| Author | Message | ||
     DMendes Rating: N/A |
I've just put together a hacked inteface between a VFX1 and my video board without passing the video by the ISA card that comes with it. Actually, I send the image to just one of the LCDs, but with some mere eletronics I surelly can send to both of them. The ISA board is still required because of the serial link (the drivers of the VFX1 send a command by the link to turn the LCD illuminators on). I will post a link to a page with photos and diagrams very soon. I plan to make a USB or parallel adapter to emulate the link and kiss bye bye the isa board, but it will take some time (the serial link is syncronous, so a PC serial won't help). I will finish first the option to use both LCDs. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Cool! What type of video board are you using? How does the image look? Would you be willing to sell one of your setups? | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
I'm using a TNT2 video board, but any board works, as it plugs in the normal VGA adapter. The image looks OK (same resolution as before, but lots more collors, as 16bpp and 24/32bpp now works). I have material/equipment to make circuit boards of rasonable quality, but i can't put everything into a house and make a professional circuit. The most difficult part to sell finished boards to anyone willing to pay (I will put everything necessary to make them on line, but if someone don't want to make it himself...) is that i live in Brazil, and don't know a good/fast/reliable/not damn expensive/ way to send them worldwide. Suggestions accepted. | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
Congratulations! I just knew this could be done. Great Work. Looking forward to your web page. Best Regards Johan | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Please keep us posted. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Yesterday i broke a finger from my feet and it took a lot of my time, so i've not touched anything about the VFX1... But tomorrow i will made a small modification to my circuit to try to improve a small detail in the refresh, and by night i will post a preliminary version of the page with my findings. Can't promise everything will be up but at least the circuit diagram developed so far will be on line. | ||
| Vander Nunes Rating: N/A |
Uh sorry for your feets, dude. But congratulations for this great work. I am sure there are many VFX-1 users yet around. COOL! | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
yeah..keep your feet out of the helmet. Take care! Regards J | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
D Mendes, I'm sure your English is better than my Portuguese/Spanish, but I think you want to say "toe" instead of "finger." I think the only word that can be used for both is the word "digit," but that is rarely used as such. Good luck with your injury and the VFX1 mods. IIS should be ashamed of themselves for not offering such a device 3 years ago. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Yes... toe.. My english is really bad  In portuguese we use the same word for "toe" and "finger". I'm wrinting the page just now. Today i've improved a bit the image (there was an artifact at the top, but with a small capacitor i'ts gone). There's still something bottering me: the image is starting a bit delayed. I know the cause of this, and know a way to stop it, but hadn't enought time to try. Anyway i will post the results so far as promised. More two or tree hours an it will be on line. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
As promised, all the data about my findings is at http://www.nitroboard.palas.ufrj.br/vfx1/vfx1.htm Sorry that it's in portuguese, but i'm translating it to english. As soon (very soon) it is finished, you will have the final proof about how bad my english is I will put a link from the portuguese page to the translation. More 1-2 hours. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Last post today English translation (well.. at least MY english! ) at http://www.nitroboard.palas.ufrj.br/vfx1/vfx1eng.htm Or entering by the portuguese page (It's a good idea since the portuguese version will be aways updated first, but i will try to leave both in sync). I've translated it in a hurry, so there's lots of typing/spelling/thinking/etc errors. If someone could send me an email with the corrections i will apreciate. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the info. One question, you mention you tried a complicated circuit from this forum. Was it the circuit from Tomi Engdahi's page?? Thanks again. -Kevin | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Yes, it was. It didn't worked. I'm not saying that his circuit doesn't work, it just don't worked with the VFX1. | ||
| Vander Rating: N/A |
I took a look at the page, that sounds promising, thanks Daniel! | ||
| Olly Rating: N/A |
Great work! I just purchased a VFX1 on EBay to try out a few ideas I had for VR, found the problem of requiring the VIP a real pain. I was looking at building my own box but its really great to see that someone has already given it a go! Guess I'll start work on that tracking link box then ;) Thanks! Olly PS I agree, Forte should be pretty embarassed! www.primeevil.co.uk | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
It would be a very good if someone can start working into the serial link of the VFX1. I've got the eletric specs os the link (it's very easy to interface it to a pc parallel port) but i'm concerned with the analog part of vfx1 now. If someone wants to take a look into the specs (it's a PDF file) i can put it into my page. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Yeah put the specs on your page. I'm willing to take a look at them and implement some time of Microcontroller setup. -Kevin | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
The PDF file with information about the ACCESS.bus (the serial link of the VFX1) is now at my page. | ||
| dmendes Rating: N/A |
Good and bad news at my page. Bad news: version 3 of my circuit didn't worked. Good news: I've got TV on the VFX1 | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Cara voce ta mandando ver ! Que legal meu irmao! Eu tenho um VFX1 fazem 2 anos, e como voce mesmo disse, a tal da VIP card e um saco, mesmo assim eu acho o VFX1 um produto muito bom, nao sei o que tanto esse pessoal reclama dele. Eu nao sou de forma alguma um engenhero eletronico, muito ao contrario, eu sou um artista que por acaso ama computadores tambem. de qualquer forma, meu ponto e, se voce pudesse simplificar um pouco os esquemas, para que as pessoas que nao sao muito inclinadas a eletronica podessem tambem montar um aparelho similar seria muito bom! Se voce precisar de ajuda traduzindo alguma coisa do ingles ou para o ingles, conte comigo, eu estou morando nos estados unidos fazem 10 anos, e deu pra aprender pelo menos um pouco do mesmo jeito, se voce precisar de alguma peca por que so tenha por aqui, da um toque! meu Email e : demian@mediaone.net PS> Meu nome e' Marvio Costa dos Santos... | ||
| The_Moses_Monkey Rating: N/A |
cool news about getting tv through vfx1 ive picked up a casio tv-470 and i am hoping to perform same hack on that model. i have manage to get 800x600z32 out of my gforce2 mx's tv out socket and into the casios external antena jack(had 2 go through my vcr). if i can do the same hack with the tv-470 ??? have u tried this yet with tv-770 PS (i could use more detaled info on doing tv-vfx link, bcause im a complete novice,) The_Moses_Monkey | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
hello great to hear the good news but i can't connect to the link below. is the server down or is there a new link for the specs. and circuit?? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Please up doc's and web pages to another server, there are many people that can't acces at the original site in nitroboar.palas...... one kiss for all!. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Hi, today i verified what happened with Nitroboard... and discovered that it was unpluged Now everything seems Ok, but i will make a mirror as soon as possible. Other good news: the analog part of the VFX1 adapter is almost finished. New pictures and diagrams will be on line very soon. Next sted will be hack the serial link. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Any new news on this project DMendes | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Hi people.. sorry by all the delays... I've finished the analog part of the VFX1 hack. The image is perfect, and the ISA board is now used only to get the data from the cyberpuck and from the helmet... the video comes directly from the video board. I will move my site from nitroboard to another machine, since a strike f*cked with it :-( and post all the schematics and photos of my circuit. I will now work at a parallel/USB interface for the data link to VFX1 to finally get away with the ISA board. Wheni finish it all, i will make a professional circuit board and if someone is interested we can arrange a way to sell it. Tuesday i will have the site up again with photos and schematics. | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
Great news DMendes! Pls tell us as soon as you get the new circuits up. I cant wait. or mail me at: johan.hagerstrom@pcexpress.se Best Regards Johan | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| VRJUNKIE Rating: N/A |
Cudos DMendes! There have been quite a few people waiting for this. I would like to be one of your first customers. Especially if you can do away with the ISA card! That would rock! Cudoos again! -VRJUNKIE | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I kiss your arse! | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
How's that website coming?? | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Hi people... sorry one more time by the delays... If someone want to start buying the necessary components to the composite sync generator for the VFX1, I used a 74123, a 7486, 2 capacitors (1nf and 10 nf) , 1 K resistor and100k pot to make it. The video splitter is more trickly, but a teacher gave me a very very simple and cheap idea that i want to test, because if it works it will simplify lots of things. I will post everything as fast as possible. If someone wants any other information, mail me. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Hi.. i've got a mail asking about the VFX1 linkbox project and i think that the answer could help more people see the problems involved and why it's going not as fast as i wanted... So i will post my answer here. > I would like to have more information on the Link > box you've been working > on. Thanks in advance. Hi man... i've divided the problem of connecting the VFX1 to the VGA into 3 subproblems: 1> how to generate the correct CSYNC from VSYNC and HSYNC (solved, works ok, simple implementation) 2> how to generate 2 video channels with 75 ohms impedance (one for each LCD) from 1 channel (the VGA port) for each R, G and B -> solved, but i've used a trickly circuit with high speed video amplifiers that are difficult to buy and difficult to make working, as they are SMDs and have oscilation problems. I have 2 other solutions to try that are very cheap and easy to implement: use a TV RF splitter (US$1-2 each) for each R, G and B or make transistorised amplifiers (not very difficult when only unitary gain in needed). I want to try both solutions because more people would have access to this project. I'm trying to finish this as soon as possible. 3> How to get the positional data from vfx1/cyberpuck without the isa board -> I've not worked at this problem yet. Not everyone needs a circuit for this, because you can get the video from VGA and still use the isa board to get the positional data. But my main computer don't have ISA slots, so when all analog part of this project ends (soon I expect), i will work into a parallel/USB data link for the VFX1. Any other information, just ask. As aways, forgive my bad english | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Hy people... the new site to support VFX1 information is already on line, but not with all information, and still only in portuguese... it's at http://www.lpc.ufrj.br/~dmendes (click in "projects", then "VFX1"). More 24 hours and i will finish to upload all information i have. Good luck. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi! I am pleased to see this project, as I run linux and cannot use the ISA card anyway as there are no drivers, but using vga is better anyway, as more colours can be displayed. I haven't used my VFX1 for about 2 years, and it would be great to use it again!, I'm not that bothered about the tracking, it would be good just to get video. Shane | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
DMendes, Any plans of english version of new site. Thanks in advance | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Hi... lot''s of problems here (work, university, etc).. so this are delayed again... But i will do my best to put everything i vae (in english and portuguese) on line untill the end of the week... | ||
| jtridexter Rating: N/A |
I am new to this message board. but I just wanted to say that I have been working on a project with the vfx1. my project involves using NO ISA board. I have been working on a Project that will allow users to fully immerse themselves into any shoot em up games with this body suit connected with the vfx1. and all body movements will be derived into your games. as far as tracking is concerned I have developed a new way to track movements using various Techniques. I am happy to say that the ISA card will no longer be needed instead it will be using an interface box I have created for this project. You have to see this shit I am working on it is really awesome! I will not give out any technical information because it is my own creation and none of my work is protected as of yet and also I should be finished in a couple of months so those really interested I will be selling. Imagine yourself running in your own livingroom and jumping and being able to interact that into whatever game you are playing. using a real full size machinegun in your hands and being able to point and shoot your enemy. you duck for real your ducking in the game for real you run for real your running in the game for real you jump for real your Jumping in your game for real, you get the picture....any questions email me at jtridexter@hotmail.com | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Hy people.. finally, all inflrmation about the VFX1 to VGA connection is on line. See it at http://www.lpc.ufrj.br/~dmendes/new_page_1.htm and ask your questions | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
Cool. Great job. And it translates perfect in altavistas babelfish, from portugise to english...:-) The first thing that strikes me is that a dual input version is not that hard to implement at all, i guess. And "dual" could translate into stereo-3D. Or am I wrong here? Thx Johan | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
You are right, in fact a dual input version is simpler... the most difficult part would be generating 2 video streams in sync with 2 video boards. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
I've made 2 minos changes to the schematics: clarified what to do with the ground pins and changed value or a resistor from 1.3k to 1.2k (it was a typo, 1.2k is the comercial value). Is someone making his own linkbox? | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
Yeah syncing 2 videocards prolly is a bit difficult to do, but if u read the tread at: http://www.stereo3d.com/discus/messages/21/812.html?1002027173 They try to get 2 signals from a dualhead GF2 MX, by using a large desktop and a side-by-side stereo format. Perhaps that could be something for this project. But I really dont know, im just guessing here. | ||
| David C. Qualman Rating: N/A |
The Win3D company is about to release dual-head support for WINx3D. With this upgrade, applications can send the left image out one video stream, and the right iamge out the other video stream. This should provide a simple solution to support HMD's that need two video streams. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Does really worth having stereo on the VFX1? I think that the LCDs have a very poor image quality to make a good looking stereo image... Today I started working with the serial datalink of the VFX1.. does anybody that knows how to write a joystick driver to win9x/200/Me/XP/wathever wants to help me? I can debug the hardware, but can't write the software :/ (at least not for windows.. for linux i can). | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
You are right there Daniel. This project is not about stereo3d. At least it wasnt from the beginning. So lets skip that part in this tread and just concentrate on getting the basic version up and running first. But to your question about if the VFX1 could be used for 3d. I remember when i first tried that helicopter actiongame, Comanche, in its VFX1 3d mode, and it was a very cool experience . Made you feel so much more "in the game". And that was in 256 colors... Anyway, ill start making my linkbox now. Good luck on the serial part. Best regards J | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Good luck to you... some tips with the linkbox: 1> The trimpot adjust the horizontal position of the image. If you luck at VFX1 and the image is a mess, turn it before checking anything else... at the extremes it stops working. 2> THe way it is, it works flawlessy only at 640x480 @ 60 Hz , but you can use the other gates to make switchable inverters to VSYNC and HSYNC and have an option to use higher frequencies, or maybe higher resolutions (the PC don't use the same sync polaryties for all the frequencies... it doesn't matter for monitors, but matters for my CSYNC generator 3> the image looks a bit darker because of the passive splitters.. I think that it's not a problem since most games have a brighteness adjust, and it makes the circuit MUCH more simpler... I've made an active splitter (with video amplifiers) and it was a big mess. If you decide that wants a brighter image, i suggest you buy a monitor splitter (a device to put 2 monitors into a PC) and use it.. but they are expensive. Well... it's all. Good luck again. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
-> "... If you luck at VFX1 ..." -> "... If you look at the VFX1 ..." | ||
| Andreas Schulz Rating: N/A |
DMendes, You may want to have a look at http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/vga2rgbs.html for a Csync converter that automagically adapts to polarity changes. Also, the page http://www.epanorama.net/project_display.html may have some interesting links for you - good look ;-) | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Thanks man, but this CSYNC generator won`t work with the VFX1, because the LCDs of the VFX1 are designed for TV signals instead of monitor signals (the difference is that the vertical and horizontal refreshes of a VGA monitor starts berofe the actual video signal). If you use a common CSYNC generator, the image will start at the middle of the VFX1 LCD and wrap to the other side.. That`s why I designed a retard line with the 74123. I don`t know if I`ve been clear but trust me, i tried a convencional CSYNC generator and it didn`t worked This other page (epanorama) has a cool circuit that i`ve seen before, an active VGA splitter, but i could`t find a ECG2322 to try it :/ | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
does it work and are you selling them yet? | ||
| Matt Simis Rating: N/A |
Hi Guys, Just so you know, Mindflux (the people who sold a commercial linkbox some years back, have sent everyone on there mailing list to this page. I guess they were sick of people mailing them (as they cant make them anymore)! Is there any update on your linkbox? I (like lots of people) would be interested in purchasing a complete or semi complete box from you. Matt | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Well, if you don't want stereo images and can use the VFX1 isa board to get the positional data, you can build the circuits at my page (http://www.lpc.ufrj.br/~dmendes/new_page_1.htm). Tey will work for you (remember: only at 640 x 480 x 60 Hz). I'm working now at the serial protocol of the VFX1 (to use a parallel or USB circuit instead of the ISA board) and trying to get stereo images on the VFX1 with only one VGA source using alternate scan line stereo (like CyberMaxx). I posted another thread asking who would like to buy a finished product and got few replies, so i think that there's not many people wanting to buy them. Well, i'm not doing this by the money, or i wouldn't post schematics/info. I just wanted to help people get they VFX1 working again with modern video boards, but or there's not much people interested or they didn't liked the price | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I think there's alot more people interested then you think. Most people are more interested in a final product. I'm going to build it from your schematics but not everyone is an electronic tech, so they may be slightly hesitate in attempting it. I wouldnt let light posting determine interest. The VFX-1 linkbox post has been reoccuring for along time. Good Luck and Good Work -Kevin | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Well... so I will finish this stuff first and then we see what can be done. PS: if someone wants to use the VFX1 to see television, the easyest way is to buy a casio tv-770 (someone mailed me that the tv-470 works too). It's very easy to get R,G,B and CSYNC from it and use it only to sintonize the channels. It works flawlessy. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
being as there appears to be a lot of people, that are interested in this adapter.Is it possible then that maybe some one knows how to find the original manufacturer. and maybe buy direct from them | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
The original manufacturer was mindflux (mindflux.com.au). Good luck. | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
LOL. yeah. Good luck. Ive tried that way more than one time. And always found myself looking into at dead end brick wall after a while. But the truth is out there! Go find it out for yourself if you dont believe us. best regards Johan | ||
| Greg Vincent Rating: N/A |
Hey Dmendes, I'm sorry I didn't see your request for interest. I would certainly be interested in a solution that would allow me to use my VFX1 with modern accelerated vid cards. Stereo is a secondary consideration. I would suggest to you that there are MANY VFX1 owners who aren't aware of this BBS. If you could develop a solution the word would spread and you would find yourself with a much larger market then you currently think. Great work BTW! I check back often with bated breath awaiting the 'eurekea!' message. It seems you are still a little ways off. I beg you, please DON'T GIVE UP!! G. Vincent Calgary, AB, Canada | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Yes, excellent work! Very inspiring! Keep up the good work, and thank you for sharing. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Ok heres the thing. Pulling information from the VFX-1 for tracking is not a difficult thing to do. The system is a I2C at heart and a simple I2C Bus Analyzer can be used to pull all the information needed for operation. They also make I2C to RS-232 adaptors that can be used with terminal programs to send and receive info on the PC. This eliminates your VIP cards but with one glitch. None of your drivers will work. The code will have to be modified so the system knows where to find the information. The only true benefit I can see in obtaining this tracking information would be for someone who is developing their own software or applications. The other option I am thinking of is to interface to a microcontroller. Many microcontrollers have I2C ports on them. You can use the microcontroller to derive the data from the bus and use it to emulate a mouse. The latter will take some software work but doesnt seem to be that difficult. What do u think and any other ideas?? -Kevin M. | ||
| the_moses_monkey Rating: N/A |
ok guys ive made one of Daniels vfx1-vga conections.it works but i have 2 desktops in both lcds, ive checked with Demendes and he has had the same result when he conected his 2 someone elses comp ,he suspects its a software/driver prob. if any one else has built one ,let us know what results u get. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I'm curious about your problem. I'm developing the tracking portion but will be building the video also. Can you give any more detail. Is it two full desktop images in both LCD's. Or is it more of a sync problem. | ||
| the_moses_monkey Rating: N/A |
the symtom shows 2 desktops in each led. it looks like the horizontal width is squished.. and if i adjust resalution up or down(custom refresh rates)the horizontal withd remains the same. u get any clues i could usem bad | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I was thinking about your problem and if you used a sysn doubler, like shown in the homebrew section of this website, on the horizontal sync it should strech out your pic and give you a normal picture. Its only a few IC's and I believe would solve your problems. -Kevin | ||
| the moses monkey Rating: N/A |
thanx Kevin a hard link would help cause my baby girl wont let me browse long enought 2 find enough info if u can point me in the direction of sum scematics 4 a csync doubler i would b sooo geatfull ... | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Here's the link http://www.die-schuhmanns.de/stereo3d/stereo3d.htm Scroll down half way for an english version. Let me know how it goes. -Kevin | ||
| Rick Rating: N/A |
I've also built the circuit, and have about 2 desktops displayed. Part of the first one is missing on the left side. The friend that helped build the circuit suspects it is not a sync problem but a scan rate problem. ie timing for the raster to traverse the screen being different to vga standards (that's as I understand it!). We are investigating further and will post when we have more info. Anyone else had any success? | ||
| the moses monkey Rating: N/A |
good 2 here u have a built circuit rick the more testers we have the sooner we shall have it debuged. demendes is using vfx1 to casioTV interface so he has put debuging his vga-cysnc converter on the back burner. lotoluk | ||
| loza Rating: N/A |
can some one point me in the right place to get plans for vga to vfx1 link box in english. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Use a translater on altavista or google -Kevin | ||
| loza Rating: N/A |
tring to find out what casio tv770 is and how to use it. ALSO THANKS KEVIN ABOUT TRANSLATER. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Are there any further developments on this. Can someone work on putting together detailed instructions? Does that double screen problem per LCD screen still exist or has anyone perfected it? Great work Dan. | ||
| JHipolito Rating: N/A |
Anyone ever created an interface to standard RCA Audio/Video Jacks? So other devices like DVD and videogame consoles can be connected? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I´ve se the Link to Mendes Site but i become ever the error 404 Web Site not exists. I would like to have the Link box, my Vip ist crashed. When you have the circuit Plan please Mail me. Frankmr9@aol.com Schneeberg, Germany | ||
| psycho2001 Rating: N/A |
At this Time i am working on a Solution that you can play the Games in 3D. It is very simple and i bring more Infos when it really works. Frankmr9@aol.com Germany | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi, I just got a VFX1 off of ebay. This is something I always wanted but didnt want to spend $1000 when it first came out. I am well aware of the problem of the VIP card and its limitation. The question I have is why is it so difficult to feed the signals from the VGA to the Helmet directly. Since the Helment uses interlaced video for 3D (similar to a TV), isnt it the same as hooking a TV to a computer. It also needs to send the even lines separately from the odd lines. So there must be some circuit the splits the lines accordingly and we can send the signals to the corresponding LCDs. Now I am a newbe, so I can be totally wrong. Any comments??? Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Good post Ram. I'm curious if anything is progressing with this or if there is even any ongoing effort still?? I'm an IT guy but I know didly about sauldering etc.. Also, wasn't there some discussion on using the VFX1 as a personal Television using a Casio something-or-other? Even that appeared to work on only one LCD.. would that still be comfortable for personal viewing? i.e. like a personal big screen TV with audio so you can watch startrek in peace and not hear your wife nagging you? Thanks! P.S. I had to post anon because I forgot my login/pword. How would I go about retrieving it? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
the casio to vfx link is dooable if u can find the right model casio tv 770(snowballs chance in hell) the casio tv470 doseNot Work.email Demendes for the scematics (casio770 to vfx1) | ||
| Marvio Rating: N/A |
That's an interesting point... Hummm, Here we are trying to reinvent the wheel, amybe? What if we could use one of those VGA to TV converters to do the trick, what do you think PPL? I'm by no means a eletrical engineer but it seems feasible? - Marvio | ||
| Psycho2001 Rating: N/A |
How can i turn on the LCD´s without the VIP-Card? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Using a VGA to TV converter is just the 1st step. You still need to determine HOW to differentiate between even and odd lines. Now I am not an engineer either. On the other hand, maybe we dont need to do that either. How does VRCaddy work? Why cut the resolution in HALF? Why not use page flipping instead and send each page to one LCD similar to shutter glasses. This should be a lot simpler to do. Since we are bypassing the VIP card, we are not limited to interlaced mode 3D anymore.... Ram Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Dan, I looked at your schematics on your site and I was wondering where pin 1 would be on the connector as there are 3 rows of pins. Any progress on the VFX-1 / Casio 770 TV linkbox? | ||
| The_Moses_monkey Rating: N/A |
look inside the conector socket you will find pin one is labeled | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi, Lets tackle this problem in steps. There are three groups of VFX1 users: 1) VFX1 user who has ISA slots and a VESA compatible video card who is happy with the 640x480x256 limitation. 2a) VFX1 user who has ISA slots and wants to hook up their newer video cards with a resolution of 640x480x16bit or greater resolution without stereo support. 2b) ditto but with stereo support 3) VFX1 user who does not have an ISA slot and wants to totally get rid of the VIP card and do everything using a LinkBox (similar to the VFX3D approach) I think users in group (1) can be safely ignored. Group (2a) has been addressed with DMendes interface. Group (2b) needs to be addressed. As I stated, we need to separate the odd lines from the even lines. I was told that CrystalEyes does this through their interface. Maybe we can take a look at that. Group (3) can benefit from (2b) or (2a) work and build upon that. As for the head tracking, I dont think that will be realized due to patents, etc, etc, but I could be wrong. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Has anyone looked at the VFX-3D drivers for the head tracking and find out how it corresponds to the serial connection. Head tracking for the VFX-3D is connected via the serial port. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Is the VFX3D exactly the same as the VFX1 in terms of the HMD? Other than the LCD which has greater resolution, it seems to be identical. If that is the case, shouldnt the Linkbox on the VFX3D work with the VFX1? Any comments... Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I tried to pry some info from tech support. They seemed very tight lipped on this. On one end they say that it is totally incompatible. On the other end they say that they can't release any technical specs on the VFX-1 as some of the technology is still being used on the VFX-3D and future projects. My suspicion is that the head tracking would probably be the same; however it seems to be now routed through the serial port; (the finely tuned upgrades done with software). The new cyberpuck is now connected to the game port of any sound card (costs about $79). Any programmers here want to take on the challenge? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I just purchased a Casio TV770 from e-bay. I'm ready to start the hack. Does anyone have any other detailed schematics on the actual hack. DMendez, I believe is very busy right now... | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
What about trying a DVI connector off of a video card is that maybe easier than trying a vga connector because it goes to an lcd monitor. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
The problem with the double image is a scanrate problem. The horizontal refresh rate for VGA standards is 30 to 65 kHz. The horizontal refresh rate of NTSC signals, which the VFX1 LCD's use, is 15.75kHz. This is why you see doubles. If you use a display doctor like Scitech's Display Doctor you can correct this. It has a TV compatable mode. You can download a trial version at their website. -Kevin (mellott124) | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Actually Scitech Display Doctor may have issues with newer operating systems above Win98. PowerStrip 3.12 supports up to WinXP and looks like its alot more straight forward and geared for this type of application. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi I recently aquired a vfx1, the problem is i have every thing except the isa card. Will this linkbox work for me? Is there any way to turn on the backlights without it?(can't i just power them up? maybe hard wire power to the lights themselves?). I am really happy to see some other people interisted in this and to Dmendes i totally support you and would be happy to purchase a link box from you. Thanks and keep up the good work, --Josh Schwark(TheModrenMan) | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I have the I2C code to power up the LCD backlights if anyone needs it. -Kevin | ||
| Themosesmonkey Rating: N/A |
cool Kevin send the code 2 power up baclites please (not that i know what 2 do with it) also i need more info setting up a custom refresh driver. having a bit o trouble using pwerstrip when i adjust horzontal frequency the vert changes proportionally and gives me good hrzntl width but now double vert width.if u can give more details bout how u have done it please email me or bung it up on the list. thanx Dude . ps(scitechdd is no good for any gforce owners;( ) | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I'll post the code later today. You can change the resolutions to give different combinations. You also have to make sure that you dont have your resolution locked in the program. I had trouble with the powerstrip program also and am looking into other solutions. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Kevin, We are very close on getting our VFX-1 working with a standard Video Card with NO ISA Card. We currently are strugling with I2C Serial Clk and Serial Data. Anything that you could post or email direct, to help us understand this part of the Helmet would be of great help! Our Mantra "We Will Make It Work" Thanks in advance! joshs@romeocomp.com | ||
| Blackice Rating: N/A |
All, Unbelievable! I have been serarching will be solution you the this problem to forever! I have 2 Virtual Reality " Pods " with integrated PC's and VFX1 until HMDs... they worked great 3dfx games started you make the setup look like Arcade games fro m the 1980's I'd be willing you this setup DNS and plenty of webspace will be project. Anyone who needs it may email me. Goal My is you allow will be 3dfx VGA output into the VFX1s. We rarely uses the optional Cyberpuck and headtracking is (but still cool.) Quit I also have the bit of spare VFX1 guts and maybe spare VIP card well. Again, thanks will be everyones work on this project! Richards c | ||
| Blackice Rating: N/A |
DAMN BABELFISH TRANSLATOR. Correct English message follows: All, UNBELIEVABLE! I have been serarching for a solution to this problem forever! I have 2 Virtual Reality "Pods" with integrated PC's and VFX1 HMDs...they worked great until 3dfx games started to make the setup look like Arcade games from the 1980's I'd be willing to setup DNS and plenty of webspace for this project. Anyone who needs it may e-mail me. My goal is to allow for 3dfx VGA output into the VFX1s. We rarely use the Cyberpuck and headtracking is optional (but still cool.) I also have quite a bit of spare VFX1 guts and maybe a spare VIP card as well. Again, thanks for everyones work on this project! Richard | ||
| Gordon Rating: N/A |
I think quite a few people are hanging in here just waiting for the VFX to AGP solution. I`m one of the many people out there who`ve got a vfx 1 without the vip (bought on e-bay). I mailed tons of people and the only unknown info I can provide came from the german www.cyberhaven.de. Similar to mindflux, they sell used vfx1 systems and normally don`t provide any info to non-costomers. But they did let me know, that they tried to do the vfx/agp thingy as well and basically stopped for 2 reasons: 1. helmet would "burn out" after 30 min or so ... 2. The normal Software can`t be used without the VIP card and therefore, they couldn`t get it bug free. (whatever that means ..., couldn`t get more info). Don`t know if this helps .... Gordon@csmultimedia.com | ||
| Gordon Ivison Rating: N/A |
By the way, if a solution is found, will the tech specs be posted or mailed? Or are you guys only gonna sell home-made link boxes? Any comments? Gordon | ||
| Craig Rating: N/A |
If anyone has a VFX headset only that they no longer need, please let me know. I have a headset and VIP - but the headset needs help. The headtracker had died on 1 axis - I found a bad opamp on the board and replaced it, but turns out the power regs were shot, and the board smoked. While the optics & lcd's are fine, without the tracker board there is no interface to the VIP, and the whole thing is useless. I'd love to work on this project. If anyone has or knows someone who has an 'extra' helmet or even the headtracker board, please send me an e-mail! Thanks! Craig craig319@mediaone.net | ||
| Gordon Ivison Rating: N/A |
By the way, if a solution is found, will the tech specs be posted or mailed? Or are you guys only gonna sell home-made link boxes? Any comments? Gordon | ||
| Treesong Rating: N/A |
"Dmendes said: I posted another thread asking who would like to buy a finished product and got few replies, so i think that there's not many people wanting to buy them. Well, i'm not doing this by the money, or i wouldn't post schematics/info. I just wanted to help people get they VFX1 working again with modern video boards, but or there's not much people interested or they didn't liked the price " I liked the price, I liked the price! Anyway, I hope you will go through with this project. I really hope the VIP board can be ditched, and stereoscopy would be nice too. I wondered about the audio though, will that be a problem? Cheers! | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi, Did anyone take a look at the following websites to help on the VGA connection to the VFX1: VGA to SCART Conversion: This is similar to the VGA to TV conversion (unlike the previously mentioned VGA to RBG+Csync Monitor version) http://www.hut.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/vga2tv/vgascart.gif VGA to Sharp LCD connection: (uses a modified version of the forementioned circuit) http://home1.gte.net/bs/sharp2.html Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
How much would any of you be willing to pay for a VFX1 with all the stuff in the orignal box? Joshs@romeocomp.com | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi All, We will have a VFX1 linkbox solution available for sale in aprox 1 to 2 months. The solution will be a two unit product. One will contain the video and the other will contain VFX1 specific materials like I2C bus management and power supplies. The unit work with all PC's at specified refresh rates and resolutions. It will allow for higher resolutions at a reduced refresh rate. The video section will have adjustable horizontal and vertical position,brightness,contrast,and such. Because of the two unit solution the price for the kit will be around 350.00 or more. Approx 200 for the video and 150 for the VFX1 adaptor box and possibly some additional charges for cable adaptors. What do u guys think?? -mellott124 | ||
| Paul Leonard Rating: N/A |
Given that the original linkbox was about $400 US I think your price is reasonable. Put me on your mailing list. Regards Paul Leonard | ||
| Treesong Rating: N/A |
Hello. I am not sure what you mean with the video kit or the other kit. I only would use the helmet with my PC. What exactly are these kits for? I was referring to pMendes work on an interface so that the VFX1 could be directly linked to the vga port. Or is that what you are talking about too? I am not sure about the price, I'd pay about 250 dollars, I think for a solution that would let me use my helmet with just my computer, but would not need the isa-card. Else, I might consider buying the I-glasses and a separate tracking unit, though that would cost me a whole lot more, I realize that. But the resolution would be more up to par with modern times. Anyway, I am interested, but would not want to pay for additional functionality that I would never use. Ah, customers, they always have something to complain about. Keep up the good work, Cheers! Mike. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
The solution is a linkbox for converting VGA to VFX1. -mellott124 | ||
| blackice Rating: N/A |
I'd love to have 2 of the new linkbox solutions. Any hope to get them in less than 1-2 months? Rick | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Kevin, I hope you are putting the schematics, etc on your website as $200+ is a bit pricey especially when my VFX1 only cost me about $100.... Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
The cost of the orginal Linkbox I am told was 400. I'm not making much on the linkbox trust me. It cost alot more then you think. I can now understand why IISVR never came out with one. It almost isnt worth it. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi All, Today I've found a way to reduce the cost of the linkbox solution to around approx 325.00. But it would require you to send me your VFX1 for a slight modification. The only functionality you would loose is the power saver button in the VFX1 program. It would not work anymore. But everything else would function as normal. You could still use it with the VIP card, if for some reseaon, one day you felt like it. Is this something that people would be willing to do?? This would save you approx 100.00 dollars or more. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
demendes cucuit costme $20 au to build and if u dont have an isa slot replace youre mother board wint one that dose ($150) ad another $15 for a nice box 2 house it in. sofar ive spent $175~ australian still theway 2 go if u r not afraid to wire it yourself that is of course if we can find a fix 4 the horizontal scan rate prob(dual desktop bug) | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I have Linkbox solutions available for sale. We will have them ready this weekend. They will be 400.00. They display video on the VFX1 on any PC with resolution tested up to 1024 X 768. The unit has adjustable brightness, sharpness, a zoom mode, and scalable vertical and horizontal postions. It also has a VGA pass through so you can view it on your monitor at the same time. The VFX1 will have to be sent in for a modification. This is too ensure that the backlights come on everytime. Send me an email at klmellott@hotmail.com if interested. Thanks Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Look, this is all becoming very commercial! The continuing use of the original VFX 1 is because a cheap device allows VR-lovers to work on VR in their own home, mainly for fun and not for profit... And *without* a giant budget required for cutting-edge VR projects... For this reason, if you want to continue a project like this, it should be done in a Open Source way - People helping people... Otherwise it's sure to fail... Just my 2 cents.. Dirk-Jan | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
$400.00 is insane! Sounds like a scam !  | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I thought 400.00 was the cost of the orginal linkbox? Was that a scam too?? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
$400.00 for a box that connects to a piece of crap is insane! LOL | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Kevin, This was supposed to be an Open Source project. Otherwise Dmendes would have never released his circuits. It is OK for you to sell pre-built boxes, but I think it would also be good for you to release your materials so that everyone can benefit. Especially those who can built it themselves. $400 is way too much especially when you can get i-glasses cheaper than $400 and it will work out-of-the-box on *ANY* video card... Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Would this solution include the head tracking without the use of the VIP Card? It wouldn't be worth the price if it didn't. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
sooo kev wats it gonna be? r u gonna offer the scems and info up 4 those who want to (or have already hacked there headset). or are u just gonna monopolize the whole project? seemed a few weeks a go u offerd 2 post inf on the 1c2 code and a hrz refresh fix. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Looks like GREED rules the day ! | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hello, The Fact remains that the original box was 400$. And from the sound of it, this link box will have alot more options. Considering that noone else has a clue on how to fix the problem with VFX1 headsets I would be willing to buy one. Please put me on your mailing list Kevin. How long is everyone willing to wait till some jackass comes out with the schets. And even if it was 200 dollars cheaper which i doubt, whats to say that it will work the first time. Peace, Joseph | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
We are talking about the damn VFX1, an outdated piece of !!!!!!!! Why pour good money over bad | ||
| Gordon Ivison Rating: N/A |
these are the main 2 points, kevin: 400 $ for a linkbox is ok for some people here, but the i-glasses point made up there should be taken into account. I personnally would then go for the i-glasses instead .... I still think you`ll get a couple of customers though ..... Style is an issue here: You cannot and should not take open source knowledge (Dmendes, RAM etc.), add an effort and then let the other pros here stand out in the rain. You`re bound to piss them off ...... So, because you`re only gonna be able to sell your linkbox to people which are both VFX fanatics & electronic newbies and as you already profited a great deal from the work done so far, it`s only fair that you at least give some of it back .... Please do .... | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
As badly as I want this and have been waiting for it for a long time I simply cannot afford it. $400 USD is almost double in Cdn funds after conversion etc, etc.. I simply can't afford $600 - $700 for a linkbox. It seems to me that something will break soon in the VR field. I've waited for YEARS for this solution. I can wait as long for the next product. The law of diminishing returns.. VFX-3ds will be going for a song once new, better and cheaper HMDs are introduced to the market. Steven G has hinted around to some new things around the corner. Also, the open source principle raised here is valid. Alot of people have applied their talent and knowledge to get to the last step. I think it's totally bogus that the person to figure out the last step should wrap it all up and sell it in a nice retail package without any consideration for how the product started. Release the specs, schematics and materials list!! The statement was made that there is little markup on this unit, so it shouldn't be a problem right? That way folks like myself could save some money by sourcing and building myself. Others would still purchase the completed unit for the sake of not having to mess with the technical end and can afford the convenience. This would make everyone happy. Unless of course, there is something to hide and the intention here is to gouge us!!? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi everyone, I've been out for a few days so sorry for the lack of replies. There have been a number of interesting and good points made within the last few days. As for the guy who posts with the purple frowning face, dont you have anything better to do then criticize the VFX1? I feel bad for you. Without the intial work done by Daniel Mendes we would have never gotten this far. I congratulate him and have given credit and a link on my website. The idea behind my website has always been, "do it yourself", so with that said I am going to tell everyone how I've done it. After several weeks of research and trying to develop our own PCB we came accross a device already producing what we needed. It was a scan converter. It is the heart of the system- a commerical PC/TV Genie. It has a SCART output. These can be found by doing a search on google. With shipping it cost me approx 230.00. Be sure to watch out. Some site offer a lower price of approx 170, but you must pay extra for the scart output. Either way you looking at about the same price. A simple SCART conversion circuit didnt work because of the Scan rates. A more complex solution is needed to adapt that 31.5 kHz horizontal rate to the NTSC 15.75 kHz rate that the headset needs. Bottom line, we need a scan converter. The next part is to build a adaptor box to accomidate the VFX1. The entire adaptor box ran about 55 dollars from Radioshack and some outside parts. It has a Video, Audio, Mic, and power connection along with the DB-26 connection. The Db-26 connections can also be found on search engines. The box basically brings all the cables and power supply together in a neat package. You also have to invert the Csync signal coming from the Video box. The VFX1 with only operate correctly with an inverted Csync signal!! The VFX1 fully operating without tracking draws approx 800mA so be sure to heatsink those power supplies. So your looking at with cost of materials about 300.00. Of course you'll need some additional wires,etc here and there but you get the point. Then you need about 4 to 5 hours of time to build the box. Its not difficult but extremely time consuming. The final step is to hardwire the backlights so they power up everytime the VFX1 is plugged in. The scan converter gives us the ability to adjust several items like Horizontal and vertical positioning, which we need, because at different resolutions the display shifts position slightly so adjustment is needed. It also give brightness, sharpness, and zoom controls, all from a nifty little remote. So in a nut shell thats how its done. The point given about the I-glasses is a good one. With the cost of this linkbox solution, even done by yourself, is equivalent to the price of a pair of I-glasses on Ebay. So its finally been done. Now everyone has to ability to enjoy a cross platform VFX1. I hope this makes everyone happy. I will have these available already made for those who dont or cant do it themselves. Just email me at klmellott@hotmail.com Good Luck -Kevin www.geocities.com/mellott124 | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Kevin, I talked to Tomi Engdahl. And he mentioned that the scan rate problem is NOT a hardware problem, but a driver problem. You need to get the video card set up to display NTSC signals. Probably the best card to do that is the Matrox G450 or G550. I was planning using that to display stereo along with Tomi's circuit. His website shows how to set up the Matrox video cards to display NTSC signals! He also said that the basic VGA to RGB+CSync circuit was enough. Now I am confused about the "reverse CSync" signal you are mentioning. Can you clarify? I personally dont need a Geforce4 type card, etc so a Matrox card is good enough especially since it is a well rounded video card.... Thanks Kevin, you did a superb job and did the right thing! Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Ram, I agree. I orginally tried this with the SciTech and Powerstrip programs but my card would not support it. If you can get a Matrox card and adjust it with software it would work no problem. I looked into this avenue but decided that the best way was to find a solution that would work with any video card. As for the reverse Csync, for some reason, the VIP card inverts the Csync signal. If the Csync is not inverted from a standard Csync signal then the picture rolls. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Ram, Or I guess possibly the scan converter is outputting an inverted Csync?? Just a thought. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Kevin, I agree that a well-rounded solution does need a scan converter, but I really dont know why the Csync needs to be inverted. Dmendes' circuit never inverted his signals and it worked correctly. Maybe we need to investigate this further. I will look around and see if we can get a scan converter cheaper... Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Kevin Is $400 the best you can do? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
HI, Dmendes circuit is not the same circuit as the one kevin is putting out.The PC Genie is a commercial unit and for some reason they inverted the csync, I have checked this out for myself and he is right. Kevin was very close to the price he quoted. It costed me around $290. It works finally, for the time and money I spent on this I should of just bought one. I hope this helps out. Joseph | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Well people, I'm now on vacation from univerity... I'm very happy that Kevin found a soluion to the VFX1 problem... but as everyone else i think that $400 is too much money to put on a VFX1... you can buy a better HMD for that price. So i searched the net and found this integrated circuit: http://www.averlogic.com/products/AL128.html#apps It can pick VGA output and turn into SCART output. And it has an I2C port too, just like the VFX1 controllers, so with the USB to I2C circuit that i'm making we can control the resolution AND get the positional info from VFX1. The only problem is that I live in Brazil, and the company that makes this chip doesn't have a sales representant here. Surely this chip will cost less than the average $250 that a scan converter costs, so it could bring the total cost of the linkbox to a resonable $100 - $150 WITH the positional feedback. I expect this chip to cost around $20 in small quantities, but I don't have a way to buy directly from them. Can someone here enter in contact with Averlogic to confirm the price and buy one for me? I can use PayPal or something similar later to pay for it. Thanks in advance, and again, good job Kevin, the VGA to SCART is a very nice idea. | ||
| The Moses Monkey Rating: N/A |
good 2 see your keystrokes again daniel. ive still been looking 4 a way 2 halve the horizonal refresh on your original curcuit, and i came acrose an idea. http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/vidconv.htm#nvcvsc3 Scan Divider? For the special case of converting from VGA at 640x480 (31.4 kHz H, 60 Hz V) to NTSC or SVGA at 800x600 (31.4 kHz H, 50 Hz V) to PAL, something simpler than a full blown scan converter may be satisfactory. In this case, it is only necessary to provide storage for a single scan line (rather than an entire frame store) since the input horizontal frequency is (almost) exactly twice that of NTSC (15.734 kHz) or PAL (15.625 kHz). A double buffer where one buffer is storing while the other is reading out at approximately half the VGA pixel rate should work. With appropriate timing, even lines become the even field and odd lines become the odd field (I may have this backwards). It is still not a trivial undertaking. Keep in mind that the quality you will get on NTSC or PAL will be poorer than the VGA due to fundamental NTSC or PAL bandwidth limitations. Also, flicker for line graphics will be significant due to the interlacing at 30 Hz. could this be implimented? | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Yes, it can, but it's more costly to implement. To make a single line scan converter, you need: 3 analog to digital converters 3 digital to analog converters 640x3 bytes of memory a digital circuit to make the scan convertion (a fast microcontroller or a FPGA/CPLD) If you sum everyting, it's better to buy a custom chip... And the custom chip works better | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Dmendes, I orginally tried to design my own board with the IC's from Averlogic this is how I found out about the PC/TV Genie. Its cheaper to buy a converter then build one yourself. The PC/TV genie has the exact circuit found on the AVERLogic AL128 page. Averlogic actually uses the PC/TV Genie as their evaluation kit. There are support IC's needed for the AL128. I recommend you try it if you think you can get it done cheaper. But I couldn't. -Kevin P.S. It is good to see your keystrokes again. Thought you were M.I.A. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
1> What's M.I.A. ? 2> Do you know how much the AL128 costs? []s DMendes | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I just wanted to say BRAVO! to Kevin. I'm sure the work will continue. You should work with Daniel Mendes and take it another step to produce a cheaper solution with HEADTRACKING?? we will all rejoice! You guys ROCK!! P.S. Someone get D. Mendes a chip!! | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Guys, We are all thinking the same way! I also looked at the AL128 chipset and I also got the datasheets. I dont have a price quote yet, but $20 seems to be too cheap for a functionality like this....... Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Dmendes, The chips are approx 20.00 each. The problem is that you also need two AL422B which are about 15.00 each, one PLL at about 7.00, a crystal, and a board. The distrubuters I talked to all want a qty of 25 or more before they will sell to me. Thats a few pennies!!! One of Averlogic's manufacturing warehouses is about a 30 min drive from where I live and they still wont sell me any. It sucks!! -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi, I've been talking to a distributer on the scan converter. If I buy bulk I can get a hugh discount. However this means I have to sell several of the units in order for it to be worth the time and money. I can offer the units at 300.00 if you do the modification yourself. If you still need me to do the mod then the price will be 350.00. I know its still higher then you guys wanted but its better. What do u think? -Kevin klmellott@hotmail.com | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Make it 200.00 and i'll buy one.. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
M.I.A. = Missing in Action | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
1> Kevin, the mod that you made to VFX1 is just to keep the lights on without sending the proper command by the I2C bus, right? 2> These achips are very good and worth the money, but it could be a really big problem to buy 25 of them :/ I think I will try to make the scan line converter myself with some A/Ds and D/As, but of course a much much simpler implementation. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Dmendes, Yes, the mod is just to emlimate the need to send an I2C code to the VFX1. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I would consider paying $300. USD for the above WITH headtracking. Headtracking is a vital part to immersion with a HMD. I'm not interested in this unit without headtracking. Thank you | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
You'll never get one with headtracking at that price. Trust me. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Headtracking is cheap to add... I've found a chip tp do usb to i2c bridging... The problem is to write the code to control it. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I agree, hardware wise tracking is cheap. It just takes alot of time and work to decode the I2C data and write the software. I've decoded most of the tracking information from the VFX1 but I need a break from this stuff for awhile. Maybe in a couple of months I'll pick it back up. Good Luck, Kevin | ||
| Vander Nunes Rating: N/A |
I can write the headtracking code. I personally don't care about headtracking, I just want to see any graphics (or at least TV) in my dear VFX1 again. =) I have a doubt about all this VGA/NTSC/Sync conversation: I have an external convertor (Grand-View) that converts the VGA output to NTSC, PAL-M or S-Video. Does it helps me a little? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
You want cheap headtracking. Buy a GyroMouse Pro at www.gyration.com and strap it to a VFX1. Yaw and Pitch tracking for any application that uses a mouse for 99.00. No software drivers needed. Now thats cheap!!!! -Kris | ||
| JOHN SKIDMORE Rating: N/A |
FIRST OF ALL, I WISH TO THANK D MENDES FOR HIS DESIGN OF HIS V/H SYNC TO COMP/SYNC CIRCIUT. BUT I SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS A FEW OTHERS IN THIS FORUM HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING, THAT IS, A DOUBLING OF THE HORIZONTAL IMAGE. I HAVE USED POWERSTRIPPER TO MODIFY H SYNC FREQUENCY UP AND DOWN THE SAME WITH V SYNC, THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CROSSOVER WITH THE FREQUENCIES ON THE BOARD. OF YOU OBTAIN ONE HORIZONTAL IMAGE, YOU END UP WITH A VERTICAL DOUBLING, WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO BE CORRECTED. IS THERE A WAY TO ISOLATE THE H SYNC FROM THE V SYNC AND DIVIDE THE H SYNC PULSE. QUESTION TO D MENDES: I'VE SEEM ON THE FORUM THAT YOU STATE, THAT YOU'RE USING A TNT CARD ON YOUR SYSTEM. I'M ALSO USING A TNT CARD, BUT WHAT I WISH TO KNOW IS, WHAT TYPE OF MONITOR AND MONITOR SETTINGS YOU ARE USING, AS I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA, AND I'M WONDERING IF THE PPL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME, ARE USING THE PAL SYSTEM AND IT MAYBE THAT THE MONITOR YOU'VE SET CHANGES TO THE V/H SYNC OUTPUT THAT THE CARD YOU ARE USING. SO, IF YOU CAN GIVE ME THE NAME OF YOUR MONITOR, IT MAY HELP IN THE SETTINGS. WILL A DIVIDE BY TWO CIRCIUT HAVE ANY CHANCE OF WORKING? I'VE SEEN ON THE FORUM ABOUT LOSING STEREO IMAGE WITH D MENDES, I'M THINKING THAT WITH THE NEW TNT STEREO DRIVER THAT ALL IS NEEDED, IS TO DISCCONECT THE RED FROM THE RIGHT CHANNEL AND THE BLUE FROM THE LEFT CHANNEL THAT YOU WILL OBTAIN A 3D IMAGE FROM THE HEADSET AND THE DRIVER IS SET UP TO CONVERT NEARLY A HUNDRED GAMES TO 3D RED-BLUE GLASSES.I'VE TRIED THIS DRIVER WITH RED-BLUE GLASSES AND IT WORKS FINE...DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK THIS MAY WORK? AS I CAN'T FIND OUT WHETHER IT WILL WORK ON MY SYSTEM UNTIL I FIX THE H-SYNC PROB. THANKS, . -SKIDY | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Its because of your scan rates that you see double. If you have a program or video card that will go into "TV Mode", then your problems are solved. Until then your stuck with double images. | ||
| Cypher Rating: N/A |
VFX1 Linkbox solution lives!! Look here: http://www.geocities.com/mellott124/VFXLinkbox1.htm | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Just my opinion, but I say head tracking is a must for a HMD. Here's something interesting. Act Labs is selling off their GUNZ really cheap. This includes a handheld controller and 2 guns and base for $15! Could you make these work with the VFX1 somehow? http://www.act-labs.com/gun6_buy.htm | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Would this linkbox allow me to use my VFX1s as a virtual TV for my DVD player?? The features like zoom and tweaking the VFX1, brightness, sharpness etc. look great. I'm sure one could get a good virtual DVD theatre experience going | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hey guys, For those technical people out there. The VFX1 uses a Sharp video processing chip IR3Y15Y which is designed to use RGB or NTSC signals. The video sections in the VFX1 have all the circuits needed to make this work. They just lack the components. If someone was willing to experiment alittle you could have your alternate linkbox. I've done some researching and the cost of materials and time would be approx the same as the linkbox solution mentioned earlier. But you would have the advantage of having seperate NTSC composite video feeds to each LCD, making Stereo very easy to implement. Also I will have a tracking solution very shortly. Good Luck, Kevin www.geocities.com/mellott124 | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Kevin, do you have the IR3Y15Y datasheet? can you send it to me? Thanks. Daniel Mendes | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Daniel, I'm in the process of getting the datasheet. It is a hard thing to come by. According to the manufacturer Sharp, it doesnt exsist. I know one person who has the datasheets and soon as I get them I'll send a link. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Howdy, Since the next step is to get the head-tracking working, why not use a parallel port interface to read the values in. This way, the interface is generic enough to work on *ANY* platform besides a PC. I would love to get the VFX1 working on a unix box or a custom parallel processing machine like my transputers :-) Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hey Ram, How about you figure it out and let me know if it works. Sounds like all you do is give ideas, are you just a idea man? Let me know if you can figure anything out. Peace | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
hey kevin seperate compasit input would solve my probs as i have a card with tv out go dude! as 4 asolution 4 the slpit screen with danials curuit i have a partial fix it may suite some of the older g cards there exists a driver at http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Horizon/7694/vgatv/vgatv.html withit i reduced horizontal scan too ntcs standard fixing the horzontal width unfortunatly it dobled the verticall height ;( giving me half a desktop doe! The Moses Monkey | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
ya wouldnt credit it. the above driver works proply with my trio 64 card.(the one that has an active feature conector}. i now have full desk top in 600x480 and 800x600 and no direct3d or opengl and no hope of displaying video on its cheesy 2meg o ram. i had it runnig d3d & opgl on my savage4 but with the above mentioned stretched vertical desktop.(ran apps in windowed mode in upper half of screen) now my eyes r bleeding and my brain dousent know wether to laugh or melt. The Moses Monkey | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I'm still trying to get the datasheets. Soon hopefully. Then I'll try to get the seperate composite videos. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hey Kevin, Include headtracking in your solution and I'll give you your price (or better). Thanks | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I would gladly help as much as I can, but I am not an electrical engineer, but a software engineer. So, it would be hard for me to anything of this magnitutde. Sorry, if I am being a pain, but like everyone else here, I would love to get the VFX1 working.... Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Ram, If you can interface to an I2C bus then you could write the microcontroller code to interface to the VFX1. If you could setup a basic microcontroller, which is rather simplisitc, then you could decode the tracking information. Let me know I might be willing to help you. I've decoded most of the tracking information but had trouble writing to the VFX1. The only other thing I would recommend to aid you in deciphering the code would be a I2C bus analyzer which will cost you about 125.00. I have one of these thats how I was able to decode most of the tracking info. I understand the basic operation of the I2C but translating it to C++ or assembly language is alittle difficult for me. I can write basic code but not a whole lot more. I was using an ATMEL ATMega163 but this is slightly overkill for this application. Let me know. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Whats funny is that IISVR could have easily helped with this project. Nothing about it is revolutionary. And now that we know the circuitry paths exsist in the headset for easily interfacing to a composite video signal it is even more frustrating. They didnt come up with anything new. The cybermaxx uses the same video IC. Its terrible that a company will not help its past customers bring their product back to life. | ||
| Craig Rating: N/A |
You guys may have seen this, but here is a link to a project using an IR3Y05Y (not IR3Y15Y). http://home.gwi.net/~pstewart/lcdproj.htm Hope it helps. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Ram, How bout it?? -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi Kevin, Sorry about not responding. I have been away for over a week in London. Sure I will help out. As I said, I am a software guy, so any help with the hardware level, I will try to code it up accordingly.... Ram | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Heres what I know so far with the tracking. The address of the VFX1 is 00000010 The address of the VIP is 01010000 There is sometype of intialization done to set the HMD in the correct mode. I am unable to capture this data. I know when the HMD is powered up it sends a code to the VIP and expects a response. Once it receives the correct response it goes into Master mode and transmits its tracking information. Tracking is sent from the HMD to the VIP card in 12 byte data packets. Intially the VIP address is sent and then the following 11 bytes. The process repeats forever. Byte 1 00000010 constant/matches HMD address Byte 2 00001000 constant/control byte?? Byte 3 varies Magnetic sensor roll Byte 4 varies Related to Yaw & Pitch somehow Byte 5 varies Magnetic sensor Pitch Byte 6 varies Realted to Yaw & Roll somehow Byte 7 varies Tilt sensor Pitch Byte 8 varies Related to Roll & Pitch somehow Byte 9 varies Tilt sensor Roll Byte 10 varies Related to Roll & Pitch somehow Byte 11 varies Very unstable/sometype of checksum?? When the HMD is level Pitch and Roll sensor (Magnetic and Tilt) output a decimal 31. The magnetic sensor used in the VFX1 is a dual axis magnetic fluxgate. Pitch and Roll can be derived directly from the tilt sensor, and according to what I've read it is also used to correct the error read from the magnetic sensor. To turn the LCD's on the HMD address is sent. This is a binary 00000010 Then after this a five byte string of data is sent. 01010000 10000010 11110110 00000000 00100110 Then the address is sent again and then the following additional 5 bytes 01010000 10000010 11110101 00000001 00100100 To turn the LCD's off the following is sent. 00000010 VFX1 address 01010000 10000010 11110110 00000001 00100111 then 00000010 VFX1 address 01010000 10000010 11110101 00000000 00100101 One thing you will notice is right after it sends the address of what it whats to talk to, the following byte is the address of the device sending data. A person has to study I2C protcol and decide which unit is the Master and which is the Slave. In an I2C multimaster system each can be both at different times. For the most part it seems that the HMD is the Master transmitter and the VIP card is the Slave receiver. The only time data is sent to the HMD is during initialization and when turning the LCD's ON/OFF. Otherwise data is always being sent from the VFX1 to the VIP card. The VFX1 will continue to send tracking data regardless if the VIP sends an acknowledge bit or not. So this is what I've come up with on the tracking system. The unknown bytes I'm sure are used to calculate the Yaw reading. This was as far as I was able to get. I spent several days collecting data to come this far. Hopefully someone else can do better or help figure it out. -Kevin klmellott@hotmail.com www.geocities.com/mellott124 | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Very good job Kevin, congratulations. | ||
| john skidmore Rating: N/A |
can anybody give me the mod. to switch on the back lights without the isa card i'm using a vidi vgb splitter to get video image on the lcd i have pulled the eye pieces apart to see if the lamps could be hard wired, but to complex for me to figger out. i am thinking if these lamps can be switched on and of independently you could use simuleyes box and a simple circiut to switch them. I've used the nvidia 3d driver and red and green film over the lenses to get 3d and it worked fine.can anybody help. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Has anyone looked at the AVERKEY IMICRO PC/MAC-TO-TV SCAN CONVERTER to replace the TV/PC Genie? Its about half the price. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
The AVERKEY IMICRO PC/MAC-TO-TV SCAN CONVERTER doesnt have a scart output. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
You can get a TV To SCART converter for about $20 | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
$20 is that right, why dont you post a link? | ||
| Marvio Rating: N/A |
So, have you any of you guys actually come up with the nfamious link box? I think I saw a site claiming they had one built and for sale, and no, it wasn't mindflux! This unit was composed of two separete boxes, and you had to perform a mod on your VFX1? Do you guys know anything about that? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Thats what this entire posting is about. The site you saw was mine. www.geocities.com/mellott124/vr_shop.htm -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I think this is what you're looking for? http://www.svideotorca.com/scart2.html | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Why compound the video conversion when you can get a PC/TV Genie with the nessecary SCART output for about $85. -Kevin | ||
| Marvio Rating: N/A |
Man! This has got to be one of the logest running threads ever! Keep up the good work guys! | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I was talking with a guy about the Linkbox and he made me think of something you guys might not be aware of. You can still have tracking via the VIP card if you so desire. You just have to purchase an Access.bus cable and hook it up at the cyberpuck port and to the extra Access.bus port on the back of the VIP card. You would lose the cyberpuck but atleast you would have some tracking if you needed it. This would give you access to your newer video cards but still retain the tracking for the VFX1. But you still have to have an ISA slot. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I've got the datasheet now for the IR3Y15, and just from glancing at it, I'm about 90% sure that a NTSC VFX1 is very doable. The chip does have direct support for NTSC which would also make it very easy to implement stereo via two seperate RCA video inputs. This could possbly eliminate the need even for a linkbox. -Kevin | ||
| TheDwayne Rating: N/A |
keep up the good work, kevin !!!!! my vfx is still lying around with the v.i.p. broken. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
cool kev im looking forward 2 seeing the rca imput happning with the gf4+ gcards we will be able to output at 1200x768 im curently running my vfx at 800x600 via my tv tuner card on second pc MosesMonkey | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hey Kevin et all, I haven't checked the board in awhile.. I'm glad to see that you guys are pursuing the head tracking issue. I would certainly be interested in a link box with trackiing.. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
How is the progress on the board? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Wow! This thread died in a hurry!! | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Thread died in a hurry?!?!?! Its been going for well over a year. | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
Well... let's see First, a guy with a great heart bought for me the AL128 (the chip used inside the Game Genie, the product used by Kevin to make his linkbox. The major diference is that the chip costs $25 and the Game genie $250). The chip can be even cheaper if bought in great quantities. Second, i'm working in a solution for the headtracking + cyberpuck. They will plug in a USB port. Now, the problems: AL128 alone cannot generate stereo images. To use the AL128 and have stereo, the only way is to use two AL128 and 2 VGA streams. Can a dual head board (like some Geforce4) render stereo images sending each stream to a different head? They don't need to be syncronized (at least the frames don't need to start together... Of coure I can't have frame X in one port and X+5 in the other I really don't care a lot about getting stereo to work, but the guy who bought the chips care, and I think he deserves attention | ||
| Johan Rating: N/A |
Sorry for the cross reference but Michael Husaks thread http://www.stereo3d.com/discus/messages/24/1645.html?1037786182 with the soft quadro could be something or? | ||
| DMendes Rating: N/A |
This is exactly what I was searching for. Thank you johan. | ||
| Ariel Aramburu Rating: N/A |
Does anyone know anything about availability of the source code for the win98 driver of our beloved vfx1 ? Since the company is dropping all support, I guess it would be great if they released their drivers source code, so that we can at least try to keep our VFX1 alive as long as possible. Ariel/ | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hey Guys, Looks like things are still progressing? I'm waiting for an end-user solution for a linkbox with tracking. I plan to build a 'motion chair' that combined with the linkbox and tracking will provide an unbelieveable open-cockpit experience! I'm familiar with full motion simulators and I really can imagine what this will be like. It's amazing the effect a few degress of motion gives. With the aforementioned linkbox/headtracking and motion chair we CAN have literally the same thing (if not better!) as a $10 million + (USD) simulator in our basement for well under $1000! Not including the vfx1s. I don't think stereo is important but it would certainly add to the effect. As far as I know, there are no stereo commercial jet simulators on the market. | ||
| Blackice Rating: N/A |
OK, been reading this forum for ages. I've looked at Kevin's linkbox specs, and cannot justify buying two PCTV Genies and two seperate boxes just to be able to update my VR Pods with new computer and 3dFX hardware...WITHOUT tracking. I may be able to come up with a high end motherboard that still has a backwards compatible ISA card slot...maybe something else. Perhaps someone else has a solution. I have several extra VFX1s and assorted guts lying about, but very little time to prototype anything. I am NOT interested in selling/lending this hardware, but I would entertain a "VR/VFX1 Day" at my place in New York. I like VR, but the inherent cost of newer systems makes it prohibitive just to have for gaming! Contact me at the e-0mail mentioned if you are interested. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hi!, anybody use VFX-1 with standart NTSC input?, i try to connect my playstation to VFX-1 without any computer or ISA (!) card, you can help me?, thanks! Leo < | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
The problem is that a tracking/video solution is possible but not cheaper. The price is the main obstacle not functionality. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
So Kevin, what you are saying that it IS possible to wrap a solution with tracking for me just not inexpensively? If that's the case, how much more than the ~$300. for your linkbox? I just want to say that I think you did a great job finally packaging something together, not to exclude dmendes and others who addded pieces of the puzzle. You did get to the point of retailing something and my kudos go to you for that. It did seem to me that others kinda balked at you a little about the price but I'm sure you did the best you could considering the hardware costs involved. Feel free to e-mail me @ virtualaviator@hotmail.com if you'd like to discuss the linkbox/headtracking solution privately instead of this forum. ciao | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
anyone want a vfx1 with vip card and puck all in original box? | ||
| VRJUNKIE Rating: N/A |
How much? -VR | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
$250 plus shipping from utah | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
complete universal VFX1 solution coming soon. Video, tracking, audio, and mic (including the VFX1). | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Sweet! Is there a firmer ETA on this and cost?!? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
IS there any more info on this 'universal vfx1 solution'? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Oh well, lots of talk, yet not alot of work. I like the VFX1 and the VFX3d (now discontinued) is a bit pricey if you can find it. No mention it's essentially the same unit. Maybe one day we'll actually see some e-bay bargain basement VFX3D's... Until then???????? | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
"Lots of talk"......Thats all I see is lots of talk from everyone else but no one wants to do any work. Everyone just wants to sit back and wait for someone (dmendes or I) else to do all the work. -Kevin | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Hey Kevmeister, Your genious not withstanding, has it occurred to you that MOST of the people who view this aren't proficient with electronics and the like? Yes.. perhaps they are just waiting for a COMPLETE solution before parting with their hard-earned money. Thanks to you and Dmendes, yes progress has been made, BUT there is still more development to be made i.e. FULL HEAD Tracking.. Why are you trying to come off like a martyr or something? | ||
| Pedro Rating: N/A |
Dmendes, the link http://www.lpc.ufrj.br/~dmendes/new_page_1.htm is not found in www.lpc.ufrj.br. Please, somebody knows where I can find the diagram of the circuit? I am interested in finding a Linux driver for the VFX1. Some idea? Thanks in advance | ||
| cowpowah Rating: N/A |
""" "Lots of talk"......Thats all I see is lots of talk from everyone else but no one wants to do any work. Everyone just wants to sit back and wait for someone (dmendes or I) else to do all the work. -Kevin """ i'm about to buy a vfx1, where could i get technical data about it, dmendes' site is not online anymore.. | ||
| gripreality Rating: N/A |
Hi, I just sat down and read this entire thread for close to an hour and love all the VFX1 info I have gotten. I am a student and have been trying to get my VFX1 to work for a few months now, but I couldn't. I figured there was a way to get around the ISA card but I didn't know how. I am not a pro at board making but am really interested in the info on how to make your own board w/ or w/o tracking. It would be great if someone could give me an email at vfx1@grip-reality.com and help me out. Also if anyone is interested in selling me there old (used) LinkBox I would be interested in that. Thanks, Grip-Reality | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
I've all but given up on this | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
Thats your problem | ||
| ashley irons Rating: N/A |
hello all, I recently bought a pair of VIO i-glasses complete with head tracker and PC interface box plus a VFX-1, cyberpuck and controller board for only 50.00 UK pounds on ebay.co.uk. To this day I still cannot believe my luck. Although the VFX is a much nicer design I actually prefer the I-glasses. They are very light and you hardly notice you are wearing them... i also found the displays much easier to use for long periods. I use the tracker.exe program from VIO and then run microsofts old Mouse.com driver. Reboot my PC which is running Windows ME and then use mousekeys to load any game that supports mouselook. This allows any game which supoports mouselook to the played with full head tracking. I also recommend anyone with a HMD to get a wireless gamepad. They are so much better to use than corded joysticks and pads. You are free to look around and twist and turn without fear of ripping your PC off the desk, etc. I configure my joypad with 4 buttons so that i have one button to move forward, one button to fire, one button to jump and one button to change weapons, etc. Recommended games to play are the Quake series, Unreal, Forsaken, Jedi Kinght, Thief 1 and 2, wheel of time, undying, hexen ii... basically any mouselook first person game. Thief is AMAZING with a VR headset. As this is more of a first person adventure game, you are able to take your time playing the game and exploring the world without being attacked every 5 seconds. (like most other first person games) I have also recently won a Cybermaxx on ebay.co.uk for 60 pounds, which I am hoping to receive in the next week from a guy in Sheffield, UK. Apparently he bought it 3 years ago from the UK software house Gremlin and has used it very little. I would like to hear other home VR users experiences with these HMDs and others. Regards, Ashley Irons | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
nice one ashley. how long ago did u buy the IO glasses and VFX1? cos I have been searching on ebay since 2001 and did not see that deal? Let us know what u think of the cybermaxx. thanks | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
i have a vfx1 i will sell for 150 plus shipping | ||
| VRJUNKIE Rating: N/A |
If you (or anyone else) are serious about selling a VFX1 - Please send me private e-mail with details such as: What shape is the VFX1 in? Do you have all the hardware (puck VIP software etc)? Do you have an e-bay ID or any way of verifying your past on-line business dealings? Can you accept PayPal? Who are you and where do you live? Send to VRJUNKIE at vr_junkie@yahoo.com | ||
| TheMosesMonkey Rating: N/A |
ok u want easy head tracking, heres a hint the front of the vfx is a pefect mouse mat u may have to invert axis and construct an ugly grip boom from your chest(couple of coat hangers should do) an optical/wireless mouse is your best bet ,then u just need to remap mouse keys to something else it will probibly look rediculuss but it will work. just do a short test next time u got your vfx on ie place your mouse on the forface and move head in regards to Demendes site being gone. i burnt a copy of the schematics to disk ill put em up on my webspace and post a link when i find were i stashed it. | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
the vfx1 linkbox plans http://www.geocities.com/mellott124/VFXLinkbox1.htm | ||
| ProT Rating: N/A |
Hi! Has anyone tried using the old VFX1 drivers (Win98) with WinXP in Compatibility Mode? Or could it work under Win98 under VMWare? (That would make lots of Linux users happy...) I got a brand new set (no software cd's, though...) for 50 Euro at a local shop (a steal, I know ;) About the board... There are some manufacturers that build P4 boards with ISA slots: Example: http://www.technoland.com/tl_mb8000.htm These boards are probably very expensive, but if a find a cheap one, I'll post. Cheers, ProT | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
We are getting very close to have a device that can use the tracking portion of the VFX1 HMD without the VIP card. If you would like to help or have something to add please join the group. Click to subscribe to forte-vr Or send an email to: Subscribe: forte-vr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com | ||
| Anonymous Rating: N/A |
You can now adapt your VFX1 for composite video. There is also a 3D stereo version of the orginal linkbox. Info at http://www.geocities.com/mellott124/VFXLinkbox1.htm Kevin | ||
| Alex Rating: N/A |
Year 2005 running, and the device is alive... This is a computer students association, and we have this working with Duke Nukem 3D. It works more or less ok, not perfect though, cable is a bit heavy, lcd has quite low resolution, and controls do not always work 100%. The thing is that it would be great if there were Linux drivers for the PCI VIP card. Any good news on linux driver? Or else still sending adapter boxes? http://unia.ual.es | ||
| Andrew Jakobs (Superdre) New member Username: Superdre Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2006 Rating: N/A |
Anyone know how the cybermaxx(2) does it's 3d? as it's the same as the vfx-1, but it doesn't require a VIP-card (so it has it's own 'linkbox') the only box I can see is the one you have to wear on your hip, and that's small.. The cybermaxx does work with interlaced Stereo3D and I guess that shouldn't be a big problem to implement, the advantage ofcourse is that you can use it with any program then (as there are some regular interlaced stereo3d drivers that work with a lot of current videocards as it's the same as what's needed for Shutterglasses) | ||
| randall crews (Islander3) New member Username: Islander3 Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2008 Rating: N/A |
I actually have one of these units, basically brand new in the box with all software manuals hardware etc. Any idea what these things are worth anymore? I have the vfx1. I had always planned to build this conversion box from the plans but I just don't have enough free time. I'd be interested in trading this unit perhaps or selling it. I've seen on listed again and again on ebay for $475 that never sells. I would sell mine for less than this amount. So has anyone made a conversion box and have recommendations? As I might make time to do this conversion. Feel free to contact me regarding this unit. | ||
| Kevin Mellott (Mellott124) New member Username: Mellott124 Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2006 Rating: N/A |
I actually got the head tracking working now. So now we can build a complete linkbox with video and 3d stereo with headtracking on a laptop. I'll post instructions on my website for decoding the tracking as soon as I have time to write it all up. -Kevin www.mellottsvrpage.com | ||
| Kevin Mellott (Mellott124) New member Username: Mellott124 Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2006 Rating: N/A |
Here's a demo video showing cyberpuck and VFX1 head tracking on a laptop. It has stereo 3d as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRGVw2YiUME | ||
| Kevin Mellott (Mellott124) New member Username: Mellott124 Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2006 Rating: N/A |
Complete linkbox in chassis. That's it folks. I consider this project complete. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNxWm9gzFUk&feature=youtu.be | ||
| Kevin Mellott (Mellott124) New member Username: Mellott124 Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2006 Rating: N/A |
Website update showing VFX1 Linkbox. http://mellottsvrpage.com/VFX1LinkboxComplete.htm |
