3D DLP (Digital Light Processing)

3D DLP (Digital Light Processing)

In 2007, Texas Instruments introduced stereo 3-D capable DLP solutions to its OEMs, and Samsung and Mitsubishi have introduced the first 3-D ready televisions. Such solutions utilize the inherent speed advantage of the Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD) to sequentially generate the left and right views required for stereoscopic imaging.

DLP 3-D technology uses the SmoothPicture algorithm, which compacts two L/R views into a single frame by using a checkerboard pattern, only requiring a standard 1080p60 resolution for stereoscopic transmission to the TV. The device re-generates two independent views for the left and right eyes and interpolates the missing pixels in each frame using the quincunx sampling algorithm. The claimed advantage of this solution is increased spatial resolution, unlike other methods which cut vertical or horizontal resolution in half.

A syncronisation signal is then generated for LCD shutter glasses worn by the viewer, using either a standard VESA Stereo plug to connect wired glasses or wireless emitters, or brief flashes of light on the viewing screen during the blanking interval (DLP Link). The LCD shutter glasses process the signal and control the shutter for each eye to ensure that the correct left and right views are presented to the correct eye.

Interior view of a single-chip DLP projector, showing the light path. Light from the lamp enters a reverse-fisheye, passes through the spinning color wheel, crosses underneath the main lens, reflects off a front-surfaced mirror, and is spread onto the DMD (red arrows). From there, light either enters the lens (yellow) or is reflected off the top cover down into a light-sink (blue arrows) to absorb unneeded light. Top row shows overall components, closeups of 4-segment RGBW color wheel, and light-sink diffuser/reflection plate on top cover.