| Author | Message | ||
     Giorgio Bogoni Rating: N/A |
I've got an idea. What do you thing about it? We can connect two LCD/DLP projectors to a dual-head graphic card showing a 1600x600 desktop; in this way, running at full screen a side-by-side stereo format, we'll get the left image on one projector and the right one on the other. But it's quite difficult to find a driver that can output a side-by-side format playing a game or running a generic stereo software. Usually it's easy to get a page-flipping format: the monitor shows alternatly the left and the right image. Well, using a dual-head graphic card we can also simulate two monitors one upon the other, let's say a 800x1200 desktop. Do you remember the above-below stereo format and the double-syncing device? This device fools the monitor doubling the refresh rate and showing at full screen (and half resolution) the half image of the monitor. Now, if someone can create a custom HW device like the double-syncing one, maybe the odd screens would be put on the upper part of the desktop (and so on the first projector) and the even ones on the lower part (and so on the second projector). Any suggestion? Do you think it could work? Giorgio. | ||
| Alexander Oest Rating: N/A |
[this is a reply to Giorgio's post under "Any other options to Cyviz Stereo3D converters? For stereo3D using any LCD/DLP projectors.". See http://www.stereo3d.com/discus/messages/21/805.html?1001503339 for previous discussion.] Hi Giorgio Replies spliced in below... Alex <Alex, <I don't own a dual-head graphic card neither You might consider buying one. They're fairly cheap. I imagine you can get a dual VGA GeForce MX card for around 100 € (or US$)... Unless Italian hardware prices are way higher than Danish. And it's a decent card in most respects. <I've ever tried an above-below stereo driver but <I think this is the best way to get 2 vga sync <outputs from any game; an 800x1200 desktop <running an above-below driver with no dongle. Agree! Among the solutions available right now, it's the most promising. < <Why it does not work? <Of course it may be WIN OS, the driver or the <graphic card. <As Maart told us, we can try a lot of different <graphic card (anyboby out there can do this?) <but I think the main problem is the bad 2-<monitors' support of WIN OS. < < ...OR the stereo driver taking over control of the graphics card and neglecting it's multi-monitor settings. As you sort of indicate later, running in windowed mode might do the trick. <As far as I can guess we can: <(1) wait a month for WIN XP release Why do you think XP would solve the problem? Besides, with all Microsoft's product activation bs, I think I'll stay with 98se and 2000. <(2) try other drivers: <* NuVision GX60 works even in above/below <format, can we get the driver? Never tried it. Might be worth a try - especially if it runs windowed. <* GLDirect seems to me to deliver the above-<below format, am I wrong? I don't know of GLDirect :-( <* Any other above/below drivers out there? VRCaddy with WinX3D. David Qualman said that a dual VGA version was under development. <(3) try to understand why current settings don't <work Yes, wouldn't it be nice to know what's ACTUALLY going on ;-) A fourth option: Wait for dual VGA support in WinX3D and VRCaddy (for Direct3d). Wait for me to get SoftQuadro and RivaTuner working (for OpenGL). <* do you use windowed or full-screen <applications? Full-screen (for Direct3D and OpenGL applications). Experimenting with an above-below stereo driver in a stretched window sounds promising. But which driver? <* can you play a MediaPlayer window across the <monitors? And at full screen? Not MS media player, but it works with above-below stereo video in players that DON'T maintain aspect ratio. <Does your game <work in non-stereo mode at full-screen? Yes! <Does a <DVD-player work at full screen? And a QuickTime <movie? Haven't tried either. <* have you tried a lower resolution running <resolution override like 400x600 (as far as you <can set it)? No. Why should that do any difference? < <Anyway I aspect OpenGL game to loose HW OpenGL <support running them across 2 monitors, so maybe <anything above can be of no use. Well, there's still a lot of Direct3D games, so there's plenty of incentive to keep on trying. <Has anybody tried a dual-head graphic card <featuring a Quadro chipset in Twin-stereo mode? I have (sort of). I'm experimenting with SoftQuadro and RivaTuner http://www.guru3d.com/forum/list_forum.php?forumid=ubb11 , but I haven't been quite successful yet. <If we effort some money (how much?) can we get <HW OpenGL support running the NVIDIA solution? < Yes, but real quadro boards are real expensive afaik. It would be better to have a system that can be used by everyone. < <Giorgio. | ||
| Giorgio Bogoni Rating: N/A |
Hi Alex, as you have understood I'm quite sure there's a lack in the WIN OS support of extended desktop. In fact I've heard about not-working application when spanning across the two monitors (even MediaPlayer in same cases, QT usually works fine) and we know we have to aspect no HW OpenGL support. Whenever a new OS is released I aspect something better ... the last time I've found that, swithching from WIN98 to WIN ME, my ATI Rage Mobility chipset loose HW OpenGL support! I will not change my mind, once again I aspect WIN XP to be better. Whenever you'll find the time, try windowed applications and other drivers and let me know, I'm not going to buy a dual-head board - right now I've no PC to fit it. Try a lower resolution like 400x600 (running resolution overrride and keeping the 2:3 aspect ratio), I've read about the new Wincker driver takes a lot of memory - we have to remember we force the graphic card to do an hard job, maybe some buffer somewhere fills and that's way you get only one monitor working fine. Maybe ... I've checked for GLDirect, you can download a demo at http://www.scitechsoft.com/down_gldirect.html it's an utility turning OpenGL command to DirectX (and it may be usefull) but, as far as I can remember, latest versions include a stereo driver supporting above/below format ... anyway it's a free try for 21 days. We may ask to Michal Husak for the GX60's driver (it seems to me he uses this shutterglasses). Now let's think about the Twin-View-Stereo-Mode alternative. This is very attractive at least for two reason: it's ready (and reasonably it'll work) and delivers double resolution in respect of the above solution (it isn't an above/below format stretched but delivers full frames for the left and right channel). Maybe it will even support HW OpenGL. Let's start from Soft-Quadro. Even when a patch will be available, I don't think a GeForce can stand the work of a Quadro chipset even if we say to it "you're a Quadro now!" ... it isn't enough, we need horse power for quadbuffered stereo. Anyway it's worth a try! I checked the Elsa Shop for a Quadro dual-head graphic card. If I'm not wrong this one is the cheapest: http://www.shopelsa.com/product.asp?sku=1667430 USD 449! I though even more, I've asked Elsa for additional info and I'm waiting an answer. Let me know about your experiments and comments, Giorgio. | ||
| Giorgio Bogoni Rating: N/A |
Alex, tonight I've downloaded and tried GLDirect. I think this is the best way to get left/right outputs out of a dual-head board for OpenGL games. It freezes on my notebook (ATI Rage Mobility 8Mb) but I think because of memory issues. TRY IT! (look for the link in my previous post) It delivers above/below format but you can even select: - HMD: custom / Side-by-side (for a 1600 x 600 desktop) - Projection: custom / Dual-monitor (the perfect alternative!) - ... and much more. AND probably it fixs the HW OpenGL lack in a 2-monitors enviroment turning commands to DirectX. LET MY KNOW HOW IT WORKS. Giorgio. | ||
| Alexander Oest Rating: N/A |
Hi Giorgio I tried GLDirect. It actually works. Even in fullscreen. I selected "stereo projector" and "dual display", and the test image worked in windowed as well as full screen mode. I tried QuakeIII in full screen with "driver controlled stereo" as the "stereo method" (my stereo driver is the Nvidia Detonator). It also worked. There were different perspectives on each VGA output. It was horribly slow, though, but that might be remedied. This is important, because as Michal Husak pointed out in the SoftQuadro thread, SoftQuadro only gives dual-VGA stereo with applications, which have built-in stereo functionality (as QuakeIII which I got to work. See thread). If GLDirect can be made to work at a decent framerate, it can be used for all the non-stereo-ready OpenGL games. Might there be any chance of having GLDirect controlling a Direct3D application, too? Its way of letting the user select stereo properties is very suitable for dual-VGA purposes. I'll look into it. Comments on your earlier post: Can't try out 400x600 with the Wicked3D driver. It won't let me select these odd screen sizes. Windows XP might be good, but there's also the issue of support. It might take time before stereo drivers and applications are developed for it. Take the case of the VFX3D HMD. It took some time before the WinME drivers were ready. Alex | ||
| Giorgio Bogoni Rating: N/A |
Alex, GLDirect is born to turns to DirectX all OpenGL commands ... I don't expect it to work for DirectX games but I may ask Steve @ Scitechsoft What about framerate? Have you succeded improving it? Giorgio. | ||
| 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 | ||
| Alexander Oest Rating: N/A |
Giorgio, I realise that the main purpose of GLDirect is wrapping OpenGL into Direct3D. But the wide array of stereo display options would be useful with Direct3D (and non-wrapped OpenGL). If Scitechsoft would make an interface not for wrapping, but just for setting stereo options, it'd be very useful. You might email them and ask. Haven't had time to do any further experiments with GLDirect. I'll give it another try monday. Alex | ||
| Maart Rating: N/A |
I've just tested my old voodoo2 board again with the wicked3d drivers. (its a wicked3d board with voodoo2 chip) I was able to create my own resolutions. for resolution override but my screen went black with abnormal resolutions. I will try more later Maart | ||
| Giorgio Bogoni Rating: N/A |
Alex, as I told you I asked Scitechsoft, this is the answer: "We are considering these options, but nothing definite has been decided on so far. If someone were to contract us for this work, that would speed things along." Have you a budget for it? Any further experiments getting an higher framerate? Have you a good HW Direct3D support? Giorgio. | ||
| Alexander Oest Rating: N/A |
Giorgio, My budget is more or less limited to buying hardware. Paying others for developing software is not an option. Especially with the solutions which are hopefully on their way, I'd rather wait and see. Haven't done further experiments, as GLDirect has begun crashing after I installed the wicked3d drivers (I removed them again, but something must have gone wrong). I probably won't have much time for reinstallation and testing this week. Alex |
