Feature: 64-Point Digital Convergence

Benefit: Easy-to-use system for precisely adjusting the red, blue and green alignment on a projection TV.

Explanation: While most people think of television screens from the reference point of a single picture tube, it is important to remember that television images are created using three separate colors. In a direct view picture tube, the image is formed by three electron beams that hit the colored phosphors on the inside of the tube. In most projection televisions the image is formed by converging the output of three separate picture tubes, one each for the red, green and blue components of the picture. (An exception to this is projectors such as the Mitsubishi WD-65000 that use a technology known as DLP™, which is explained elsewhere in this website.)

Keeping the three light beams aligned so that each one falls directly on top of the other is critical to maintaining a sharp, crisp, image. If the beams become misaligned, the result will be seen on the screen as color fringing; a red, blue or green halo on sharp picture edges, rather than a solid color field. Mis-convergence is particularly noted on white lettering, as proper rendering of white images requires all three beams to hit the same spot at the same time.

In many projection televisions, convergence is adjusted at only eight locations along the edges of the screen. The proponents of those systems point to the ability of eight-point convergence to be automated, but that ignores two key facts. First, the more points at which the convergence is adjusted, the better the image quality. Simple mathematics tells us that 64 points of convergence are several orders of magnitude better than only 8. More important, in order for a picture to be fully and properly converged, the convergence points must be located throughout the screen, particularly at the center of the picture where sharp focus is most critical. Toward this goal, Mitsubishi's 64-Point Digital Convergence System distributes convergence points through out the image, rather than along the edge of the picture, where the automatic sensors must be located. And while not automatic, Mitsubishi's 64-Point Digital Convergence System is easy to use and provides the user with full control.

Thanks to the increased accuracy made possible by 64 points of convergence ­ eight times the number of other brands ­ Mitsubishi projectors are able to maintain the sharpest, clearest images in the industry.