Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know which board is right for my application?

The form on this purchasing page will help indicate which DLP® Discovery™ products and accessories are best suited to your specific application. General things to consider are the wavelength of incident light, the required resolution, and the intended interface protocol. We will review the completed form and recommend an ideal solution for your application.

What makes a Discovery™ Board different than what is found in a DLP® projector?

A DLP® projector is configured to project images at video rates (approximately 60-120hz) with no provisions to control individual pixels. On the other hand, the DLP® Discovery™ products are flexible and versatile; they are designed to provide the end user with absolute control at the pixel level, which is required for many industrial applications such as lithography and spectroscopy. The DLP® Discovery™ control board features a flexible DDC controller which allows developers to define their own data formats and mirror timing.

Why should I purchase DLP® instead of LCD?

DLP® projects images by using reflections from millions of tiny mirrors, which yields increased light efficiencies and provides higher brightness levels over LCD, which requires transmissive backlighting. Additionally, all DLP® controls are digital, which enables a superior resolution and refresh rates several orders of magnitude faster than LCD. DLP® also operates in a wide variety of spectrums including UV and NIR.

What does the chipset include?

The chipsets include the DDC controller, DAD reset driver, and DMD. This does not include an FPGA, as this may be an area where you can remove costs if your application requires a lower performance FPGA.

Can I buy the DMD alone?

No, the DMD must be purchased with the corresponding Chipset.

Does the DLP® Discovery™ board come with drivers and a GUI?

The DLP® Discovery™ boards are designed as development boards and as such, they do not ship with software. However, on TI's KnowledgeBase the end user can download the USB API, Windows™ drivers, and user interface at no additional cost. This open source software, designed by DLi, works with MatLab, LabView, and C based languages. DLi also provides a suite of other accessories that enable out of box usability.

What is the difference between a starter kit and a control board?

A starter kit and a control board are one in the same. A starter kit carries the TI licensing fee that is required for first-time buyers.

How long does it take to receive a shipment after the PO is issued?

The standard lead time for North American based customers is 5 business days while international customers typically receive their order in 10 days or less. These short lead times are possible due to DLi's close proximity to TI (less than 200 miles).