Find out what is an LCD Projector, how does it benefit you, and the difference between LCD and 3LCD here.

LCD Projector

Epson and LCD Projectors

Epson developed the 3LCD technology in the 1980s and was first licensed for use in projectors in 1988. In January 1989, Epson launched its first 3LCD projector, the VPJ-700. The 3LCD technology is now adopted by about 40 different projector brands worldwide.

Today, Epson LCD projectors are referred to as 3LCD because they use three individual LCD panels (one for green, one for red, and one for blue) to achieve the very best colour and white light output performance. Others may just abbreviate 3LCD to just LCD.

Epson continues to be a leader and is the world’s number one selling projector manufacturer. Find out about Colour Brightness and Epson LCD projectors here.

What’s an LCD Projector?

An LCD Projector is a type of video projector used to display images, video or other information on a flat surface like a screen.

A high intensity white light, many times brighter than the eventual image, is created with a Metal-Halide lamp, which discharges an arc through a gas of vaporised mercury and number of metal halides, or compounds which include iodine or bromine. This is then guided, split, unnecessary parts are blocked, and then recombined and focused via the lens.

Light is usually sent from the lamp via a prism or set of filters which separate light into three polysilicon panels, one for the green, red and blue elements of the video signal. As polarised light travels through these panels, individual pixels are opened so that light can pass through, or shut so that it is blocked.

This blend of closed and open pixels will create a broad range of colours in the image which is projected.

Some LCD projectors are referred to 3LCD models because they used three individual LCD panels (one for green, one for red, and one for blue) to achieve the very best colour and white light output performance. These days, however, this is usually just shortened to LCD.

Here is a diagram of 3LCD technology as explained in 3lcd.com

Advantages of an LCD Projector

•  Sharp Images
LCD Projectors have a number of benefits, and most noticeably are the crisp and sharp projected images. Colour Brightness, or Colour Light Output, is a new standard that gives consumers the data of white light output and colour light output (which measures the brightness of red, green and blue light). If many instances, both outputs share the same number. Apart from vivid colours, LCD projectors also have an unparalleled grayscale range that delivers incredible details, particularly in shadows.

•  Energy Efficient
In contrast to 1-chip DLP technology, LCD Projection technology uses 25% less electricity per lumen of brightness¹. 1-chip projectors also use a colour wheel which can cause light loss. LCD technology does not rely on a colour wheel.

Apart from being some of the brightest yet energy efficient projectors on the market, LCD projectors also are cost-efficient and reliable – LCD technology is used in a wide range of applications today, including HDTV, mobile phones, computer monitors, and gaming devices. For projection alone, there have been more than 90 million 3LCD chips shipped worldwide, it is safe to say that this technology is tested time and again, in large conference rooms as well as in unpredictable environments.

¹ Data source: ProjectorCentral.com, Jan. 2014
Average of 1,243 shipping models for which the manufacturers provided lumens and total power data, all resolutions and brightness levels.
Energy efficiency was measured as wattage per lumen. It was measured for both 3LCD and 1-chip projectors in each of five brightness segments.
3LCD projectors averaged less required electricity per lumen in each of the five segments.