The BBC, often known for its active pioneering of new broadcast technologies, from trailing 3D, virtual reality and 4K programming, has done it again by creating a prototype of a "holographic television", which was said to be inspired by the Princess Leia hologram in "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope."
I presume you are lost on the word "holographic television". For a clearer understanding, a holographic display is a type of display that uses light diffraction to create a virtual three-dimensional image of an object. Holographic displays are special compared to other forms of 3D imaging and they do not require the aid of any special glasses or external equipment for a viewer to see the image.
The BBC Research Team claimed to have used existing tech and simple techniques to create 3D imagery that seemed to float in the air.
However, the creation came up with some limitations, but it showed a concept that could work in future if developed. The existing limitations are the images could only be seen in low light and the acrylic pyramid used is relatively small - It
works best when ambient lighting in the room is at a minimum. Also, the physical size of the flat TV determines the overall size of the hologram.
The BBC team behind the prototype took a 46-inch TV, laid it flat and made a simple acrylic pyramid that it balanced in the centre. It used old Victorian theatre techniques to then project images onto the sides, in collaboration with the expertise of MDH Hologram, which, when combined, created a single floating holographic picture.
Cyrus Saihan, Head of Digital Partnerships for the BBC said in a blog that: "We had seen that people had created small 'holographic' displays using mobile phones and so it occurred to us that making a super-sized version of these low-cost displays would give us a way to see how 'holograms' might work on a larger scale, something comparable to the size of a living room TV. To make our 'holographic' TV, we took a 46" TV that we had in the office and then asked a local plastics cutter to make a simple acrylic pyramid shape based on some sketches that we had done. By placing this acrylic pyramid on our flat screen TV, we were able to try out a modern-day version of an old Victorian theatre technique and create the illusion of floating ‘holographic’ like images."
The holographic TV doesn't seem like a finished work presently and will not be anytime soon.
Very impressive work! We can't wait to have this unique device in our homes and workplaces. Applauds BBC!!!
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