View source for Viewscreen

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{{Spoiler DIS}}
[[File:Excelsior Bridge 3.jpg|thumb|The viewscreen aboard the USS ''Excelsior'' displaying computer-enhanced images]]
[[File:USS Enterprise viewscreen, 2257.jpg|thumb|The viewscreen aboard the USS ''Enterprise'' in 2257]]
{{disambiguation|the 21st century legal system device|view screen}}
A '''viewscreen''' (or '''main viewing screen''', '''main screen''', or '''main [[viewer]]''') was an audio/visual device used as early as the [[2150s]] aboard [[starship]]s, [[space station]]s, and at [[planet]]ary facilities by space-faring organizations including [[Starfleet]], the [[Borg Collective]], the [[Cardassian Union]], the [[Klingon Empire]], and the [[Romulan Star Empire]].

These devices were used to display various types of images from [[sensor]] data and [[communication]]s signals.

==General specifications==
[[File:Viewscreen refit Enterprise.jpg|thumb|The viewscreen aboard the USS ''Enterprise'' displaying [[red alert]] status in the [[2270s]]]]
Generally consisting of a large screen or [[window]] located on the [[bridge]] of a [[starship]] (or [[operations center]] of a space station or [[starbase]]), the viewscreen was an almost universal facet of [[space]] exploration and colonization dating as far back as the [[22nd century]], surviving well into the [[23rd century|23rd]] and [[24th century|24th centuries]].

[[File:Viewscreen targeting, remastered.jpg|thumb|left|The viewscreen aboard the USS ''Enterprise''-D with a targeting reticule, [[2364]]]]
Typically used to display images of the area immediately around or in front of a starship, the viewscreen could provide views from all directions, as well as call up data from the [[library computer]]. It was also essential in ship-to-ship communication, allowing face-to-face conference if so desired, utilizing [[subspace communication|subspace]] and other communications systems. 

Visual contact, however, could only be achieved when in visual range. Intra-ship communications were also possible, though the main viewer was rarely used for this function. ({{film|5}}; {{film|11}}; {{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint|Who Watches The Watchers|Ship in a Bottle}}; {{DS9|For the Uniform|What You Leave Behind}}; {{VOY|The Cloud}}) 

When necessary, the image on the viewscreen could be [[magnification|magnified]] - 24th century starships easily gaining a magnification of 10<sup>6</sup>. The image could also be augmented, with the ship's computer displaying extrapolated images or graphics displaying sensor data. ({{film|6}}; {{TNG|The Survivors|The Bonding}}; {{ENT|Broken Bow}})

==Starfleet==
===''Freedom''-class===
[[File:Franklintype mainviewer STB.png|thumb|right|The main viewscreen aboard the [[USS Franklin|USS ''Franklin'']].]]
Installed aboard early [[Starfleet]] vessels including {{class|Freedom|22nd century}} starships, the viewscreen was a rectangular window located on the front [[bulkhead]] of the main [[bridge]]. Rectangular in shape, the window provided a wide screen view of the exterior [[space]] before the ship. Computerized and processed data, such as speed and schematics, could be projected or combined with the view. ({{film|13}})
===NX-class===
[[File:NX class viewscreen.jpg|thumb|The main viewer aboard ''Enterprise'' NX-01]]
Installed as early as [[2151]] for {{class|NX}} starships, the main viewer aboard these vessels provided a wide screen view of the [[space]] around the ship, as well as visual communications. They were capable of processing multiple inputs simultaneously, as was sometimes seen when two or more parties wished to have a joint conversation with ''Enterprise''.
[[File:ViewscreenSplitScreen.jpg|thumb|left|[[Muroc]] and [[Telev]] in a multi-party communication on ''Enterprise'' viewscreen]]
In the year [[2152]], the crew of {{EnterpriseNX}} mounted a sophisticated sensor on the [[grappler]] arm allowing their sensors to detect and display onscreen [[cloak]]ed [[Suliban]] and [[Romulan]] vessels. ({{ENT|Shockwave|Minefield}})

{{bginfo|Dialogue in {{e|Balance of Terror}} suggests that 22nd century starships that fought in the [[Earth-Romulan War]] were without viewscreens, or at least incapable of visual communications. While this supposition was natural, {{s|ENT}} clearly established viewscreen technology present on [[United Earth]] vessels, as well as aboard [[Andorian]] ships, [[Klingon]] ships, and many others, while the Romulans seemingly did not (or chose to communicate through audio only).}}

===''Kelvin''-type===
<div style="float:right;"><gallery>
File:Kelvin type viewscreen, left.jpg|[[Port]] viewscreen
File:Kelvin type viewscreen, right.jpg|[[Starboard]] viewscreen
</gallery></div>
{{type|Kelvin}} ships in service during the [[2230s]] were still using window/viewscreen hybrids similar to the earlier {{class|Freedom|22nd century}}. They had three windows for exterior view that could have computer data projected on it. The windows also had digital blinds and could be polarized. ({{film|11}})
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===''Walker''-class ===
[[File:Walker class viewer.jpg|left|thumb|The main viewer on the USS ''Shenzhou'']]
By [[2249]], Starfleet continued using the window-style viewscreen first used on the ''Freedom''-class starships. Very similar to the ''Kelvin''-type viewers, the {{class|Walker}} version was also split into three sections. Information could be displayed such as damage reports and incoming enemy ships and was capable of ship to ship communications. The viewer could enhance images that have been scanned by the ships scanners. The windows had a blue tint to them. ({{DIS|The Vulcan Hello|Battle at the Binary Stars}})


=== ''Crossfield''-class ===
[[File:Crossfield class viewscreen.jpg|thumb|The main viewscreen of the ''Crossfield''-class]]
Continuing a similar style to the ''Walker''-class, the viewer on {{class|Crossfield}} ships featured a large window with blue tint around the edges. Unlike the ''Walker''-class it was only a single window and not speared into sections. ({{DIS|Context Is for Kings|The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry|Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad}})

===''Constitution''-class===
[[File:Constitution class viewscreen, remastered.jpg|thumb|A standard orbital scan of [[Psi 2000]] on the ''Enterprise'' viewscreen|left]]
Returning to the same basic shape of the 22nd century viewscreen, the main viewer utilized aboard such 23rd century Starfleet vessels as the {{class|Constitution}} {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} was mounted at the front of the main bridge and was generally rectangular in shape.

[[File:Main viewer rear projection.jpg|thumb|right|Data from [[science station]] displayed on main viewer]]
Though a smaller viewscreen (utilized as early as [[2254]]) would be supplanted by a larger one in [[2266]], the viewscreen aboard the ''Constitution''-class vessel generally displayed images with a blue outline and featured a number of controls mounted to the left and right of the monitor. In [[2257]], the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} was seen with a window-style viewscreen similar to its alternate reality counterpart. ({{DIS|Such Sweet Sorrow}})

Capable of the same function as previous versions, this viewscreen model could also be used to display sensor data from within the starship, call up cross sectional diagrams of the ship itself, and display data re-routed from other stations. ({{TOS|The Cage|The Menagerie, Part II|Where No Man Has Gone Before}}; {{ENT|In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II}}; {{TOS|Spock's Brain}})

{{bginfo|The iconic viewscreen from ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|The Original Series]]'' would be the basis for all other versions seen after in the [[Star Trek films|movies]] or spin-off TV series. The chase lights seen at the bottom of the screen were not present during the two pilot episodes, but were present with the debut of the more standard viewer in {{e|The Corbomite Maneuver}}.|One of the main foci of the [[TOS-R|remastering]] effort was the replacement of most images seen on TOS viewscreens.}}

====Alternate reality====
[[File:AR Enterprise viewscreen.jpg|thumb|Viewscreen of the alternate ''Enterprise'']]
In the [[alternate reality]] caused by [[Nero]]'s [[temporal incursion]], the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701 alternate reality}}'s viewscreen continued the ''Freedom''-class design up to, at least, [[2263]]. The viewer was a single, large window roughly 25 feet wide and 10 feet high that peered out to the top of the [[primary hull]]'s forward section and into space. Images, video and data could be projected on it. ({{film|11}}; {{film|12}}; {{film|13}})

{{bginfo|Screenwriters [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] created the combination window/viewscreen in order to justify the placement of the bridge at the top of the ship: "''...it was based on the odd fact that, although the bridge didn't usually have a window, it was nonetheless situated, much like a naval ship, at a high look out vantage point (which, by the way, seems unnecessarily vulnerable to attack). Rather than move the bridge, we added a window to justify its location.''"'' {{TrekMovie.com|2009/05/22/orci-and-kurtzman-reveal-star-trek-details-in-trekmovie-fan-qa/}}}}

===''Constitution''-class refit===
[[File:Constitution class viewscreen, refit.jpg|thumb|left|The refit viewer]]
During its [[refit]] in [[2270]], a new viewscreen was placed on the bridge of the ''Enterprise'', this one much larger and sometimes utilized to display [[red alert|alert status]]. By [[2293]], refit ''Constitution''-class starships incorporated a digital [[clock]] mounted at the top of the screen. When the ship was moored in [[spacedock]], the inactive viewscreen displayed a generic graphic. ({{film|1}}; {{film|6}})

{{bginfo|Movie versions of the main viewer aboard the ''Enterprise'' remained fairly consistent, until the destruction of the original starship and its replacement with the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-A}}. That ship again featured the familiar chase lights below the monitor as well as a somewhat anachronistic clock. For its appearance in ''Star Trek V'', the screen (at times) utilized rear-projected images rather than post-production burn-ins. It was reused as the viewscreen aboard the {{USS|Excelsior}} and {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-B}} in ''The Undiscovered Country'' and {{film|7}} with some cosmetic changes.}}

===''Galaxy''-class===
[[File:Galaxy class viewscreen.jpg|thumb|The main viewer aboard a ''Galaxy''-class starship]]
[[File:Battle bridge viewscreen.jpg|thumb|The viewscreen on the battle bridge]]
As early as [[2364]], [[Federation]] vessels including {{class|Galaxy}} starships employed [[hologram|holographic]] viewscreens.

While not projecting solid holographic images, the viewscreen installed on the main bridge of such vessels as the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} displayed three-dimensional images, as though observing the image with the naked [[eye]].

Larger than that of the ''Constitution''- or {{class|Excelsior}} starships, the viewscreen aboard the ''Galaxy''-class starship featured touch-sensitive controls at the bottom of the screen. Using high resolution, multi-spectral imaging sensor systems and could also be controlled from a panel on the right arm of the [[command chair]] or at the [[Operations manager|ops]] or [[tactical]] stations. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}})

{{bginfo|While it is a subtle effect, the viewscreen seen throughout {{s|TNG}} clearly displayed 3-D images. This effect was created in some scenes by providing multiple angles on the viewer, with the image on screen displayed at a corresponding angle, rather than a flat, single angle shot.}}

''Galaxy''-class starships also had a smaller viewscreen located on the [[battle bridge]]. ({{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint|The Arsenal of Freedom|The Best of Both Worlds, Part II}})

===''Defiant''-class===
[[File:Defiant class viewscreen.jpg|thumb|The main viewer aboard the USS ''Defiant'']]
The viewscreen on {{class|Defiant}} starships was much smaller than those on its contemporary Starfleet vessels to accommodate the limited space on the bridge and was trapezoid in shape.
{{Pna-incomplete}}
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===''Intrepid''-class===
[[File:Intrepid class viewscreen.jpg|thumb|The main viewer aboard the USS ''Voyager'']]
By the year [[2371]], {{class|Intrepid}} starships such as the {{USS|Voyager}} were equipped with viewscreens also employing holographic technology.

[[File:Intrepid class viewscreen, damaged.jpg|thumb|left|The hologrid behind the viewscreen when damaged]]
Slightly smaller in size, the ''Intrepid''-class viewscreen also differed from those of the ''Galaxy''-class in that a [[hologrid]] was present behind the displayed image. When damaged or deactivated, a hologrid, much like that in the ship's [[holodeck]], appeared on the bulkhead. ({{VOY|Year of Hell, Part II}})

{{bginfo|While it most likely employed the same technology as the viewscreen aboard the ''Enterprise''-D, the viewer seen on {{s|VOY}} is the only screen to so apparently utilize a hologrid.}}

===''Sovereign''-class===
[[File:Viewscreen Sovereign-class.jpg|thumb|The main viewer aboard the USS ''Enterprise''-E]]
One of the more unusual viewscreen designs of the 24th century, the main viewer aboard the {{class|Sovereign}} {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-E|-E}} utilized a holographic image projected onto the front bulkhead of the main bridge.

While most viewscreens aboard Federation vessels of the era did use holographic technology, the images they displayed were generally projected within a clearly defined screen area. Not so aboard the ''Enterprise''-E, with the viewscreen appearing from only a small area of projection systems near the floor of the forward bulkhead. When deactivated, the image projected disappeared, leaving only a blank wall in its place. ({{film|8}})

By [[2375]], however, such technology was replaced with a standard format viewscreen installed aboard the ''Enterprise''-E, lasting through [[2379]] until the forward section of the bridge was destroyed during the [[Battle of the Bassen Rift]]. ({{film|9}}; {{film|10}})

{{bginfo|One of the first and only steps forward from the fairly straight-forward screen first appearing in [[TOS]], the viewscreen seen in {{film|8}} seemingly appeared in mid-air. According to the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' however, the producers disliked the blank wall and opted to return the traditional viewer for {{film|9}} and {{film|10}}.}}

=== ''California''-class ===
[[File:California_class_bridge,_forward_view.jpg|thumb|USS Cerritos viewscreen at red alert ]]
The California-class' viewscreen consisted of a large window and computerized overlay. Unusually, the overlay filled the screen while in use, completely obscuring the window view. ({{LD|Second Contact}})

=== ''Inquiry''-class ===
[[File:USS Zheng He bridge-viewscreen.jpg|thumb|Main viewer on the USS ''Zheng He'']]
In [[2399]], {{class|Inquiry}} starships such as the {{USS|Zheng He}} utilized a type of viewscreen similar to that of the earlier ''Walker'' and ''Crossfield'' classes, with a large window and computerized overlay. ({{PIC|Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2}})
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==Borg==
[[File:Borg viewscreen, remastered.jpg|left|thumb|A Borg viewscreen]]
[[Borg cube]]s were equipped with special viewscreen technology, projecting images onto a free-floating cube-shaped viewer somewhere within the ship.

Such a viewer was utilized by [[Locutus of Borg]] during the Borg incursion into [[Sector 001]] in [[2367]]. ({{TNG|The Best of Both Worlds, Part II}}; {{DS9|Emissary}})

{{bginfo|This was the only incident in which a Borg viewscreen was shown, all other occasions (such as in {{e|Scorpion, Part II}}) portrayed smaller monitors within the Borg cube. It is likely that such a screen was erected for the newly [[assimilate]]d Locutus, as the Borg collective consciousness seems to negate any need for one.}}

==Cardassian==
[[File:Viewscreen DS9.jpg|thumb|left|A typical Cardassian viewer aboard DS9]]
[[File:Cardassian viewer, not in use.jpg|thumb|A Cardassian viewer, not in use]]
[[File:Quark's viewscreen.jpg|thumb|A viewer in Quark's]]
During the 24th century, starships and space stations constructed by the [[Cardassian Union]] utilized unique, holographically projected viewscreens.

Installed aboard {{class|Galor}} [[warship]]s and [[Terok Nor|Terok]] and [[Empok Nor]]-type stations, these Cardassian viewers consisted of hollow, oval-shaped frames. Images were projected into these frames, then disappeared when the viewer was deactivated.

This same technology was employed in the construction of Cardassian-type [[desktop monitor|viewer]]s. ({{DS9|Emissary}})

The [[operations center|ops]] aboard [[Deep Space 9]] featured a large viewscreen placed on a wall and allowed viewing from everywhere on ops. ({{s|DS9}})

[[Quark's]] had the option for a large Cardassian style viewscreen to be placed directly in front of the large glass mural in the [[bar]]. ({{DS9|Rivals}})
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==Dominion==
[[File:Jemhadar hud view.jpg|thumb|right|Point-of-view of a Jem'Hadar virtual sensory display.]]
[[Jem'Hadar]] ships eschewed traditional viewscreens for a [[virtual sensory display]]. Instead of occupying the forward wall of the bridge, the "viewscreen" was in fact a display within portable headsets (which only the [[Vorta]] supervisor and Jem'Hadar [[First (rank)|First]] were allowed to use). The headset was not well-tolerated by [[Human]]s, who could typically wear it only for short periods. [[Cardassian]]s, by contrast, were shown to have similar tolerances to Jem'Hadar and Vorta. ({{DS9|The Ship|Call to Arms|A Time to Stand|Rocks and Shoals|Tacking Into the Wind}})
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==Klingon==
[[File:K't'inga class viewscreen.jpg|thumb|left|Viewscreen on a ''K't'inga''-class vessel]]
As with many things [[Klingon]], viewscreens installed aboard Klingon starships including [[Klingon Bird-of-Prey|Birds-of-Prey]], {{class|K't'inga}} warships, and {{class|Raptor}} vessels were distinguished by angular shapes.

[[File:Klingon Bird-of-Prey viewscreen.jpg|thumb|Viewscreen on a Bird-of-Prey]]
Performing the same basic function as their Federation counterparts, 23rd century Klingon viewscreens aboard such ships as the {{IKS|Amar}} were able to display tactical information in graphic and photographic formats. ({{film|1}}; {{film|4}}; {{ENT|Sleeping Dogs}})
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==Romulan==
[[File:Khazara-viewscreen.jpg|left|thumb|The main viewer aboard the IRW ''Khazara'']]
[[File:Narada viewscreen.jpg|thumb|A viewscreen on the ''Narada'']]
Viewscreens aboard [[Romulan]] starships, including {{class|D'deridex}} [[warbird]]s functioned very much like their alien counterparts during the 24th century.

Consisting of screens smaller than those used by the Federation and [[Klingon Empire]], Romulan viewscreens (like that of the {{IRW|Khazara}}) were rounded-off square shapes, accented with green rectangles at the top of the monitor.

As with most starships, the viewscreen was mounted on the forward bulkhead of the main bridge aboard Romulan vessels. ({{TNG|Face of the Enemy}})

The ''[[Narada]]'', a Romulan [[mining vessel]], did not appear to have a centralized viewscreen. ({{film|11}})
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==Vulcan==
[[File:Vulcan High Command viewscreen.jpg|thumb|The viewscreen at the Vulcan High Command]]
{{Pna-incomplete}}
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==Civilian vessels==
[[File:La Sirena main viewer.jpg|thumb|Main viewer of ''La Sirena'', under attack by a Romulan Warbird]]
Some civilian vessels such as ''[[La Sirena]]'', featured a window style viewscreen on the front of the ship, used to display tactical, navigational information as well as communications. ({{PIC|The End is the Beginning|Absolute Candor|Stardust City Rag|The Impossible Box|Broken Pieces}})

[[File:Booker's ship viewscreen, internal.jpg|thumb|left|Viewscreen of Booker's ship]]
By the [[32nd century]], [[starships]] like [[Booker's ship]] had large window style viewscreens that wrapped around one side of the [[bridge]] with a blue tint to them similar to {{class|Crossfield}} and {{class|Walker}} ships. The screen could display incoming projectiles and was capable for ship to ship communication. ({{DIS|That Hope Is You, Part 1}})

== Appendices ==
=== See also ===
*[[Holo-communicator]]
*[[Viewer]]
*[[Desktop monitor|Desktop viewer]]

=== Background information ===
[[File:Coming of age live action plate.jpg|thumb|A [[blue screen|bluescreen]] in place of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} viewscreen during filming]]
In early design drafts for both the {{USS|Voyager}} and the {{USS|Defiant|2370}}, the designers contemplated eliminating the viewscreen entirely. Attempts such as the holo-communicator in [[DS9]] and the suspended-in-mid-air viewer in ''First Contact'' were made, but ultimately gave way to tradition. The viewscreen was considered an important staple of the ''[[Star Trek]]'' universe.

Beginning with the 2009 {{film|11}} film, the traditional viewscreen was phased out in favor of a large window (or set of windows) with a digital overlay. This type of viewscreen has been featured on every Starfleet vessel appearing on screen since then, including being [[retcon|retconned]] onto the original {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}}.

=== External link ===
* {{mbeta}}


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[[Category:Communications technology]]