Three things people call a hologram
The first step in how to choose a hologram display is to agree on the word. Customers in Amman use it for three different products, and each suits a different shop.
A transparent-LCD box is a lit cabinet with a see-through screen. Content shot on a black background appears to float inside it, and a real product can stand behind the glass. Our Nplay Halo Box is this: an 86-inch unit for lobbies and flagship stores, and a smaller Mini for counters. A rear-projection screen is a projector throwing an image onto a dark screen or film; it can be large, but it needs a dim room. A virtual presenter is a filmed person projected onto a cut-out silhouette at the entrance, a greeter that plays a message but does not answer questions.
If you want the technical side of the first two, our comparison of the hologram box and projection hologram goes deeper. This guide stays with the shop floor.
Which option fits which shop
A qualitative guide. Your own space can overrule any row, which is why the next section matters.
| Option | Works best when | Watch out for | Typical content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparent-LCD box (Halo Box) | The shop is lit, people walk up to it, and a product or a presenter should stand in front of them | Fixed size, heavy cabinet, needs floor space and a power point | 3D scenes on black, a product inside, an AI avatar, short video |
| Rear-projection screen | You control the light and want a large scene or a feature wall | Daylight washes it out; needs installation, throw distance and calibration | Scripted 3D film, brand story, presenter footage |
| Virtual presenter on a silhouette | You want a greeter at the door and no staffed desk | It is a recording, not a conversation; needs a dim corner | A short welcome, a promotion, a store guide |
| Standard screen or poster | The message is simple and the budget or space is tight | Less novelty; may not stop the passer-by | Offers, menus, timed campaigns |
Six things to measure in your shop before you ask for a quote
- Ambient light: stand at the planned spot at midday and at night. Bright glass frontage favours a box; a controlled dim corner is needed for projection.
- Footfall path: where do people walk, where do they pause and which way do they face? Place the display on the path, not in the best-looking corner.
- Height and distance: a life-size figure should be read at eye level from a comfortable distance, not from a cramped aisle. Mark the viewing spot on the floor.
- Floor space and access: measure the door, the lift and the route from the street. A box is heavy and arrives as one piece.
- Power and internet: a wall socket within reach and a Wi-Fi or LAN connection are enough for the Halo Box. Projection adds cabling and a mounting structure.
- Reflections: look for ceiling lights or shop windows that will bounce into the glass. Tell the supplier; they can advise on angle and position.
Decide the content before the display
The display is the container. What visitors remember is what appears in it. Before you shortlist hardware, answer three questions. What should a passer-by see in the first few seconds? What should someone who stops be able to do: watch, rotate a 3D product, ask a question? And what language do they expect?
For a shop the usual content options are a 3D model of a hero product, short video loops with a black background, and an AI avatar that greets people and answers common questions in Arabic and English from a knowledge base you provide. The avatar suits a showroom where customers ask about ranges, opening hours or service; a model suits a boutique with a few strong products. If you are weighing the avatar route, read about the AI hologram first.
Then ask who updates it. A hologram that shows last season's offer is worse than no hologram. Our cloud dashboard lets a shop manager schedule new videos and playlists without a visit, but someone has to own that task each month.
Illustrative scenario: a perfume boutique in a mall
This is an illustrative scenario, not a client story. A boutique in an Amman mall has bright shop lighting, a glass front and three signature fragrances. A projection screen would struggle in that light. A Halo Box beside the entrance could show each bottle as a rotating 3D model while the real bottle stands inside the cabinet, and a short Arabic and English loop would explain the notes. If the owner later wants customers to ask questions, an avatar can be added to the same box.
Change the scene and the answer changes: a showroom with a dim demo room might prefer projection, and a small counter might only need the Mini. That is why we start with the room.
Rental or purchase: how to think about it
Many shops should rent first. A box for one season, a launch or a mall activation lets you see how customers behave in front of it, which spot works, and how often content needs to change. We discuss rental and purchase per project; we do not publish terms here because they depend on duration, content and location. If you are budgeting, our guide to what drives hologram cost in MENA explains the line items without quoting figures.
When you ask suppliers about either route, ask the same short list: what is included (content, installation, support), what happens if the display fails, who owns the content you commission, and what the cloud dashboard costs to keep running.
How to choose a hologram display: frequently asked questions
Will a hologram display work in a bright mall unit?
A transparent-LCD box such as the Halo Box is built for lit spaces, with anti-glare glass, so it suits a bright shop. A rear-projection screen needs a controlled, dim spot. Check the light at the exact position first.
Do I need an installer for a hologram box?
The Halo Box ships as a complete unit; you connect power and internet and we pair it to the cloud dashboard. Projection is different: it needs a survey, cabling and calibration.
Can the display speak Arabic?
Yes. The AI avatar works in Arabic and English, and you choose persona, voice and the knowledge it answers from. Video and 3D content can be produced in both languages.
Should I rent or buy a hologram display?
For a first project we usually suggest talking about rental or a trial period, then purchase if the display earns its place. Send us your shop details and we will discuss both options for your brief.