Virtual Reality...

#1 I have found the the headsets truely lack in the ability to refresh at the speeds modern monitors do, thus adding to the headaches ( no pun intended ) of getting a cost efficient yet performing set able to give a nice field of depth and refresh rate. Studies have also show that some can cause major vision loss over a short period of time compared to regular monitors.

I loved the movie Lawn Mover Man and I hope I can live long enough to see those types of advancements in the VR field. ( Graphical I mean, well ok I guess if it could make me control minds it would be ok as well )

Sam

#2 Sam,

That's very interesting. I should of mentioned that point actually as I am also most interested in the human factors side things.

We were concerned about these factors using the existing CRT-LCD shutter display technologies and so were looking to alternatives.

Do you know if this is a generally accepted point of view that they can cause major vision loss? Don't get me wrong, I respect your opinion, it's just that sometimes these things can get bogged down with opinions rather than medical fact. This in-fact is the situation with the LCD shutter technologies. There is little to no proof that they cause headaches over and above looking at a standard CRT and so periodic rests are the only means at which to combat problems. The operators of our technology would be 'immersed' for twenty minute periods. Do you know if this period would be too much for someone generally?

Thanks,

- Melv.

#3 I used a CAVE system several times. I don't know the specifics on the goggles, or this will help, but here goes.

From my experience, the biggest drawback wasn't the visuals, but the horrible user interface. We had a wand with several buttons, holding the wand forward would move you forward in real space, backward back, etc. Shooting in Quake 2 wasn't too bad with it, you could actually hold it around corners to shoot down hallways without looking. Still, the movement made it very hard to use well.

Also, one of my cooworkers would get motion sickness quickly when using the system. That was too bad, he was pretty good at the games that were set up on it.

Vic-D

#4 Victor,

Do you remember if you perceived any visual flicker on that system? By this I don't mean the update rate of the system but rather the refresh rate of the display device within the headset.

Information I'm try to get at is the maximum resolution/refresh rate available on these devices (cost is not a problem) and I was wondering if any companies come to mind.

I am going to try SGI as they are always known for quality (and expense) but I will probably end up purchasing a workstation as well if I go down this route.

Thanks for your help guys.

- Melv.

#5 I'm not really into this, nevertheless I might provide you with an interesting link:

www.evl.uic.edu/pape/CAVE/

There you'll find some information on CAVE-systems, links to more info (even a "how-to-program-them"), to Fakespace Systems and VRCO (both sell CAVEs and ImmersaDesks, I think).

#6 I don't remember seeing anything that was particularly noticable. The picture quality wasn't the highest, but I dont think there were refresh rate problems. Actually, when it comes down to it I am not sure that the headset was a one that was made specifically for the CAVE, it very well could have been an off the shelf set.

Vic-D

#7 Hi,
I am the CEO of Jupiter Designs Inc. I would please like information on the VR headsets as well. The information that you guys have posted has been helpful to me. I have a game design idea that could, if used effectivly, make games way realistic. I would like to know from any one if there is a VR headset for consumers since right now I am one and I just started this company. If you want more infor on the game please email me at sniperkillsyou@hotmail.com . I would like to here from the author of this post because I may need your assistance in aquioring this technology. Again thank you for this post.

Sincerely,
Noah Schade
CEO of Jupiter Designs Inc. (c)2002

#8 Sorry to go offtopic, but man! where the hell do you work. I need to get a job there. If I get to play with all those toys...

I suppose I'll need a little more experience than I have right now. :-(

#9 I'm the principal software engineer for a company in the UK which specialises in image-processing and visualisation of high-volume three-dimensional data in *realtime* from various radiation sensors e.g. XRay, Infra-red etc. Security applications such as Airport baggage/cargo inspection, Industrial inline inspection, medical applications etc.

A lot of this work is presented in stereo and involves consolodating some pretty sophisticated technologies, many of which are 'cutting-edge'.

... it is fun but games programming has always had my heart. ;)

- Melv.

#10 I know... make a game and call it: Airline Security Scanner

Kinda like a Sims game where you get to run the Security Station for an airline, pick people out of the crowd for "extra attention". Decide if that grey blob on the screen is a bomb or a walkman....

------

BTW the above statement by me is joke for those who may not have a good sense of humor about the problems associated with going through airport security in the post 9-11 world. ;p

#11 I did some stereo work a while back (that's how I led myself to Torque actually).

Vrex made some products, but they had drivers issues (http://www.vrex.com/), if compatibility is an issue, Elsa's products (coupled with nVidias cards) seem decent and up to date.

Best poormans system I have found is a multiple monitor thing, making use of peripheral vision seems more immersive.

Depends on your target platform, is this all PC based?

#12 @Labrat: You don't know how close I came to doing something along those lines when I first saw the engine but it was too close for comfort to my work and after all, this is supposed to be my recreation activity. ;)

@Edward: Thanks for the info. Trouble is with Elsa is that they folded quite a few months back. We have been using their Gloria3/4 cards for stereo (stopped using 3D-Labs WildCat series) as they had superior fill-rates.

- Melv.

#13 That's a shame :(

That's all I got :(

#14 being able to freely move the guns around in your hands in quake ... sweet mother of all things holy that would be awesome .. melv, use your infinite money and buy me a system ;)

#15 It was nice, as long as you were standing still. Movement still needs to be figured out, at least it did then. Imagine trying to use your gun to move you around as well. Makes for some bad moments where you are just trying to shoot something, then find yourself running out into the middle of the hall.

Vic-D

#16 I was speaking to a frienyesterday and there are meant to be some new goggles which are meant to be nearly as good as CRT... Sony making them i think, meant to be big too(as in size because there not LCD) :-/.

#17 My knowledge in this field is zero. However, living in Las Vegas, we are constantly exposed to the latest and greatest technologies.
There have been numerous VR games showcased here, in which you wear a complete headset, hold a gun attached to a long cable, and stand on a round platform with rails. The graphics were just as good as any PC game Ive played using my Geoforce4, with a framerate to match.
I nearly emptied my bank account playing these, and I can attest I still have the same eyesight I had before I began. No headaches, no CRT burns that cheap monitors give, etc.

#18 I'm waiting for the matrix-style implants :)

#19 nah, we want johhny quest vr LOL. jk ;).



Though .. it would be cool .. but theres the problem of moving your character in both vr and real lol.

#20 @Edward: If it's *not* the Sony Glasstron then I'd be interested in hearing about it.

- Melv.