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From: webber@csd.uwo.ca (Robert E. Webber)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: Liquid Crystal displays
Message-ID: <15043@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 24 Jan 91 07:02:21 GMT
References: <14878@milton.u.washington.edu>
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In article <14878@milton.u.washington.edu> keithley@apple.com (Craig Keithley) w
rites:
.
.I've noticed the occasional ad for small (about 4" diagonal) LCD color 
.monitors.  They're mostly for use with camcorders, etc.  I'm referring 
.specifically to a NTSC monitor... not the Sony Watchman.  Has anyone else 
.found/seen what I'm referring to?

On pages 43 and 69 of the September 1990 issue of Video Magazine, there is
an advertisement for a Citizen M329 LCD Color Video monitor.  According to
the ad, the specs are: 94,608 pixels, 2.9" screen, NTSC, AV 8-pin or RCA
plug, 3.125" by 3.5625" by 0.6875", 4.75 ounces, battery holder and monitor
hood included.  It takes 4 or 6 AA batteries to power and lasts for 3.5
hours on 6 batteries.  AC adaptor and DC car car adaptor  optional.  TV
tuner optional.  Audio volume, brightness, power, color & tint adjustors,
DC in, AV in, and ear phone plugs on box.

At the time it was being sold by Professional Video Warehouse (1-800-736-6677
or 714-772-4845 (at the latter number they take technical questions as well 
as outside U.S. orders)) in Anaheim, California for $169.95.  They also have
a free catalog and handle mail and telephone orders.

This looks like it would be a good lcd screen source, but that just begins
the problem, since you still have to figure out a good way of mounting them
on a user (Crazy Glue?) and handling optical issues of viewing screen that 
close and I guess 94,608 pixels means something like 450 by 200 resolution.

Over in the newly created sci.optics, there is some discussion of fiber
optic periscopes.  If this turns out to be real, it would seem to handle
the viewing optics problem and let you use whatever resolution monitors
of whatever technology you want.

--- BOB (webber@csd.uwo.ca)

p.s., This particular issue of Video Magazine had 8 column inches of standard
virtual reality press, which is how come I got it.  I wonder how long it
will be before you start seeing generic announcements that start: 
    ``Virtual Reality!  Now that I got your attention, ...''