Last week, we had an opportunity to interview David Naranjo, Director of Product Development for Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. (MDEA) about 3D DLP technology.
David Naranjo brings more than 15 years of experience in the consumer and commercial electronics industry to Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. He is solely responsible for leading the product development teams for Mitsubishi’s Premium Line of 3D Ready Home Theater TVs, Premium LCD Flat panels and LaserVue products. He has also been leading Mitsubishi’s efforts and discussions with studios, content developers, and technology providers on the 3D front.
Naranjo’s professional background includes a wide range of responsibilities in business analysis, product development, product planning, marketing and executive management. Past experience also includes working in the consumer research field as the vice president of TV consumer electronics research for DisplaySearch, a market research and consulting company specializing in the flat panel display market.
Bijan Tehrani: What is the advantage of DLP systems over other systems when it comes to 3D and high definition picture?
David Naranjo: First and foremost, DLP is the only technology where you can get a full, immersive TV experience at an exceptional value. The smallest 3D DLP TV we manufacturer is a 60″, and the largest one that we make is an 82″. They are reasonably priced— the 60″ is less than $1,000 and the 82″ is less than $4,000 dollars. All Mitsubishi 3D DLP TVs utilize the same core DLP cinema technology used in the vast majority of 3D theaters. 3D DLP Home Cinema TVs offer a larger than life, intensely vivid 2D, and fully immersive 3D viewing experience. Mitsubishi’s 3D DLP Home Cinema TVs deliver incredible picture performance at an exceptional value, and completely defines the large screen 3D home entertainment category.
BT: Can you explain for our audience how DLP works when compared to the other systems?
DN: DLP has a very fast response time. LED and LCD’s response times are longer than that of DLP’s. So, the switching time between scenes is a thousand times faster than other technologies and reduces the effect of 
ghosting or haloing. When you see 3D on a DLP, it looks so much crisper and better than on any other existing technologies.
BT: How is the picture quality generated on a DLP TV as opposed to other existing systems?
DN: DLP, fundamentally, uses a chip from Texas Instruments called a digital micro mirror. The chip is basically the heart of the DLP technology that takes light and modulates it toward the screen; the same technology is also used in the digital cinema projector. It uses millions of mirrors, but those mirrors are actually ingrained in the microchip and those mirrors are self-contained in a small circuit.
BT: How much would it cost to replace a damaged chip or mirror?
DN: The mirror is self-contained and protected so it is not something that is easily replaceable, but we have never had to replace the chip since we have released it or had an issue to replace a chip or mirror. If it were to be damaged during transit, we would certainly replace it under our warranty.
BT: How important is Texas Instruments’ role in producing Mitsubishi TVs?
DN: Texas Instruments is the manufacturer of this circuit and we do build our technology around that. Texas Instruments provides a number of different chips for us and they are the key manufacturing component for the chips that are used in DLP televisions.
BT: Mitsubishi has been working with DLP technology for years. What improvements have you seen from the initial DLP TVs to the systems that are being made today?
DN: Clearly, we try to improve contrast ratio and also screen size. In 2007, the largest screen size we had was 65-inch; now we are able to go even bigger where we now have a 75-inch and an 82- inch. 
BT: There were several limitations with your older system–for example, the system only read “Checkerboard” 3D technology. How has this changed in your newer systems?
DN: Today, since there is a standard for blu-ray players and we do have a good idea for what is being transferred over cable and satellite, we aren’t limited by display formats. The reason why we did checkerboard in 2007 was because the only 3D technology that was available was for gaming. Our current TV’s accept all of the formats that are being used today for the various kinds of content out there.
BT: Does the DLP technology also compete well in the HD market?
DN: Unlike LED, we are able to go manufacturer large TVs in terms of screen size. We are also able to get very vibrant colors that people are used to seeing in everyday life, so DLP is a leader in the HD market.
BT: What can we expect to see from LED in the future?
DN: We can’t discuss what we’re doing going forward, but we are definitely always going to take the technology to new levels and continue to leverage the LED technology. We are also certain that the contemporary laser technology will take the LED technology to new heights!