Widescreen Gaming Forum

Still going strong

The market research showed that the desktop edition would not be economically viable, that is to say it could not compete with HD monitors costing so little, and good projectors still relatively expensive. That equation may change, and we are always looking for more affordable ...

It's been a while.
During the summer we finished the second prototype. The conclusion was, it's close, but no cigar just yet.
Here's a couple of videos of the construction and the finished screen.
Apologies with the first timelapse, I left the display on on the GoPro and it ran out of battery ...

The plastic security mirrors are first surface mirrors, or at least all the ones I've come across. I have one in the workshop, though it's a bit scratched. Shame I never built anything with it.
I take it you are in Australia? Otherwise I can send it you to play with, if you could cover the postage ...

The Cobra looks good. Also looks very much like the iDome.
You can build an iDome with a standard security mirror, that costs around £50, as appose to £6000 for a Cobra (minus projector!!).
http://www.barriersdirect.co.uk/safety-and-security-at-work-c1077/convex-mirrors-safety ...

Hi OmniAtlas,

Have you access to a laser cutter?

I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't make a quick plug for Infinitx.

http://www.strombergindustries.com/infinitx/infinitx_gopro_model.jpg

This is a modular cylindrical screen system we've developed. Each module is 60 degrees ...

If your source is a fisheye, then FOV's are proportional at the center line, though this would depend on the lens, whether real or virtual.
For example the GoPro black edition has a VFOV of 93 degrees, and a HFOV of 121 degrees, despite having a 16:9 output, which logically would give you a 68 ...

That depends on your source material. If you are running 2:1 ratio, then it's up to 60 degrees.

The only limit on resolution is how much you want to spend, and what projectors are available.
I'm not sure there is an enthusiast gamer market if the projectors alone cost $3300 (for example 3 BenQ W1080ST), or at least not for a desktop sized surround screen. With bigger set-ups, car and plane ...

Being brutally realistic, the price point would be around $3000, given current component prices.
That's still less than half the price of say, an Ostendo http://gizmodo.com/5411486/ostendos-crazy-curved-monitor-can-finally-be-yours-for-6500?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign ...

Just don't settle for rectilinear projection on a curved display and everything will be great. Also, if you're doing you own rectilinear to cylindrical blending, use at least 4-5 viewports for 120-140 HFOV, please.

Randomoneh, point taken. The actual game rendering capabilities are for the most ...

Thanks Jothay, lots of good insights and ideas there. I think you've hit the nail on the head with a component based ecosystem.

There would still be place for a "standard" set-up, but a web-shop selling components that let you build your own would be a very good idea, allowing hobbyists to build ...

Wow, 2 posts while I was writing that one

Nephalim > There is no software warping involved here, though you would have the option of edge blending if you need it.
We have invented and patented a mirror array that takes care of that, and costs less than most warping software. The benefits are that ...

PROJECT UPDATE
Finally we have our large bed laser cutter installed

http://www.strombergindustries.com/pics/laserCutter.jpg
..and tested...
http://www.strombergindustries.com/pics/logo_acrylic.jpg

This means we can build begin building physical prototypes ...

Since we're already going to be dealing with wild FOVs and warping with the support coming from the Rift, which by design tears the interface away from the world so that the two are now separate entities, do you supposed some of your curved-screen support might make its way into this sort of system ...

Hi David, thanks very much for your thoughts.
As a simulator builder you are definitely within the target audience, and a very welcome addition to the discussion.

This particular size of screen is thought of to fit on a desktop, or as a close proximity display on an car, or cockpit simulator.
I ...

Thanks Zencyde for a most informative and in-depth analysis.

I'm aware the one-point perspective devised in the Renaissance and still used almost ubiquitously in 3D engines is inadequate for wide flat screens, when considering the FOV's and viewing distances desirable for gaming. I know you have a ...

Those are very valid points Haldi, and surely sum up well the viewpoint of many gamers.

If the Rift proves one thing though, it's that resolution isn't the be all and end all of immersion. After all, in it's current incarnation (the good lord only knows when a consumer model will emerge) is a mere ...

7.huh ? Somehow i don't get that question. You mean squezze more FoV out of the Picture than what would be actually correct? no thx!
When you think about it, all flat monitor based systems are inclined to do this, i.e represent a wider angle on screen than in the physical field of vision (feel ...

OK, let's talk a bit about resolution trade offs. Take a look at the Viewsonic range of LED projectors for example...
http://www.viewsonic.com/us/projectors.html?projector_features=163
(admittedly there are more differences than just the resolution with these models)

A Full HD LED ...

Thanks for the those quick responses and good answers.

If there were 60 degree modules, a 120 would naturally only use 2 projectors immediately saving around a third of the total cost.
The question is, is that wide enough? You both mention it as a bare minimum.

I'm personally very fond of the "kit ...