Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!bu.edu!att!rutgers!gatech!prism!mailer.cc.fsu.edu!sun13!murray From: murray@sun13.scri.fsu.edu (John Murray) Newsgroups: comp.graphics.visualization Subject: Re: 3d viewer survey Message-ID: <1588@sun13.scri.fsu.edu> Date: 6 Dec 90 23:46:46 GMT References: <2283@greek.csd.mot.com> Organization: SCRI, Florida State University Lines: 89 In article <2283@greek.csd.mot.com> lance@motcsd.csd.mot.com (lance.norskog) writes: > > > 3D Viewing Hardware Vendor Survey #1 > Dec. 4, 1990 > >LCD Monitor system: > > VideoPhones (??) EyePhone > VPL Research > Redwood City, CA > > Hardware: Helmet with two LCD monitors: $7500 > With 3D Polhemus magnetic sensors: $9500 > The LCD monitors are NTSC. Some sort of very > expensive glove and suit with all sorts of > sensors. Coming Really Soon Now: $200 version > Mattel Power Glove with full computer access. Unless they've changed the prices since SIGGRAPH '90, it's $9800 for the EyePhone. I hadn't heard about them offering the EyePhone without the Polhemus sensor. They also have the DataGlove, a device you wear like a glove that registers hand position and orientation in 3-space (like the EyePhone does for the head) and position of the thumb and fingers. DataGlove goes for $8800. I have heard that they are working on some sort of "datasuit" like you referred to above, that tracks the position of all the limbs, but a) I don't think it's out yet, and b) I don't even want to *hear* the price tag when it does come out! :-) For more info, here's some text from a hype-sheet from VPL: "The EyePhone is a head-mounted display that incorporates wide- angle binocular optics, color... LCD screens, a Polhemus tracking system, a microphone, and high quality audio headphones in a comfor- table and convenient package. The quality of the video image is enhanced by a proprietary optical diffusion element. The interface consists of two NTSC video inputs, two line level audio inputs, one mic level audio output, and RS232 or RS422 serial I/O" They are indeed allegedly working on a $200 RS-232 version of the Mattel Power Glove (which they have the rights to.) Byte magazine had an article sometime this year about the Power Glove's internal workings and interface. (they reverse-engineered it, or something) > System: > Twin SGI rendering machines are controlled by > a Mac. (!!) $250,000 for research version. Correct, as far as the system goes. The Mac is the system control, the two Personal Irises are, in my understanding, strictly 3D rendering engines. I don't remember if your total package price is correct or not. Keep in mind, though, that the total package includes some pretty huge software packages that provide the interface between the various devices and the simulated environment. > Darling of the media. Who does their publicity? A) They have the best "Oh WOW! Gee WHIZ!" system available off the shelf. (it's a very high $100k's shelf to most of us, but nonetheless..) B) I think they've got a formidable set of patents.. (If they don't by this stage, they might as well give it up right now..) C) Founder and CEO Jaron Lanier makes for a wonderful media figure for news teams trying to cover a very esoteric scientific field - virtual reality. You can't exactly call him a stereotypical boring, dry scientist :-) > I don't have literature on VPL, and the above description > is distorted by my memory. Well, that's a few additional tidbits for you. Here's some more: VPL Research, Inc. 656 Bair Island Rd. Third Floor Redwood City, CA 94063 (415) 306-1150 (phone) (415) 361-1845 (fax) I don't work for VPL, or represent them in any way. I just happen to have some small familiarity with their stuff, and I happened to have some of their literature on hand when I saw your note. -- Disclaimer: Yeah, right, like you really believe I run this place. John R. Murray | "Never code anything murray@vsjrm.scri.fsu.edu | bigger than your head.." Supercomputer Research Inst.| - Me