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DLPDLCR3310EVM: Can I remove the illumination source and projection lens from this module to free up the DLP?

Part Number: DLPDLCR3310EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLP3310, DLPC3437, DLP660TE, DLP3010

Dear TI,

I am looking to purchase a DLP3310 as a standalone display for which I will provide a custom illumination path and projection optics. However I need to drive the DLP (display an image on it from my computer, ideally just using hdmi), and I have been advised to purchase the DLPDLCR3310EVM kit with it. However, this kit comes with an enclosed light engine with illumination and optics included. Can I just remove the illumination and optics part without damaging the DLP from this kit? Or even better: does TI sell a board that only drives the DLP (no illumination)?

Thanks!

Daniel

  • Hello Daniel,

    Welcome to DLP forum and thank you for your interest in DLP technology.

    What is your application? What are your application requirement?  How do you intend to drive DMD?

    The DLP chip-sets are targeted for a specific application like display or light control. You may want to consider chip-set designed for your application.

    DLP3310+DLPC3437 chip-set is designed for display application. Does this matches with your application.

    TI does not sell the board only. The optical engine used in the DLP3310 EVM is not designed for ease of parts replacement by users. There is risk of damage when you are dis-assembling the components.

    regards,

    Vivek

  • Hi Vivek,

    I need the DLP just for image generation, a (video)display without the illumination or projection optics. If the DLPC3437 is just the driverboard to achieve just that (stream video to the DLP), then that would be perfect. Does this driverboard come with an hmdi connection, so I can just plug it into my pc?

    If not, is there a way I can hack this together? I need just the driver to display an image on it, but so far the most viable route that has been presented to me seems to be taking the dev kit apart. Again, I need to just display an image onto the DLP, I will take care of the optics.

    Thanks,

    Daniel

  • Hi Daniel,

    Why you choose DLP3310? Is resolution or DMD size care about?

    There are other options who electronics may easier to work with.

    regards,

    Vivek

  • Hi Vivek,

    It's both the size and the resolution. A larger display with the same resolution, that would also be fine. I have looked at DLP660TE, but that becomes rather bulky, and I prefer to be able to drive it using a flexcable. Other suggestions are welcome!

    Alternatively, can I purchase the dev kit and an additional DLP3310 (I assume the standalone DLP comes with a flexcable) and just remove the light engine and hook the driverboards up the the standalone DLP?

    Thanks,

    Daniel

  • Hello Daniel,

    You can  order the DLP3310 DMD from TI store (online) and use them as backup. However, you may want to the flex cable and mounting hardware from engine to connect to the DMD.

    If resolution is not a key concern then I will recommend DLP3010 EVM 

    http://www.ti.com/tool/DLPDLCR3010EVM-G2

    The electronics of this system is simple and may easy to modify.  '

    Note -The firmware  checks if DMD and LEDs are connected at power up.  The firmware will not boot if any one of them  is  not connected. This check is implemented to ensure reliable operation of the device. 

    regards,

    Vivek

  • Hi Vivek,

    Thanks for your answer. The slightly lower resolution is not ideal, but acceptable for me at this stage. It is good to know that the controller check for the LEDs to be connected. I assume that for this dev kit you recommend it also checks if the LEDs are connected?

    You mention this dev kit is simpler to take apart, but it doesn't look particularly different from the dev kit for the DLP3310. The light engine itself looks very similar. May I ask what makes this dev kit easier to take apart?

    Cheers,

    Daniel

  • Hi Daniel,

    TI sells evaluation modules with the DMD mounted on a separate PCB rather than in an optical engine.  These may be more than you're looking for but they solve one problem you may run into when taking apart an optical engine--the DMDs in packages with spring contacts (which is a lot of them) need to be held down under pressure to the PCB or flex cable they are attached to.  On the EVMs with separate DMD PCBs this is done with a metal ring putting pressure on the front of the DMD but inside an optical engine the optical engine housing itself is usually used.  If you pull the flex cable and DMD out of the OE housing you don't have anything to hold the DMD down onto the flex cable.  

    TI's LightCrafter6500 EVM looks like it might work for you although the DMD size is much larger than the DLP3310.  If you need a smaller device Keynote Photonics sells the LC4500EKT which uses a 0.45-in DMD with diamond pixel native resolution 912x1140.  It's roughly based on TI's LightCrafter4500 design but has the DMD mounted on a separate PCB instead of in an optical engine.

    Regards,

    Layne

  • Hi Layne,

    Thanks for your help, that clears things up! The DLPLCR6500EVM looks more like what I had in mind in terms of what I need the controller to do; I'll just have to live with the more bulky PCB the DMD is on. 

    The LC4500EKT is actually a very interesting alternative. I assume you suggest me to get the LC4500 controller? Do I need to purchase a PEM with this too, in order to hook it up to an hmdi?

    Thanks,

    Daniel

  • Daniel,

    The LC4500-EKT includes the controller, extension cable, DMD PCB, and DMD.  The PEM is optional and you do not need it to use the HDMI input.

    - Layne

  • Hi Layne,

    Great, I'll go for that one!

    Best,

    Daniel

  • Hello Layne,

    Thank you for your support.

    Daniel,

    I am glad that your needs were addressed.

    regards,

    Vivek