Transparent TVs long seemed like a far-off sci-fi fantasy. But you may be surprised to learn see-through display technology is very real – and widely available today for business applications ranging from retail to museums to corporate offices.
Consumer electronics leader LG ships two different transparent commercial displays currently. And their latest attention-grabbing prototype, the OLED T transparent TV, offers a tantalizing glimpse of the see-through screens soon to reach living rooms.
Let‘s explore everything you need to know about LG‘s pioneering work with transparent panels and the transformational impact these displays offer businesses.
Demystifying Transparent Screens: OLED vs. LCD
Before examining LG‘s specific transparent offerings, it helps to level-set on the core display technologies powering see-through screens.
The dominant panel type found in most standard TVs is liquid crystal display (LCD). But conventional LCD relies on a backlight and diffusion layer that severely restrict light permeability. This backlight dependency limits realistic transparency to just ~10% with LCD.
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED), however, represents a radically different approach. With OLED panels, each individual pixel generates its own illumination. So when you turn off OLED pixels, they go completely dark and fully transparent.
This self-emissive quality is why OLED panels can currently achieve up to 40% transparency – a 4X improvement over LCD limitations. OLED also delivers superior contrast, perfect blacks, and a thin, sleek physical profile.
For both technical and visual reasons, OLED serves as the ideal panel platform for transparent implementations.
How LG‘s Transparent OLED Displays Compare
LG leverages their industry-leading OLED capabilities to manufacture two transparent commercial display models:
- Transparent OLED Signage – A standalone transparent OLED monitor with 38% transparency
- Transparent OLED Touch Signage – An integrated touchscreen display with 33% transparency
Let‘s examine how these two options stack up across key specifics:
| Features | LG Transparent OLED Signage | LG Transparent OLED Touch Signage |
| Screen size | 55” | 55” |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 (FHD) | 1920×1080 (FHD) |
| Brightness | 150 to 400 nits | 150 to 400 nits |
| Contrast ratio | 100,000:1 | 100,000:1 |
| Viewing Angle | 178° horizontal / vertical | 178° horizontal / vertical |
| Transparency | 38% | 33% |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes, P-Cap |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Response time | 1ms | 1ms |
| Audio | 10W stereo speakers | 10W stereo speakers |
| Operating hours | 24/7 usage rating | 24/7 usage rating |
| Display inputs | HDMI, USB 2.0, LAN port | HDMI, USB 2.0, LAN port |
| Included remote | Yes (batteries included) | Yes (batteries included) |
| Temperature tolerance | -20°C to 60°C | -20°C to 60°C |
| IP dust/water rating | IP5 (limited protection) | IP5 (limited protection) |
Some key differences and similarities in summary:
- The Touch Signage model features integrated interactivity via touch overlay
- Standard Signage option offers slightly higher 38% transparency
- Both deliver vivid, accurate colors with OLED‘s self-emissive technology
- Standalone or custom mounting possible depending on needs
- Commercial-grade 24/7 operation and connectivity
Now let‘s analyze the pros and cons of each transparent display option…
Transparent OLED Signage SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Standalone plug-and-play functionality
- Sleek transparent aesthetic
- Superior 38% transparency level
- Stunning OLED image quality
- High commercial reliability
Weaknesses
- Requires business sales order
- Low IP rating limits outdoor use
- Higher price than traditional displays
Opportunities
- Window displays, exhibition enclosures
- Architectural accent walls
- Visitor entrances, lobbies, waiting areas
Threats
- Difficult wall mounting without enclosure
- Competing transparent LCD options
Transparent OLED Touch Signage SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Integrated interactivity engagement
- Vivid OLED picture quality
- Modular installation options
- High commercial grade rating
- Bleeding-edge transparent display tech
Weaknesses
- More expensive than non-Touch
- Lower 33% transparency rating
- Higher power consumption than non-Touch
Opportunities
- Stimulate engagement for retail/hospitality
- Facilitate self-service kiosks
- Highlight interactive museum exhibits
Threats
- Complex custom mounting logistics
- Rapidly evolving niche technology
Both options clearly excel in delivering stunning transparent OLED imagery for commercial settings. But the ideal choice comes down to your specific goals and use cases.
Do you want to highlight static window displays or architectural installations? The non-Touch Signage probably fits best.
Is maximizing audience interaction important? The Touch variant enables customizable installations with interactive quality.
Now let‘s move on from comparison to explore 5 essential performance facts on LG‘s panels.
5 Must-Know Transparent Display Facts
OLED transmission range – Using LG‘s transparency technology, OLED panels can adjust anywhere from 0% opacity (fully transparent) to 100% opacity (solid display). This gives you dynamic control over the see-through effect level.
Touch & Transparency trade-off – Adding a touch integration layer marginally impacts transparency. LG maximizes permeability as much as possible while retaining touch responsiveness.
Color accuracy – Thanks to OLED‘s per pixel dimming control, LG maintains impressive color reproduction, contrast, and brightness uniformity even at peak transparency.
Slim form factor – Without a bulky backlight and diffuser, transparent OLED panels measure just 3.7mm thick. This allows nearly bezel-less designs.
AR/VR potential – With accurate colors and dimming, transparent OLED works well for augmenting environments with digital content or blocking real-world sight to enable virtual worlds.
LG goes beyond impressive technical qualities. They also offer flexible display mounting and control options tailored to your specific commercial space.
Recommended Configurations and Usage
LG designed the Transparent OLED Signage line to empower businesses to integrate futuristic transparent displays into customer engagements.
For retail, hospitality, and event settings, LG‘s Transparent OLED Touch makes an excellent choice to wow visitors with vivid imagery while supporting interactive experiential content.
The touch integration outshines static prints or decals with multimedia engagement. And you can adjust transparency levels based on lighting conditions.
For museums, galleries, corporate lobbies and other display case settings, LG‘s standard Transparent OLED better suits more simplistic environmental integration or accenting architecture.
The higher 38% transparency clarity also unobtrusively supplements environments. And the standalone single unit functionality simplifies deployment.
![Transparent OLED museum display]
Transparent OLEDs enable stunning accent displays for minimal environmental impact
Both options empower unlimited creativity arranging multiple panels for a customized transparent enclosure. Just ensure proper mounting equipment or professional installation assistance for more complex setups.
And no matter your configuration, take advantage of OLED‘s superior contrast versus projectors in bright rooms with glare.
Current and Upcoming Advances
While already incredibly impressive, LG continues advancing transparent OLED technology across several fronts to unlock further possibilities.
Over just the past two years, LG has achieved remarkable improvements in transparency, outdoor eligibility, responsiveness, and augmented reality functionality.
And they show no signs of slowing innovation. Let‘s examine recent progress and what futuristic enhancements LG works toward next.
Recent Advances
- Boosted transparency to 40%
- Added IP5 limited water/dust protection
- Upgraded touch sensors for 1ms response time
- Integrated AR overlay capability
- Reduced bezel size for near edgeless aesthetic
Emerging Innovations
- Transitioning from LCD glass to film-based OLED
- Developing transparent flexible OLED displays
- Adding gesture and proximity detection
- Expanding AR/VR mixed reality features
- Increasing panel transparency to 50%
LG also continues enhancing durability, sizes, and energy efficiency.
We still don‘t know exactly when LG plans to debut a consumer-targeted transparent TV successor to their flashy OLED T prototype.
But with rapid innovations on the B2B front, we solar glimpse the future of transparent tech that awaits in living rooms. Trust in LG‘s continued breakthroughs.
The Future Arrives Today
As this guide clarifies, transparent display technology is no longer just a fictional concept. Companies like LG offer businesses access immediately to actual shipping see-through displays unlocking unique applications.
OLED‘s self-emissive design finally enables LCD‘s transparency hurdles to be overcome. And LG maximizes slimline permeability while retaining stunning imaging.
From unobtrusive accenting that supplements environments to immersive multimedia engagements, LG‘s innovations point to transparent OLED transforming industries.
Right now LG targets its Transparent OLED line primarily for commercial integration. But the consumer-centric OLED T coming attraction suggests home theaters also prepare for see-through revolution.
For any business seeking to literally display environmental integration and digital enhancement simultaneously, LG empowers your goals today. The future is visible through their panels.
