novel video applications are enabled by virtue of the invention such as a simulated window which has a view that is not possible from that position if there were an actual window in that position i e viewing a sunset from an eastern exposure or a view which is not possible at all i e a winter scene during the summer or a scene from a different country these represent a clear improvement over any of the typical u201c light box u201d with photographic transparency or other attempt to simulate a window view with conventional means fig7 a illustrates a u201c virtual picture window u201d embodiment wherein the movement of viewer 102 detected by sensors 108 cause outdoor camera 704 on mount 706 to pan back forth thereby allowing the viewer 102 to u201c see u201d the outdoor scene 720 u201c through u201d the wall 702 on display 106 using graphics processing system 710 depending upon the movement of the viewer toward away from the screen 106 in this and other applicable embodiments the camera 704 may zoom as the viewer comes closer pan when the user moves away and tilt if the viewer goes up down as might be the case on a staircase for example through the use of distance detection the display system can provide a three dimensional effect by applying modifications to an image as the viewer changes his position thus.