Different Types of LED Projectors

by Una Tao June 28, 2023 Projector Basics

By 2028, the global projector market size is expected to reach US$ 4.2 million according to Adroit Market Research. In recent years, the demand for LED projectors in the business and educational sectors propelled the popularity of projectors in the market.

Safer, greener, and cheaper than regular lamp projectors, LED technology has had a huge role to play in bringing cinema-grade viewing experience to home theater systems. So, it's only natural to assume that LED projectors, by default, are synonymous with outstanding performance.

In reality, the type of LED projector you choose will have a distinctive impact on whether it lives up to your expectations or not. So, continue reading to know what LED is all about and what you can expect from a DLP projector, vis a vis an LCoS projector and 3LCD projector.

LED Projectors: An Overview

At its core, a projector is simply a light delivery device. So, the source of this light, which eventually gets passed through some component and projected towards a surface, is a central part of the gadget.

For decades, projectors were powered exclusively by metal halide or halogen lamps. But then, along came light-emitting diodes or LEDs. As these tiny lights got better and brighter, they found their way into projectors.

So, LED is not a display/projection technology; it simply refers to the light source used in the projector. As such, a light-emitting diode can be used with any of the three projection/display technologies:

Digital light processing (DLP)
Liquid crystal display (LCD)
Liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS)

In terms of performance, LEDs beat traditional projector lamps by a significant margin. However, they still have some catching up to do with lasers.

That said, here is how LEDs fare when compared with old-school metal halide or halogen bulbs.

LEDs run cooler than regular lamps, hence their energy consumption is significantly lower.
They don't need additional components like inbuilt fans to deal with excess heat.
They don't need a warm-up before starting or cooling down after switching off, so LED projectors are ready to use the minute you press the power-on button.
Since there is no requirement for fans to cool the device, an LED projector offers almost noise-free operation.
Less heat equates to a lower risk of component degradation over time.
LEDs bring a massive 30,000 hours of operational life to the table as compared to the measly 2000-3000 hours offered by lamp-based projectors.
Since they don't need additional components or roomy casings for heat control, LED projectors are compact and lightweight.
LED lamps offer greater perceived brightness hence they are capable of producing a wider color gamut.

LED DLP Projectors

A DLP projector works by sending a beam of light through a spinning RGB wheel. This light is then bounced off the digital light processing or digital micromirror device chip (DLP/DMD).

The chip has an array of tiny mirrors that can be moved in two directions. A tilt towards the light source creates lighter pixels and a tilt away from the light source creates darker pixels. The micro mirrors reflect the light which then passes through the projector lens and is projected onto the screen.

DLP projectors are available in single-chip and 3-chip versions. Because even a single chip can get the job done superlatively, DLP projectors are often among the most lightweight and portable projection devices on the market.

Moreover, the use of a single chip leads to sharper and crystal clear image quality as there are no panel alignment issues to deal with. With 3-chip DLP projectors manufacturers basically hit things out of the park and into the stratosphere.

But, as you may have guessed, the colossal improvement in performance comes at a steep increase in price. So, 3-DLP projectors are only ever found in movie theaters.

On the other hand, single-chip DLP projectors are the most popular products for both home and office use.

Advantages of single-chip DLP projection technology

Excellent color accuracy.
Extraordinarily sharp image quality and detailing.
The lowest lag time and the fastest response time.
Minimum motion-related image blurring.
Low maintenance requirements.
Excellent durability even when used regularly.
Compact and lightweight design.

LED 3LCD Projectors

Unlike DLP, an LCD projector does not use a color wheel. Instead, the light beam is split into 3 primary colors with the help of a prism before it is passed through the LCD panel. In the case of a 3LCD projector, each light beam makes it to its individual LCD panel.

The passage of the light beam through the glass panel is controlled by millions of liquid crystals that essentially act like tiny shutters. They either allow the light beam to pass through completely, partially, or not at all.

Depending on how much of each color is needed, the pixels open or close to the required extent. The beams exiting out of the panel are once again sent through a prism, where they are combined and transmitted onto the screen simultaneously.

Because of greater pixel density, LCD projectors are capable of offering excellent color saturation hence better image clarity. So, in the presence of significant ambient light, an LCD projector would outperform both DLP and LCoS units.

Furthermore, at any given resolution, you are bound to get greater image sharpness from an LCD projector. Also, LCD units are more light efficient and hence more energy efficient. So, you get impressive ANSI lumens output, which equates to greater brightness, at a lower wattage.

However, the multi-positional movement of the pixels means that motion is not as sharp and as fast as that of a DLP projector.

Advantages of LCD projection technology

Lower power consumption.
Exceptional color saturation and picture quality.
Noticeably brighter images.
Sharper pictures with no rainbow effect.
Low maintenance requirements.
Excellent depiction of black, which enhances contrast and image detailing.

LED LCoS Projectors

Think of LCoS as a hybrid of LCD and DLP technologies, one that combines the best of both worlds. In an LCoS projector, too, the single beam of light coming from the lamp/LED is split into 3 beams, one for each primary color.

But, these beams are then bounced off the LCoS panel, which is reflective like a DLP chip. These reflected light beams are then passed through a dichroic prism that combines them to form a single image in full color.

Because it has the highest pixel density of the 3 technologies, even a small LCoS chip can offer an impressive resolution.

In fact, LCoS offers native 4K resolution. What this means is that there are actually 8 million pixels in the panels. Each of these produces an individual element or color of the picture. So, you can imagine that in terms of color accuracy and picture clarity, LCoS projectors are hands down the winners.

But, as is always the case, the improvement in performance brings along an increase in price. So, LCoS projectors are seldom seen outside of high-end, dedicated home theater setups. Because they lack the brightness of LCD and DLP projectors, they are rarely used in the commercial arena.

Advantages of LCoS projection technology

Superlative image quality thanks to the native 4k resolution.
Extraordinary color accuracy and vibrancy.
True and deep black levels enhance image detailing and contrast ratio.
Almost no rainbow effect.
Most true-to-life viewing experience thanks to almost invisible pixel structures.
High-fidelity images that are ideal for FHD and UHD video relays on the big screen.

Comparing Different Types of LED Projectors

DLP vs. LCoS vs. 3LCD projectors

LED Projector	DLP	LCos	3LCD
Image quality	Runner up in terms of image quality. When compared side by side with static media, LCD projector images will always seem sharper than those relayed by a DLP projector.	Highest native resolution equates to excellent picture quality with sharp and clear images.	Runner up for overall image sharpness and vividness. But the best image quality for any given wattage.
Color reproduction	Good color accuracy with lighter shades but there are tonal changes in some darker hues.	Mind-blowing color accuracy and saturation, hence life-like image integrity.	The winner for color saturation not so much for color accuracy. Pastels come across as washed off and white tends to have a blue/green bias.
Brightness	Fairly bright in a given wattage range.	Not as bright as an LCD or DLP projector unless the wattage is increased. But, that would increase energy spending.	The brightest of all projection technologies, which leads to better image quality even in the presence of ambient light.
Contrast	The best contrast ratio of the 3 technologies, with a deep, true, and dense depiction of black.	Second best contrast but still manages to relay deep and rich blacks that make the lighter hues stand out.	Overall contrast can be good if auto iris technology is included otherwise black is typically projected as a dark grey.

Applications

LCD

Given the impressive image quality and brightness, LCD projectors are well suited for both home and office use. You can use one to watch a movie or regular TV shows on a widescreen just as easily as you could use it to deliver a convincing presentation at work.

But the lag in reaction time means that it isn't the best choice for fast-moving media like video gaming or even sporting events. However, because of their exceptional color accuracy and image sharpness, LCD projectors work very well in educational settings.

DLP

Of the 3 projection technologies DLP is the best suited for home entertainment. Because it isn't impacted as much as LCoS by ambient light, a DLP projector can be added to the home entertainment setup in the living area and you can use it to watch movies, TV, your favorite sports, and for gaming. Since DLP projectors are often the most portable of the three, they are particularly well-suited for outdoor use. Also, many DLP projectors are 3D-compatible.

LCoS

Because an LCoS projector gets you the best image quality, even for static media, it is the best product for image editing, photographic displays, graphic designing, and cinema-like, dedicated home theater setups. An LCoS projector is ideal for studios, galleries, and other such commercial establishments.

But, it won't be the right product for gaming because motion is simply not as fast which means that you may experience picture blurring. Also, they are easily impacted by ambient light and have a hefty price tag. So, they are certainly not suitable for a regular home theater setup.

WEMAX Dice: The Excellent LED DLP Projector

If you are looking for a projector that works as exceptionally well outdoors as it does indoors, you simply can't go wrong with the WEMAX Dice. Actually, this portable powerhouse combines many such paradoxical aspects.

For instance, it can dish out a banging performance that’s at par with the viewing experience of a movie theater. But, it does not cost an arm and a leg. In fact, for its price tag, the WEMAX truly has a lot to offer such as:

The exceptional contrast ratio of DLP hence amazing color vividness and vibrancy combined with the ultra-bright performance of 700 ANSI Lumens/1680 LED Lumens.
Super big screen experience with a maximum projection size of 120 inches coupled with exceptional image sharpness and high fidelity offered by native 1080p.
4K supported resolution plus cinema-grade auditory performance that comes courtesy of a 10W Dolby speaker.
Autofocus and 4-point keystone correction are offered with Google Assistant voice command, so the WEMAX Dice practically operates itself, at your command of course.
5000+ apps that cover everything from YouTube to HBOMax and from Netflix to Disney, and everything in between.
4-channel LED that puts forth the brightest image quality, which looks great even when you are outdoors.
A tiny footprint and a weight of just 2.2 kg plus a leather handle that allows you to carry it anywhere you go.

But, that's not all! The WEMAX Dice also has a host of connectivity options and it doubles up as a power bank. How's that for all bases covered?

Wrapping It Up

When it comes to projector light sources, LED has no parallel. It offers the best in class performance, energy efficiency, durability, and of course portability.

However, the light source is just one-half of the projection equation. If you want your LED projector to perform as expected, it is crucial for you to pick the right combination of projection technology and light source.

Undoubtedly, the LED will outperform a traditional lamp any day. Plus, it works well with all 3 technologies. In fact, it would not be wrong to suggest that LED tends to correct or at least temper the deficits of these 3 technologies.

But, it works most synergistically with DLP. Lower brightness has historically been a pressing issue with DLP projectors, LED helps to completely correct that problem. Furthermore, the increase in brightness helps to enhance picture clarity and of course, the viewing experience.

Also, let's not forget that an LED projector will last you longer and cost a lot less to operate. So, if you can only own one projector and it has to meet the demands of your workplace as well as cater to your home entertainment needs, then an LED DLP projector like the WEMAX Dice will be perfect for you. The best part is that the WEMAX Dice will impress you with its performance but will not depress you with its price.