Portable Digital Projector Technology
As of this writing there are three projector technologies on the market.
The two most commonly found types used with a portable digital projector are LCD (liquid crystal display) and DLP (digital light processing).
DLP projectors tend to have better contrast and better black levels, while the LCD projectors have better color saturation, usually less fan noise, and operate at a lower temperature.
There are some differences between these two types of projectors that should be taken into consideration when deciding which projector would best suit your needs. DLP projectors use a color wheel to generate an image which can sometimes cause a “rainbow effect”. Because of this, some viewers will sometimes see flashes of solid color. DLP projectors that use faster color wheels have minimized this effect, but have not totally eliminated it.
Placement in relation to the screen can also be more tricky with a DLP projector than with a LCD. However, LCD projectors have an issue known as a “screen door effect” where images appear as if you were viewing them through a mesh panel or screen. Overall opinion is that the DLP projector has the advantage because it produces a more cinematic image, while the LCD version holds a slight price advantage.
A third technology, LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) is newer than DLP and LCD and is quickly gaining popularity. LCoS projectors have very good picture quality and do not suffer from the rainbow or screen door effect. Initially, LCoS theater projectors cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000. Although recent technological advances have helped lower the price of these projectors, they are still a bit pricier than DLP and LCD projectors. You can now find LCoS projectors under $2,000.
You can usually feel confident buying from most of the reputable brand names out there by knowing certain facts can be very helpful when shopping for any projector. Obviously, the ultimate decision will be dictated by your needs and your budget. Click on any of the images or visit here to see how you can get great savings on new or used projectors.
