Everything you need to know about HoloPro

You have been known for many years from shop windows, museums and fairs.

Images and videos on relatively transparent glass panes that captivate the viewer and seem to let holograms float freely in space. We explain the technology behind the glass panels called HoloPro and where they are ideally used.

How was HoloPro developed?

The development of the technology leads to the Institute for Light and Building Technology at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences in 1990. Here, research was conducted on ways to redirect light from daylight onto facades. The whole thing was implemented on the basis of Holographic Optical Elements (HOE). One product of this development work is the special HoloPro film.

Overview
  1. How was HoloPro developed?
  2. How does the technology behind HoloPro work?
  3. What are the options for controlling and recording HoloPro?
  4. What can I use HoloPro slices for?
  5. In which sizes is HoloPro available?
  6. Our conclusion:
  7. Are there alternatives to HoloPro?
  8. contact form


How does the technology behind HoloPro work?

The technical trick that makes HoloPro’s holographic effect possible is the result of a sophisticated film that came on the market in the early 2010s. The projection surface of each disc consists of a large number of individual holographic optical elements, so-called HOEs. Each HOE has an edge length of just 0.2 millimeters and is applied to a transparent carrier film by automated laser systems. Thus, per square meter is applied about 20 million HOE. The function of any HOE is to direct the light coming from the projector towards the viewer. Light sources from other angles such as e.g. Ceiling lights or daylight are not deflected. Therefore, installing the projector at a certain angle of 36 degrees is also crucial for the correct result.

The transparent HoloPro film is then embedded between two anti-reflective glass panes. Due to the light-directing effect, projections can be made onto the glass element via rear projection using a beamer without the viewer having any immediate idea of the projection source. Thus, a relatively high-contrast picture can be achieved even in daylight, but it looks a bit milky. The transparency of the glass material is retained as far as possible. Each HOE shows only a part of the total image information. The eye reassembles the fragments into an overall motif when looking at them. HoloPro was the world’s first transparent projection screen and the market and technology leader in holographic projection screens for a long time.

However, there are now more modern technologies that allow for a clearer image and an even better holographic effect.

What are the options for controlling and recording HoloPro?

As already mentioned, a projector or beamer serves as the image source for HoloPro slices. Depending on the lighting situation with daylight, eg. on a shop window, a correspondingly light-intensive model is required. The decisive factor here is the lumen value. The higher the value, the brighter the projector. The installations can be upgraded to interactive modules by means of touch controllers, whose conductive tracks are embedded in the glass composite. The visitor can navigate independently through the content.

In principle, however, the HoloPro panes can be installed in any location. All that needs to be done is to ensure that the screen is securely fastened and that the projector can shine onto the HoloPro screen in an appropriately concealed manner, either standing on the floor or suspended from the ceiling.The company Bleen Inc. from San Francisco. The start-up has been working on a 3D hologram projector since 2011.

To realize the project, a kind of crowdfunding project was launched on Indiegogo. However, the targeted sum of over 200,000 euros was never reached. The campaign has been closed since 2014.

What can I use HoloPro slices for?

Everywhere where you want people to stop and marvel in a special way. The typical place of use for HoloPro is in high-end shop windows, in museums as an explanatory spectacular medium, on trade fair stands and in reception halls, but also as a digital room divider. Some of you may have seen a HoloPro on television. The system was used, for example, on “Hirschhausen’s Quiz of the Human Being” or in the program Galileo.

In which sizes is HoloPro available?

HoloPro’s standard sizes range from 20″ to 100″ screen diagonals. In centimeters, this means a range from 50 cm to 254 cm.

Our conclusion:

The HoloPro disks were pioneers of holographic projection for a long time, but are now somewhat outdated. On closer inspection, the viewer will notice the somewhat milky-looking film, which distracts from a perfect holographic-looking result. Modern displays using Pepper’s Ghost effect (link to Pepper Ghost) or rotating LED rotors can create even more spectacular 3D holographic illusions today. Here you will find an overview of the current state of the art of holographic displays. -> Button to product overview.

Are there alternatives to HoloPro?

Yes. There are several holographic systems available. From smaller systems for retail or POS, to large installations for use at trade shows and events.

Already available holographic systems

Give us a call

We are happily looking forward to hearing from you!

Matthias Mangold

Phone: +49 6132 899 04 210
E-mail: m.mangold@magic-holo.com

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