What is better an LCD projector or a DLP projector if there are more types and they are better please tell me.

Question

What is better an LCD projector or a DLP projector if there are more types and they are better please tell me.

Answer 1

I think the DLP projectors are best.

Theoretically, the CRT is best, but not in actual practice. In addition to the problems already mentioned, a CRT projector has to be focused and aligned for every install. It's a tedious and time consuming process. With DLP and LCD, it just basically point, zoom and focus.

One type not mentioned are the laser projectors. They are probably the future or maybe the similar LED projectors.

BTW, I own a single chip DLP, 2 (3 panel) LCD and 3 CRT projectors. I bought these for doing visuals for RAVE parties.

Answer 2

There are also DLP-based projectors that use LED lights that have many advantages over traditional DLPs; for example, you may never have to change the light.

However, unless you really want a big and cheap TV (over 50") I would think twice before I buy a projection TV.

Answer 3

There is no easy way to answer the question. "Better" must be considered in context (like price, use (business or home), room size, portability, personal taste) ... and you didn't give any.

Technically, CRT projectors are recognized as giving (probably) the best picture, BUT they are huge, heavy, expensive and relatively low light output.

DLP and LCD are the most common types of projectors for home and business use. See the link for a good overview of pros and cons. BTW "Earth: The ...." response is a good overview BUT he has it backwards about the inter pixel spacing of DLP and LCD. LCD is generally MORE prone to "screen door effect" (with the exception of the Panasonic models that apply special techniques) than DLP. On the other hand single chip DLP projectors are more prone to causing "RBE" (rainbow effect) in suceptible viewers.

Single panel DLP projectors tend to be less expensive than LCD (which need 3 LCD panels to work), but often have less mounting flexibility because they don't have lens offset capability and (often) narrower lens zoom capacity.

Note, there are 4 generations of DLP chip (the latest is the Darkchip 4) and also projectors that employ either 1 chip or 3. Later generations of chip and the 3 chip models are superior. In the case of the 3 chip models you are looking at prices over $10,000 (sometimes $30,000 or more).

Note, while by no means always true, there can be fairly major differences between home theatre and business projectors (LCD and DLP models are available in either use category). Business projectors are often the least expensive models, but may be (in general) characterized as high brightness (often well over 1000 lumens), low contrast (typically under 1000:1), have poor video processing, are readily portable, higher fan noise and often lower resolution than home theatre projectors.

The last type of projector, LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) is often considered superior to either single chip DLP or 3 panel LCD. But until recently LCOS (Called D-ILA by JVC, LCOS by Canon and SXRD by Sony) was characterized as most filmlike (least intepixel grid (93% fill factor)), brilliant colours, but relatively low contrast ratio (and inferior blacks to DLP). Recent Sony and JVC home theatre projectors have improved contrast ratios (>15,000:1), although blacks are still best on a DLP (or CRT) projector. They are also more expensive than 3 panel LCD or 1 chip DLP models at the same resolution class. See the 2nd link for a review of the latest JVC.

Note that, while not a practical home theatre projector, Sony make $100,000+ SXRD projectors capable of 4K resolution (i.e. 2160p). 3rd link

So .. bottom line ... the sentimental choice for "best" projector is a CRT model, but practically speaking the 3 chip DLP designs are the ultimate home theatre projector (See one model reviewed at the last link) and the Sony SXRD 4K models are the ultimate format for the professional user.

For the "normal consumer" the latest LCOS models form Sony or JVC are arguably the best overall. BUT all projectors have pros and cons that might make one type/model rise to the top for a particular user.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Theoretically, the old fashion three gun CRT projectors are the best, even today. They are true raster devices, meaning that there is no break, or border, between the individual pixels (making them intrinsically similar to film) and they make black effortlessly. Trouble is, they are a dying breed, and can only be found at the highest of price ranges.

DLP is popular for bright rooms. The light source is bounced off mirrors so very little light output is lost before the lens. DLP tends to have the largest borders around the individual pixels, leading to "screen door" effect. Meaning, it looks as if you are watching your picture through a screen door.

LCD will provide a smoother, more film-like picture, but you really need a darker room for proper viewing. With LCD, ANSI lumens is an important spec. The bigger the number, the brighter the projector.

LCoS (liquid crystal on semiconductor) is another option. This is used by JVC in their HDila units and by Sony in their SXRD units, along with a few others. LCoS, in my opinion, will deliver the best picture when compared to competing technologies in the same price range. These devices are closer to CRT or film projectors than LCD or DLP. We would see a lot more of these projectors, but the LCoS chips are difficult and expensive to make.

Edit:

Nice catch agb. I incorrectly stated that DLP has the "largest" borders around the pixels. and I wasn't clear on my "more filmlike" comment regarding LCD. With a brand new CRT projector, in a dark room, I turn the contrast down to zero. This will put it in the neighborhood of a SMPTE calibration. Out of the box, uncalibrated, the transmissive LCD looks closer to that image than DLP due in part to typically lower contrast ratios and also due to their intrinsic transmissive design. As you said, the fill factor sucks on LCD so to compensate, I slightly overdrive the color which bleeds over the "screen door" with glow. That's why I don't own an LCD projector. lol

Good answer btw. Complete and including links!