08.05.2010, 10:15
IMO, at this stage of technology, you actually CAN set up a "pseudo-VR"set, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea.
If you take a look around some hardware advertising, you can find a few models of "monitor goggles", which is, in other words, a device with two little screens (or a single little widescreen) you can wear like eyeglasses, thus simulating a much larger monitor (40 inches or more).
Now, if you combine such a device with a thackIR headset, you have what currently comes closer to Virtual Reality concept. In fact, this way you conquer TrackIR's limit, as the monitor follows your head's movements.
Plus, this can be achieved without too much expense (no way comparable to the cost of a "professional" VR set).
BUT...
...but I have some doubts about this, since right now I can see at least 2 disadvantages:
- First of all, video goggles aren't a brand new idea. They already appeared on the market some years ago, still they haven't had a large success, if they have had at all. Main reason for this, IMO, is concern about their safety with an intensive use. Even your mom (SPECIALLY your mom! :wink: ) will tell you that staring at a small screen which is 1inch from your eyes harms your sight more than staring at a large screen at medium distance. I don't know if more recent goggles are projected to be safer in this sense.
- Furthemore, goggles cover your whole field of view, so you're pretty isolated from the world around you. Leave aside ethic discussions about "virtual reality alienating people from real life", i's also a practical problem: you can't see the keyboard!
Nevertheless, the idea has a lot of appeal. Should anybody know more than me about these goggles, plz share your knowledge!
If you take a look around some hardware advertising, you can find a few models of "monitor goggles", which is, in other words, a device with two little screens (or a single little widescreen) you can wear like eyeglasses, thus simulating a much larger monitor (40 inches or more).
Now, if you combine such a device with a thackIR headset, you have what currently comes closer to Virtual Reality concept. In fact, this way you conquer TrackIR's limit, as the monitor follows your head's movements.
Plus, this can be achieved without too much expense (no way comparable to the cost of a "professional" VR set).
BUT...
...but I have some doubts about this, since right now I can see at least 2 disadvantages:
- First of all, video goggles aren't a brand new idea. They already appeared on the market some years ago, still they haven't had a large success, if they have had at all. Main reason for this, IMO, is concern about their safety with an intensive use. Even your mom (SPECIALLY your mom! :wink: ) will tell you that staring at a small screen which is 1inch from your eyes harms your sight more than staring at a large screen at medium distance. I don't know if more recent goggles are projected to be safer in this sense.
- Furthemore, goggles cover your whole field of view, so you're pretty isolated from the world around you. Leave aside ethic discussions about "virtual reality alienating people from real life", i's also a practical problem: you can't see the keyboard!
Nevertheless, the idea has a lot of appeal. Should anybody know more than me about these goggles, plz share your knowledge!