LED DLP TVs – The Unsung Hero Of HDTVs
Posted by hdtv buying guide on May 5, 2009 under DLP HDTV, HDTV Reviews, LED HDTV | 
Be the First to Comment
If LCD screens are brighter, and plasma screens produce deep, vivid colors, where does that leave DLP televisions?
Despite large handfuls of positive reviews, DLP (digital light processing) high-definition television sales have lagged far behind those of LCD and plasma. That’s due, in part, to old conceptions about the projection-based format.
“They’re too big.” “They’re too expensive to maintain.” “They’re not reliable enough.”
All of those common complaints about DLP are a thing of the past, thanks in large part to the efforts of Samsung. The first DLP televisions used a replaceable lamp and a color wheel to produce and project images on the screen.
Unfortunately, with moving parts and expensive bulbs to replace, that gave DLP televisions a bad rap. Additionally, the depth needed to project a large image from behind made DLP televisions bulky and far too deep for most applications.
Samsung first introduced it’s LED-powered DLP televisions in 2006. By exchanging the replaceable bulb and color wheel for a field of multicolored LEDs (red, green, blue), Samsung eliminated the main nitpicks in one fell swoop.
The current generation of Samsung LED DLP televisions has a projected life of 60,000 hours, and the LED construction allows for a much shallower package. Many Samsung LED DLP models are between 14 and 20 inches deep. Sure, it’s no 2-inch thin LCD screen, but it’s perfect for media-room applications.
In head-to-head tests, LED DLP televisions consistently outperform LCD televisions in brightness and color rendering. Only plasma screens display colors better, and the gap is narrowing.
If there’s one thing LED DLP models don’t do nearly as well as competing formats, it’s light uniformity. Though it might not be visible to the untrained eye, some DLP televisions have difficulty producing the same brightness levels from corner to corner. Rather, the brightest light is in the middle of the screen, while the edges are slightly dimmer.
To most viewers, that effect won’t be noticeable. But to HDTV enthusiasts, it’s a turnoff. Like with any large electronics purchase, it’s best to read reviews of the model you’re considering before making a decision.
The current crop of DLP televisions has plenty of positives, but one should definitely be the price. A 67-inch Samsung LED DLP TV can be found for $1,899.99, a great price for a gigantic screen. A similar-sized LCD- or plasma-screen model would cost thousands more.
Add A Comment