Which Projector Display Technology is the Best? Comparing LCoS, DLP, and Others

Huawei's LCoS laser projection technology has recently garnered significant attention, and its introduction could potentially spark a new wave of innovation in the projection industry. Currently, the predominant display technologies are DLP, 3LCD, and 1LCD. Let's delve into the distinctions between these technologies:

1. LCoS, DLP, 3LCD, and 1LCD Technologies: Key Differences

- [LCoS Technology]

LCoS stands for Liquid Crystal On Silicon. It shares similarities with LCD technology, but the projection of light is controlled by an LCOS panel. JVC and Sony are the only manufacturers currently mass-producing LCOS devices, while domestic LCOS companies are still in the research and development phase. LCoS Laser Projection Technology

Huawei Hisilicon has reportedly developed its own LCoS (3-panel LCoS architecture similar to cinema) and laser technology, which promises significant enhancements to the display performance of projection products. This technology can deliver 4K/8K ultra-high definition picture quality, ultra-high contrast ratios of 10000:1, and exceptional anti-glare capabilities. As a result, Huawei Hisilicon's LCoS laser projection technology is expected to accelerate the adoption of国产LCOS (domestic LCOS) solutions.

Advantages of LCOS Technology:

1. Utilizing CMOS technology, LCOS has greater potential for advancement compared to DLP's MEMS technology, particularly in the era of 8K display, where LCoS's high-resolution capabilities will become even more apparent.

2. Employing liquid crystal polarization to adjust grayscale, LCOS can achieve higher contrast ratios (HongHu projectors exceed 10000:1), resulting in richer details in dark areas.

3. With higher fill factors, LCOS exhibits minimal image raster effects, delivering superior image quality and more realistic visuals.

Representative Brands: Sony, JVC

DLP Technology

DLP technology involves passing strong light emitted by a bulb through a homogenizer and then a color wheel. The color wheel separates the light into RGB colors. The separated light is then projected onto a DMD chip by a lens. The DMD chip combines the projected image's motion and colors, which are then reflected onto a projection screen to create the final image. DLP Technology Advantages:

1. Mechanical operation, providing greater control over micromirror movements and higher native contrast ratios.
2. Reflective principle, allowing for simpler high-aperture designs, compact optical paths, and smaller devices.
3. Semi-conductor DMD chips are resistant to high temperatures, enabling closed optical paths and dust prevention.

Prominent Brands: Dangbei, XGIMI, JMGO

3LCD Technology:

3LCD technology separates white light from the light source into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) (the primary colors of light). These colors are then passed through their respective LCD panels for image creation. This utilizes the three primary colors efficiently, resulting in bright and vivid images. 3LCD Technology Advantages:

1. Higher color brightness and contrast ratio
2. Shorter imaging path in 3LCD results in less light loss, and its larger LCD panels provide a bigger surface area for each pixel at the same resolution, leading to potentially higher light efficiency
3. As 3LCD processes all three primary colors simultaneously, it theoretically eliminates rainbow (color separation) and screen flickering issues

Representative Brands: Epson, BenQ

1LCD Technology

1LCD display technology operates by a light source emitting white light, which is then passed through a full-color LCD panel and projected onto the screen by a projection lens. Each pixel's red, green, and blue components are controlled independently by the liquid crystals, synthesizing the projected image LCD Technology Advantages:

1. Primarily low cost and affordable.

Representative brands: Hisense, Xiaomi, Changhong, etc.

Choosing between LCoS, DLP, 3LCD, and 1LCD Technologies:

Based on the analysis of the aforementioned display technologies, LCoS, DLP, 3LCD, and 1LCD each have their own advantages. 1LCD technology offers the lowest cost but generally lower image quality, while DLP, 3LCD, and LCoS are considered comparable. DLP technology produces richer and more detailed colors, 3LCD provides higher brightness, while LCoS achieves superior image fidelity.

However, LCoS technology is currently only available from Sony and JVC, and their products are not only expensive but also bulky. The market performance of Hisilicon's LCoS technology remains to be seen. Although 3LCD technology is mature, its larger size and thermal management issues remain concerns. Therefore, DLP technology continues to be the most suitable choice in the current market. Most mainstream projectors on the market today use DLP technology, and the addition of laser technology has significantly improved the brightness and color performance of DLP projectors. For example, the popular Dangbei D5X Pro projector in the $3000 price range uses DLP technology and incorporates the same ALPD laser as high-end cinemas, boasting 1250 CVIA lumens. This not only delivers bright and clear images, but also high color fidelity. Additionally, it is equipped with the flagship MT9669 processor, making it stand out in terms of both image quality and performance in its price range. So in my personal opinion, DLP technology is currently the best choice. In terms of overall ranking, DLP>LCoS≈3LCD>1LCD technology. So for those who want to buy a projector but don't know how to choose, I hope this content can be helpful to you!