MIT researchers tout "practical" holographic video

A team of researchers at MIT seem to think they've finally come up with a way to make holographic video a bit more practical for everyday use, touting the new system they've developed as a possible display for PCs and video game consoles, Technology Review reports. According to the researchers, the display will be small enough to fit in an entertainment center when finished, boast a resolution as good as a standard analog television, and only cost a "couple of hundred dollars." Much of that increased practicality comes from the fact that this latest version, dubbed the Mark III, simply relies on a standard graphics processor instead of specialized hardware. The researchers also managed to streamline some of the other optical hardware, which they say made the previous incarnations as big as a dining-room table. It apparently still has a few drawbacks, however, with it currently only able to display monochromatic holograms in a space about the size of a Rubik's Cube. They insist that's only a temporary problem though, and promise that the next model will be comparable in size to a desktop monitor and boast a full range of color. No word if there'll also be a port of everybody's favorite quasi-holographic arcade game, Time Traveler, to go along with it, but we can hope.

[rp @ Apr 24th 2007 2:48PM]

Haha, kudos for the Time Traveler reference. That sure takes me back to the days when that was one of few expensive games to play. Now, 1 game of just about anything costs a whole dollar, and doesn't have cavemen and cowboys.

[Brandon West @ Apr 24th 2007 3:58PM]

Oh man, Time Traveler was sooo much fun even if it was mostly a gimmick. That was back when Sega was still a top contender. I remember the Time Traveler machine at my local arcade was right next to Dragon's Lair. I could bring $50 and and never leave that corner. Good times. Thanks for the nostalgia, Engadget.

[l3ong @ Apr 24th 2007 3:42PM]

Wow, this takes gaming to a complete new level. Any idea when the next version may come around?

[benjamin @ Apr 24th 2007 3:53PM]

i hate to say it,,, but what are the odds on the porn industry being the first to really use this technology (geeze,, theyre probably sponsoring it)

[samuraichef @ Apr 24th 2007 5:17PM]

"Help me Obi-wan Kenobi... You're my only hope"

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

[jhonny @ Apr 24th 2007 7:30PM]

if they could get one of these to wifi connect to a device and control the screen size 20" for computer, 60" for tv, 200" for movies i would be in heaven. till then I want this, please give us a price and release date asap engadget.

[spacegravity4me @ Apr 24th 2007 7:36PM]

I'm confused, though I think already know the answer. Is this like the helio display where it can be projected on the air or is it just a hologram in a box? Don't get me wrong, I'd be grateful for a hologram in a box it's that if that's all it is then I don't think it's the holy grail of 3d video. Now if it's just like star wars then that's different. I thought the helio display was it for a time until they finally reveiled that it was reverse projected on the column of air. Don't get me wrong, still great, much better than fog screen but still. Baby steps I guess. Anyway, what is this? Is it our star wars projector finally come to life or is it something else?

[rp @ Apr 24th 2007 8:48PM]

I think it's suggested in the article that the image would be beamed onto a piece of foggy glass creating the appearance of a 3d image, so I guess the hope of a Star Wars-like holodisplay without a surface to beam the video signal onto is still a while off, if ever.

[Loomis @ Apr 24th 2007 10:45PM]

The glass surface sounds like it's a little more important: it diffuses the laser light so that you can see the image from several positions, instead of staring directly into the diffracted laser light. Consider looking at any regular object through a lightly frosted glass... you can still make out the 3D shape and details. Same thing would happen with this device, with the holographic image taking the place of the real object, 3D effects and everything.

[Tony @ Apr 25th 2007 12:32AM]

Sounds nice and all but I gotta know, will it play doom?

[jimi fasina @ Jun 14th 2007 10:56AM]

Great discovery!I've always wished it existed.In fact that's taking me to NYU B-school soon.Is it possible you could help with linking me with an undegrad or grad student working presently as a researcher in that area of inquiry?I have actually designed a mobile machine that can just fit in use and value with the holotech.I shall appreciate a great deal your kind indulgence.