How Do Rear Projector TVs Work: Explained
When it comes to home entertainment systems, TVs are the centerpiece that brings family and friends together for a movie night or the big game. With the advancement of technology and the introduction of flat screens, rear projector TVs may have taken a back seat, but they remain a viable option for many people. In this article, well discuss how do rear projector TVs work.
What is Rear Projection TV?
Rear Projection TVs have been around since the late ’90s and were popular until flat-screen TVs emerged in the market. These kinds of televisions use a projector to display images on a screen. The projectors position in the back of the TV cabinet projects the image onto a mirror that, in turn, reflects it onto the screen. Rear-projection TVs have a bigger screen than traditional CRT or flat-panel screens, and the viewing experience is quite good in low-lit rooms.
Types of Rear Projection TVs
There are three basic types of rear projection TVs:
- CRT Rear Projection TVs: CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technology was also used in rear projection models. Three colored CRT tubes were used, one for each primary color (red, green, blue), to project the image on the screen.
- DLP Rear Projection TVs: DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology uses a chip that controls a micro-mirror to project the image on the screen. The chip projects the image by reflecting light off the mirror that is positioned towards the light source.
- LCD Rear Projection TVs: LCD (Liquid-Crystal Display) rear projection TVs use LCD panels that allow the light for the image to be controlled, projecting the image on the screen.
How Do Rear Projection TVs Work?
The principle of projecting an image through a lens is simple, but to deliver a clear picture, various sophisticated technologies are used. The process goes as follows:
- The TVs cabinet houses a lamp that produces white light. The light passes through a condenser lens that distributes it evenly and sends it to a color wheel in the case of a DLP TV.
- The color wheel in DLP TVs has different colored segments, which filter light of certain wavelengths, creating a sequence of red, green and blue light pulses.
- Light enters the DLP chip that houses millions of tiny mirrors. Each mirror directs the light towards or away from the lens, which represents an on or off state of that pixel.
- The light is then projected in the direction of the TV screen, where a fresnel lens enhances the pictures brightness.
- In the case of LCD projection TVs, light passes through polarizing filters that separate the light into red, green and blue. It is then projected on three separate LCD panels, illuminated by a lamp and passes through a prism that merges the three colors into a single image, creating a full-color image.
Conclusion
Rear projection TVs have been around for quite a while and have come a long way since their innovation in the late 90s. They may have been outdone by modern flat screens, but theyre still a viable option for affordable home entertainment systems with bigger screens. Understanding how rear projection TVs work can help you make an informed decision the next time you are choosing a TV. |