The projector functions by sending light from a metal halide lamp to three transparent red, blue and green silicon chips covered in liquid crystals. As the polarized light passes through the LCDs, individual pixels react by opening or closing, influencing the light flow and forming images to be projected on a screen. The number of pixels available in the system limits the maximum resolution of the final image. As a metal halide lamp is smaller than the one used on CRT projectors, the whole set is more compact. LCD projectors are favored by multimedia presenters and do not get much home theater usage.

Model example: Mitsubishi HC4900

Strong points

• Small, light and compact.
• Cheaper than CRT projectors.

Weak points

• Low service life (1,000 or 2,000 hours of lamp brightness).
• Prone to screen-door effect.
• Defective pixels.
• Resolution is pixel-limited.