Interior view of a single-chip DLP projector, showing the light path. A third method, sequential illumination by three colored light emitting diodes, is being developed, and is currently used in televisions manufactured by Samsung. There are two primary methods by which DLP projection systems create a color image: those used by single-chip DLP projectors, and those used by three-chip projectors. Rapidly toggling the mirror between these two orientations (essentially on and off) produces grayscales, controlled by the ratio of on-time to off-time. These mirrors can be repositioned rapidly to reflect light either through the lens or onto a heat sink (called a light dump in Barco terminology). The number of mirrors corresponds to the resolution of the projected image (often half as many mirrors as the advertised resolution due to wobulation). Each mirror represents one or more pixels in the projected image. These mirrors are so small that DMD pixel pitch may be 5.4 µm or less.

In DLP projectors, the image is created by microscopically small mirrors laid out in a matrix on a semiconductor chip, known as a digital micromirror device (DMD).

Main article: Digital micromirror device Diagram of a digital micromirror showing the mirror mounted on the suspended yoke with the torsion spring running bottom left to top right (light grey), with the electrostatic pads of the memory cells below (top left and bottom right) Smaller ″pico″ chipsets are used in mobile devices including cell phone accessories and projection display functions embedded directly into phones. It is also used in about 85% of digital cinema projection, and in additive manufacturing as a light source in some printers to cure resins into solid 3D objects. DLP is used in a variety of display applications from traditional static displays to interactive displays and also non-traditional embedded applications including medical, security, and industrial uses.ĭLP technology is used in DLP front projectors (standalone projection units for classrooms and business primarily), DLP rear projection television sets, and digital signs. Digital Projection and Texas Instruments were both awarded Emmy Awards in 1998 for the DLP projector technology. While the DLP imaging device was invented by Texas Instruments, the first DLP-based projector was introduced by Digital Projection Ltd in 1997. It was originally developed in 1987 by Larry Hornbeck of Texas Instruments. Further information: History of display technology Logo The Christie Mirage 5000, a 2001 DLP projectorĭigital Light Processing ( DLP) is a set of chipsets based on optical micro-electro-mechanical technology that uses a digital micromirror device.

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