DLP vs LCoS Projectors?

Question

Need some light to be shined on, this is the first time I have ever worked with projectors. I've come down to two great projectors, but both come with different technology: DLP and LCoS.

This is my scenario... I need the technology that will give me the brightest and sharpest picture for a large room (ie. conference rooms).

What is some pro's and con's for each technology, and which is best suitable for my situation?

MANY thanks in advance, I really appreciate it!

Answer 1

DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) are two popular, but as you recognize, quite different technologies for projectors. The third is LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). LCoS is best considered a special case of LCD with some distinct advantages.

I've included some links for further info, but basically the pros and cons of DLP, LCD and LCoS are as follows:

DLP can be made with a single or three DLP chip design (e.g. SIM2, Marantz). The single chip design (e.g. Optoma, Mitsubishi) is much less expensive ($1-3000 vs $10,000+). The single chip designs use a rotating wheel with various coloured transparent sections to generate a colour image. Modern DLP projectors have colour wheels that turn at what is called "5X" or more. Slower wheels can lead to "rainbow effect" (a visual disturbance) in susceptible viewers. Traditionally DLP projectors are known for their deep blacks and good dynamic range (although the advent of dynamic iris technology has led to LCD projectors exhibiting essentially equivalent results). Single ship DLP projectors are often less expensive than LCD and LCoS projectors partially because the latter require three panels not one, but also because the zoom range of the lens are (often) less and the projectors (often) lack vertical and horizontal offset capability (increases mounting flexibility).

LCD projectors (e.g. Panasonic, Sanyo, Epson) use three LCD panels (one for each colour) and therefore have no colour wheel. On the other hand, LCD projectors are less capable of extreme black (meaning slightly less "punch" to the image), a more visible pixel structure (called "screen door effect" and meaning you need to sit slightly further back to not see pixels), and more tendency to smearing with fast action.

LCoS projectors (e.g. JVC, Sony, Canon) are a variation on LCD technology (See links), with the primary benefit being no "screen door effect", excellent colour, but (as with LCD) risk of slow screen response and weaker black perfomance. That said a JVC LCoS projector is currently rated by several reviewers as the best under $10,000 projector.

I hasten to add that all pros and cons are "in general" since there are examples of specific models in each class that have overcome the "traditional" disadvantages of the technology.  Therefore, your choice really shouldn't be based on the underlying technology, but on performance.

Since all projectors differ in their specific strengths and weaknesses and each fits certain needs better than others I strongly suggest defining your needs (e.g. room size, screen size, light conditions, type of programming, budget) and finding projectors that best meet these needs. The last two links provide a wealth of information to help.