[ElTwo]

Texas Instruments came up with this idea in 2001 ( http://www.dlp.com/dlp_technology/im...dyn_filter.pdf ) as a method of projecting three colors at the same time from a one chip DLP projector, reducing what TI calls the "color separation artifacts," or to a number of us sensitive people,

r a i n b o w s .


Well it's been over 4 years, the appropriate color wheels are being produced (PRODISC is producing one for "Asia" http://www.prodisc.com.tw/English/th...products-e.htm ,

and UNAXIS has produced one http://optics.unaxis.com/pod/SysDirs...ease/126RE.pdf ,

JDS Uniphase has one www.ocli.com/products/scr_color_wheels.html )


The bottom line, does anyone have any information as to when we will see this in the US?


Thoughts, opinions and information are welcome.


(Since this is my first post I am not allowed to post a URL, add WWW to all references, except the unaxis reference) (edited, since I now have 5 posts, to include the proper URLs)

 

[kickstart]

I've been wondering about this myself. I read about in ExtremeTech over a year ago, but have not heard any product announcements.


Perhaps TI has not incorporated it into their reference DLP designs yet? You have to wonder why though since it supposedly eliminates the rainbow problem.


And frankly, it looks like its not going to add to the cost of the unit significantly. Perhaps they will combine this with 1080p xHD3 chips in a future design, to increase the product differentiation. Just guessing.

 

[hefe]

I wouldn't think that it would eliminate the problem for those that see rainbows. But it's hard to say one way or the other without seeing it in action. By the time I'm ready for another TV, I would hope 3-chip is available. I don't think I want any color wheel if there is an alternative.


It would be misleading to say the the SCR wheel displays three colors at the same time without further description. It will display the colors at the same time, but not in the same place at the same time. Every pixel will still be rotating through a cycle of colors, it's just there will be areas of red green and blue on the screen at the same time.


They mention a reduction of "color separation artifacts" but the occurrence seems to be so subjective even now, that I can't imagine they could quantify the reduction later. In other words, I'll probably still have a rainbow problem...

 

[ElTwo]

From viewing the animated demo, I agree with hefe, it appears that each pixel will still rotate through a cycle of colors, and there will be three colors on the screen at all times. I guess it will depend upon the distribution of each color throughout the screen.


By the way, I received a note from the tvauthority claiming that Sim2 has released a rear projector with SCR, but I can't figure out which model it is.

 

[rogo]

By all accounts, the SCR technology either died completely or became seriously back burner.


I am very skeptical to hear it'd be out from Sim2 in an RPTV. Can you find anymore info on that?


It would not -- logically -- eliminate rainbows and it creates its own set of potential problems.


Mark

 

[ElTwo]

Following is a direct quote from Sim2, search Sequential Color Recapture on their website)


03-june-2003


SIM2 Multimedia unveils at Infocomm the 1st product featuring Texas Instruments’s SCR (Sequential Color Recapture) technology in a rearprojection application: the RP U271 engine



Orlando - Florida, June 2003: SIM2 Multimedia is proud to announce the RP U271 engine, the first product to feature TI’s SCR (Sequential Color Recapture) technology, and designed for rear projection applications such as command and control, visual messaging and digital signage. SIM2 will unveil the RP U271 engine in occasion of the Infocomm 2003 at the Rosen Center Hotel.


The SCR technology enables the recycling of the lamp output that is rejected by the color wheel filters. The light reflected from the filters is re-collected and passed through the color wheel at a different position, thus increasing lumens efficiency (40% increase in brightness).


It also enables slower rotation speed for the color wheel, reducing audible noise, as well as a smaller lamp and thermal load, higher contrast ratio, resulting in a more efficient and performing projection engine.


Indeed, SCR is a new milestone in technology evolution that allows the design of top quality products with a low impact on environment and exceptional characteristics.


“This is another proof of SIM2 ability to foresee market needs and punctually develop products with cutting-edge technology for the user’s benefit†says Maurizio Cini, Managing Director of SIM2 Multimedia. “Our next goal is to implement SCR also into the home theater product line, where longevity and high brightness are the features most demanded and appreciated by consumers. We shall present the first samples at CEDIA 2003, confident that it will be a sure successâ€.


“The videowall market for control rooms is growing rapidly, †adds Mr. Djalal Sepahi, Marketing & Sales Director Large Display Solutions “demanding larger and larger screens without compromising however brightness, lamp life and reliability. Well, SIM2’s new product fulfils all of these requirementsâ€.



Demonstrations

The RP U271 engine with SCR technology will be on display at the Rosen Center (Suite 244 – Tel. 407. 996 9840).

For a customised demo, please contact Mr. Sepahi or Mr. Balanza at +39-335.608 5549 or +39.335.120 5115 respectively; They will be pleased to illustrate the peculiarities of this amazing product.

 

[kickstart]

So there seem to be three big things to wish for under the DLP tree this year:


Sequential Color Recapture color wheels to reduce rainbows

SCRAM screen enabling thin RPTV's

xHD3 chips enabling 1080P


Wonder which will show up first in a retail set? They've all been demoed to some extent. Will someone combine all three?


Probably have to wait for CES 2005 to find out. But there are so many announced technologies that never make it to market (cough Intel cough)...

 

[ElTwo]

If they did, how long would it take for the new TV to become obsolete?

1. 1 month
2. 3 months
3. 6 months
4. 9 months
5. 1 Year
6. 1.5 years
7. 2 years
8. 3 years
9. 5 years
10. never ;p[/list=1]

 

[hjw]

If you're pleased with the PQ, why would you be concerned about your set becoming obsolete?

 

[ElTwo]

It was a little joke based on kickstart's signature

 

[kickstart]

Quote:

If you're pleased with the PQ, why would you be concerned about your set becoming obsolete?

Are you kidding? I was pretty satisfied with my 27 inch Trinitron CRT a year ago. Now this board has ruined me.


Lets face it: when you're spending $3K+ on a TV, you are buying bragging rights, not just picture quality. You know what's bugging me right now? That my new Grand Wega, which hasn't been delivered yet, is not going to be as good as the Toshiba SED sets coming out _next_year_. How sick is that? I'm already trying to figure out when the best time to sell it and upgrade will be. Wait for 1080p? SED? OLED?


I also am in somewhat of an arms race with a friend of mine. I started it by buying a flat screen Wega a few years back. He upped the ante with a 32 inch set + digital satellite. Now I've gone with the tactical nuke of a 42 inch LCD RPTV with HD PVR. I figure I've got a year or so before the flat panel ICBM lands.

 

[rogo]

The Sim2 release is dated from more than a year ago.


Of these three....


"Sequential Color Recapture color wheels to reduce rainbows

SCRAM screen enabling thin RPTV's

xHD3 chips enabling 1080P"


... the only one coming within the next year is xHD3. The first is almost certainly never coming (and won't reduce rainbows anyway in all likelihood). The second is likely never coming.... The third is almost certainly coming.

 

[ElTwo]

I agree with rogo , but what has artificially inflated my hopes is the fact that at least three manufacturers are producing color wheels based on the Archimedes Spiral

(PRODISC is producing one for "Asia" http://www.prodisc.com.tw/English/th...products-e.htm ,

and UNAXIS has produced one http://optics.unaxis.com/pod/SysDir...lease/126RE.pdf ,

JDS Uniphase has one www.ocli.com/products/scr_color_wheels.html )


I can't really imagine a manufacturer placing something into production without a market. Then, again . . .

 

[ElTwo]

After reading more of the specifics on the actual workings of SCR, I'm not at all sure it will, or can eliminate rainbows. The method proposed by TI effectively triples the rate at which each color is individually scanned (assuming a three color wheel). TI then claims this will be so fast as to be undetectable by the human eye.

Where have we heard this before

I'm guessing we are not seeing SCR because it doesn't work as advertised, at least in the configuration proposed byTI.

 

[JLaamanen]

I think from what I've read, in current applications, the chip is turned off during the sweep of the transition from one color to another such that only one color is being handled at a time.


(This makes it interesting to think of the size of the the color wheel and size and location of the light window in it.)


If the SCR solution implies multiple colors on the chip at the same time, doesn't this complicate the software for control of colors?


If the same numbers of colors, or sets of colors, are being displayed at the same rate, would smaller areas of each color be significant in eliminating rainbows?


John

 

[rogo]

"If the SCR solution implies multiple colors on the chip at the same time, doesn't this complicate the software for control of colors? "


It complicates a lot of things.


"If the same numbers of colors, or sets of colors, are being displayed at the same rate, would smaller areas of each color be significant in eliminating rainbows?"


It didn't much help on the Philips LCOS.

 

[ElTwo]

To say it complicates things seems to be a gross understatement. TI's demo seems to indicate one color being applied to one area of the chip, and the screen, at the same time, I don't think this will reduce rainbows. If they could come up with an algorithm that would allow for three adjacent pixels to be three different colors simultaneously, then there might be a reduction in rainbows.


Botom line, if it ever comes out I'll be one of the judges of it, since I see rainbows.