DLP or LCD Technology

[Brain Sturgeon]

Okay, off the top of my head regarding LCD, LCOS, DLP:

LCD:

• Transmissive triple panel technology using dichroic mirrors and prism
  
• Poorest black levels of the three technologies, although improving, particularly with the use of dynamic irii.
• Most visible pixel structure of the three, although technology such as Panasonic's Smooth Screen improves some of this.
• Can have "dead" pixel(s)
• As with any multi-panel technology, can have issues with convergence.
• Susceptible to motion blur (depends on how sensitive you are).
• Tend to produce more lumens output than LCOS and single chip DLP (more light efficent with high output Metal Halide lamps): 1000-1500 lumens, although significantly less @ D65 "best viewing mode" at ~500-600 lumens
• Very good color saturation
• Can have very sharp image quality depending on the lens
• Generally the most affordable of the three technologies.
• Non-sealed light path which is susceptible to dust blobs.

LCOS (AKA JVC's D-ILA or Sony's SXRD)

• Reflective three panel technology
  
• Highest native sequential contrast and best pure black level performance (particularly the JVC's, some of which have >30,000:1 native on/off-- Sony's have lower native on/off, but use a dynamic iris to improve this metric)
• Lower ANSI contrast (<300:1)
• Some issues with panel uniformity, although this has improved with advancing technology & manufacturing know-how.
• As with any multi-panel technology, can have issues with convergence.
• Susceptible to motion blur.
• Sometimes described as having a "softer, film-like image", although this is debatable.
• Light output in the 250-700 D65 Lumens range.
• Sealed light path.

DLP

• Reflective Digital Micromirror Devices, single chip or three chip variants.
  
• Mid level sequential contrast between LCD and LCOS. Best in class have 6000-8000:1 native on/off.
• Highest ANSI contrast, thought to be a contributor to "3-D effect"
• Very sharp images
• Less susceptible to motion blur, particularly three chip variants.
• Sealed light path.

Specifics for single chip DLP variants:

• Susceptible to color separation artifacts (aka Rainbow effect-- some are more sensitive to this than others).
• Uses a spinning color wheel which can produce more noise.
• No convergence issues
• Lumens output in the ~250-700 range

Specifics for triple chip DLP variants:

• As with any multi-panel technology, can have issues with convergence.s
• No color separation artifacts
• Very high ANSI contrast (600-1000:1)
• Highest potential light output (>1200 D65 lumens, some up to 5000-6000)
• Extremely expensive

LCD's tend to be the least expensive, but a lower quality build goes along with this. LCOS machines tend to be mid-range in price. DLP machines can run from low cost to extremely expensive, with three chip DLPs typically in the ~$20k and up range. As with most things, you get what you pay for.

Three chip DLPs are arguably the pinnacle of quality projected images at this time. For larger home theaters (screens > 12' wide), and commercial theaters, this is pretty much the only choice.

No projector is perfect for everyone-- you just have to find the one that has the least amount of warts given the specifics and limitations (if any) of your theater set-up.

Hope this helps...