When Displays Become Interactive: A Custom 43.5" Stretched LCD Solution from CDS
What if your retail display could respond the moment a customer picks up a product — without anyone touching the screen?
At Crystal Display Systems (CDS), we believe the best display solutions are designed around the application, not the other way around.
Our latest custom stretched LCD display project demonstrates exactly that, combining a high-brightness 43.5″ industrial display, anti-glare cover glass and bespoke mechanical integration to create an innovative retail product presentation experience.
The result? A display designed to fit a customer’s existing aperture, installed horizontally beneath physical merchandise, with dynamic digital content triggered by product interaction.
It’s a perfect example of how bespoke display engineering can transform a conventional retail fixture into something much more engaging.
The Challenge: A Display That Fits the Application
Not every project can accommodate a standard, off-the-shelf display.
For this particular application, the customer required a highly specialised stretched LCD monitor that could be integrated into a predetermined aperture within a retail display fixture.
But the physical dimensions were only part of the challenge.
Unlike conventional digital signage, where a screen is typically installed vertically, this solution needed to be positioned flat, facing upwards, with products placed above the display surface.
The customer also wanted an engaging experience where removing a displayed product would automatically activate relevant digital content.
The requirements included:
A custom 43.5″ ultra-wide stretched LCD display.
Precise mechanical integration into the customer’s aperture.
A non-touch screen with anti-glare cover glass.
High brightness for demanding retail lighting conditions.
Multiple video inputs and RS232 remote control.
Compatibility with an externally managed product-detection system.
A design suitable for horizontal installation within the retail fixture.
Rather than requiring the customer to redesign their entire installation around a standard monitor, CDS developed a solution around the customer’s application.
The Solution: A Custom 43.5" Stretched LCD Display
CDS developed a bespoke 43.5″ StretchedVUE industrial LCD display, model MO-435-003-EW-1000-ZX, incorporating the visual performance and mechanical characteristics required for the project.
With an ultra-wide resolution of 3840 × 536 pixels, the display provides an extended digital canvas ideally suited to presenting content alongside physical products.
Its 1,000-nit brightness helps maintain image visibility in brightly illuminated retail environments, while the anti-glare cover glass reduces distracting reflections.
The display is supplied as a non-touch solution for this particular application. However, touch functionality can also be easily incorporated into the design, providing additional flexibility for projects requiring direct on-screen interaction.
Connectivity and Remote Control
The display features three HDMI inputs, one DisplayPort input and RS232 connectivity, allowing straightforward integration into wider digital signage and control systems.
The RS232 interface enables the customer to remotely control the monitor, making it suitable for centrally managed or automated installations.
This flexibility is particularly valuable for OEMs and system integrators developing bespoke interactive applications.
Key Technical Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display size | 43.5″ stretched LCD |
| Resolution | 3840 × 536 pixels |
| Brightness | 1,000 cd/m² |
| Contrast ratio | 5000:1 |
| Viewing angle | 178° horizontal / 178° vertical |
| Cover glass | Anti-glare |
| Touch functionality | Non-touch, with optional touch integration |
| Video inputs | 3 × HDMI, 1 × DisplayPort |
| Remote control | RS232 |
| Overall dimensions | 1161.24 × 218.32 × 66.6 mm |
| Operating temperature | 0°C to +50°C |
The combination of stretched-format imagery, high brightness and customised construction makes this an excellent example of display technology designed for a specific installation rather than a standard application.
How Does the Interactive Retail Experience Work?
Imagine walking into a retail showroom and seeing several products arranged on a sleek, illuminated display surface.
Rather than watching a continuous loop of advertising, the customer becomes part of the experience.
1. The customer approaches the display.
Physical products are presented above the horizontally installed stretched LCD.
2. A product is picked up.
An external product-detection system, supplied and managed by the customer, identifies when an item has been removed.
3. Relevant digital content is triggered.
The customer’s external system activates the corresponding video, product demonstration, specification or promotional message on the display.
4. The customer explores the product.
The screen presents relevant information to help the shopper understand the product’s features, benefits and applications.
Importantly, the product-detection technology operates externally to the monitor. CDS supplies the bespoke display hardware, which integrates into the customer’s wider interactive solution.
This creates a natural connection between physical merchandise and digital storytelling, without requiring customers to navigate menus or touch the screen.
The product itself becomes the trigger for the digital experience.
Why Choose a Stretched LCD for This Application?
Stretched LCD displays offer important advantages when integrating digital technology into unconventional spaces.
Designed Around Limited Space
A conventional 16:9 monitor may be too tall, wide or awkward to accommodate within an existing retail fixture.
The elongated format of a stretched LCD provides greater flexibility for long, narrow apertures and specialist installations.
High-Impact Visual Presentation
The 3840 × 536 resolution creates an exceptionally wide visual canvas, allowing designers to develop content tailored to the arrangement of merchandise.
Anti-Glare Protection
Retail environments often have challenging lighting, including overhead spotlights and bright showroom illumination.
The anti-glare cover glass helps minimise reflections and improve the viewing experience.
Flexible Integration and Control
With multiple HDMI inputs, DisplayPort connectivity and RS232 remote control, the display can be incorporated into a wider control and content-delivery architecture.
Optional Touch Functionality
Although this particular project uses a non-touch display, CDS can also incorporate touch functionality into similar designs.
This provides the option to combine product-triggered content with direct touchscreen interaction where required.
Stretched Displays from 6" to 99" – One Size Doesn't Fit All
While this particular project required a custom-built 43.5″ monitor, CDS offers a much broader portfolio of stretched LCD display solutions, ranging from 6″ component-level displays right up to 99″ complete monitors.
Whether you need a compact LCD component for integration into your own equipment or a large-format, fully assembled industrial monitor, CDS can help identify and develop the right solution.
Our stretched display options include:
6″ and larger stretched LCD components for OEM integration.
Ultra-wide industrial displays and monitors.
Custom-sized and application-specific stretched LCD solutions.
High-brightness displays for demanding lighting environments.
Optional PCAP touch functionality.
Anti-glare cover glass and other protective treatments.
Custom electronics, connectivity and control interfaces.
Bespoke mechanical designs and mounting arrangements.
From compact embedded systems to eye-catching commercial installations, stretched LCD technology offers opportunities wherever a conventional display format simply won’t fit.
More Than Retail: Where Else Could This Technology Be Used?
Although developed for a particular customer application, this concept demonstrates opportunities across numerous commercial environments.
Consumer Electronics
Create interactive presentations where lifting a device activates relevant product information or demonstrations.
Beauty and Cosmetics
Combine physical products with dynamic visual content introducing ingredients, features, product ranges or promotional campaigns.
Luxury Retail
Develop immersive product displays that combine premium merchandise with sophisticated digital storytelling.
Museums and Exhibitions
Link physical exhibits or demonstration objects with on-screen educational content.
Automotive Showrooms
Use product samples or components as triggers for technical demonstrations, feature explanations and visual presentations.
Brand Experience Centres
Create memorable, hands-on installations that connect physical products with digital information.
Each application can be engineered around its individual installation, content and integration requirements.
Why Work with CDS for Custom Stretched LCD Displays?
At Crystal Display Systems, we understand that one size does not fit all.
Our engineering-led approach allows us to work closely with customers on display projects where conventional products cannot meet the required specification.
From mechanical dimensions and cover glass through to display brightness, optional touch functionality, connectivity and installation requirements, we help develop practical solutions for specialist applications.
With stretched LCD solutions ranging from 6″ components to 99″ monitors, CDS can support projects of all shapes and sizes.
Our bespoke display capabilities include:
Custom mechanical design and aperture integration.
Ultra-wide and stretched LCD technologies.
High-brightness display solutions.
Optional touch integration.
Custom cover glass and optical treatments.
Specialist mounting and enclosure solutions.
Control interfaces and electronics integration.
OEM and ODM display development.
This latest 43.5″ project demonstrates how CDS can help bridge the gap between an ambitious application concept and a purpose-designed display solution.
Do you need a display that fits an existing aperture? A screen that operates in an unconventional orientation? Or a bespoke monitor that integrates into a larger interactive system?
Don’t redesign your application to fit a standard screen. Talk to CDS about designing the screen around your application.
Whether you need a 6″ stretched LCD component or a 99″ fully integrated monitor, our team is here to help.
CONTACT CDS ABOUT YOUR CUSTOM DISPLAY PROJECT →
Visit www.crystal-display.com or email info@crystal-display.com.
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