A year ago I started a thread about what model RR advances we'd see in the next 10 years. Something I didn't think about at the time just hit me - LCD BACKDROPS. It's not such a way-off future thing because the technology already exists. Imagine a module with a simple roadbed and track profile running in front of a 4' wide (or wider) LCD screen, which can project different types of scenery, or different versions of scenery via CGI: A mountain scene, a city scene (with moving cars/lights/people), a prairie...rolling clouds over the prairie skies...thick fog...a rainstorm...You can have your train run in front of a city, go into staging, and come out of a countryside on the same module. They make LCD monitors in different sizes, some extremely large...Though currently pricey, the price will no doubt drop in the future. There's a lot of possibilities with this.
I agree and don't think this is too technology is too far from reaching the mainstream. It may still be a while before it takes root in the hobby as the norm. I have been considering using a product from Philips. They make several colored LED products that are mainly used for theatre or advertising. However, they coul be easily adapted for use on a model railroad. They are programamble with the ability to reproduce nearly any color and gradient. Not the point of moving clouds, vehicles, people, etc but would produce very impressive backdrop lighting efftects; sunrise, daylight, sunset, and night. LED Lighting Systems, LED Lights - Philips Color Kinetics If I ever get around to it I'd like to create a module usingthis for the lighting.
An LED backdrop would be cool, I guess. But, what about LED billboards that you can use to make your own Times Square? Or putting LED signboards in your stations? LED boards are so ubiquitous, it shouldn't be hard to find a use for one on a modern layout. I was thinking of putting a small LED screen on the back of a concert stage that showed live video of the scale model performers on stage. Unfortunately, unless I can figure out how to take apart one of my old cell phones, it's going to be cost prohibitive.
The Model Railroad Museum near The Strasburg Railroad had a little camera set up right by the edge of one of its layouts. As you approached it, it sent the image to a screen that was modelled as a "drive-in" on the actual layout. The screen was a mini DVD player screen. It was O scale so it did not look out of place. Not entirely sure of how it was done though.... Really neat little feature!
Just wanna point out that LCD (liquid crystal display) and LED (light emitting diode) technologies are two different things. I hope you're not getting them mixed up! Incidentally, they both are used for video displays...wherein lies the confusion between the two. A moving LCD display would obviously be just a monitor for a graphics program run on a computer - and nearly everyone now has a computer with the system resources to run that. It would be the computer program that would show the backdrop, add weather effects, etc. It might possibly DCC-controlled, too.
One could model a railroad line in front of an LCD screen representing a highway with scale cars going by.
Layouts set in the 50s and 60s could use a small LCD screen as the basis for a drive in movie theater.
I have seen something like that in a YouTube video, but I think they used an actual projector. What I want to know is there a way to set up a small flat screen without breaking the bank on it.
OLED Displays would be better: They are paper-thin, can be bent around a corner and come in different sizes. Or better, make that: will come in different sizes, because the technologxy is in it's child shoes. I imagine that you could use them for displaying different weather (blue sky, cloudy, rain,...) use them to have moving cars on a highway in the background different seasons (great!) and many more, I'm sure. But I guess that we'll have to wait 10-15 years until the price levels have dropped to a level where we can afford them! Michael
I see that LED monitors are becoming more common and they seem competitively priced. They are thinner and are supposed to use less power. I saw a few today next to their LCD cousins. The LED's appeared to look a bit brighter and sharper - but that could just be store display settings. [edit - A little research turned up that LED's are still technically LCD, as the LED only replaces the traditional florescent (CCFL) back-lighting. It results in a flatter and brighter screen with improved contrast. Less power and heat. The LCD panel technology is still the same.] I've also noticed a couple LED TV sets appearing in stores too. Looks like that market is starting to shift away from LCD as well. LED's look promising as they have less of a profile. One might be able to place them closer together to make a continuous backdrop.
Drive in movie One thing, the way mobile phones are going, clear colour small screens. i plan to use one on my n scale layout as a drive in movie screen and the rest of the phone will be used to play and store movies. just add a small speaker under the layout, plug in the phone charger and go!
