Holographic Display Case vs Transparent LCD Showcase
How a floating 3D pyramid and a see-through LCD cabinet differ in what the visitor sees, how content is produced and where each one belongs.
What the visitor actually sees
A holographic pyramid places a bright animated image in mid-air above the base plate. The object on the plate is secondary; the moving 3D illusion is the exhibit. A transparent LCD showcase does the opposite: the real object stays fully visible through the glass, and graphics, captions or video are layered over it on a see-through panel.
Where the physical object sits
In a hologram cabinet the object normally sits on the base below the pyramid and is often dimmed so the floating image reads clearly. In a transparent showcase the object is lit inside a lockable cabinet, so jewellery, prototypes and collectibles remain the visual subject while the panel adds context.
Viewing geometry
Holographic cases are specified by approach angle: 180° for a wall or counter, 270° for an open floor with three sides, and 360° for a central island that visitors walk around. Transparent showcases are usually specified for a primary front viewing side, which makes them easier to place against a wall or inside a retail run.
Content production is a different job
Pyramid content is shot or rendered on a pure black background, with mirrored views for 360° cabinets and short high-contrast loops. Transparent LCD content is a layout job: bright graphics on dark or transparent areas, with the physical object used as part of the composition. Plan both formats at the same time as the cabinet, not after it ships.
Ambient light behaves differently
Direct spotlights on the pyramid glass wash out a floating image, so a hologram cabinet wants controlled ceiling light and a darker surround. A transparent showcase has to balance internal cabinet lighting against the room, otherwise the object behind the panel looks flat or the overlay becomes hard to read.
Using both in one space
A common exhibition layout uses a hologram case as the opening hero piece and transparent showcases along the route for the physical collection. They do not compete for the same content pipeline, so the same project can carry a dramatic entrance and detailed object interpretation without duplicating hardware.
A short decision rule
Choose the holographic case when the story is an animation, an exploded view or an object that cannot be put on site. Choose the transparent showcase when the real object must stay visible, secured and annotated. If both are true, specify them as separate zones with their own lighting plan.
How the three families compare
The values below are read directly from the 30 documented configurations in this catalogue, not from a generic market table. Follow a column through to its product family page for the full specification.
| Specification | Holographic cases | Rail screens | Transparent showcases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documented configurations | 14 | 5 | 11 |
| Display sizes | 32 inch 49 inch 55 inch 65 inch +2 more configurations | 43 inch 55 inch 65 inch | 43 inch 55 inch 65 inch |
| Brightness ratings | 500 cd/m² 700 cd/m² | 500 cd/m² 700 cd/m² | 500 cd/m² 600 cd/m² |
| Viewing angles | 178° / 178° 270° three-sided 360° four-sided Single front viewing side | 178° / 178° | 178° / 178° |
| Installation | Counter or plinth mounted Floor-standing Floor-standing tower | Curved wall / ceiling track Wall-mounted straight or curved rail Wall-mounted straight rail | Counter or floor plinth Floor-standing |
| Motion / control | Fixed cabinet | Manual or motorised carriage Motorised carriage on segmented curved track Motorised carriage with position triggers Motorised carriage with soft start / stop +1 more configurations | Fixed cabinet |
| Touch options | Integrated touch control panel Optional IR touch frame | IR touch frame (10-point) Optional IR touch frame | IR touch frame (10-point) Optional IR touch frame |
Indicative, configurable values. Final figures are confirmed in the project layout drawing.
Explore the product families
- Holographic Display Cases — 14 documented configurations
- Interactive Sliding Rail Screens — 5 documented configurations
- Transparent LCD Showcases — 11 documented configurations
Where to go next
Browse the full product catalogue, compare the frequently asked questions, or send us the space dimensions for a configuration proposal.
Common questions
01Can one cabinet show both a floating hologram and a see-through LCD overlay?
Not as a single optical assembly. A pyramid uses angled glass and an upward-facing panel; a transparent showcase uses a see-through LCD in front of a lit object. Projects that need both normally specify two separate units with their own lighting plan.
02Which format suits a real product that has to stay locked away?
A transparent LCD showcase. The object remains behind lockable glass while the panel adds captions or animation. In a hologram cabinet the physical object sits on the base plate and is usually dimmed so the floating image reads clearly.
03Does a holographic display case need a completely dark room?
No, but direct spotlights on the pyramid glass reduce contrast. Plan controlled ceiling light and avoid placing the cabinet against a bright window. A transparent showcase instead needs the internal cabinet lighting balanced against the room.
04Can the same content files be used on both formats?
Not directly. Pyramid loops are built on a black background with mirrored views, while transparent LCD graphics are layered 2D layouts designed to sit over a lit object. Both are supplied as templates with the correct export format at order.
Tell us about your display project
Share the space, the product family and the viewing goal. We will come back with a configuration, indicative specification and a layout proposal.