Have you ever thought, while watching a movie, that it would be amazing to lie in bed and watch a film on a big screen? But the problem is, you can't just use your ceiling as a projector. I don’t even know how to set up a projector in my bedroom, let alone install one. How do you even start? A regular TV screen won’t give you that cinematic experience!
No Screen TV
This is made possible by Texas Instruments’ DLP technology, which digitally processes image signals before projecting them. At the heart of this system is the DMD chip, a digital micromirror device. It's built using standard CMOS semiconductor processes and includes a rotating mechanism that controls the light reflection. The DMD acts as an optical modulator, directing light based on digital signals. This allows precise control over the light’s path, turning it on and off with binary signals.
DLP technology was originally used in digital projectors. TI worked closely with Hollywood to introduce digital cinema projectors, which played a key role in the shift from film to digital. As a result, the film industry moved into the digital age. Today, TI holds 85% of the global cinema market, and more than 90% of Chinese theaters use DLP-based projectors. Dr. Larry Hornbeck, the inventor of DLP, even won an Academy Award for his contributions.
So where else can DLP technology be used? That’s exactly what TI has been exploring. At this year’s DLP seminar, I saw some really interesting applications. Let’s take a look:
Laser TV: 4K Ultra HD
For TVs, Volkswagen has always pushed for ultra-high definition and large screens, both of which enhance the viewing experience dramatically.
Hisense 4K Laser TV
This is the Hisense 4K laser TV, featuring crystal-clear images powered by TI’s DLP660TE chip. To meet the CA standard for 4K, it must display 8.3 million pixels and align them precisely on a large screen. Any misalignment could ruin the image quality. Single-chip DLP systems avoid this issue, offering a one-to-one pixel mapping, which gives them a clear advantage in 4K resolution.
Zheng Haibing, Business Development Manager at Texas Instruments, said, “To promote 4K further, TI released two DLP chips: DLP470TE and DLP470TP. The main difference is their package size, which affects heat dissipation. Larger packages offer better cooling and higher brightness. The DLP470TP is smaller and more portable, making it ideal for compact applications. It can reach up to 1500 lumens, offering a great balance between portability and brightness.â€
Desktop Display: Portable and Simple
Desktop Display
This is a desktop with a built-in projection display, allowing users to interact directly with the screen. While the clarity is good, it still has room for improvement. Zheng Haibing explained, “Clarity depends on panel resolution and lens performance. Since it uses ultra-short throw optics, some corner blurring might occur due to lens manufacturing limitations.â€
If lens technology improves, maybe we won’t need a separate laptop for office projections anymore.
Zheng Haibing, Business Development Manager, DLP Products, Texas Instruments
Car HUD: The Road to Mass Production Is Near
Car Head-Up Display
Head-up displays have always been a hot topic in automotive tech. What happens when DLP is used? Take a look at the image above. Lincoln’s Continental is the first car to integrate DLP into its HUD. Next year, the Navigator model will also feature DLP-based gauges. TI introduced the DLP3030-Q1 chipset and an evaluation module (EVM) for on-board HUD systems, helping manufacturers show high-brightness AR content on windshields within the driver’s field of view.
With the DLP3030-Q1, designers can create AR HUDs that project virtual images up to 7.5 meters away. DLP’s unique architecture ensures it can handle intense solar loads, even for VIDs up to 105°C. This combination allows for wide FOVs and enhanced depth of field, enabling interactive infotainment and instrument cluster systems.
Spectral Detection: Reusable and Efficient
While display is DLP’s main strength, it also has other applications, like spectral detection. Traditionally, this is done through pure optical methods—analyzing absorption spectra and comparing them to standards. But this process is time-consuming and costly, especially when switching between different samples.
With DLP, everything becomes digital. Instead of using linear arrays, you can scan multiple wavelengths in a single run, improving signal-to-noise ratio. After scanning, only one detector is needed. Digital methods are repeatable, fast, and secure, making them ideal for scientific and industrial use.
Digital Exposure: PCB Boards & Beauty Equipment
In PCB manufacturing, digital exposure is replacing traditional masks. It offers greater precision for high-density boards. Beyond PCBs, DLP is also used in beauty devices. For example, in laser treatments for skin conditions, DLP can target lesions without harming surrounding skin, ensuring safer and more accurate results.
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