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Christie Digital Christie Digital

DLP technology

Christie is a pioneering manufacturer of high-performance 1DLP and 3DLP projectors.

DLP technology

Digital Light Processing (DLP®) technology works by reflecting light off microscopic mirrored panels called Digital Micro-Mirror Devices (DMD). Each DMD consists of millions of tiny mirrors, each acting as a single reflective pixel in the resolution of the projected image.

A native HD resolution image is made up of 1080 horizontal lines each containing 1920 pixels. By the same measure, a DLP technology projector with HD resolution would use either 1 or 3 DMD chips (higher-quality projectors use three chips, one each for the Red, Green and Blue color signals) made up of 1080 rows of mirrors, with each row containing 1920 microscopic mirrors.

The advantages of DLP technology

The advantage of this all-digital system is that it consistently offers better light efficiency and color control in comparison to any other projection technology. This is because each individual pixel is controlled for a smoother, cleaner image since the space between the mirrors on a DMD is so small. Because all the light is reflected out of the projector, DLP projectors also offer higher brightness from smaller units and consequently use less power.

Christie offers DLP technology projectors for:

Wondering if a DLP projector is right for you?

Check out our projection technology chart for at-a-glance information comparing our broad range of 1DLP and 3DLP projection solutions. Based on your priorities, you'll be able to identify which category of projection technology will be the right fit for your application.

Frequently asked questions

How does DLP technology work?

A DLP technology projector uses DLP chips called DMDs (Digital Micromirror Devices) with millions of microscopic reflection mirrors, one for each pixel in an image.

A laser projector uses one DLP chip (1DLP) or three DLP chips for each primary color of light — red, green, and blue (3DLP), with a rapidly spinning color wheel between the chip(s) and a light source to produce an image. This can also be achieved electronically with LEDs or RGB pure laser as the light source.

A DLP projector with Full HD resolution (1920 pixels wide x 1080 pixels high) would use either one or three DMD chips (1DLP or 3DLP) made up of 1,080 rows of mirrors, with each row containing 1,920 microscopic mirrors. At the other end of the spectrum, a native 4K DLP projector (4096 x 2160 pixels) uses 4,096 rows of mirrors with 2,160 microscopic mirrors.

What are the advantages of DLP technology for projection?

DLP technology projection offers better light efficiency, clearer images, higher brightness, and better energy efficiency when compared to other projection technologies.

What is the difference between 3-chip DLP and 1-chip DLP technology?

A 1DLP® laser projector uses one DLP chip (or DMD) and places a rapidly spinning color wheel between the chip and a light source to produce an image. This can also be achieved electronically with LEDs or RGB pure laser as the light source. 3DLP® projectors use one DMD for each primary color of light — red, green, and blue — which are optically converged to produce a single, full-color image.

Newer 1DLP projectors are edging closer to 3DLP performance as their brightness capabilities increase, 4K UHD resolution becomes more common, and contrast levels and color reproduction improve.

When you see massive projections on the side of a building, or large-scale immersive experiences and live events, this is most likely 3DLP projection in action. With 3DLP technology, you also typically have higher frame rate options than 1DLP for superior dynamic image quality. When it comes to brightness, hue, and saturation, 3DLP projectors are the best in the industry.

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