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LCD vs. DLP: The Ultimate HD Television Comparison
After
reading a few tech/gadget magazines I realized that there was very little
information on the new DLP televisions and how they compare to any other
state of the art television, such as LCD. Therefore, this article will
not only discuss and tell you what DLP is, but also compare DLP televisions
with LCD in order to find out which is a better buy for the home theatre
enthusiast.
DL
Wha?
 DLP
stands for Digital Light Processor, a technology created by Texas Instruments.
The magic behind DLP televisions is the ~580,000 tiny mirrors that are
used to reflect, or deflect, light to or from the screen; each mirror
represents one pixel on the screen. Each single mirror has its own tiny
motor that can tilt it up to twenty degrees thousands of times a second.
Because of this ability, DLP is able to offer beautiful contrast as it
can create up to 1024 shades of gray alone. Besides the advanced mirror
functions of DLP televisions, their design and technology is rather simple.
A lamp in your television creates the light which then goes through a
color wheel which then hits the DMD [Digital Micromirror Device] chip.
The chip then decides how to angle each mirror for proper, and pretty
much perfect, user viewing.
LCD-
The Flat TV
LCD
stands for Liquid Crystal Display. The technology involved with LCD televisions
are tiny liquid filled crystal cells that have been placed between two
sheets of glass. Each cell receives a certain amount of voltage that causes
it to react by filtering white light. Depending on the voltage, the LCD
cell will only allow one light wavelength to get through to the screen.
The advantage of this is that the colors displayed by LCD televisions
is very grand and vibrant as each color spectrum is filtered by a single
cell.
Finding
the Contrasts
The
first formidable advantage of DLP televisions is their size and price.
The average size of a DLP television is ~52" while LCD is ~22".
You can also find DLPs for $2,700 and up while LCDs are typically much
more expensive for smaller dimensions.
Contrast
As
stated previously, DLPs do exceptionally well with contrast levels. A
DLP television can have a contrast range from 1000:1 to 1500:1 while an
LCD television is only from 350:1 to 800:1.
Picture
 Even
though LCD claims they have the best picture within 'optimum viewing,'
I found the DLP to look much better when the two televisions were put
side by side. LCD's greatest problem is what is known as the 'screen door
effect' as the viewer can see pixelation. This is also more apparent while
fast motion occurs across an LCD screen that fails to refresh quick enough.
However, some have also complained that DLP can cause viewers to see the
'rainbow effect.' It is said that some people can see a color bar appear on the screen [at times] as an issue from the color wheel that DLP uses.
I watched the DLP [60"] for some time and failed to notice anything
of that sort.
Color
Brightness/Accuracy/Saturation
The
LCD obviously has the advantage in this department with its vibrant colors
[anyone who has seen an XGA flat panel monitor knows what I mean]. However,
when it comes to brightness, home theatre enthusiasts could take the time
with the DLP settings to shrink the gap considerable between the two television
types.
LCD televisions are also slightly more accurate on color than the DLPs.
This is because LCDs have a chip for each color, red/blue/green, while
DLPs rely on the color wheel to output color to the DMD chip.
Eventhough it would seem LCDs have the advantage in this arena, there
is one slight problem. LCDs light bulbs dim after some time [~3 years]
and the colors will lose their brightness and vibrance. Replacing the bulbs
can be difficult and expensive. DLPs also have bulbs that will dim but
replacing them is usually easy and inexpensive, making your television
like new once again.
Final
Verdict
To
be in full honest, save your money [in both ways] and buy a DLP television.
For the price, you can amaze your guests, and yourself, with beautiful
displays in larger sizes [find room for the 61"]. If you have any
doubts go to your local television dealer and compare the two for yourself.
You should find that DLP is the king of clean visuals. Unless, of course,
you want to hang your television on the wall [then where would you put all your
home theatre components].
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