Transparent NXT SoundVu-equipped screen

Japan's Dai Nippon Printing Co. (DNP) is set to make the country even more futuristic this fall when they release their transparent "Crystal Illusion Screen" equipped with NXT's where's-that-sound-coming-from SoundVu technology. The screen itself measures a respectable 46 inches in old-school 4:3 and is coated with a special liquid crystal material that apparently only reflects the light from the projector, making it usable even in brightly lit areas. NXT's SoundVu system takes the display's flexibility even further, eliminating the need for external speakers, instead magically producing sound from the screen itself. It's not clear, however, if the projector is actually part of the system or if you have to supply your own. We hope it's the former, cause the screen's gonna cost you a hefty 480,000 Yen (over $4,000) when it launches in October.

[Via Impress]

[Nukes and Candy @ Aug 1st 2006 4:38PM]

Nice! I like innovation, my only concern with all this new tech, and I ask you engadget:

Why is it that we never see hawiian dancer models from time to time?!

[kevin @ Aug 1st 2006 4:45PM]

since light reflected off LCDs are naturally polarized, the material probably only reflects light polarized in the same direction.

[Warren @ Aug 1st 2006 4:53PM]

The screen technology has been around for a while. They had a sweet frameless glass panel widescreen TV at Home Depot Expo a while ago. A short throw rear projector provided the image, and it looked like it appeared in mid air.

DuPont actually makes a film you can apply to any glass surface to do this. They use them for ads on storefront windows. I haven't been able to get a sample or purchase the film at a reasonable cost.

[PacketMonkee @ Aug 1st 2006 5:34PM]

4 grand aint too shabby, IMO.
I'd pay 4k for something like this.

[Jannick @ Aug 1st 2006 7:07PM]

this is not especially new. the dnp holoscreen have been doing this for a long time, and works really well. it is being used for displays in a lot of fashionable shops, harrods fx

[All Your Lost Socks @ Aug 1st 2006 7:34PM]

That would make sense. Also, the technology they use for the screen has been around for a while in the form of expensive surface-speaker units, hasn't it? Except this doesn' require a large black bug-like thing sitting on your surface to make sound. Go Japan :)

[Chris @ Aug 1st 2006 11:05PM]

Wow... GIMME!

[maxxwizard @ Aug 2nd 2006 11:40AM]

the future really is coming...minority report anyone?

[Projectors @ Aug 2nd 2006 1:24PM]

While they have been out for a while, there is great potential in transparent screens. While you won't likely find one in a home theater because of the loss of much of the colors, they do offer a futuristic look to places such as shopping malls and offices. I'm sure someone will come up with some genius use for it that will make our jaws drop.

[Matt @ Aug 2nd 2006 2:21PM]

hey guys, no need to read the crappy google translation of the press release. there's a link to an actual english version http://www.dnp.co.jp/eng/news/2006/060801.html
a bit easier to read.