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Single Chip DLP vs 3-chip DLP

post #1 of 18
10/22/07 at 4:11am
Thread Starter 
Hello all,

Could someone please go through some summary points of the differences between single chip and 3-chip DLPs?

Thanks,
ELmO
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post #2 of 18
10/22/07 at 7:34am
I'm sure there are other refinements as well, but the major difference is one has a color wheel and the other doesn't. If you already knew that, I apologize as I certianly don't mean to talk down to anyone.
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post #3 of 18
10/22/07 at 7:46am
I'll sum up the points I know, but there should be indeed others I'm missing, I'm not an expert

Single Chip DLP
+ No possibility of misallignement, thus no loss in sharpness
- Rainbow Effect for thos sensible to it (but it also depends on the color wheel speed)
- I think they have a less efficient light path because there's a color wheel

3 Chip DLP
- Possibility of misallignement of the 3 chips, thus possibility of loss in sharpness
+ No Rainbow Effect
+ I think they have a more efficient light path because the're's no color wheel
+ I think in general, they have an higher quality compared to single chip DLPs, but this isn't a consequence of the technology used, but of the costs of such technology which place the projector in a different price range
+ Usually they have more powerful bulbs, but again this has nothing to do with the technology and there are exceptions to this rule
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post #4 of 18
10/22/07 at 7:47am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to both of you, as naive as it may sound - no I didn't realize one had a color wheel (though it makes perfect sense). Still a newbie with PJs! =D

Thanks,
ELmO
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post #5 of 18
10/22/07 at 8:11am
Some people do not see rainbows but do have other side effects.

1. Headaches
2. Exhaustion

With a color wheel you are seeing the picture change from red to green to blue within 1/60 of a second or what ever frequency at which the picture changes.
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post #6 of 18
10/22/07 at 8:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Costanza View Post

Some people do not see rainbows but do have other side effects.

1. Headaches
2. Exhaustion

With a color wheel you are seeing the picture change from red to green to blue within 1/60 of a second or what ever frequency at which the picture changes.

Typical wheel is around 10800rpm with six segemnets=64800 segments per min= 1080 segments per second.
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post #7 of 18
10/22/07 at 8:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by elmalloc View Post

Hello all,

Could someone please go through some summary points of the differences between single chip and 3-chip DLPs?

Thanks,
ELmO

The main difference, and it hasn't yet been mentioned is IMPACT. A 3 chip DLP has a depth if image that single chippers cant match. They also tend to be very bright and have fantastic richness of color.

On test patterens etc a single chip can look far better. . Feed them a source and its a different story. Thats on a back to back comparison with the single chipper thats easily closest yet to 3 chip in terms of impact.

I can guarantee that if i showed you a C3X 720 machine compared to any current 1080 single chip ( assuming youre not too close for pixel structure to be an issue) the vast majority would instantly see the IMPACT of the 3 chipper despite its lower res. Thats why machines like the C3X still sell and still hold thier price.
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post #8 of 18
10/22/07 at 8:45am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for making my PJ plight that much more difficult.

I plan to pick up the single chip DLP (Sim2 HT380/3000E or marantz) and come back to AVS when 3 chip DLPs are within my range (which is probably 3-4 years).
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post #9 of 18
10/22/07 at 8:59am
Quote:
I can guarantee that if i showed you a C3X 720 machine compared to any current 1080 single chip ( assuming youre not too close for pixel structure to be an issue) the vast majority would instantly see the IMPACT of the 3 chipper despite its lower res. Thats why machines like the C3X still sell and still hold thier price.

True, but having seen the C3X and the single chip dVision 1080p the screen door / pixel structure on the C3X totally ruined my enjoyment watching at what I consider an immersive distance from the screen ( about 1.25 screen widths ) compared to my dVision 1080p. Which ain't no slouch color or picture depth wise either. With the C3X I'd have to watch from 1.5 screen widths away which inmy opinion is too far away to fully enjoy the C3X's picture.

Watched Apocolypto on Blu Ray the other night - stunning experience on our 118" wide Firehawk G3 screen. The bloom is still not off the rose that is our dVision 1080p after 350 hours of veiwing. Single chip can totally kick a#s !!
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post #10 of 18
10/22/07 at 9:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Peer View Post

True, but having seen the C3X and the single chip dVision 1080p the screen door / pixel structure on the C3X totally ruined my enjoyment watching at what I consider an immersive distance from the screen ( about 1.25 screen widths ) compared to my dVision 1080p. Which ain't no slouch color or picture depth wise either. With the C3X I'd have to watch from 1.5 screen widths away which inmy opinion is too far away to fully enjoy the C3X's picture.

Watched Apocolypto on Blu Ray the other night - stunning experience on our 118" wide Firehawk G3 screen. The bloom is still not off the rose that is our dVision 1080p after 350 hours of veiwing. Single chip can totally kick a#s !!

Thats why I made the distance caveat. I too need to be inside 1.5 sw.

I wouldnt expect the bloom to tarnish on a dVision 1080 for quite some time yet.
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post #11 of 18
10/22/07 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 
I need to sit within 1.5 SW, I spaced the screen out and seating distance in a different room (can't do it in the actual room as I haven't moved in yet) and I feel like I want the picture to be big...
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post #12 of 18
10/22/07 at 10:13am
Hey E,

Are you buying that Sony SXRD you mentioned in the other thread, or both it and a PJ? (Big budget to light up that new home!)
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post #13 of 18
10/22/07 at 10:32am
Thread Starter 
(Both). =)

Not really a big budget as I will probably have consumed/drained almost everything I have in checking to move in (LOL!).

It was the Sony 60" A3000 SXRD vs the Pioneer 50" 5080HD (Kuro Plasma) in a room where viewing distance is 17 feet back. The SXRD is $500 less (street), too.

I already have some nice furniture to sit hte SXRD on, and the pioneer is smaller. On top of that, the SXRD is 1080p and I wonder if my PC will look decent on it...I'm pretty sure I have no chance of using the pioneer at that distance for reading text (along with it being 720p). I think 60" (of course, I'm in the PJ forum so it's a certain) is too small as well...

I will be using it for Nintendo Wii, HD-DVDs, and cable TV.

All in all, the pioneer wlil probalby throw the better picture (I've seen the blacks on it, even in the stores - you can tell the difference).

I expect at some point I'll want to go minimalistic and "take my living room" back over with the plasma, but for now I think the Sony is the right choice..I will have to see it in person soon before I mamke the final decision but it's readily available at sears and other local B&Ms for viewing (and for a good price).

-ELmO
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post #14 of 18
10/22/07 at 11:11am
I think you will end up moving a bit closer when watching the 60". The 70" Sony I have in one room is best viewed no further than 12' away. For gaming I would think you would really want to be closer.

Sorry to take this OT.
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post #15 of 18
10/22/07 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
Isn't that interesting though, 70" at 12' away and people recommend 12' for PJ screens 100" and larger.

I imagine with a 2.35 1080p screen of 120"+ I will be sitting 10'-11' away to get the immersive experience.

It's OK for it being OT, I'm the OP and the original Q has been answered. =D

My parents sit 15' away from their 57" Toshiba, and it's certainly small to me. I told them after they see my PJ setup, they will have to get one. They said they're happy with their setup. I gave them that 57" HDTV about 4 years ago...technology has changed significantly thougH I think CRT RPTVs can still throw a great picture.

I seem to always have the weight of my friends/family on my shoulders when guinea pigging new technology, I basically "sell" the idea to them once they see my setup...it puts pressure on me to make sure I'm picking up good electronics for demo'ing purposes....lol.

I want to buy them a panasonic AX200u just to play with...

-ELmO
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post #16 of 18
10/22/07 at 7:37pm
I have recently bought an Infocus 777, 3 chip 720 PJ. I sit about 12ft from a 56x100 screen. I can see panel structure some time but it does not bother me. The picture with a good source is compelling. You need to see a three chip before making a choice. There is something better than the numbers show in going from one to three chips.
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post #17 of 18
10/23/07 at 9:53am
I have already made my reservations for CES 2008 and hope to see a comparison of the C3xe 720p and the 3000e 1080p. I will be looking at several other projectors and hope I can determine which would be best for me. I can't afford a 1080p 3 chip but like the idea of depth and richness of color a 3 chip can offer (C3Xe). However, the idea of sitting closer and adding another row of chairs for visitors sound good too (3000e). Possiblly by the time CES rolls around they will have the dark chip 4 in the 3000e and that could cause me to want the 3000e with a bright picture, good color and deeper blacks. Anyone have any comments. Thanks Greg
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post #18 of 18
10/23/07 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
My comments are always the same on this, but I never follow my own advice - technology changes rapidly enough that ...when you have the DC4, how long before the DC6 is out?



I'm also looknig at the 3000e, HT380, and even cheaper PJs. Jason will help me make a decision after he's back from vacation...trust your own eyes only.
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