The so-called transparent screen, according to its literal meaning, is a screen with the ability to see through the past. It is different from the traditional LCD screen. There is a dark panel behind the traditional LCD screen. This is not the case with the transparent screen. It is a piece of glass that allows you to see the objects behind the screen while displaying content. When many people see it for the first time, they will feel like a prop in a science fiction movie. In fact, it has already been quietly applied in shopping mall windows, exhibition halls, and even restaurant menu boards.
What’s going on with the transparent screen?
The core principle of a transparent screen is to place luminous pixels on a transparent substrate, so that light can penetrate areas where there are no pixels. Currently, there are two types of mainstream technologies, namely OLED transparent screens and LCD transparent screens. OLED has the characteristics of self-luminescence and does not require a backlight, so it can achieve extremely high transparency and bright colors. The LCD transparent screen requires special light guide technology to operate, and the backlight is made into a side-type structure or an edge-type structure, so that light can penetrate the middle area.
You may be worried about whether the display effect will be compromised. Indeed, the contrast of a transparent screen is not as good as that of an ordinary screen. This is because ambient light shines from behind it, making the black part unable to achieve a pure black state. However, its performance in bright environments is quite good. This is because the backlight can blend with the ambient light, making it look more natural. Its brightness is usually set to a range of 800 to 1500 nits, which is much higher than that of ordinary TVs. This brightness is set to combat the light transmitted from behind.
Hanging on the wall is not a casual move, the installation method is particular. The transparent screen is generally sandwiched between two pieces of tempered glass to form a complete glass module. In this way, the transparency can be maintained while the screen can be protected. Power supply lines and data lines are usually led from the edge of the glass and hidden in the frame or ground wiring trough.
Where will transparent screens be used?
Shopping mall windows are the most commonly used. In the past, models and products were placed in the windows. Nowadays, a layer of dynamic advertising can be superimposed on the glass. For example, the screen next to the model can display prices, materials, and matching suggestions. Passers-by can see both physical objects and digital information through the screen. The conversion rate is much higher than that of traditional posters.
It is widely used for exhibition display. In museums, science and technology museums and corporate exhibition halls, transparent screens can be made into display cabinet panels. They are usually transparent and the audience can directly see the exhibits inside. When an introduction is needed, the screen will light up, and detailed description text and picture annotations will appear next to the exhibits. This experience is much more advanced than placing a tablet next to it or putting up an explanation board.
One scene is a restaurant and bar. Some high-end bars have their menus set up on a transparent screen above the bar, and wine bottles are placed behind the screen. Customers can see the real thing when ordering wine. The glass wall of the restaurant private room can be made into a transparent screen to play dish introductions or atmosphere videos during the meal. After the meal, it turns back to transparent glass without affecting the lighting.
However, the current price of transparent screens is still relatively high. For a 55-inch transparent screen for commercial use, the price is generally in the range of tens of thousands of yuan, which is three to five times that of an ordinary screen of the same size. Its maintenance cost is not low. Due to its sealed structure and glass integration, once a problem occurs, replacement is more complicated than ordinary screens. Therefore, before making a choice, it is best to accurately calculate the input-output ratio in advance and determine that it can bring sufficient commercial value, such as increasing the unit price per customer, increasing the interaction time, or improving the brand image.
The transparent screen is not used to replace the ordinary screen, it is used to create a new experience. If you are thinking about upgrading your store or exhibition space, you might as well think carefully about it first: what do you want customers to see, and what do you want them to see through the screen. Once you have thought through it, you can use transparent screens to achieve it.
