TI produces DarkChip 4 DLP chipset
Texas Instruments doesn't care that almost everyone is eyeing swanky flat-panels for their next TV purchase and therefore, introduced it's next DLP chipset, DarkChip 4. Contrast is improved by more than 30% and when in a 3-chip, 1080p projector, TI claims to have produce a 15,000:1 native contrast ratio. Additionally, TI is demo'n at CEDIA a DarkChip 4 setup using LED illumination that achieves; get this, 100,000:1 native contrast ratio. TI says that this new chipset will be available in a number of products in '08 and we're thinking that a number of those folks looking at flat screens might be swayed if those contrast ratios hold true in the real world.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sean @ Sep 6th 2007 7:13PM
Obviously contrast ratio is a big deal, but what about viewing angle and brightness? For me those were the two main reasons for choosing LCD over DLP. Contrast ratio isn't everything, or plasma would be beating LCD right now in terms of sales. High contrast ratio and low price in a relatively small form factor does sound appealing and it could be another blow to plasma but I don't imagine it will steal any of LCD's thunder. And, as always, the right time to buy is now (or never.) There will always be better technology next year.
Michael @ Sep 7th 2007 7:06AM
You've got to believe that TI is more focused on projection units than rear projection boxes. Between commercial units that go into digital projection movie theaters and the burgeoning large screen home theater projectors, TI stands to dominate the industry. As I understand it, commercial digital projection applications are still relatively untapped and TI stands to make a bundle since they are merely the chip makers. Virtually anyone who will upgrade to digital in the commercial realm will eventually end up buying a projector with TI chips at the heart of it.
Additionally, this is great news for consumers since these types of applications will (eventually) help drive costs down at the theaters. Digital distribution has tremendous benefits in the end and a digital copy that's been played 1000 times will look the same as the first time it was played. Film deteriorates and breaks the more it is used and it costs a mint to distribute thru conventional channels. As much as we bitch and moan about the theatrical experience, digital distribution will at least improve both image and sound quality for the duration of a film's run at the local cinema. We've already got theaters here in Austin that have made the conversion to 100% DLP projection available in every one of their theaters. Can the rest of the country be far behind?