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DLP RPTV Update |
March 12, 2004 |
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DLP Update 2004 TI announces new DLP Chip Lineup Samsung Announces the 2004 DLP Models RCA & Infocus Introduce Ultra-Thin DLP |
LG/Zenith Introduces DLP Models Optoma Introduces New DLP Model |
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Breaking News Interview with Steve Panosian, Samsung 3/12/04
Samsung now shipping HLN-1 series
3/12/04 Samsung cuts HLN prices 3/3/04 Samsung HLP information in flux 2/27/04 Related Guides Selecting a High Definition Display |
We cover the new developments in DLP RPTV’s in 2004, and continue to provide up-to-date information on the 2003 models.
DLP Gains Momentum
Samsung’s big success with their DLP line in 2003 took many in the industry by surprise – and has positioned DLP as a potential leader in the technology race. At CES, TI introduced a new DLP chip lineup, Samsung announced a new 2004 lineup including a "Captain Kirk" Pedestal model, many more vendors joined the DLP bandwagon, and DLP TV’s get thinner.
The success of Samsung DLP line in 2003 has given a significant momentum to DLP rear projection televisions, very evident at the CES 2004 show.
- Astute decision makers have now figured out that digital RPTV's will take the bulk of the 40" and above market with models ranging from 7” to 17” thick.
- Most vendors have also recognized that LCoS will replace LCD RPTV’s. But LCoS is yet unproven and Intel still has a challenge ahead of them. So this year DLP is the main action in digital RPTV’s, although LCD RPTV’s have a price advantage.
- Even though Samsung is perceived as having a big lead, other vendors are betting that demand will be large enough for many vendors.
- Panasonic and LG have jumped in. Toshiba has left LCoS and announced a DLP lineup. RCA has expanded their product line. Other major vendors are contemplating. Gateway continues its line.
- Infocus has been able to create 7” thin RPTV’s and is working on both DLP and LCoS side. RCA and Infocus are jointly introducing thin DLP models this year. Meanwhile, Samsung announced that they are able to reduce the depth of their sets from 17” to 12”.
- Smaller vendors are also jumping-in – V. Inc. and Optoma. Loewe and Sim2 continue their higher priced models.
- That naturally shifts the concern to whether TI has enough capacity – and TI has been convincing partners and analysts that they do.
TI follows the success of HD2 chip with 3 new chips in 2004: HD3 is a new 720p chip designed for low-cost high volume production, HD2+ is a new 720p chip with higher contrast and black levels, and xHD3 is a new 1080p chip.
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DLP Chip |
Chip Size |
Resolution |
Contrast |
Improvements |
Used in 2004 models |
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HD2 Existing |
0.8” |
1280x720 |
1000:1 |
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LG, Older Optoma, Older RCA |
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HD3 New |
0.55” |
1280x720 |
1500:1 |
Replaces HD2. Smaller size. Designed for high volume, low-cost production. Incremental improvements: DarkChip2, SmoothPicture |
Samsung 2004 base models are the first ones to use this chip. |
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HD2+ New |
0.8” |
1280x720 |
2500:1 |
Higher end 720p chip. Dimple fix, DarkChip2 |
Already shipping in Sharp 12000 and other front projectors. Samsung higher end models (pedestal 50", 56" and tantus 46", 56"), Panasonic DLP, New model from Optoma, many new front projectors, Toshiba |
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xHD3 New |
0.9” |
1920x1080 |
5000:1 |
Dynamic Black, DarkChip2, SmoothPicture |
Demonstrated on a Samsung set. Delivery targeted for later part of 2004 |
TI has branded some of the new improvements made in these new chips as follows:
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Enhancement |
Description |
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DarkChip2 |
The next generation of DLP's widely acclaimed DarkChip(TM) technology, it offers dramatically increased contrast ratio to provide increased depth and picture sharpness and true blacks and whites. |
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SmoothPicture |
Combined with our cutting-edge third generation of 720p and 1080p chips, it offers the ultimate in picture quality, providing a smooth, seamless image. |
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DynamicBlack |
Dynamically optimizes picture quality, providing deeper black levels with incredible detail in dark scenes and a contrast ratio of 5000:1. An equally important part of the technology is the color wheel used in 1 chip DLP televisions. All DLP RPTV’s today are 1 chip, and are likely to remain so. Only some high-end front-projectors are 3 chip models. |
The new chips also use a new 7-segment color wheel.
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Color Wheel |
Improvements |
Used in 2004 sets |
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6-Segment Existing |
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All sets that use HD2 chips: LG, Older Optoma, Older RCA All sets that use HD3, HD2+ chips but ship in early 2004. |
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7-Segment New |
The extra segment is a green segment meant to improve rendering in dark areas |
This seven-segment color wheel requires a 10 bit processing of the video signal. Already shipping in Sharp 12000 and other front projectors. For rear projection, there is still work going on with each set manufacturer so that generally the sets in the early parts of the year won't have this wheel, whereas sets with HD3 or HD2+ chips in mid to later part of the year will have this wheel. |
We saw a number of front projectors with the HD2+ chip and the seven-segment color wheel. These projectors had excellent blacks levels and dark area details, approaching CRT. We hope that DLP RPTV’s using this combination will also have an equivalent picture quality.
Links
Texas Instruments Announces DLP Technology – Press Release
Samsung 2003 DLP product line has been very successful – not only proving that DLP will be a technology of choice, but also that comparable digital RPTV’s will also be very successful.
All Samsung HLP sets have:
- HDMI + DVI inputs (effectively 2 Digital video inputs!!!)
- All three component inputs take the complete range of resolutions - fixing an issue in the 2003 models
- Color wheel: The Pedestal and Tantus (HD2+) models will have the new and highly desirable seven segment color wheel. The base (HD3) models will have the older six segment color wheel. - 2/27/04
- 8000 Hour 100-Watt User Replaceable Lamp
- Optional HDTV Tuner
- HD Fine Pitch Screen (0.155 mm)
- Discreet IR code operation
- Otherwise the same features as in '03 models
According to a press report, "in the second half of the year, the company will drop in cosmetically identical models with integrated ATSC tuning. Integrated versions will add ATSC tuning, a CableCard slot for one-way plug and play capability, and both 1394-DTCP and HDMI-HDCP digital interfaces. The step up packages will carry a step-up premium over monitor only versions". No more details are available.
Links
Samsung HLP Brochure (.pdf) – Note that some of the information provided in this brochure has since changed – especially the shipping dates.
Pedestal T-Models (dubbed Captain Kirk)
The pedestal models were the hit of the show. They are an elegant design, and definitely make a statement, probably more so than any other TV on display at CES. The interest level in this set was very high -- it is the only TV that made the Best of CES 2004.
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Tantus Models (Tabletop)
Tabletop models continue in same sizes and more or less the same chassis. However, they are split into two levels: the higher end Tantus 46" and 56" models have the HD2+ chip. The lower end base models have the HD3 chip.
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Base Models (Tabletop)
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Samsung 1080p Model
This model was demonstrated by Samsung and TI but very little is known about it.
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RCA and Infocus introduce a jointly developed Ultra-thin (7”) DLP RPTV that can be wall mounted. RCA will market it using retail channels, and Infocus will use CEDIA channels. RCA will continue its other DLP models which are tabletop.
RCA announcement:
"At the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show, Thomson today unveiled the 6.85" thin Profiles HDTV -- the new RCA Scenium ultra-thin Digital Cable Ready integrated rear-projection DLP(TM) HDTV Sets featuring slim cabinets less than seven inches deep and so light in weight they can be easily mounted on a wall. The sleek new designs in HDTV Sets will be available in 50-inch and 61-inch models later in 2004 (and in a stunning 70-inch mural-sized screen in 2005) and feature integrated ATSC tuner/decoder and Digital Cable Ready circuitry designed to capture the realism of HDTV broadcasts aired by terrestrial broadcasters and carried by cable operators to consumers.
Designed and integrated by Thomson, the sleek RCA Scenium Profiles HDTV Sets are equipped with the leading-edge DLP microdisplay from Texas Instruments and utilize a newly developed InFocus Light Engine. The exclusive Thomson electromechanical design of Profiles HDTV will bring consumers an outstanding ultra-thin design and stunning lifelike pictures on giant projection screens that make digital entertainment -- and not the television -- the centerpiece of a high-definition home theatre. "
Infocus Announcement:
InFocus Previews New Screenplay 61'' Thin Television; Microdisplay Designed for Discerning Videophiles
"InFocus(R) the worldwide leader in digital projection and services, today announced and previewed the InFocus ScreenPlay(TM) 61-inch microdisplay television. The new InFocus ScreenPlay television is a break-through in ultra-thin, rear projection displays, which is light and thin enough to hang on a wall, while generating a superior image quality relative to other thin television options.
Historically, rear-projection televisions have been bulky, heavy and took up valuable living space. InFocus' innovative technology enables rear-projection in a thin format that is preferable to consumers. The InFocus ScreenPlay television integrates proprietary, patent-pending engine and screen technology with a microdisplay currently utilizing Texas Instruments' award-winning DLP(TM) technology. This revolutionary television will be sold through specialty consumer channels where prior relationships that InFocus developed through its front projection home theater solutions will provide the new, thin television access to big screen enthusiasts who demand stellar image quality."
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There are two developers of the "thin RPTV" technology -- Infocus and Scramtech.
- Infocus is clearly ahead. They are working with both DLP and LCoS side, although at this point they seem more confident of DLP's success in the market.
- Scramtech seems to be considerably behind Infocus. Samsung is working only with Scramtech at this time. However, Samsung has already reduced the depth of its models to 12”.
- The target market of the thin RPTV technology is a potential plasma owner. As a result, Plasma may face a double squeeze -- from LCD's at lower sizes, and from thin RPTV's at large sizes.
- RCA is putting a very high price premium - $4-5K over a same size non-thin model. This premium is not necessarily fundamental to the technology but more likely early / introductory pricing, and part of positioning it at the high-end of the market.
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LG was awarded a Tech TV Best of CES 2004 award in the high end video category for their "LG TU-60SZ31 60-inch HDTV w/DVR". The model demonstrated at the show was an LCD model, but is being changed to DLP. It is a 60" DLP with built in ATSC/CableCard tuner with HD DVR for $6000. See http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/specialevents/story/0,23008,3591504,00.html
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From CES 2004 Daily
“Toshiba America Consumer Products television marketing VP Scott Ramirez announced here Wednesday that the company has officially stepped away from rear-projection television based on LCoS in favor of the popular and more available DLP chips from TI.
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For 2004, Toshiba plans to embrace DLP in a big way, Ramirez said. He said Toshiba will introduce later this year an expansive lineup using TI's HD2+ high definition TV chip and a light engine completely designed and built by Toshiba.
Although Ramirez deliclined to announce specifics, the company was reportedly planning to offer 10 DLP models in 2004. He said Toshiba intends to use DLP to take a "top three" market share position in micro-device-based projection television products.”
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Optoma |
RD-50+ (name not final) |
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Available 2004 |
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- HD2+ chip with 8 segment color wheel (that’s right) - Information Coming soon |
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Optoma will continue its existing models RD-50 ($4999) and RD-65 ($5999) with the HD2 chips.
APH USA, Inc. announces the launch of its latest entry into the digital convergence consumer electronics market with the launch of the Akai PT56DL20 56” DLP Projection Television. See this article in DesignTechnica.
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Akai |
PT56DL20 – 56” |
Tabletop ? |
July 2004 |
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- 1500:1 contrast ratio (most likely the HD3 chip). - 16” deep |
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We didn’t come across any announcements from other existing DLP vendors: Gateway, Loewe, and Sim2. Presumably they will continue their lineup and update to the new chips and color wheel in due time.
According to Insight Media, Skyworth, Daewoo, TCL, SVA and ViewSonic are reported to be among the vendors contemplating entering the DLP market.
Almost all of the DLP RPTV’s sold to date are Samsung HLN series. To some extent, these sets have created a market for DLP and digital RPTV’s. These are second generation Samsung DLP sets, replacing the 2002 HLM series in spring ’03. Samsung has now slip-streamed new stopgap models (with a 1 suffix) until the 2004 HLP series ships.
For much more detail on these sets, see this in-depth guide: Samsung HLN Sets: DLP 2003.
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Gateway 56” DLP provides the best value in DLP RPTV’s at this point.
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RCA tabletop models were introduced in 2003, and will continue into 2004. The 2003 models have a showstopper issue – they don’t accept 720p HD inputs. The specifications for the 2004 models are not yet known.
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