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Multimedia Windowpanes
prostoalex writes "Washington Post talks about recent innovations in the world of windows (yes, lowercase). A Minnesota company is offering windows that double as entertainment centers, being used as projection screens for home entertainment systems and DVD players. A Yale professor is quoted to be excited about new product: 'One minute you're looking out your bay window at your neighbor's back yard, and the next you're watching Tom Cruise and 'Top Gun''."
Great idea, until someone puts a baseball through your living room Window.
--Jeremy
Jesus was a liberal
now I can pretend those videos of my naked nextdoor neighbor are live...
At least before they had to sneak over to look in the windows, now they just have to look at the windows.
This technology makes it into eyeglasses or contact lenses ?!?
I'd love to be sitting in my cube at work watching Office Space on my contact lenses!
-- Adam
'One minute you're looking out your bay window at your neighbor's back yard, and the next you're watching Tom Cruise and 'Top Gun'
Wow, so they invented a back to the 80's time machine!
Outdoor digital photography, mostly in New Engl
Anyhow, I have a really hard time seeing this going anywhere. The problem with any sort of serious home automation or nifty built-in gadgets is that ten years down the line they're either a tangle of useless, unsupported wires and circuit boards from extint companies or laughably outdated (or both). I remember seeing a new item about a guy who sued Bob Vila and "This Old House" for pushing him to install a computer-heavy home control system for everything from the heat to the garage door a few years back -- the company tanked and now he has to rip the malfunctioning POS out and put in new stuff (which is obviously expensive).
So, I'll pass. Besides, the last thing I need is an incentive to get even less daylight.
Every year during my review, I just pray the words "slashdot.org" aren't mentioned.
I'm just kinda wondering what the optimal performance conditions are for this product?
My guess is that the light has to be greater on the inside than on the outside, much like seeing a reflection using a mirror. Also there is the problem of temperature. Most electronics don't particularly enjoy being used at extreme temps. I'm also guessing that this thing has some type of current running through it causing an extreme temp change in the glass.
So how long until the first "projection window" explodes during the winter?
You don't even have sunlight. That's right, the windows are opaque when there ISN'T a current flowing through them! Better have an UPS on your window or it's going to get really dark when the power goes out.
One minute you're looking out your bay window at your neighbor's back yard, and the next you're watching Tom Cruise and 'Top Gun'
This is a projection screen between the panes of glass, so one minute you neighbor's watching you sitting in your living room, and the next minute he's watching a mirror image of Top Gun
Won't the glass of the window create a glare problem? The wall beside the window probably makes a much better projection screen.
Jason
ProfQuotes
Chris
So what.... ...does this look like from the outside?
That's the thing. Most slashdotters will never know.
Hell, they'll never even know what "outside" looks like.
--
But in my Mom's basement, I'm an arch-wizard.
Opinions on the Twiddler2 hand-held keyboard?
Put up the static image, call your victim into the room for some unrelated reason and then watch the look on their face.
You would, of course, also need appropriate sound effects -- and a well planned escape route.
OS Software is like love: The best way to make it grow is to give it away.
When the current is on, the window is clear. But flip a switch to turn the current off and the glass goes opaque
Hmmm, shame it isn't the otherway around - sounds like it's going to waste lots of juice given that the window is probably going to be in 'clear' mode 99% of the time.
-- Mike
Outside?
You mean the big blue room?
Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtani?
www.fogbound.net
This technology has been around for a while now, but it's very expensive. The use is not for windows that face outside, but for inner windows.
I've heard of corporate conference rooms that use windows like this. When the meeting becomes "closed door" all of the windows can be frosted.
I live in a small apartment, but it seems bigger than it is because of many internal windows between rooms. The problem is privacy. Shades and blinds are ugly. Instant frosting is what I've been looking for. If the prices come down, I'll buy.
That comment isn't as intelligent as it sounds. Modern tempered glass doesn't breaky very easially, and can stand up to baseballs. And that is assuming it is even glass, some windows are actually plastic, which can be bullet proof! Patio doors wouldn't be possible without that. (Or at least not as most houses have them with a patio door installed, but no deck outside since a kid could break through regular glass and fall several floors) Modern windows are a lot more complex than glass in a frame. Fortunatly they work just like the old type, just better.
I'm not trying to imply that you can't break this glass, because you can. However you can beat a patio door with a sledge hammer and not be sure of it breaking.