---   LCD PROJECTORS   ---


Facts and Information about LCD Projectors
 -- Jim Gelder, Projectorian.com


LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors are one of the less expensive types of projectors. This time-tested technology places three LCD glass panels in the projector, one for red, one for green, and one for blue.


These three colors are the basic building blocks of all other colors, and through this way, the LCD projector is able to generate a wide range of clear and accurate color images. As light moves through each of the three panels, pixels are opened individually to either allow light to pass, or block it.


LCD is a light efficient technology, which means that you do not need as high a lumen rating to achieve an equivalent result from a different technology. LCD takes the advantage in light output, since it produces more lumens with a lamp of the same wattage.


Images are generally brighter, and LCD will produce more saturated colors, which also leads to an image that seems brighter and more vivid overall. LCD images are very sharp and clear.


However, in some cases, especially when projecting video, pixelation can be more noticeable with an LCD projector, although with an XGA or higher resolution it is not a problem. However, LCD does have a low fill factor as compared to DLP, which makes DLP projectors more desirable for video.


This results in a screendoor effect, which is caused by the inter-pixel gap. Also, LCD has weaker contrast than other types of projectors, which makes it less desirable for video as well. But where color reproduction is an important factor, LCD is often the preferred technology. Regardless, either technology will produce a clear and vivid picture, especially with higher resolution projectors.


LCD technology has seen significant advancements over the past five years, and this has minimized the differences in quality between LCD and other technologies. LCD projectors will produce sharp data displays compared with other technologies, which makes it excellent for things like financial presentations.


For portability however, LCD loses out to DLP, simply because LCD requires three LCD panels, which makes it more difficult for manufacturers to create an ultralight portable LCD projector.


Another minor problem with LCD is long term degradation. Tests have shown that over time, some LCD panels will degrade, which will cause a shift in the color balance and reduced contrast. This is especially true in the blue panel. This may lead to the need to eventually replace LCD panels in your unit.


DLP units do not suffer from this problem. However, LCD has the upper hand over DLP in terms of the rainbow effect, which is an occasional artifact visible on the DLP screen to some viewers. The rainbow effect does not occur in LCD projectors.


In general, LCD projectors offer excellent performance at a good price point. Earlier limitations in terms of pixelation and contrast have been overcome in newer projectors, and LCD projectors can be used effectively in a wide variety of applications.





If you're an adventurous sort and are pretty handy, you may want to take a look at the DIY projector information from inventgeek.com which shows you how you can build your own LCD projector for as little as 200 dollars. For the rest of us, choosing an LCD projector can be a daunting task. See this guide for a useful checklist of sorts to look at before you buy.