Digital Light Processing (DLP)

Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a display technology that has made display screens thinner and flatter. These days, heavier and bigger TVs are no longer needed for a projection as DLP display can project high quality images in a big but thinner monitor. The DLP technology uses reflected light to create image unlike Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) that projects light through the tube. In 1987, Texas Instruments invented an optical semiconductor called Digital Micro mirror Device (DMD).

The small chip is basically a switch that can digitally regulate supply of electricity via millions of microscopic mirrors arranged in a rectangular array. These mirrors are set in such way that they can either turn on or off thousands of time per second when electricity is applied. They combine together to create light and dark pixels on screen. The light passes through a color wheel before it hits pixels thus creating the perfect color at the time of final display. The DLP system can digitally produce millions of colors and is capable of incredible color reproduction.

The future potential of DLP technology is really very bright. Its seamless picture or image quality, ultra luminosy and reliability as well as it being able to display both computer and TV graphics make it a technology for the future. Moreover, Texas Instruments is always developing the DLP system. It has recently developed a more advanced chip called DC3 which adds a new rear coating to the mirrors thus making images more bright and clear. But DLP is facing stiff completion from LCD displays. While none of the technologies are perfect, both enjoy some advantages over the other.

The LCD has been producing better saturation than the DLP projectors. LCD also has better image quality than the DLP at any resolution. On the other hand, DLP has only one chip; it is lighter and more compact. DLP is also the preferred choice in home theatre section as it can produce better contrast video. DLP has one problem though, known as the Rainbow Effect. Sometimes, a spinning color wheel appears on the screen that causes slight distraction.