How 3LCD Technology Works

A diagram showing how a projector using 3LCD technology works

Creating Colours from White Light:

A projector using 3LCD technology works by first splitting the white light from the lamp into its
three primary colours of red, green and blue by passing the lamp light through special dichroic
filter / reflector assemblies called “dichroic mirrors.” Each dichroic mirror only allows specific
colored wavelengths of light to pass through while reflecting the rest away. In this way, the white
light is split into its three primary color beams and each is directed toward, and subsequently
through its own LCD panel.

Image Generation at the LCDs:

The three LCD panels of the projector are the elements that receive the electronic signals to
create the image which is to be projected. Each pixel on an LCD is covered by liquid crystals. By
changing the electrical charge given to the liquid crystals, each pixel on an LCD can be darkened
until it is totally opaque (for full black), lightened until it is totally transparent (allowing all the
lamp light to pass through for full white), or shaded in varying degrees of translucence (for
different shades of gray). This is similar to how a digital watch’s characters appear bold and
black on its LCD when its battery is new, but start to fade gradually as its battery weakens. In
this way, the brightness level on every pixel for each primary color can be very precisely
controlled to produce the final pixel's specific color and brightness level required on the screen.

Color Image Recombination and Projection:

After each colored light is filtered through its individual LCD panel, the beams are recombined
in a dichroic prism that forms the final image which is then reflected out through the lens.

[edit] Competition
For mainstream projectors, the competitors to 3LCD technology are single-chip DLP technology
(developed by Texas Instruments) and to a much lesser extent, LCOS projection technology.
[edit] Claimed Advantages
Proponents of 3LCD projection technology claim that it has the following advantages over it
closest competing technologies:

• 3LCD projectors are supposedly able to produce brighter colors compared to those using
single-chip DLP technology. This is because 3LCD projectors mix and project the light
beams from all three colours to form each individual pixel's color, while single-chip DLP
projectors create colors by projecting them in sequence one at a time and rely on human
color perception to mix and interpret the correct colors for each pixel.
• The way a single-chip DLP projector works sometimes causes viewers to see a "rainbow"
or "color breakup" effect where false colors are briefly perceived when either the image
or the observer's eye is in motion. As all three primary colors are displayed all the time
by 3LCD projectors, they do not suffer from this effect.
• 3LCD projectors are able to display finer image gradations by giving each pixel on the
projected image a smooth variation in brightness levels. This is because the liquid
crystals for each pixel on an LCD panel can be given fine levels of opacity by varying the
electrical charge. On the other hand, a single-chip DLP projector has a single mirror
reflecting the lamp light to the lens on its DMD chip for each pixel. It varies the
brightness of each pixel by vibrating the mirror between its on or off state in varying
frequencies and relies on human perception to interpret the brightness of each pixel.
• 3LCD projectors typically use less power compared to a single-chip DLP projectors of
the same brightness rating.
• 3LCD projectors are typically more affordable than those using LCOS or 3-chip DLP
technologies.

[edit] Claimed Disadvantages

• 3LCD projectors usually have a "screen door" effect
• 3LCD projectors are typically more costly than single-chip DLP ones of similar
specifications.
• Single-chip DLP projectors typically have higher contrast ratios compared to 3LCD ones
of similar price or brightness rating.
• The LCD panels and dichroic mirrors in 3LCD projectors may degrade with time,
causing color shifts, unevenness of illumination, and reduction of contrast. The single
DMD chip in single-chip DLP projectors tend to have a longer life span.
• The smallest single-chip DLP projectors are smaller than the smallest 3LCD projector
models.
• Current LCOS projector models typically deliver sharper images at higher resolutions
that 3LCD projectors.

Hitachi CP-X10000 Projector Price in India: 79,999 INR.

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CP-X10000
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Uncompromising quality, flexibility of installation and extended product life are features on
offer with our Professional Series Installation Projectors. Life of the product is extended
considerably with virtually maintenance free inorganic LCD panels and polarizer filters. A wide
lens shift and a wide variety of optional lenses provide greater range of movement and projection
distances. This series also boasts superb quality with an impressive contrast ratio of 2500:1 (with
Iris), a 10-bit digital signal processor and a high quality scaler chip on board.

• Brightness: 7500 ANSI Lumens

• Resolution: XGA
• Contrast ratio: 2500:1
• Super Hybrid FIlter: 20,000 hour cleaning cycle
• Lamp life: 4000 hours (Eco Mode)*
• Wired networking feature
• 6 optional lenses
• Wide lens shift

Features at a glance

• 3LCD - A sophisticated, innovative technology that utilises 3 chips to

deliver vibrant, true-to-life and consistent images for the most demanding audiences.

• Super Hybrid Filter - The new Super Hybrid Filter is the best you'll find
on the market. It lasts an exceptional 6000 hours - to make maintenance less frequent and
reduce replacement costs.

• Blackboard/Whiteboard Mode - Projecting onto coloured or shiny

backgrounds can make images appear either dull or uncomfortably bright. This mode
ensures optimal brightness whether the screen is black, green or shiny white.

• Low TCO - Significantly extended maintenance intervals resulting from

long-life parts reduces the total cost of ownership.

• Optional Lenses - Installations are more flexible with a range of optional

bayonet lenses. Choose from Fixed Short, Short, Long and Ultra Long throw lenses,
designed to suit different requirements.

• Wider Lens Shift - With Hitachi's lens shift technology, the image range of
movement grows even wider allowing the projector to be placed freely among any
number of possible locations.

• Vertical Projection - Images can be projected at 90 degrees up or down,

opening up a whole new range of applications.
• Advanced Networking - Manage and control multiple projectors over
LAN. Turn the projector on and off, schedule email alerts and monitor projectors all via
the network.

• HDMI - Get the highest quality image by connecting the latest in A/V
equipment to the projector with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface).

• Long Life Lamp - Using Eco Mode, lamp life is extended to more than
6,000 hours - equivalent to the projector being used for three hours a day over a period of
ten years.

• Template Function - This unique Hitachi feature allows you to project

different patterns of lines and grids onto a whiteboard, blackboard or flip chart, making
writing and drawing easier.

• Virtually Maintenance Free - Hitachi projectors are designed to be easy to

use and require minimal maintenance. Long-life parts significantly extend the
maintenance intervals, reducing cost and any inconvenience.

• Daytime Mode - It can be harder to see a projected picture when the sun is
shining brightly. Projections are always vivid and colourful in a bright environment with
Daytime Mode.

• Quick On/Off - Plug in, turn on and present. The Quick On/Off feature and
automatic resolution equals fast set-up

• Input Source Naming - Personalise devices and inputs to the projector - for
example, re-name a device input to "Tom's Laptop" for easy recognition.

• Ultra Quiet - With a low noise level of 29dB in our latest models, the
internal fan is one of the quietest in its class. The audience will hear the presenter, not the
operating noise of the projector.

• My Button - Assign custom functions or common tasks to a programmable

button on your remote control.

• Centralised Reporting Function - Using a single PC, create HTML reports

for a group of networked projectors to simplify maintenance requirements.
• Audio Pass Through - When all you need is sound and not pictures, this
convenient feature lets you hear the projector's speakers whilst the rest is on stand-by -
helping to preserve lamplife.

• Vertical Keystone Correction - Correct misaligned images automatically

with vertical keystone correction.

• Horizontal Keystone Correction - Correct misaligned images with

horizontal keystone correction.

• Progressive Scan - Typically with moving images, each frame of video is

shown in two halves - odd lines and even lines. Progressive Scan enables every line of a
video frame to be displayed simultaneously resulting in crisp, smooth motion and
reduced flicker and judder.

• On Screen Display (OSD) - The new menu is much easier to use.

Navigating through the different options is easier, whilst settings are clearly named.
 Projector Features and Considerations

Finding the right commercial projector is easier than you might imagine. There are hundreds of projectors
currently on the market, but you can use our Feature Search to locate the best models for your
presenting needs. All you need to do is answer four simple questions:

• What Resolution do I need?

• How Bright should it be?
• Do Weight & Portability matter?
• How much should I Budget?

After a review of these key considerations, go to Feature Search and enter your criteria. The
search engine will return a list of the projectors that will meet those criteria.

After this, you can narrow the list further. Go to the list of Other Key Features & Functionality.
These issues will help you eliminate products from the list that lack the features you need. Some
of these features may be critically important to you, so take a moment to check through it
carefully.

The amount of data that can be displayed on the screen at any given time is determined by a
projector's resolution. Resolution is an indicator of the number of pixels the projector uses to
create the image. The more pixels it uses, the higher the resolution.

Resolution is usually quoted in two numbers, such as "1024x768," where the first number refers
to the pixels from side to side across the screen, and the second number refers to the pixels from
top to bottom.

Resolution can be quoted in other ways, as well. For example, 1024x768 is also known as XGA,
for eXtended Graphics Array. This terminology is primarily used for computer monitors, but
extends to projectors as well. Since there is little rhyme or reason to this naming scheme, the
only way to learn it is memorization. Common resolutions will be discussed later in this article.

When speaking of a projector's resolution, it is common to refer to "native" resolution. If a

projector's native resolution is 1024x768, that means that the actual number of physical pixels on
the display is 1,024 pixels per horizontal row by 768 pixels per vertical column.

How much resolution do I need?

High-resolution projectors are able to show more picture details than low resolution projectors.
Since there are more pixels used to make the image, each individual pixel is smaller, so the
pixels themselves become less visible on the screen. However, you will generally pay more for
higher resolution.
Lower resolution projectors are much less expensive, and they can produce images that are just
as bright and attractive as higher resolution machines. Unless you have a need to display fine
detail, lower resolution products will be your best bet from a cost perspective.

Resolution options

Some basic choices for native resolution are the following:

1. SVGA (800x600) - SVGA projectors are great for those on a tight budget, since prices
have dropped dramatically in recent years. While most computers still output in higher
resolution, SVGA can be a good option for Powerpoint presentations or other
applications that are not heavily dependent on detail.
2. XGA (1024x768) - XGA projectors have come down in price over the past few years,
and have become the budget standard. Many laptop computers still output in native XGA,
and matching an XGA projector to your native XGA laptop ensures you won't lose any
detail.
3. WXGA (1280x800) - WXGA products are high resolution widescreen products, and
usually a bit more expensive than XGA. These products are targeted for use with mid-
range widescreen laptops, which often use 1280x800 natively. They are becoming
increasingly common and are used as an inexpensive widescreen alternative to XGA.
4. SXGA+ (1400x1050) - SXGA+ projectors are becoming more popular, and there are
several offerings available in both budget and high-end configurations. SXGA+
resolution is useful for detailed photography and data graphics, but overkill for text
display or Powerpoint presentations.
5. UXGA (1600x1200) - UXGA is for very high resolution workstation applications that are
detail or information intensive. These are expensive projectors that support a broad range
of computer equipment. Relatively few products on the market have this native
resolution.

Which resolution is right for you?

One of the key factors in choosing the right resolution is your typical application. Do you have a
need for very accurate display of small visual details, or are you looking for a general
presentation tool for text and small graphics?

If your primary use of the system is for Powerpoint presentations, charts, graphs, and general
business display, you probably don't need to pay extra for very high resolution equipment.
SVGA or XGA resolution projectors are perfect for this kind of work, and the best solution for
the money. WXGA is a good widescreen option, if required.

If you are projecting engineering drawings, digital photography, complex Excel spreadsheets, or
other images of a highly detailed or technical nature, you will probably need a projector of
SXGA+ resolution or higher to produce an acceptable image for your purposes.

Matching your computer to your projector

Keep in mind that the best resolution for your projector is often the resolution of the computer
you intend to use with it. Laptops in particular can have a maximum resolution identical to the
native resolution of their built-in display. Desktop computers are more likely to have many
options for output resolution, which can open up your choice of projectors.

If you typically use a notebook computer with XGA resolution, you will want a projector with
the same native XGA resolution in order to get the sharpest and cleanest image. Similarly, if you
normally use a laptop with higher than XGA output, such as SXGA+, you will get the best
picture from a projector that has the same native resolution. If you use a desktop computer with a
range of possible resolutions, choose the resolution most appropriate for the content you want to
display.

Projectors on the market today are capable of projecting input signals other than their native
resolutions. For example, you can almost always hook up an XGA laptop to an older SVGA
projector. The projector will automatically convert the incoming 1024x768 signal to its native
800x600 output. However, there is always a loss of sharpness and detail in the process, so you
will end up with a picture that is not as sharp or clear as it would be if the incoming signal had
been in the projector's native resolution.

This loss of sharpness also happens if you plug an XGA computer into a higher-resolution
SXGA+ projector. You will usually get a decent image, but the conversion from 1024x768 input
to a 1400x1050 output will produce some softness that you may not appreciate after having spent
the money for an SXGA+ projector. The loss in quality incurred by making a large resolution
smaller is generally less severe than that incurred by making a small resolution larger.

The projector's process of converting a different input format to its native output format is called
scaling. Making a small resolution larger is known as upconversion, while making a large
resolution smaller is known as compression. Some projectors are very good at scaling, so the
resulting image softness is relatively minor and quality degradation is almost negligible. The
quality of scaling varies widely among projectors and, like all technology, it is constantly being
improved. Scaling is an important consideration, so whenever possible, try to see the projector
demonstrated as you would use it.

Once you have determined which resolution most suits your needs, you can go to Feature Search
to find all projectors in that resolution class. The list will likely be very lengthy, but don't fret.
We will be narrowing down this list shortly to better suit your needs.

Projectors come in a wide range of light outputs, which are measured in ANSI lumens or just
"lumens" for short. The brighter the projector, the higher the ANSI lumen rating, and (all else
being equal) the more it costs. Contrary to popular belief, brighter is not always better, and there
is no hard-and-fast rule regarding optimum lumen output. However, there are certain factors to
consider to make sure your projector is neither too bright nor too dim for your intended use.

Things to Consider When Choosing Brightness

Answering the following questions will help you determine the optimal brightness of your future
projector.

1. How many people will typically be in the room? This determines the size of the
projected image that is required for easy viewing by everyone present. As the number of
people in the room increases, the image size must increase. This diminishes the perceived
brightness of a given projector as the light is spread over a larger area.
2. How much light is in the room? A dark room will provide the best image regardless of
projector brightness. However, most meetings require some lighting for note-taking and
eye contact. A room where the lights cannot be turned off or dimmed or where windows
cannot be blocked will require a bright projector. The same projector placed in a perfectly
dark room will likely be so bright that it will give your audience a headache, so this is a
critical factor.
3. What kind of screen is available? This can have a profound effect on the image
brightness and quality. Most projection screens today provide significant light reflection,
making even a relatively low-brightness projector look good in the proper setting. If the
room lacks a projection screen, you will be better served by a high brightness projector
since walls are usually poor reflectors of light.
4. What is your application? Applications such as training and workgroups will demand
more brightness, because these applications also require more room light for note-taking
and communication. Applications that use presentation graphics, photographs, or video
are more likely to be shown in a darkened room, and therefore do not require as much
light output. If the projector will serve multiple locations (either within a building or
because of traveling), consider your most demanding setting.

In today's market, projectors can be grouped by ANSI lumen output as follows:

• Less than 2000 lumens. Typically small and highly portable, these are the lowest light
output projectors available today, and they are typically the least expensive. For display
of training videos or still photography in a darkened room, projectors in this category
may be perfect for your needs. Keep in mind that the low light output means that you will
want to make your presentations in a dark or dimly lit room so that the image on the
screen is not washed out by ambient room light.
• 2000 to 3000 lumens. This lumen range is a step up in performance and price. These
machines are suitable for normal business conference room and classroom use.
Presentations should be done with the room lighting reduced somewhat for best screen
viewing. A completely dark room is usually not necessary.
• 3000 to 4500 lumens. This represents the high-performance range of the portable and
semi-portable projectors. Products in this class are suitable for large conference rooms
and classrooms. They offer more flexibility in terms of ambient room light, since the
image is bright enough that a reasonable amount of room light can be tolerated without
washing out the image. They also offer more flexibility in terms of audience size, since
they produce enough lumens to properly light a larger screen.
• 4500 lumens and up. These ultra-bright projectors are in several performance classes
unto themselves, ranging from 4500 lumens up to 12000 lumens or more. Prices of these
products also cover a wide range depending on other performance characteristics. They
 are used in a variety of large venue applications, including board rooms, conference
rooms, training rooms, auditoriums, churches, concerts, nightclubs, and so forth.
• Once you have your short list of projectors, you can narrow it further by checking the
manufacturer's specifications and thinking about the following items:
• Zoom lens: A zoom lens gives you the ability to adjust the projected image size without
physically moving the projector. Many portable projectors have zoom lenses with limited
range, and many short-throw projectors have no zoom capability at all. A unit with a
zoom factor of 1.2:1 will only let you adjust picture size by 20%. You can often move the
projector a foot or two either way and accomplish the same adjustment. If you have a
fixed screen size you are trying to fill, even a limited-range zoom will make it easier to
fine tune the image size to the screen. If you plan on projecting in many different
environments, you may wish to invest in a projector with a more versatile zoom range,
which will allow for more placement flexibility. Zoom lenses range from 1.1:1 up to
2.0:1 or more. The higher the number, the greater the zoom range.
• Keystone Correction: In addition to the zoom lens feature, mobile users should consider
the benefits of keystone correction. When you project an image from any angle other than
straight onto the projection surface, the result is an image that is not completely square,
instead appearing trapezoidal. Most projectors include a feature called vertical keystone
correction, which correct the trapezoidal effect which results from tilting the projector
downward or upward. Others go a step further and provide additional correction for
horizontal keystone, which occurs when you are projecting from either side of the screen.
Keep in mind that applying keystone correction results in a loss of detail and sharpness,
but it can be invaluable when your projector cannot be set up perfectly square with the
screen.
• Contrast: Contrast is the ratio between the brightest and darkest areas of the image. A
projector's contrast rating represents a theoretical maximum, obtained under ideal
conditions, and may not reflect what you actually see on the screen. This is doubly true
when projecting in a room with any amount of ambient light--with moderate room
lighting, a projector with 400:1 contrast and one with 1500:1 contrast will look almost
identical, all other factors being equal. If you are using your projector in a room with a
good deal of ambient light, lumen output is far more important than contrast. However, in
a darkened room, contrast will become more important for accurate display of graphics
and video.
• Video Signal Standards: Most business projectors accept composite video, S-video, and
computer/RGB signals as three types of signal transmission. Most projectors also
recognize YPbPr/YCbCr component video as well. However, there are two all-digital
standards known as DVI and HDMI. Many computers feature DVI or HDMI output,
which allow the user to keep the signal in the digital domain and eliminate analog to
digital conversions. If you are interested in optimizing video performance and you have a
video source that offers DVI or HDMI output, check to see which of the projectors on
your list possess a digital input. The spec sheet may say HDMI, DVI-I, or DVI-D.
• Multiple VGA Ports: If you want to connect multiple computers or video sources to the
projector simultaneously, you will need multiple input jacks to accommodate this. For
example, you may want to connect a notebook computer and a desktop computer to
support two consecutive presentations, or two different presenters. If your projector only
has one computer input, you'll have to unplug the notebook and plug in the desktop
 between presentations. Check to make sure the projector has enough connections to
support your typical use.

3LCD, DLP, and LCoS - How These Three Projection

Techologies Compare in Home Theater Projectors

6/7/2008 - Art Feierman

Overview
Projector Pacement, Lens Control, Zoom, and Size
Projector Brightness, Contrast, and Noise

For an older article that also looks at DLP vs 3LCD projectors relating to business projector
issues: DLP vs LCD Projectors

This article is long overdue. My last writings on this topic were over two years ago, and, at that
time, home theater projectors were pretty much limited to three basic groups: 3LCD projectors,
single chip DLPs, and the far more expensive 3 chip DLP projectors.

Since 3 chip DLP projectors are far more expensive than the others, the real discussion two years
ago, was between the single chip DLP's and the LCD - that is, 3LCD projectors.

At that time, DLP projectors were definitely considered the performance leader, at least in one
critical area - true contrast, and the resulting better black levels than 3LCD.

And there really weren't any significant, affordable LCoS projectors, just a very expensive Sony,
well over $10,000.

Today, LCoS technology, is arguably the best of the three technologies in the under $10,000
home theater projector arena. Certainly, they aren't the cheapest, with all the LCoS action (for all
practical purposes) being 1080p projectors, so LCoS is definitely not competing on the low end
(720p resolution projectors).

Another important point, is that technologies such as dynamic irises and dimmable lamps, which,
two years ago, were pretty much limited to 3LCD projectors as they used "technology" to offset
the DLP projectors' advantage in black levels and contrast. Today, many of the DLP projectors
and LCoS projectors also have added dynamic irises, etc., to further improve their performance.