Basic Technology
How Projectors Work
LCD Light Path |
DLP Light Path |
The operation of today's projection systems is based on receiving an electric
signal (either analog or digital) from a data source (computer, VCR, DVD, etc.)
transforming the signal into an image, and projecting the image onto a screen.
To do this, the signal must first be converted into a digital signal. If sent
as analog, it is passed through an analog-to-digital signal converter. The
digital signal is now ready to be processed into an image for projection.
Currently, there are two technologies used for projecting images: liquid-crystal
display (LCD) and Digital Light Processing™ (DLP).
LCD
Here, the digital signal is processed to polysilicon panels. A light source
is passed through a series of dichroic mirrors to separate the various color
wavelengths and then through the polysilicon panels where activated pixels
process the light into a final compiler before projection through the lens
and onto the screen.
DLP
Here, the digital signal is processed to a DMD™ chip. The light source
is passed through a color wheel and onto the DMD™ chip, and is then reflected
off the chip through the lens and onto the screen. The introduction of this
rather new technology has led to the further miniaturization of projection
systems.
DLP™ Projectors Buyer's Guide and Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ).
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