Re: Virtual Boy

[P3D Bob Wier <wier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Kevin Palmer  <kpalmer@xxxxxxxx> noted:
>
>-- Blockbuster video stores are selling off their entire supply of
>Virtual Boy gaming systems.  The high resolution LED display is made
>by Reflection Technology.  These systems are selling for around $30 at
>Blockbuster.  These systems are a good start for building a VR system
>to interface with your computer.  If anyone has used this system to
>build their own please contact me.
>
>
>Me again:
>
>  Does anyone know if they have the games at giveaway prices also?
>
>
>
>Thanks - Greg Erker, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada


This sounded interesting, so using  the photo-3d keyword search
engine, I found quite a bit of discussion on the Virtual Boy
when it was release (around digest # 717 - Sept 1, '95).
Dan Shelley passed along the following.

I've not seen one myself, but for $30, it sounds like a 
worthwhile check out...

=========================================================
Found all of this info on the net, and thought some of you might like
it. They also had a small .GIF of this thing, and I can send it anyone
who might be interested. just let me know, Dan {dddshelley@xxxxxxx} 

------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Processor:      32-bit RISC CPU
Speed:  20MHz
Display:
RTI Dual mirror-scan, high resolution LED displays Resolution:  384 x
224 pixels for each eye
Software:       8 or 16 Megabit ROM Game Paks (standard configurations)
Sound:  Digital Stereo Sound (self-contained speaker system)
Controller:     Double-grip with two directional control buttons
Power:  Six AA batteries (AC adapter or rechargeable battery
adapter available separately)
2-Player:       Playlink cable (connects two Virtual Boys)
Release Date:   August 1995
Pack In Game:   Mario's Tennis
Suggested Price: $179 dollars <----- note

------------------------------------------------------------ 

There will lots more news on the Virtual Boy at E3, the Electronic
 Entertainment Expo, which starts May 11th. In fact, we'll be releasing
all the latest developments on Virtual Boy on May 10th, so the first
place to hear the news will be right here. So stay tuned for
information on games and other details.

Virtual Boy is a stand-alone RISC-based, 32-Bit video game system that
uses two high-resolution, mirror scanning LED (light emitting diode)
displays to produce a 3-D experience unlike anything game players have
ever seen. Its unique design eliminates all external stimuli totally
immersing players in their own private 3-D world.

It is a sleek, rectangular unit measuring 8.5" long by 10" wide by 4.3"
high and is supported by a table top stand. It is operated by a new
specially-designed double grip controller which is connected to the
head set. 
The cartridges will be slightly larger than Game Boy Game Paks, and are
inserted into the main unit.

The only remotely comparable products are VR goggles for PC's that cost
between $500 to $100 and still require an expensive computer to run the
software. Virtual Boy software exists on Game Paks. You'll insert them
just like plugging in Super NES games. It's a portable system, but it's
not a big, new, Game Boy. It's totally unique.

Looking into the Virtual Boy's viewers is like entering a world out of
science fiction. The sense of real 3-D space is the most striking
phenomenon. Don't expect the shallow depth of holograms or printed 3-D
effects, but a true stereo image in high-resolution red and black. The
depth seems totally real, like stepping into a miniature world. Objects
and characters have fullness. They turn and move in three dimensions.
The red and black images give the virtual world even more of a sci-fi
look. And the smoothness of the animation is beyond anything you've
seen--well, other than reality itself.

----------------------------------------------------------- 

The technology for Virtual Boy was first developed by Reflection
Technologies, a company founded in 1987 by a team of scientists from
MIT. They started the company to exploit a breakthrough in LED (light
emitting diode) technology. The resulting designs and products carry
multiple worldwide patents, have been extensively tested and can be
manufactured for the mass market.

Nintendo has exclusive worldwide licensing rights within the video game
market to Reflection's patented virtual display technology, and that's
what we're using for Virtual Boy.

Nintendo has invested money in this company. "We have made this
significant investment in Reflection because we recognize the
tremendous market potential for the company's unique technology,"
stated Nintendo Co., Ltd. President, Hiroshi Yamauchi. "In addition,
our licensing agreement with Reflection will make Nintendo the only
video game manufacturer with access to its unique technology."

"We are very excited to be working with the worldwide leader in the
home video game industry," commented Al Becker, president of
Reflection. "Our brain-trust at Reflection has been working on this
technology for a number of years and this exclusive worldwide licensing
arrangement with Nintendo will place our technology into the hands of
millions of consumers." 

"The cutting-edge technology developed by reflection Technology has
multiple future applications in the real world, such as
telecommunications," said Nicholas Negroponte, who is Director of the
Media Laboratory at MIT and an investor in Reflection. "Utilizing this
technology, Nintendo's Virtual Boy will provide video game players with
a truly unique experience." 

--------------------------------------------------- 

So how does this work?

Virtual Boy uses two miniature LED displays, two oscillating
(vibrating) mirrors and two focusing lenses to create the impressive
3-D effects. The vibrating mirrors focus the dual images through a
small range which your eyes interpret as a single image with depth. By
moving the two images closer together or further apart, using an effect
called "parallax," the image appears to move closer to you or further
away. 

So by moving the reflection one way or another, we can create 3-D
images. It's sort of like looking through binoculars. Although each eye
looks through a different lens, you only appear to see one image. The
two screens of the Virtual Boy also appear as one image, but each eye
is actually looking at a slightly different image. That's how the 3-D
effect is created. 





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