When Victorian magic meets modern technology
In 1865, Colonel Stodare, presented in London’s Egyptian Hall a disembodied Egyptian head contained in a box set on an empty table. The head, to the shock of the audience, would open its eyes, smile, speak in verse and even answer their questions. In reality, Stodare was harnessing the reflection of plate mirrors to disguise his performer and create a highly realistic illusion. Often called the Sphinx Principle, today it is the starting point of a unique and patented approach by heating specialist Dimplex to create a new class of electric fireplace for the home.
The Opti-V effect combines real fire footage displayed on a High Definition LCD screen and the Victorian illusory reflective technique to create a scene of burning embers, smoke and flickering flames dancing on a vertically reflected fuel bed with an almost three-dimensional depth of field.
The addition of the sound effect of crackling logs, helps to completely sell the illusion of a real fire.
Because the inset Opti-V fires do not give off any heat, they can be located near large television screens without fear of heat damage. As a result, these stunningly realistic ‘fires’ have become very popular, being used by designers to transform plain, empty walls in everything from grand apartments to hotels and restaurants.
Since the technology was first unveiled in 2013, there has been a great deal of interest as to when an electric fire that could also provide supplementary heat to a room would harness the Opti-V technology?
The answer now comes in the shape of the new Dimplex Sunningdale electric stove. It combines stylish design with the award-winning Opti-V electric flame effect technology to deliver a stunning showpiece stove for any home.
Quick and easy to install, the Sunningdale simply needs to be plugged in to deliver its realistic flame effect, which can be enjoyed with or without the fan heater for atmosphere and ambience. It even has an opening door to reveal the flame effect in full detail
Opti-V Sunningdale
Available in a graphite, cast-iron effect with chrome detailing, it offers a 2kW heat output, low energy LED fuel bed and remote-control operation, so homeowners can control the stove from the comfort of their chair. There is also the option to turn off the heat but retain the magical ambience of a burning fire all year round – perfect for dull, summer days.
Sunningdale is the perfect fire for homeowners who want an incredibly realistic and luxurious stove as a focal point in their room, but want to avoid the complexity, mess and maintenance of a solid fuel fire.
You can experience the Opti-V effect for yourself by visiting www.dimplex.co.uk
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