Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

Texas Instruments Unveils New Compact Controller for DLP Projectors

The next generation of DLP chips for projectors will be 90% smaller, which could unlock new product innovations.

DLP Projector in Home Theater Lifestyle

The demand for portable projectors that are easy to set up and use keeps increasing, especially for gaming, but up to this point the quality that they deliver has been mixed at best. With that in mind, Texas Instruments (TI) is coming to the rescue with a new DLP controller that will enable the smallest, fastest, and lowest power 4K UHD projectors available so far. 

How DLP Projectors Work

DLP projectors incorporate a light source in combination with a color wheel and chip (DMD – Digital Micromirror Device) that contains microscopic tilting mirrors, supported by a DMD controller. The light passes through the color wheel, reflects off the mirrors, and images are projected onto a screen.

How DLP Projector Works

The DMD Controller

A DMD controller takes incoming video frame data and converts it to DMD micromirror control signals in sequence with color sequential illumination to create the image.

The new DLPC8445 DLP® controller is 90% smaller than the previous generation as shown below in a side-by-side image. This enables a compact design for consumer applications such as lifestyle projectors, gaming projectors, and augmented reality glasses.

DLP Chips

Designers can replicate the experience of immersive, high-end gaming monitors in a fraction of the size with submillisecond display latency and frame rates up to 240Hz.

Measuring just 9mm by 9mm, or the width of a pencil eraser, TI’s DLPC8445 display controller is the smallest of its kind while enabling a diagonal display of 100 inches or more in vivid image quality with ultra-low latency.

When combined with TI’s compatible digital micro-mirror device (DMD), the DLP472TP, and power-management integrated circuit (PMIC) driver, the DLPA3085, the new controller enables DLP projector makers to approximate the experience of high-end televisions and gaming monitors using compact form factor. This includes submillisecond display latency and reducing lag time for gamers.

Integration of variable refresh rate (VRR) support, a first for a DLP chipset, also enables better displays for gamers by allowing projector makers to easily sync frame rates and eliminate lagging, image tearing, and stuttering.

Advanced image-correction capabilities dynamically adjust for surface imperfections, making it possible for consumers to conveniently take their gaming and viewing experience anywhere. It is also the first DLP controller designed for laser-illuminated battery-powered projectors.

How 4K Pixel Shifting Works

DLP 4K Pixel Shifting

The DLP472TP is a .47-inch 1080p resolution DLP imaging chip (aka DMD – Digital Micromirror Device). The chip contains 2.1 million pixels (very tiny mirrors). However, to display 4K UHD, 8.3 million pixels are required. As a result, the pixels on the 1080p chip are shifted both vertically and horizontally at 240Hz (240 times per second). This is so fast that it’s classified as a 4K image once displayed on the screen.

Tech Note: WTF is Video Resolution?

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

From Jeff Marsh, vice president and general manager of DLP Products at TI: “Immersive display entertainment is now sought out by everyday consumers, not just movie enthusiasts and gamers…Where consumers once needed a big TV or monitor for a crisp and clear display, they can now use a lifestyle or gaming projector and transform a wall into the screen size of their choosing with 4K UHD quality. Our new controller is the latest example of how TI DLP technology is helping engineers develop epic displays for entertainment that can be taken anywhere.

For more technical details refer to TI’s article, “Big-screen gaming anywhere: designing portable 4K UHD gaming projectors up to 240Hz.

TI New Generation Chip Roadmap

The DLPC8445 controller is the first of a new generation of DLP chip products coming from TI. Future chipsets using the new controller technology will feature DMDs of different sizes and resolutions to address new trends in display applications, including augmented reality glasses.

Preproduction quantities of the new DLPC8445 controller, DLP472TP DMD, and DLPA3085 PMIC are available for purchase by projector makers on TI.com for $60 each in 1,000-unit quantities.

Depending on how fast DLP projector makers act consumers may have access to projectors using this new generation of chipsets sometime in 2025. 

Related Reading

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

New Products

Audioengine A2+ Next Gen Anniversary Edition in Matte Orange Wireless Desktop Speakers Lifestyle

New Products

Limited to 250 pairs in matte orange, Audioengine A2+ Next Gen wireless speakers offer bold color, stellar desktop design, powerful tech, and great value....

Monitor Audio Bronze 7G Loudspeakers White Monitor Audio Bronze 7G Loudspeakers White

Floorstanding Speakers

Five Monitor Audio Bronze Series 7G loudspeakers bring upgraded drivers, sleek design, and Dolby Atmos support at wallet-friendly prices.

Ikarao Smart Karaoke Speakers Group Ikarao Smart Karaoke Speakers Group

New Products

Ikarao's Shell S1, Break X1, and Break X2 combine wireless and wired music streaming with touchscreens, light effects, and karaoke features for the ultimate...

Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier Front Left Angle Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier Front Left Angle

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

Musical Fidelity’s new B1xi integrated amp ditches streaming for pure Class A/B power, a quality phono stage, and hi-res digital inputs for $879.

AudioQuest Brave Heart Speaker Cable AudioQuest Brave Heart Speaker Cable

Audio Cables

ZERO-Tech speaker cables capable of advanced noise reduction and precise timing for high-end audio systems deserving of geekery loud on specs, quiet on sense.

Ortofon MC X10, X20, X30, X40 Phono Cartridges Ortofon MC X10, X20, X30, X40 Phono Cartridges

New Products

Ortofon’s new MC X Series cartridges bring high-end quad-coil tech and precision tracking to challenge Hana, Dynavector, and Goldring at every price point.

You May Also Like

New Products

At just $999, the Optoma Photon Go is a portable triple laser 1080p UST projector with built-in battery and Google TV for screen sizes...

New Products

At $2,499 the versatile Hisense C2 Ultra lifestyle 4K projector offers optical zoom, built-in JBL speakers, gaming features and more.

New Products

The Hisense M2 Pro may be small, but it has a comprehensive feature set including easy setup, 1200 lumens light output, up to 200-inch...

New Products

Optoma GT4000UHD delivers 4K UHD, 4,000 lumens, ultra-low input lag, and UST convenience for an immersive gaming and movie experience in any room.

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Philips has teamed up with Roku to deliver a budget priced 65-inch OLED TV (model 65OLED974/F7) that's only $1,299 at Sam's Club.

New Products

Sister Company to UST Projector Maker AWOL, Valerion has a line of standard throw projectors that might be just right for you

News

Epson's crusade against misleading specifications forces AWOL and JMGO to correct lumens output ratings on some of their projectors.

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Amazon introduces top-of-the-line Omni Series Mini-LED QLED 4K TVs in sizes from 55 to 85-inches at affordable price points.

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers