Colour Gamut

Visualize the range of colour possible

Colour gamut is the range of colour a projector is capable of producing.

Compare the colour range of 3LCD vs. 1-chip DLP projector technology

Colour gamut is the range of colour a device is capable of producing. The data is represented in a three-dimensional shape called a gamut model, which shows the three aspects of colour – hue, saturation and lightness (brightness). Lightness and brightness are often used interchangeably in the context of projectors. It may be hard to understand how different projectors from different brands could perform so differently. They often look alike and have similar sounding specifications, or state that they produce over a billion colours. But an important question is, what can it display? To answer this, it helps to see their colour gamut volumes side by side. The larger the volume, the wider the range of colour that can be displayed. If the colour gamut volume is small, colours display less accurately.

3LCD vs. 1-chip DLP colour gamut3

BenQ MS504 (on Brightest Mode)

  • Resolution: SVGA
  • Projector Technology: 1-chip DLP
  • Colour Gamut Volume: 184,000

Epson EX3220 (on Brightest Mode)

  • Resolution: SVGA
  • Projector Technology: 3LCD
  • Colour Gamut Volume: 555,000

Find colour brightness and gamut information on more projectors.

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The Science of Colour Gamut Modeling

Our perception of colour uses three dimensions—hue, saturation and brightness. Lightness and brightness are often used interchangeably in the context of projectors.

An Outdated System

This 1931 chromaticity diagram, or horseshoe, was one of the early attempts at establishing a numerical measurement system for colour perception.

Known as the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) 1931 x,y Chromaticity Diagram, in two dimensions it shows hue and saturation in 2-dimensions. It was developed with the best tools available at the time, but is perceptually non-uniform (ex. it has an extended green area). It is not how humans see colour, and is not the best system to measure projectors.

The Preferred Model

In 1976, the CIE proposed and adopted a newer, more uniform system to modelling colour, and a three-dimensional scale (CIE 1976 L*a*b*) measuring hue , saturation, and lightness (brightness). The new mathematics create a number system that better relates to how humans actually see colour. It is a more accurate representation of human perception and is still the colour measurement standard used today.

Colour Brightness - Compare Lumens, Colour Brightness Explained, Understanding Projector Lumens and more

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2 3D gamut volume models for a leading 1-chip DLP projector and a comparable Epson 3LCD projector. Models based on gamut volume in brightest mode, measured by a third-party lab in the CIE L*a*b* coordinate space. Price, resolution and white brightness are similar for both projectors.

3 Actual photographs of projected images from an identical signal source and of 3D colour gamut models built to scale, for an Epson 3LCD projector and a competing 1-chip DLP projector. Gamut models, and each projector’s stated Colour Gamut Volume, are based on volume in brightest mode, measured by a third-party lab in the CIE L*a*b* coordinate space.

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