User manuals include specific charts and diagrams that show what size image a projector can produce. Some manufacturers also provide this same information on their websites.

Screen Aspect Ratio
Because widescreen DVD and HDTV are so popular, the most video projection screens are 16x9 aspect ratio. This accommodates widescreen programming display on all, or most, of the actual screen surface area, while the 4x3 design will result in a larger unused screen surface area when viewing widescreen programming. However, 4x3 design will allow the projection of a much larger 4x3 image, which would fill the entire screen surface. Although video projectors designated as Home Theater or Home Cinema Projectors project a 16x9 native aspect ratio image, they can be configured for 4x3 display.

Other Considerations
Video projection screens are made to reflect as much light as possible to produce a bright image in a specific type of environment.

• Permanent screens vs. pull down (or motorized) screens, or portable screens.
• The type of screen material used.
• Viewing angle characteristics of the screen.

Contact us for more information about projectors and screens