Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
Looks like this year we are seeing a rebirth of HMDs. This year they appear to have achieved HD resolution at affordable prices. Last first:
SiliconMicroDisplay ST1080
Quick Specs Display: 0.74" LCoS FullHD, 240 fps sequential color (80 fps per color) Weight = 180g or 6.35oz or 0.4 pound Control unit about the size of a deck of cards: 4.7" x 2.8" x 0.6" - (120mm x 70mm x 15mm) 10% see through
The other two products to hit the shelves next month (by all accounts) are the two 720p OLED based ones; Sony's HMZ-T1 and Carl-Zeiss Cinemizer 720p as discussed in this thread.
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
Originally Posted By: - Ice
Erm, sorry, what's this? Glasses instead of monitors?
Yep. HMD= Head Mounted Display Here's a number of HMD's we had available in the past: VRealities
The closest "affordable" HMD with a high resolution has been the Visette 45 SXGA with 1280x1024, but their 3D package price has gone up to family car level. Sony's HMZ-T1 is expected to cost about 800$, the Cinemizer 720p around 700$? No word yet on this one, but maybe they can manage sub-1000$ price. With 10% see through, it might be the one for pit builders.
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
I don't count them as HD, since they are 852x480 native re solution. I admit that 800x480 looks mighty sharp on my S2 phone, but it's not up close enough to cover 45° of my view. On top of that it's older LCD tech, thus lacking in the black levels.
Registered: 06/09/06
Posts: 306
Loc: Appalachian foothills in Virgi...
Must admit I am very intrigued by the concept of these head mounted displays (or HMD) and while it may be some time before they get into a price range I can afford I do have a question about these.
Assuming the performance of the display is a faithful reproduction of a 1080p, or even 720p, how well do you think this display will be tolerated for extended periods of viewing time? I'm not knocking the technology or your post, I'm fascinated by the possibilities. But does anyone have an idea on 'eye-fatigue' that may result from using these devices for several hours at a stretch?
Considering how the first, proof of concept, Head Mounted Displays looked; these would be a tremendous improvement. Looks a lot like the goggles used by Jordy (sp?) from the Star Trek (TNG) series. Derek
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
Originally Posted By: MudPuppy
how well do you think this display will be tolerated for extended periods of viewing time? I'm not knocking the technology or your post, I'm fascinated by the possibilities. But does anyone have an idea on 'eye-fatigue' that may result from using these devices for several hours at a stretch?
Dunno, but can't wait to find out. I hope there will be a store around, where one could try one out for two hours stretch. One might buy them, but if the eye fatigue becomes a factor at the 3 hour mark, it can be sent back. In the Netherlands you get 7 days (not sure if it's shipping date or arrival date) to return an item, where you only have to pay the return postage/shipping.
I don't count them as HD, since they are 852x480 native re solution. I admit that 800x480 looks mighty sharp on my S2 phone, but it's not up close enough to cover 45° of my view. On top of that it's older LCD tech, thus lacking in the black levels.
Yeah, I'm picky.
At $800 for a display, you're allowed to be picky.
Still too expensive, I'd rather get a projector. Can't have a proper movie night with HMDs...
Edited by AggressorBLUE (11/04/1103:57 PM)
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Registered: 05/01/06
Posts: 109
Loc: California, US
Originally Posted By: MudPuppy
Must admit I am very intrigued by the concept of these head mounted displays (or HMD) and while it may be some time before they get into a price range I can afford I do have a question about these.
Assuming the performance of the display is a faithful reproduction of a 1080p, or even 720p, how well do you think this display will be tolerated for extended periods of viewing time? I'm not knocking the technology or your post, I'm fascinated by the possibilities. But does anyone have an idea on 'eye-fatigue' that may result from using these devices for several hours at a stretch?
Considering how the first, proof of concept, Head Mounted Displays looked; these would be a tremendous improvement. Looks a lot like the goggles used by Jordy (sp?) from the Star Trek (TNG) series. Derek
If you're really, REALLY interested in HMDs I have just the reference book for you, and it's free!
Mike, you're an amazing font of knowledge and resources! Actually i think these HMD devices would be great for watching some TV in bed without disturbing the wife, so when they get cheap enough....
Registered: 05/01/06
Posts: 109
Loc: California, US
HMDs are getting better and better. Coupled with a good head tracker, you can get a good visual portal into a virtual world.
However, a factor that's not often mentioned is instantaneous field of view. Depending on the application you're running, you may need wide peripheral (both horizontal and vertical) field of view to get the best experience. This is particularly true with first person shooters.
All in all though, I find the continuing improvment in these products encouraging.
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
The ST1080 is 10% see through. The image is reflected of a mirror in front of each eye, which must be partially transparent. How that works out, I wouldn't know. The other two have the displays behind the lenses.
you could use somethink like kinect to create an image of you real body in the virtual world and march position of the physical switches in your cockpit so you know where they are ( of course you will have to wire them in the usual way) .
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Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
As you would already be monitoring your body with the computer, the position of the hands could be used to match positions of switches. With data gloves, pressing anything on the position would toggle the position bellow the finger.
Being "blind" to the environment, you could put dummy switches and buttons in the right location, but not need to write them up.
Registered: 11/24/04
Posts: 12038
Loc: Virginia Beach, VA
10 Inch 16:9 Flexible 1080p OLED Panel -> HDMI Daughter Board -> HDMI Cord -> Graphics Card ($450 ish for panel and parts to make HDMI daughter board, and power supply).
Wide brim baseball cap $15ish + Zipties and Duct Tape ($9)
put it all together and you have a 10 Inch 1080p ( .89:1 display) (1:1 would be retina display) curved to the brim of the hat, zip tie the daughter board to the top of the hat, duct tape everything else.
oops forgot the long HDMI cable to run from PC to hat. ($30)
from there, you mount track IR clip to the hat, and reset track IR to 1:1 movement ratio, and your gold.
Oh, the FOV is apparently 90° horizontal and 110° vertical.
Edited by Immermann (06/12/1209:13 AM)
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Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
Just a small addition to the posts here. Sony is showing version two off their HMD in Berlin at the IFA;the HMZ-T2.
Engadget has more info:
Quote:
most of its changes revolving around making the admittedly slightly uncomfortable wearable a bit easier on your head. It's 100 grams lighter than its predecessor and features improvements to its adjustable parts.
The head pad is larger and can be moved to better fit your head, the strap can be adjusted at a number of points and the sliders beneath the 0.7-inch OLED monitors can be adjusted independently from one another. Oh, and while there are Virtualphone built-in, there's also a headphone jack, so you can bring your own pair. All in all, we have to say it did feel a bit more comfortable than the set we tried on for the first time roughly this time last year. The headset also features different viewing modes, including 24p True Cinema for slower paced movies and Clear mode for action scenes, as well as Auto Color Temperature to help improve the picture.
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 3512
Loc: The Netherlands
Well, only the ST1080 lets you see something of the outside world, so you should be able to see your hand (provided there is enough light). The others block the view completely. Not a problem when you are racing or flying, or know where your hand rests on the keyboard, but typing would be reserved for those that can type 'blind'.
In all cases you should be sitting down and not moving around.
A big step would be having a (pair of) dataglove(s), which would appear in game as your avatar's hands. But then you would want a reproduction of the cockpit your avatar is in, so your hand/ finger would meet a surface or switch in game, just by hand-eye coordination.
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