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The many new projection TVs.
If you’re just starting to look at High Definition projection TVs, you probably have been barraged with weird-sounding acronyms. LCD? LCOS? DLP? Can someone help me figure all this stuff out? No problem. That’s our job. The purpose of this piece is to acquaint you specifically with LCD and LCOS Projection TV technologies. If you want, there's a separate link to click on for a complete DLP projection TV article to find out more about that technology.
What is an LCD?
LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display) are used for all kinds of electronic devices, from sports watches to computer monitors and thin panel TVs. The basic principle behind how an LCD works is actually pretty simple. Liquid is suspended between two transparent panels. Embedded in the liquid are crystals that, when activated by voltage, reposition themselves so that they either allow the light to pass through the panel—or block the light. It’s almost like each crystal has a tiny Venetian blind attached to it. Each crystal corresponds to a pixel, or the little building blocks that, when combined, create a picture.
How do you turn LCDs into a projection TV?
The great thing about LCD displays is that they can be manufactured in virtually any size, from fingertip-tiny to 57” home theater size. But when they get really big, LCD displays get more expensive. That’s why we have LCD projection TVs. The idea is to take three separate, postage stamp sized LCD displays and shine a powerful light through them. Each of the three LCD displays corresponds to a different color: red, green and blue—which when combined create the full spectrum of colors. It’s kind of like looking at the sun shining through a stained glass window. The resulting image is enlarged and focused by a lens and projected onto the screen.
What are the advantages?
All this technology—the three LCD panels, light and lens—can be squeezed into a nice, tidy package. This means the cabinet that houses everything can be made much slimmer and lighter in weight. You’ll be amazed at how slender a widescreen 60” TV can be. The less space taken up by your equipment, the more space you have for living. LCD projection TVs have one big advantage over competing projection TV technologies: they are incredibly cost efficient! LCD technology has been around so long that it’s relatively inexpensive to manufacture. You get a lot for your money with an LCD projection TV.
Any disadvantages?
LCD technology has advanced at a rapid rate. But if there is still a weak point, it’s the black level, or more commonly, the contrast ratio. This is the TV’s ability to produce true, deep black images. It’s hard for an LCD TV to produce those black images. A dark gray is close, but not quite there. LCD’s are better than they were even a short year ago, but still not up to the best the industry can offer.
What’s an LCOS/SXRD projection TV?
LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) is a unique spin on LCD technology. Like LCDs, LCOS also uses liquid crystals to pass or block light, but instead of the light shining through it, the light is reflected off it. That’s because the liquid crystals are applied to a reflective surface instead of a transparent one.
Since the light doesn’t shine through the display, there’s a huge benefit that can be taken advantage of. The tiny transistors needed to control each individual crystal can be hidden behind the reflective surface, instead of being stuck between them. That allows the crystals to be placed closer together. The result is super-high resolution with pixels that blend almost seamlessly together.
Does it work?
Check out Sony’s special SXRD sets for the answer. They employ Sony’s special twist on LCOS, which they call SXRD, and many people think it’s the best-looking rear projection set around.
Be sure to come into any of our stores and see for yourself just how fabulous these TVs are.
Visit a store near you for more details, or find out more on our
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