"One of the problems with the digital projection of video as opposed to film (analog) projection is that the (digital) projector might have very high resolution and very good movement and you don't notice any shadows or anything like that, yet the dynamic range in terms of color and intensity of the image is reduced as compared to a film projector," explains Sibert. "That's one reason why most theatres still use film projectors even in cases where the films were originally made in digital (video). Of course with today's technology, many films start out in digital and are then transferred (to analog film) so they can be shown in film projectors." But now along comes Dolby Laboratories with a new technology called HDR (High Dynamic Range) projection systems. "This is an approach to digital projectors that produces a much broader dynamic range of the color and intensity of anything represented on the screen. So, it gives you a lot better digital projection at home and in theaters."

The HDR projection systems operate by placing two image modulators in series to optically multiply two images. The dynamic range of the final image is therefore approximately the product of the contrast of the two modulators. This novel digital system is capable of displaying images with sufficient dynamic range to rival analog film. Sibert expects this technology to be in theatres in the near future because the quality is approaching that of analog film. "Pretty soon you won't be able to tell the difference projected side by side. In fact, I think that's what (Dolby) is going to be demonstrating."

Aside from theatrical display technologies, there will be some interesting display gadgetry, including Gravity Grabber: Wearable Haptic Display to Present Virtual Mass Sensation developed at the University of Tokyo.

Aside from theatrical display technologies, there will be some interesting display gadgetry of other sorts on hand. And this first one is literally "on hand." Its technical name is Gravity Grabber: Wearable Haptic Display to Present Virtual Mass Sensation. "This is something that you wear on your hand," Sibert explains, "and it gives you the illusion that you're holding something in your hand, the illusion of weight. So that, if you're interacting with a three-dimensional virtual display and (in a way that) you're holding the object in your hand, it gives weight to the object."

So, what possible uses can this device have? Developed at the University of Tokyo, the Gravity Grabber could be downsized and unwired, as motors and batteries evolve, for use as a grasping controller in entertainment systems or as a force-feedback device for operating a virtual reality environment. Because it is small enough to be worn on a finger, it can be used in combination with conventional mouse-based interfaces. And it provides ubiquitous teleoperation, since the wearable and wireless device can be used to manipulate a robot from any location.

Also from the University of Tokyo is another device akin to the Gravity Grabber called Haptic Telexistence. This display has some rather unique possibilities. With conventional systems, we can only perceive the stiffness of an object. But with Haptic Telexistence, we can also perceive the exact shape of an object, so that more natural and dexterous object manipulations become possible. This simplifies complex tasks such as telesurgery and 3D modeling.

Because this system can present properties such as texture and temperature, it could support dramatic improvements in human relations. Imagine on a video conference call being able to shake hands with persons at remote locations and feel the warmth of their hands as well. And what about online shopping? Imagine being able to feel the texture of an article before purchasing it.

University of Tokyo also developed Haptic Telexistence, which allows the wearer to perceive the exact shape of an object, so that more natural and dexterous object manipulations become possible.

Sibert also mentioned several low-energy displays for use with hand-held devices under low light conditions. E Ink Electrophoretic Displays can actually be considered an ecological as well as a technological innovation. This is a new generation of revolutionary reflective displays with ultra-low power consumption, a thin flexible form and daylight readability. It gives the viewer the experience of reading from paper, yet the device can still update the information. The technology is now being incorporated into many applications, including electronic readers, cell phones, signage and memory devices. As far as ecology goes, electronic paper will allow us to read up-to-date information with a paper-like experience without the negative environmental impact of cutting down forests and disposing of thousands of tons of paper every day or the high-energy wastage of conventional electronic displays.

The next one Sibert mentioned was Optical Sensors Embedded Within AMLCD Panels: Design and Applications. This is a new technology being developed by Planar Systems for enhancing active-matrix liquid crystal display panels. By integrating an array of thin-film transistor (TFT) optical sensors into the a-Si backplane of the AMLCD, this technology allows flexible touch capability with multiple fingers and it also detects gestures that you make in front of the screen. In addition to the TFT circuit design, which was the first of its kind, the system supports the use of a light pen and a laser pointer, and it includes full imaging capability as well as hard-copy capture.