Open Forum

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

The key phrase in your question is "viewed from both sides of the glass partition." That's the tough part. The other issue is quality. For all the hype (and it can be really cool!) getting a high-quality rear-projected image is not easy and requires considering all factors of the installation, surface, projection, ambient light, angles, etc... In my experience, rear-projection on film is softer than front projection and has a translucent quality that depends on how much other light is coming from behind the screen.

But back to "both sides." While a rear-projected image can be seen on both sides, the "front" image is going to be substantially better. The rear image, at the very least, will be overbright and washed out. And of course, it will be backward. Using film, one side is now plastic film, not glass. The film is subject to damage. You can purchase screens where the film is layered inside, but this is obviously more expensive.

You also have a projection angle problem. Objects (people) on the projector side will cast shadows. It is possible to project at very steep angles, minimizing shadows, but rear projection at a steep angle requires the screen surface to be specifically designed for angled projection.

So, it can be done, but it's not particularly simple. If you want to work with existing glass, then film is your solution, but working out the details will require research and experimentation.

Cheers,
                 tod

------------------------------
Tod Hopkins
Technical Director
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
Washington DC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

Glass is clear - anything you shine on it (including an image) shoots right through it, unobstructed.  

You'll need to coat your glass with something semi-opaque.  Google for "holographic projection film".  You'll notice the less expensive stuff has bad reviews, and the stuff with good reviews is outrageously expensive.

Do note that one side of your projection will be projected correctly and the opposing side will be backwards.  Any words, lettering, signage, graphics will be backwards from the back side.

------------------------------
Mike Watson
San Diego History Center
San Diego CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/30/2021 2:04:00 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

Have you considered using a transparent touch screen? The ones I saw demonstrated were sharp on both sides.  I've seen them from a 23"-size on up. I did a Google search and there seem to be a few manufacturers to choose from.

------------------------------
Melanie Solomon
Principal
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

Transparent LED and OLED are quite remarkable. They are also expensive, particularly the OLEDs which are far superior to the LEDs. OLEDs emit light directly and don't require a backlight. Planar makes a stunning 55" OLED "Look-thru" which is nearly frameless. I believe it runs about $19,000 retail. When standing on a table top, it looks like a sheet of glass with a bright moving image on it. Exactly what you are looking for.

The LED versions are essentially  LED monitors without a back, and therefor no backlighting. LED panels themselves don't emit light. They filter light that passes through from a "backlight. Without a built-in backlight these screens require ambient light control to work effectively. Ideally you build them into casework where you control the light inside the case.

------------------------------
Tod Hopkins
Technical Director
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
Washington DC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2021 07:11 AM
From: Melanie Solomon
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

Have you considered using a transparent touch screen? The ones I saw demonstrated were sharp on both sides.  I've seen them from a 23"-size on up. I did a Google search and there seem to be a few manufacturers to choose from.

------------------------------
Melanie Solomon
Principal

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

I attended a "new tech" hub at the Tribeca Film Festival a number of years ago and was impressed by this installation. (image attached). I took a photo of the screen brand ( DA-LITE) as well as what looks like a channel controller. It was a very effective display with video visible on both sides of the "screens." Hope this is helpful



------------------------------
Tamsen Young
Digital Media & Strategic Initiatives Manager
Museum at FIT
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

Tod Hopkins reply is 100%.

But if you're looking to try something out without spending a lot of money, and imperfect results are better than no results at all, I've projected onto vellum successfully many times. 16-pound vellum comes in 24-in. wide rolls. You can tape it to windows using cellophane tape.

Next level up is rear screen projection fabric. The big theater supply companies sell it by the yard.

Jason
Principal
Flutter & Wow Museum Projects

------------------------------
Jason Jay Stevens
Exhibit Designer/Principal
Flutter & Wow Museum Projects
Ann Arbor MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

I love the vellum idea. I'm dying to try it. Never be afraid to experiment when you have the luxury.

------------------------------
Tod Hopkins
Technical Director
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
Washington DC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2021 12:14 AM
From: Jason Jay Stevens
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

Tod Hopkins reply is 100%.

But if you're looking to try something out without spending a lot of money, and imperfect results are better than no results at all, I've projected onto vellum successfully many times. 16-pound vellum comes in 24-in. wide rolls. You can tape it to windows using cellophane tape.

Next level up is rear screen projection fabric. The big theater supply companies sell it by the yard.

Jason
Principal
Flutter & Wow Museum Projects

------------------------------
Jason Jay Stevens
Exhibit Designer/Principal
Flutter & Wow Museum Projects
Ann Arbor MI

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

Hi, I saw someone suggest vellum, which does work. A similarly cheap idea that can work a bit better is frosted vinyl - you can even get a sample from a local sign shop for experimentation. I've tried both, and I like the frosted vinyl better since it clings evenly to the glass.

I'm also seeing this cool product, which is specifically designed for what you want. And it looks relatively cheap. https://www.rearprojectionfilms.com/

------------------------------
Tom Howes
Exhibits Technician
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 7/6/2021 10:25:00 AM
From: Tom Howes
Subject: RE: Projecting Onto Glass

Hi, I saw someone suggest vellum, which does work. A similarly cheap idea that can work a bit better is frosted vinyl - you can even get a sample from a local sign shop for experimentation. I've tried both, and I like the frosted vinyl better since it clings evenly to the glass.

I'm also seeing this cool product, which is specifically designed for what you want. And it looks relatively cheap. https://www.rearprojectionfilms.com/

------------------------------
Tom Howes
Exhibits Technician
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2021 02:03 PM
From: Christin Byrum
Subject: Projecting Onto Glass

ISO information about projecting a moving image onto clear glass that can be viewed from both sides of the glass partition. A quick internet search shows how it might be achieved (at least to my novice eye) with a film that is applied to the glass.....we are looking to use it in a small application and, as always, budget is an issue. Does anyone have any insight/experience they can share to point us in the right direction? Thanks!!

------------------------------
Christin Byrum
Director of Museums
Museums of Oglebay Institute
Wheeling WV
------------------------------