A video imaging system is disclosed. The system is responsive to electrical signals introduced into it, which electrical signals represent an image. The system includes an acoustic-optical cell, the cell including an anisotropic medium for sound transmittal. The electrical signals are received, and optionally compressed, before being introduced into transducers mounted on the cell. The transducers convert the electrical signals into sound waves which traverse the width of the cell. After substantially a full line of display of the image is traveling through the cell, a monochromatic light source, such as a metal vapor pulsed laser, is pulsed for a time duration less than the propagation time of a single pixel across or transverse to the sound signal in the cell. This modulates the monochromatic light which is then focused and displayed on the screen at the appropriate position for the line of image.