From: Robin Hollands Subject: Re: HOME-BREW: Hacking a Virtual Boy Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996 12:00:56 +0100 Message-ID: <323D3368.7B01@shef.ac.uk> Organization: Automatic Control & Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield Madmaxx wrote: > > is there anyway to hack a Virtual boy, and put in some color LCD's? The scanning mirror display is the key component of the Virtual boy (it doesn't use LCDs). If you remove these, and their associated driver electronics, then you're effectively left with a plastic box and a pair of lenses, so you might as well build your HMD from scratch anyway! > also, is there a tech schematic of the Sega VR helmet of the > "stuntmaster" and just one more thing... Except for their LBE stuff, SEGA never did produce a VR helmet commercially, so there won't be any tech schematics available. The "Stuntmaster" was a cheap, monoscopic, low-field of view HMD bought out by VictorMaxx a number of years ago. Although there are some public domain schematics floating around out there, and possibly a version in Gradecki's "The Virtual Reality Construction Kit", it's not really worth the bother. Get yourself a cheap pocket TV set, a credit card sized fresnel lens and put the lens in front of the display centered between your eyes. In fact, I seem to remember that that's the 'example project' on my book's Web page (http://www.shef.ac.uk/~vrmbg/vrhmhb/vrhmhb.html). > what is the best "low bugget" > VR HMD ?(i heard you could hack a stunt mast. to rig it up to a pc) If you're prepared to use a monoscopic HMD, you can build your own pretty easily. If you want to spend some cash then try before you buy and go for the one you like best. Personally, I always preferred the CyberMaxx 180K for immersive work, and you can still buy remaining stocks even though VictorMaxx have stopped making them. However, i-glasses! owners are always passionate about their HMDs (a little like the rivalry between PC and Mac owners!), and they are a very convenient HMD to use, but could do with a wider field of view and better enclosure for full immersion work. Forte VFX's are more expensive than the other two, and require installing a board in your (usually full) computer. Cheers, Robin Email: r.hollands@sheffield.ac.uk WWW: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~vrmbg/staff/rjh/rjh.html BOOK: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~vrmbg/vrhmhb/vrhmhb.html