The scientific literature says that the best way to make 3D images is via holographic and similar techniques such as integral imaging. The display system comprises a proprietary holographic screen, a controller and illumination optics. The holographic screen resembles a sheet of frosted glass and is currently about A4 in size (20x30cm). The holographic screen contains a number of pre-encoded holograms. The holographic screen is rear-illuminated a laser, which is in turn driven by the controller, to produce simple 3D image that appear outside the plane of the screen.

A series of spatially multiplexed and interleaved interference patterns are pre-recorded across the surface of the holographic screen. Each set of patterns is capable of reconstructing a single holographic volume-segment when illuminated. The screen may be fabricated via a variety of different techniques on several holographic media.

The technical approach behind the holographic volumetric display is based on the observation that a complex 3D object can be made through rendering collections of simpler voxels, rather than the whole object. The display works on the volumetric principle in which a series of volume elements, or holographic voxels, are placed adjacently in 3D space where each voxel may be addressed individually. This means that each holographic voxel may be switched on/off (i.e. made visible or not) and its colour may be changed. A simple programmable display can be made in this way.