Abstract: An optical display apparatus includes a housing, a partially reflective front window or beamsplitter having a front side forming a face of the housing, wherein the front window or beamsplitter appears transparent from the face of the housing and is at least partially reflective to light coming from within said housing, a mirror of glass, plastic, stretched mirror-coated thermoplastic film or other reflective substrate, located within the housing and positioned at a predetermined distance behind the front window or beamsplitter, a plurality of LEDs arranged proximate to the mirror, such that light is transmitted from the mirror to a rear side of the front window or beamsplitter, a LCD monitor or CRT or other display device or screen positioned and near coincident to the rear side of the front window or beamsplitter, and a circuit for controlling the LEDs.