Re: PHOTO-3D digest 1678

[P3D Ronald J Beck 840196 <rbeck@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To clarify a bit and pass on information I've gathered at our "demo site" 
for the DMD/DLP product...

The chip is made up of microscopic mirrors which are able to pivot 
approximately 6 degrees.  The information I saw stated that there were 
500,000 mirrors on a chip.  I don't remember the chip dimensions though.

The complete setup consists of the DMD chip, a light source, a RGB color 
wheel and the electronics to take a video signal and drive the chip.  
Light is shined through the color wheel onto the DMD chip.  With the 
mirrors in the "on" position, the light is reflected through a lens onto 
the projection screen.  There are no scan lines as there is no electron 
guns scanning as you have in your standard CRT.  However, if you look at a 
magnified section of the display you'll see little squares rather than 
pixel dots.

I've seen both the projector systems and the wide screen TV (rear 
projection) and the color saturation is wonderful.  And I can one day 
envision DMD chips & light sources built into a pair of VR glasses.  Just 
power the left side with the left view and the right side with the right 
view.  No flicker, just clear picture. 

Disclaimer: While I work for Texas Instruments, the statements here are my 
own and based on my personal knowledge of the DLP/DMD products.  This is 
not to be construed as a press release or other official statement from 
Texas Instruments.  For that, please view the Web page at 
http://www.ti.com.  Also, if you're in the Dallas area, let me know and 
I'll see if I can get a tour/demo set up.

Regards,
Ron Beck

photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx said:
> One of our TI respondees can probably supply more information, but I 
> believe it's basically a system of small (*really* small) mirrors 
> which are integrated into a silicon substrate and which can be 
> pivoted to different directons. Being so small they can be move quite 
> rapidly, and thus can produce a raster type scan image on a surface. 
> Aim some lasers at them and there you go.

> We are looking at projector systems right now, and apparently the 
> first of the new technology systems based on the TI system are 
> starting to  appear although they are pricey at this time. The 
> comparisions I've seen between standard CRT technology and the 
> Digital Light system  look very good. There is a smoother quality 
> (less of a scan line aspect) to the TI image. And of course you don't 
> look at it thru a quarter inch of glass if projected from the front.

> Can anyone clarify a bit?



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