Updated Display Technologies Guide!

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/display-technologies-guide-lcd-plasma-dlp-lcos-d-ila-crt"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 94px" alt=[DLPchip] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/display-technologies-guide-lcd-plasma-dlp-lcos-d-ila-crt/image_mini" align=left border=0></A>After returning from CES 2006, it became very apparent that in order to effectively review and compare the many upcoming Display technologies, we’d need to publish an update to our Display Technologies Guide outlining what these differing formats mean and addressing the questions about which television or projection format is best. The differences between LCD, Plasma, DLP, LCOS, D-ILA, and CRT are revealed as well as the newer technologies just coming on line. This is an article you DO NOT want to miss.

[UPDATED Display Technologies Guide]

 

[Vancouver]

I still have yet to see any plasma with the total elimination of motion blur. I realize that this can be caused by a few different things, and some people are more sensitive to blurred image as they moves across the screen then others. I for one hate it and even with a good plasma and external scaler still see it. What spec on your comparison best refers to it? Did you see any plasma with no motion blurr at CES?

The only time I ever saw it totally gone was on a B&O Avent CRT.

 

[howie85]

we need more 3chip dlps

 

[MAX661]

I think the article is well written but in the comparison chart I think the Lcos area is a bit off. I mean plasma ranked high in contrast but lcos ranked medium. Yet HT Mag published an article on the SXRD saying it had a higher black level and better contrast than any plasma they have ever reviewed?

Also there are Lcos units that are slimmer than 24'' and I believe Sony has made them even thinner by 40%

and the refresh rate is something like 2ms, I realize it says 12 and under but if the person reading is not educated on the subject they might see the 12 and think that it is to high for gaming. Also there are no categories for color saturation, fill factor, excessive or low artifacts, etc....

All of these should also be taken into consideration and might have an influence on a potential buyers opinion on a technology.

just a thought, take it for what it's worth.

 

[The Chukker]

There is a lot in this article that I already knew, but there was also quite a bit I did not. Given the breadth of the topic and the amount of manufacturers involved I think you should be applauded for your effort; it certainly did not cost me anything to read. I do not share Max's view even if technically he is correct; it is apparent you were making broad strokes for comparisons sake (no offense Max ). I am extremely interested in the SED technology down the road as I am in no rush to buy a new panel -- when blu-ray / hd-dvd becomes available I will suffer with 720p until high performance and reasonable pricing converge.
Lastly, I would love to see a follow up to your excellent 1080p The Holy Grail article you published late last year when more information becomes relevant. Thanks again for the informative comparisons.

 

[MAX661]

dont get me wrong, I loved it too... And think it is excellent that they take the time for us to do it, I was just pointing out a few things that may be added for next year when they do it again.

 

[AndrewLyles]

My TV is in desperate need of replacement. To call it low tech would be an understatement at the very least. 19" from '91. Ya gotta love the real world deth, and life like images something of that caliber can deliver. As for what I'm holding out for currently? I'm waiting on SED as my technology that I'm betting on. I just wish there were more hype surrounding it, its pretty difficult to find all but the basic information about it, though such is the cost of desiring prototypes.

 

[MACCA350]

I'll give another vote for the SED technology to stomp the market. The best of all the display technologies without many of their negatives. Maybe one day they could incorporate SED into front projection, or make 100+ inch SED displays

cheers

 

[jcPanny]

Clint,
Good article and overview of technology. I think that the upcomming LED backlight technology will reduce the cost of ownership of front projects and increase their usage for HT.

In the excert from your summary, below, I think you meant that LCD rear projection was the best entry level option, not CRT.

Those with the strictest budgets will want to break into HDTV via LCD rear-projection or DLP front projection. At this price range ($1300 - $2000) CRT rear projection will most likely be the better performer, but at the cost of weight and a high maintenance technology. We really no longer recommend CRT-based RPTVs as they represent a dying technology and we feel the advantages they once had are now far outweighed by the digital competition (die, convergence, DIE!)

 

[Audioholics]

Well I'm actually saying that CRT-based RPTVs are still the best bang for the buck, but I'm (in the same breath) trying to steer people away due to my desire for more people to have truly digital displays.

 

[j_garcia]

That would pretty much be SED then. SED still has its drawbacks too though, some of which are the same as CRT, such as burn-in and they still have a way to go to actually make it a mass product - the potential is definitely there. I work for a company in the LCD industry, so my obvious interest is in LCD and I think LCD will be around for years to come, but long term I think OLED/PHOLED and SED will be serious competition for LCD and Plasma.

 

[Audioholics]

I'm excited about SED - but I'm also cautious to throw any weight behind a product that has not yet made it to production. We've been down that road and now are a bit gun-shy. I'm "optomistically skeptical".

 

[Mattr36]

Good article but one thing on the DLP. I read somewhere that if get above or below eye level, the brightness starts to drop off. I wanted to check this out, since my son likes to sit on the floor and play his GC.

I went over to the local HT store and looked at a couple DLP TV's and sure nuff, if I got above it (ex. TV sits at about 3.5 feet in the center, walk towards it and it begins to fade out) or below it things got dark. So while the viewing angle to the sides is good, not if you are looking up or down at it (which plasma and LCD do not have a problem with).

I was going to go with DLP until I saw this for myself just because of how my family uses the TV.

Matt

 

[MACCA350]

The problem you are seeing is not due to the DLP technology itself but the screen that is used on these large rear projection units(this also effects LCD rear projection displays). Front projection does not have this issue.

cheers

 

[Mattr36]

Ahh, I did not understand that. So there is DLP front projection units available? I'll have to look into that then

Matt

 

[ddcobb]

pdf?

Is this guide avaiable in pdf or some other printable format?

 

[OpTicaL]

I'm looking forward to LED and SED technology. My friends always ask, why don't you upgrade your 19' NEC CRT? I calming respond, I'm waiting for LED displays. Now I can tell my friends the "I told you so". They bought the Viewsonic VX922 LCD with 2ms response time, claming it's the fastest response time LCD in the world, I said, impressive just wait until my LED display comes out and pounces your soon to be obsoleted LCD.

 

[jcrobso]

CRTs-DLP-LCoS

Well I'm actually saying that CRT-based RP-TVs are still the best bang for the buck"
In spring of '05 my 32" CRT was dieing, I started on a quest for a new HDTV,
I took my time, I looked at everything, spent 6 months doing so.
conclusions:
Direct view best picture: CRT, then Plasma, then LCD.
Rear projection best picture: CRT-RP, Then LCoS, DLP, LCD.
As we know the CRT is fading fast from the market.
I ended up buying a 47" CRT in December of "05. To a picture as good as the CRT-RP I would have to spend $1500~2000 above what the CRT-RP cost.
And then I would have to replace a $200~300 lamp from time to time.
I figure by the time I have to replace this set the SED sets or the LED lamped LCoS sets will be affordable. Also look a how much the cost of plasma sets have dropped in the last year.
After all most a year how dose my 47" CRT compare to the new 1080p sets?
Well I have looked, yes they look very good. But the difference between is so small that there would be no gain in buying one. But there would be a lose, the $200~300 lamp.
3 chip DLP you ask? About 8 years ago I was working part time for an AV contractor, they had some very nice pro 3 chip DLP units. I don't like the DLPs with color wheels!!!! If you want to know what a 3 chip DLP would look like??? Go look at the 3 chip LCoS sets.

The next couple of years should be very interesting!!
LED lamps replacing the expensive bulb! DLP could lose the color wheel.
SED coming out, there are rumors of Laser HDTVs, yes very interesting indeed. John

 

[action]

Another 2 cents for LED's! WOW! Put me down for the prototype trials!!!!!!

 

[tomahawktim]

Technology...schmecknology

Well I'm actually saying that CRT-based RP-TVs are still the best bang for the buck"

I ended up buying a 47" CRT in December of "05. To a picture as good as the CRT-RP I would have to spend $1500~2000 above what the CRT-RP cost.

I'm on the same page, jcrobso.
I bought the Hitachi 57f59 Crt RP back in July 2006. No regrets. Top Notch PQ.
You can count me as one of those folks who does not immediately seek out the newest technologies.
I won't decry those who are constantly on quest for the New New PQ Holy Grail; it's just not for me.

However, I did jump on board the HD DVD train with Toshiba's first generation HD A1 player. This has been a successful marriage with the crt rp.