AvexiA integrate every type of digital projector technology available, including: LCD Projectors, DLP Projectors (Single chip DLP and 3 Chip DLP), LCOS Projectors and LED Projectors. We look at each customer’s exact requirements and determine firstly which technology is best suited to that application and put forward options based upon our extensive knowledge of projector integration into AV systems.

Whilst AvexiA are an approved dealer for the major projector brands, we have no ‘contractual’ ties with any particular manufacturer and are therefore free to select not only the appropriate technology for any given application, but also the most suitable manufacturer.

Projector Technology

There are two well known rival data projector technologies; LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and DLP (Digital Light Processing). A third less well known technology is LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon), and LED (Light Emitting Diode) projectors are now available for some ‘mobile’ applications.
None of these technologies is perfect, and it’s important to be aware of which is most suited to your particular requirement. AvexiA do not expect our clients to have to understand the differences. During our initial meetings we will gain a very good understanding of your requirements and put forward the correct solution for your specific needs.

LCD Projection
LCD Video Projectors use three panels, one for each of the primary colours. The light source (lamp assembly) is routed via filters to each of the panels before being combined together to display an image onto the screen. Thus, light is ‘transmitted’ through the LCD panels.

DLP Projection
DLP Video projectors use a reflective technology (as opposed to LCD) and therein lies the essential difference. The technology was developed by Texas Instruments and uses DMD (Digital Micro Mirror) semiconductors.
There are two types of DLP technology (Single Chip and Three Chip).

• Single Chip DLP
  A single light source passes through a colour wheel allowing the primary colours, as well as yellow, cyan, magenta and more to be shone onto the surface of the DLP chip. The switching or ‘on’ or ‘off’ of the mirror is controlled by the colour that shines onto it. Colours are displayed sequentially as the DMD mirrors are switched ‘on and ‘off’.
• Three Chip DLP
  White light generated by the lamp passes through a prism that divides it into red, green and blue. Each DLP chip (DMD) is dedicated to one of these three colours; the coloured light that the micromirrors reflect is then combined and passed through the projection lens to form an image.

LCOS Projection
As we have detailed above, LCD is a ‘transmissive’ technology and DLP is a ‘reflective’ technology, LCOS combines the two principles.
Liquid crystals are used instead of individual mirrors for every pixel. Liquid crystals are applied to a reflective mirror substrate. As the liquid crystals open and close, so the light is either reflected from the mirror below or blocked.

LED Projection
LED projectors are now also available. This type of projection uses three LED light sources (rather than conventional lamps) and has the benefit of requiring very low power (potentially even battery powered). The LEDs last up to 20,000 hours (low cost of ownership). However, they are currenty only suitable for use as mobile devices as they don’t yet have the capability to be used for larger installations (due to the lower output), and are only available at lower resolutions.

HD Projection

High Definition (HD Projectors) are available from the leading brands and in most variants. The most popular being; HD DLP Projectors and HD LCD Projectors.

Aspect Ratios

The trend is moving away from 4:3 and 5:4 aspect ratio screens (4:3 being the most common and what most people have had historically in their homes on computer monitors and TV screens). However, any company or organization that wishes to invest money in new audiovisual technology should buy HD compatible (HD Ready) or ‘Full-HD’ projectors. Therefore, the aspect ratio of any screen (to facilitate this change will be WIDESCREEN 16:9 or 16:10, depending on the application).