From: thompson@geo.ucalgary.ca (Douglas Thompson)
Subject: TECH: HMD specs
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 1994 15:12:14 GMT
Organization: University of Calgary
Keywords: HMD, virtual reality

Thought everyone might enjoy some information about a few HMD's that are 
available now or in early 1995.  All information is current as of early 
September 1994, but I am not responsible for any changes in product or price 
that these companies deem necessary.

Virtual I/O
1000 Lenora St, Ste 600
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 382-7410

--*Personal Display System*
    --Display: 2 full color 0.7" LCD's
    --Resolution: 138,000 pixels
    --Input: 1 NTSC channel, field sequential
    --Optics: 40 degree FOV at 6 foot fixed focus
    --Weight: under 5 ounces
    --Audio: Stereo
    --Optons: Head tracking 3DOF, 60Hz
    --Price: probably under $400
    --Available: early 1995

--*Gamer*
    --Display: 1 full color 0.7" LCD's
    --Resolution: 104,000 pixels
    --Input: 1 NTSC channel
    --Optics: 65 degree FOV at 6 foot fixed focus
    --Weight: under 16 ounces
    --Audio: Stereo
    --Head tracking: 3DOF, 60Hz
    --Price: probably under $250
    --Available: early 1995

--*UltraView 2020r*
    --Display: 2 monochrome VGA CRT's with NuColor technology
    --Resolution: 640x480 (1280x960 soon)
    --Input: Frame sequential VGA, SGI Reality Engine
    --Optics: 50 degree FOV at 3 foot to infinity focus
    --Weight: under 2 pounds
    --Audio: Stereo
    --Head tracking: ??
    --Price: call
    --Available: now


Maxx Technologies Direct
(800) 815-6299

--*Cyber Maxx Virtual Reality System*
    --Display: 2 0.7" active-matrix LCD's
    --Resolution: 120,000 pixels (an upgrade soon)
    --Input: VGA, NTSC, Mac
    --Optics: 62 degree FOV with individual focus
    --Weight: 14 to 16 ounces
    --Audio: Stereo
    --Head tracking: 3DOF (yaw, pitch, roll)
    --Price: $699+
    --Available: now


Kopin Corporation
695 Myles Standish Boulevard
Myles Standish Industrial Park
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 824-6696
*This company sent me an annual report (nice and shiny), so the information is 
limited; however, their technology allows for very high resolution 
active-matrix displays in very small packages.  It is called the SmartSlide 
and is a 640x480 LCD about the size of a 35mm slide.  The HMD is very small 
and compact, including stereo headphones.  Currently it is only monochrome, 
but the company is working on color displays (as of this writing they might 
have developped them).


I hope this info is useful.  If anyone else has any information about 
low-cost, decent-to-high quality HMD's or any other virtual reality hardware 
please e-mail me or post the info on sci.virtual-worlds.

Thanks,

Doug Thompson
thompson@geo.ucalgary.ca