A Brief History of DLP Technology
DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. It was developed in the late 1980s by engineers at Texas Instruments who were working on projection technology using tiny mirrors. These mirrors, known as digital micromirror devices (DMDs), can tilt rapidly to reflect light and create images on a screen.
DLP was first commercialized in 1996 with the release of the first DLP projector. While image quality was lacking by today‘s standards, the technology was considered innovative at the time. Its success led manufacturers like Samsung to adopt DLP for rear-projection TVs in the early 2000s as a more affordable alternative to plasma and LCD.
DLP TVs gained significant popularity in the mid-2000s before the emergence of slimmer and more advanced LCD and OLED models threatened their market share. While DLP is still used in some projectors today, it has faced sharp decline in the TV space over the past decade. Manufacturers have shifted focus toward 4K, HDR and other innovations not supported by aging DLP sets.
How DLP TVs Work
DLP televisions use rear projection technology paired with a digital micromirror device (DMD) optical semiconductor containing millions of aluminum micromirrors. Each mirror represents one pixel. These mirrors tilt rapidly to switch between on and off states, reflecting colored light to create images on the screen.
Some DLP TVs utilize color wheels with red, blue and green segments to cycle through the color spectrum. As the wheel spins and the mirrors tilt in succession, the desired picture comes together one pixel at a time.
While this technology once dazzled compared to bulky CRT televisions, it has become dated and problematic in the face of major display innovations in recent years. From OLED‘s self-illuminating pixels to LCD‘s advanced dimming zones producing truer blacks, DLP can no longer compete on picture quality.
The Pros of DLP TVs
While DLP technology comes with some definite downsides covered later, it wasn‘t without merit in its heyday. When first introduced, DLP offered some advantages over the competing plasma, LCD and rear projection models available at the time.
Fast Response Times & Motion Clarity
Thanks to quick-tilting micromirrors and spinning color wheels, DLP TVs can achieve excellent response times under 10ms in optimal conditions. This enables reduced motion blur, making the technology well-suited for fast-action content like sports and video games.
Avoid Burn-In
DLP TVs do not suffer from permanent image retention issues associated with display technologies like OLED and plasma. This form of burn-in damage occurs when static images remain on-screen for extended periods on susceptible display panels. DLP‘s less vulnerable rear projection design avoids this problem altogether.
Affordability
During their peak popularity in the mid-2000s, DLP TVs were generally more affordable than plasma or LCD alternatives for screen sizes under 65 inches. Their competitive pricing combined with innovations like 1080p and 120Hz support made them appealing for home theater enthusiasts on a budget.
The Downsides of DLP TVs
While DLP seemed full of potential during its inception, the tides have turned considerably. Modern display technologies like 4K HDR OLED and advanced LED/LCD sets have far surpassed aging DLP‘s capabilities. From major picture quality flaws to expanding hassles, reliance on outdated DLP comes with numerous downsides today.
Limited Screen Size Options
Rear projection DLP TVs only reach certain maximum screen sizes, typically capping out below 80 inches. More compact designs struggle above 65 inches. This restricts options compared to LCD and OLED, which are available well over 100 inches.
Bulky Design
The rear projection configuration requires significant depth, making DLP TVs bulky and difficult to conveniently place in modern living spaces. Slim wall mounting is also impossible. At up to 24 inches thick and 200+ pounds, finding room is challenging.
Narrow Viewing Angles
DLP‘s picture appears washed out and distored beyond roughly 40 degree viewing angles off center. Modern TV technologies maintain color and contrast at wider angles, allowing more flexible seating arrangements.
Weak Contrast & Black Levels
DLP cannot produce the inky blacks and near-infinite contrast achieved by today‘s self-illuminating OLED pixels or advanced full array local dimming (FALD) in high-end LED/LCD TVs. With inferior dynamic range, dark scenes lose impact.
Color Decay
Projection bulbs and color wheels fade over time, causing certain hues to lose vibrancy well before outdated DLP TVs reach the end of operational lifespan. Eventual color shift makes imagery appear dull and inaccurate.
Rainbow Effects
Rapid color wheel spinning can create distracting rainbow-like trails across the screen as the red, blue and green segments cycle. This "rainbow effect" varies by viewer but proves problematic for many.
Frequent Bulb Replacements
Projection bulbs only last 3,000-5,000 hours before brightness drops substantially. Costly replacements run $100-300+ routinely to maintain image quality. Expenses add up over years of ownership.
High Energy Use
Heavy reliance on projection lamps paired with archaic display components like color wheels causes high electricity consumption well beyond modern TVs. Increased bills and environmental impact result.
Limited Resolution
DLP TVs max out at 1080p resolution with no support for 4K Ultra HD, 8K or HDR‘s expanded contrast and colors. Even entry-level models offer superior clarity and realism from advanced panels today.
Outdated Technology
Having reached their peak over 15 years ago, DLP TVs rely on antiquated tech that manufacturers no longer innovate or support. Used sets with worn components are extremely difficult to repair. Lack of warranties pose concerns.
Why You Should Avoid DLP TVs Today – Summary Table
| Reason to Avoid | Description |
| Limited Screen Sizes | DLP TVs max out below 80 inches, restricting options. |
| Bulky Design | Massive depth and weight causes placement issues. |
| Narrow Viewing Angles | Image distorts and dims beyond 40° off-center. |
| Weak Contrast & Blacks | Cannot match modern TV contrast and dark scene quality. |
| Color Decay | Bulbs and color wheels cause colors to fade over time. |
| Rainbow Effects | Color wheel cycling creates distracting rainbow trails. |
| Frequent Bulb Replacements | Costly bulbs routinely required to maintain brightness. |
| High Energy Use | Inefficient technology consumes substantially more electricity. |
| Limited Resolution | No 4K or HDR. Maxes out at dated 1080p. |
| Outdated Technology | Not supported, hard to find, and difficult to repair. |
The Verdict – It‘s Best to Avoid DLP TVs
DLP technology clearly suffers from an avalanche of downsides compared to modern display innovations that outperform aging digital light processing in every key area – most importantly overall picture quality and reliability. Resolution, contrast, operational costs and convenience all fall painfully short of better options.
With manufacturers and consumers now firmly focused on more advanced OLED and LED/LCD televisions in the 4K HDR era, outdated rear projection DLP continues its rapid descent into obscurity. Unless found secondhand at a steep discount, you‘re better off steering clear of these dinosaurs of display technology. Their day in the sun has definitively passed.
