Texas Instruments continues to push the envelope of projector technology, and high-end manufacturers continue to adopt TI devices into ever-better projectors. TI’s latest Digital Light Processing (DLP) devices are known as “DarkChips” for their improved contrast, a result of narrower gaps between mirror elements, smaller mirror hinges, higher reflectivity, and in a seeming paradox, better light absorption thanks to a new coating. DarkChips are said to offer better color uniformity and much lower dithering effects than their predecessors.
Among the companies demonstrating new DarkChip DLP™ projectors at last month’s CEDIA Expo were SIM2 USA and NEC. SIM2 was the first to use TI’s DarkChip3, employing the devices in updated Grand Cinema HT DLP™ projector models HT300 E-LINK and HT300 E, carrying suggested retail prices of $14,995 and $11,995 respectively. Claimed contrast ratio exceeds 3500:1, the manufacturer stated. The HT300 E-LINK is a version of the HT300 E with SIM2’s “DigiOptic Image Processor”, a multi-input device with a fiber-optic feed to the projector. Each input can be tweaked individually with settings held in memory. The new Grand Cinema projectors include the latest Faroudja DCDi de-interlacing chips.
At CEDIA, SIM2 also showed a prototype of its three-chip DLP™ projector, the HT500 LINK, and two 40" high-definition LCD monitors, the $8995 HTL40 and the $11,995 HTL40 LINK. Both are 16:9 HD screens with 170-degree viewing angles, 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratios and styling by Giorgio Revoldini. A 46" version is due in January, according to announcements made at the show.
NEC is also on the DarkChip bandwagon with two 16:9 DLP™ projectors using TI’s DarkChip2 technology. The very affordable HT410 is priced at $1499, with EDTV-level resolution of 854 x 480 pixels. The HT510 boasts 1024 x 576 resolution. Inputs include component video and RGB.
NEC debuted four plasma display panels (PDPs), including the EDTV-standard 42VR5 with 853 x 480 resolution, the $5795 42XR3 with 1024 x 768 resolution, the 50", $7995 50XR4, and the 61" 61XR3 (priced at $14,995). The two largest models have 1365 x 768 resolution. Inputs include DVI/HDCP, RGBHV and HD component video. NEC plasma units are available now.