Appendix C

DLP™ is a Texas Instruments technology through which color images are made by shining colored light onto a digital micromirror device (DMD) impregnated with small, movable mirrors. Each micromirror is responsible for an individual pixel and can oscillate several thousand times per second. The process reduces “pixelation” by increasing “active area” of the pixel. Major advantages: excellent, bright picture with good black quality; better visibility from side viewing angles; capable of displaying HDTV at full resolution; produces less heat; more reliable; no burn in; no maintenance. Major disadvantages: comparatively expensive; limited viewing angle.

LCOS is an emerging LCD-based technology that reflects rather than directly transmits light. LCOS projectors direct light through a series of polarizers, again using three separate LCD panels, one for each RGB color. Major advantages: excellent picture quality; high resolutions; slim profile. Major disadvantages: expensive; poor black quality.

Glossary

0–9

5.1-channel surround system A speaker setup that places one speaker above or below a television, on each side of the display, and two beside or just behind the listener (standard surround). A subwoofer is usually placed to the front of the listener. A surround system creates a more immersive, realistic sound experience—the more speakers, the richer the sound.

7.1-channel surround system A speaker setup that places one speaker above or below a television, one on each side of the display, two beside or slightly behind the listener (standard surround), two behind the listener (surround back channels), and a subwoofer to the front of the listener. A surround system creates a more immersive, realistic sound experience—the more speakers, the richer the sound.

480i (480-line interlaced scan) The vertical resolution of standard-definition broadcasts, and the original resolution technology. Picture is 704 x 480 pixels, sent at 60 interlaced frames per second (30 complete frames per second).

480p (480-line progressive scan) The vertical resolution of standard-definition and some enhanced-definition broadcasts. Picture is 704 x 480 pixels, sent at 60 complete frames per second.

720i (720-line interlaced scan) The vertical resolution of some high-definition broadcasts. Picture is 1280 x 720 pixels, sent at 60 interlaced frames per second (30 complete frames per second).

720p (720-line progressive scan) The vertical resolution of some high-definition broadcasts. Picture is 1280 x 720 pixels, sent at 60 complete frames per second.