| Author | Message | |||
     Eric Lindstrom Rating: N/A |
Hey all, It's been a while since I've posted here, still, I've been pushing my experiments further than before lately. Recently, I upgraded the videocard in my Main system to a GeforceII card, and started running the Nvidia stereo drivers... My god, what a difference a chip and good drivers makes... Anyways, on top of that, a freind has loanded me something crucial to my work: an old, single-CRT projector made by SONY called a VidMagic, model #FP-60 (the thing is so old, it has an integrated Beta deck. Considering it's a CRT projector, it's pretty small; About 2' in length, weighing about 50-60 LBS. It's a bit dim compared to modern DLP/LCD projectors, but supports decent refresh rates by comparison. I've been working with this thing, and, I must say, the results are promising... Stereo has been tested with the projector using the following: *Home-built workstation running Iwill MoBo PIII 500, 192MB RAM, GeforceII MX400 AGP (overclocked)running Win98 Rev 2. *TVAtorPro SVGA/NTSC scan convertor *Vidmagic projector *VRJoy2000 shutterglass system, Using VRCaddyPro and Nvidia Stereo drivers. So far, I have run page-flipped stereo in true-color, 640x480 at 85Hz V.refesh, and the image is without flicker of any sort (and little ghosting on top of that) So far, the system has been tested with the following software for a benchmark: Red Faction (using Nvidia drivers, awesome!!!) 3DFiles FishDemo screensaver (looks perfect) 3D Roller Coaster Designer (also looks good) I'm pretty sure, at this point, that ANY software I have run in stereo will work great on this thing. The results have been so promising, I have considered purchasing the projector from my friend outright. Aside from that, the new display card I bought has two signal outputs, so I can simultaneously drive two displays. If The demo app I put together works, I will look into purchasing additional projectors, and using multiple workstations on a LAN, can drive multiple projectors for the other walls (the only trouble will be synching the page-flip on all the systems involved. Even with only one wall at my disposal currently, it gives me many new ideas. I'll keep you all posted. ...Feel free to ask questions if you wish. -Rave669 | |||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
wow interesting please keep us posted. I'm interested in stereoscopic projection for an audience of 50-150... | |||
| Giorgio Bogoni Rating: N/A |
Hi Eric, Vidmagic FP-60? Where can we find it? Have you got a data sheet? THX, Giorgio. | |||
| Eric Lindstrom Rating: N/A |
I'll try to dig up more info on the projector for you, but here's what I know: It was made by Sony once upon a time. It looks like it was made in the 80's (it's got an integrated Beta deck, so it's old) it's got a single CRT element, not three tubes like most CRT projectors (Remember the hombrew frensel TV projector, picture one of those, only brighter with focus controls and it's commercialy made) Interesting thing about the projector is it has an integrated heating unit, probably to make the CRT brighter. Vertical refresh rate is at least around 85Hz. AFAIK, these are no longer manufactured, you may want to check E-bay or other auctions to see if you can find one. To see a pic, here's one that's for sale on E-bay I found ath the following link... http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1321858193 ...However, this one's a slightly different model (FP-62) and is missing some of the options on the FP-60 (as well as the Beta Tape deck). -Eric L. | |||
| Eric Lindstrom Rating: N/A |
Real quick, here's some more news... Went to the computer show today to get some additional stuff, there was a guy with a vendor's booth, he was with an outfit called Vitrual Reality Unlimited. He was selling LCD shutterglass setups, Don't remember what brandname off-hand, but they were a good one with a dongle-style controller. He sold both wired and wireless systems. The glasses were Wicked3D/Eyescream-style. The drivers support D3D, OGL and glide, and support almost every 3D card, didn't ask who made the drivers, though. I asked him if he sold extra pairs of wired LC glasses, he said yes; I bought a pair (without controller) from him for $41.23 on the spot. They work GREAT with my controller. The only thing I had to do was flip the panel in my VRJoy2000 glasses to match the polarity of the new ones (Yes, I could've wired up an adapter, but this was an easier/cleaner solution) and they work beautifuly. It's nice to have an extra pair to work with. The new glasses have LCD's that are a darker smoke-tint, unlike the slightly greenish look of the VRJ2K glasses, yet, are not quite as wide as my originals. The new glasses cut out the ambient stuff a bit better, but the two LC glasses are comparable to one another in performance. Definitely seem a bit more comfortable. They were also selling VRStandard Airstik controllers. They had some nice demo rigs set up (running Motocross Madness, Star Wars Racer and Rouge Squadron) I had the opportunity to use the airstik for the first time, While it's a good VR controller, it is still a wired device. Tilt contol with the stick was better than I thought it would be, but it still seems a bit funny. However, I'm looking into getting one for headtracking purposes (it's cheaper than a gyropoint mouse!) He was selling package deals too, a set of wired LC glasses w/controller & drivers, Airstik and five software titles (including DVD player softwarte) for a little over $100. Don't have a URL, but I have the contact info for these guys, I'd say he's reputable, and he definitely knows a bit about LC glasses in general. --- Virtual Reality Unlimited 28262 Chardon road, Suite# 128 Wickliffe, OH 44092 Phone: (440)943-2284 E-mail: Vrsales18@aol.com --- I'd definitely reccommend these guys, very good service. If I start developing VR systems, I'll probably use shutterglasses distributed by this guy. However, my idea to distribute at the Computer Show is kinda shot if He's gonna be there too. Oh well... -Eric L. | |||
| Brian Johnson (Bryan123) New member Username: Bryan123 Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2006 Rating: N/A |
Hi, good discussion board, thank you
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| damian s trevor (Damianstrevor) New member Username: Damianstrevor Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2008 Rating: N/A |
They were also selling VRStandard Airstik controllers. They had some nice demo rigs set up (running Motocross Madness, Star Wars Racer and Rouge Squadron) I had the opportunity to use the airstik for the first time, While it's a good VR controller, it is still a wired device. Tilt contol with the stick was better than I thought it would be, but it still seems a bit funny. However, I'm looking into getting one for headtracking purposes (it's cheaper than a gyropoint mouse!) | |||
| damian s trevor (Damianstrevor) New member Username: Damianstrevor Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the great post! | |||
| damian s trevor (Damianstrevor) New member Username: Damianstrevor Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2008 Rating: N/A |
I appreciate all the great descriptions. Very informative and helpful! |
