Editing Holography

{{era|Forerunner|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{SeeWikipedia|Volumetric display}}
<center>''"'''Hologram'''" redirects here. For the Armor ability, see [[Type-27 Responsive Holographic Form Emulator|here]].''</center>
[[File:Halo-wars-20081009083956455-crop.jpg|thumb|300px|A holographic topographical map and [[Serina|AI]] [[Avatar]], aboard a UNSC warship, the ''[[UNSC Spirit of Fire|Spirit of Fire]]''.]]
'''Holography''' is a technological system that forms a visual representation of an object in three physical dimensions, as opposed to the planar image of traditional screens that simulate depth through a number of different visual effects. Holography is employed by the [[human]]s, the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] and the [[Forerunner]]s in a variety of functions - communications, battle and sensor displays, and as [[armor abilities#Hologram|distractions]] and [[holo-drone|decoys]]. Devices used to project holograms are commonly referred to as [[holotank]]s. These three-dimensional representations are more accurately referred to as [[Wikipedia:Volumetric display|volumetric display]]s, as true [[Wikipedia:Holography|holograms]] are not three-dimensional images.

==Applications==
===Human===
[[File:Errera int 1.jpg|thumb|An example of civilian application of holography in [[Club Errera]].]]
The UNSC uses holographic technology in a variety of ways. [[Artificial intelligence|Artificial Intelligences]], such as [[Cortana]], project holographic representations of themselves for personal communications with humans, with each AI taking a [[Avatar|unique appearance]] of their own choice. The UNSC also uses holograms for communications between individual humans. The commanding officer of one ship may "appear" on another to deliver a message when normally access between the two vessels is restricted. Many UNSC warships, such as the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and the {{UNSCShip|Say My Name}} had holographic tables, used to project topographical maps or other images for tactical purposes. 

Holography also has many civilian uses. For example, some nightclubs such as [[Club Errera]] make extensive use of holograms.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level, ''[[New Alexandria (level)|New Alexandria]]''</ref> Humans also use holographic technology to display holographic "photographs", referred to as [[Holo-still|Holo-Stills]]. Holographic tape is used to display information on the sides of civilian vehicles.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', "chapter 5", ''page 77''</ref>
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===Covenant===
[[File:Broadcast2.jpg|thumb|200px|Covenant [[San 'Shyuum|Prophets]] use holographic projectors to preach to their troops.]]
The [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]'s holographic technology is also based primarily on that of the Forerunners, and though superior to UNSC technology it still pales in comparison. Covenant often utilize stationary Holotanks much like the UNSC, but also [[Portable holo-pedestal|portable projectors]]. The Covenant use holograms for visual displays of space and ground combat, allowing a better general view of the action and better coordination.<ref>In the background on the [[Shadow of Intent]]</ref> Holograms are also used as decoys, through devices known as [[Holo-drone|Holo-Drones]], able to generate their own shields and weapons to give the illusion of reality. One of these was used by the [[Sesa 'Refumee|Heretic Leader]] before his death at the hands of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Heretic]]</ref> The Covenant also utilize less sophisticated [[armor abilities#Hologram|holographic decoys]] in the field, a technology which has also been replicated by the UNSC.<ref>'''Halo: Reach'''</ref>

As shown by the ability of Holo-Drones to use weaponry, certain Covenant holograms are somehow capable of physically interacting with their environment. The Prophets, in particular, make extensive use of holography in their governance of the Covenant. Religious sermons, such as those by the [[Prophet of Truth]]<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign levels, ''[[Tsavo Highway (level)|Tsavo Highway]], [[The Storm]], [[The Ark (level)|The Ark]] and [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> and [[Prophet of Regret]]<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign levels, ''[[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]] and [[Regret (level)|Regret]]''</ref>, are transmitted holographically, allowing the Prophets to preach from the relative safety of their point of transmission while protected by [[Honor Guard|armed guards]].
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===Forerunner===
[[File:TSC01.png|thumb|A holographic map of the [[Silent Cartographer]].]]
Though now extinct, the Forerunners were true masters of holography. Their projections were accurate far beyond UNSC or even Covenant capabilities, able to appear as solid and actual objects. Holograms were used on Alpha Halo for a visible representation of the ringworld, and on the Ark for each of the Halo's and for a visual demonstration by 343 Guilty Spark on the Halo Array's capabilities. It is also notable to mention that many of the Forerunner terminals and nodes that can be activated, particularly in ''Halo 3'', as holograms, yet apparently feel solid and can be pressed by the Master Chief. This could just be him passing his hand over the hologram, but in-game he appears to actually touch them. This is likely, as the [[Forerunner]] have proven their capability to produce '[[Hard light|Hard Light]]' holograms; the barriers in [[Halo Wars]], the multiple light bridges and barriers ([[energy bridge]], [[barrier tower]]) that have appeared throughout the series.

The [[Menachite Forerunner complex|Forerunner ruins]] underneath [[CASTLE Base]], despite eons of neglect, were still capable of projecting myriad environments from hundreds of worlds, likely a representation of former Forerunner colonies.
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==Trivia==
*What is generally, and incorrectly, referred to as a "hologram" in most science fiction, including the ''Halo'' series, is actually a [[Wikipedia:Volumetric display|volumetric display]]. True [[Wikipedia:Holography|holograms]] are not three-dimensional images. More specifically, ''Halo'' "holograms" seem to be of the [[Wikipedia:Volumetric display#Static volume|static volume]] type, creating an actual three-dimensional image rather than creating the illusion of it.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Holography|'''Wikipedia''''s article on Holography]]</ref>
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H3ODST PreparetoDropCinematic.jpg|A holographic representation of New Mombasa in a UNSC holo-table.
File:1220655526 Hologram2.jpg|A Covenant [[Holo-drone|Holo-Drone]], used to project holographic illusions, or to communicate over distance.
File:Holography_civilian_welcome.jpg|A holographic sign showing the word "welcome" in different languages on the [[Quito Space Tether]]'s orbital station.
File:Epitaph symbol.png|An enigmatic Forerunner hologram on [[Epitaph]].
File:Ark.JPG|A Forerunner holographic representation of The Ark.
File:Control Room2.jpg|A Forerunner holographic representation of Installation 04.
File:Sinoviet frigate hologram.jpg|A hologram of an [[UNSC frigate|UNSC Frigate]] in front of the [[Sinoviet Center]] in [[New Alexandria]].
File:HologramInline.jpg|The [[Armor abilities|Hologram Armor Ability]] featured in ''Halo: Reach''.
</gallery>

==Sources==
<references/>
[[Category:Hologram technology| ]]