Picture Reliability in Projectors: DLP™ vs. LCD
Some projector buyers are not concerned about long term use of their projector. They are comfortable with replacing a projector when new technology is released - usually in just a couple of years. However, other buyers consider projectors an investment. They would prefer not to invest in new equipment for a longer period of time. This is particularly true for buyers with tight budgets such as educational, religious, and home theater users.
Realizing this, Texas Instruments commissioned a study comparing the long term image fidelity of LCD and DLP™ projectors. TI believed that because it is entirely digital, DLP™ would outperform LCD, better serving buyers who keep their projectors for extended periods of time. The study was performed by the researchers at the Munsell Color Science Laboratory at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Study Methodology
The researchers at the Munsell Laboratory ran several projectors, DLP™ and LCD, for 4,000 continuous hours in a darkened room which was maintained at 25 degrees Celsius. All projectors tested used input signals from the very same source material.
Which Technology Reproduces A More Reliable Image Over Time?
The Munsell study indicated that LCD projectors produced visible picture defects as early as 2,500 hours of use. By contast, DLP™ projectors did not produce visible defects through 4,000 hours of use. LCD projector's defects occurred in blue, red, and green channel polarizer and in the panels themselves. Since LCD projector lamps tend to last between 2000-4000 hours, that means LCD projectors may begin to fail at approximately the same time that a new lamp is necessary. DLP™ projector's image quality was proven to outlast LCD projectors by 37 percent.
Who Benefits from A More Reliable Image?
Buyers with tight budgets like schools, churches, small businesses, or home theater users will most be most affected by these findings. Some school systems, churches, and small businesses have been reluctant to upgrade from older overhead projectors or slide projectors to multimedia video projectors due to price and longevity. Lower priced DLP™ projectors such as the InFocus X1, BenQ DS650, and Sharp PG-M20S resolve concerns over longevity and total cost of ownership. Home theater enthusiasts will appreciate the consistency of the image over time
Cables in the long run.
Are you considering running your S-video, RCA, or Composite cable farther than 25 feet from the DLP™ projector to the video source? If so, you may experience some signal degradation or loss. If you can't find a more direct route to connect your components, a distribution amplifier may be just what you need.
DVI cables should be run no more than 10 feet. Distribution amplifiers are available for DVI connections, however they can only boost the signal around 15 ft.
For more about cables and distribution amplifiers, please call 1-888-252-6718 and speak to a DLP™ projector expert.
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SVGA (800 x 600) 1100 lumens 6.8 pounds Subscriber price: $899**Price is after rebate if cash back option is chosen. Free DVD player or $100 cash back option available.
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XGA (1024 x 768) 1100 lumens 3 lbs. Subscriber price: $2,149**Price is after rebate if cash back option is chosen. Free DVD player or $200 cash back option available.
