A LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Projector is the modern version of the slide projector and overhead projector. Unlike CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) projectors, the LCD projector does not function according to the traditional projection-tube system. The LCD Projector usually contains three separate LCD glass panels - one each for the red, green, and blue components of the video signal. The LCD chip is transparent, and when a powerful light source is passed through it, each individual pixel transforms the light and projects the image or data through a lens onto the screen. The LCD Projector technological revolution started around the mid-1990s, when manufacturers began to use microdisplays and merge illumination and imaging in one device. Following this development, Compaq introduced one of the first ultra-lightweight data projectors in 2000 - the MP1400 using the DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology from Texas Instruments. Most LCD Projectors today support VGA output at resolutions ranging up to 800x600 and 1024x768. They are also usually capable of projecting standard video from a VCRs, DVDs, and cable boxes; and many of them are specialized for use at home, known as Front-Projection TVs. The main advantage of the LCD projector is that since the LCD chip is miniature in size, the whole unit is quite compact, which is very practical, especially for mobile professionals. Most LCD projectors are also typically capable of producing 2,000 to 2,500 ANSI lumens brightness with 1024 x 768 VGA resolution, resulting in better image quality. Power consumption is also relatively low. And, in comparison to CRT Projectors (which are still manufactured), LCD versions are quite inexpensive. For example, the Sony VPL-CX1 Superlite LCD Video Projector only costs around $2,000, but is still capable of producing super image quality. |
