From: sharp@cpsc.ucalgary.ca (Maurice Sharp)
Subject: Re: VPL Microcosm at Macworld
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 92 17:06:39 GMT
Message-ID: <1992Jan23.170639.24359@cpsc.ucalgary.ca>
Organization: U. of Calgary Computer Science



In article <1992Jan22.231813.10312@milton.u.washington.edu> D3580@AppleLink.
Apple.COM (4th Wave, John Latta,PAS) writes:

[Description of system put out by VPL]

>The unit will ship in February. A complete system, including the
>Quadra sells for $58,000 and $51,000 without the Quadra.  > >The
demonstration was quite significant, given the price point.  >VPL has
introduced VR at a new price level that combines its >experience with
existing technology. The major question remains -

Hiya,

I do not think this is as significant as you imply. Last year I put
together a VR system for the Banff School of Continuing Education for
CAD$37 (CAD$40 if not educational).

That system included a 486, two Intel DVI boards, Sense8 software, a
VirtualResearch headmounted display, a head tracker and a navigational
tracker. To add point source sound would require adding any Mac with a
NuBus slot (one point source sound per NuBus slot, about CAD$1.5K per
point source). That means any Mac II class (about 1-3K used).

Granted the system currently requires programming, but it is still
cheaper than the VPL and it will do texture mapping. In other words,
the VPL system does not set the price point, though it does add to the
competition (which is good).

maurice

Maurice Sharp MSc. Student (403) 220 7690
University of Calgary Computer Science Department
2500 University Drive N.W.	      sharp@cpsc.UCalgary.CA
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4	      AOL FSAMaurice