Using an HMD (head mounted display) in SL? (+VoIP)

I'm interested to explore the use of VoIP together with a n HMD (head mounted display) in Second Life.

I'm interested to know if anyone else is using an HMD, and if so:

+ What model are you using?
+ What has your experience been?

I have a post about this up on my blog at the moment. I'm interested to get feedback.

The link is:

http://GigantiCo.squarespace.com/

Titled—
Virtual Reality: Part 1

Yeah if you buy me one and show me how to use them. Wonder if this is advertising post? Who in heck has 28k to 1200 usd to waste these days on gadget like these? Hmm I guess its same group who can spend thousands of dollars here a month but what percent of population can really do that? I bet not a lot based on statics.

As I point out in the article, I certainly don't have $28,000.00 for one of the high-end HD displays.

I could, however, drop $1000, on one. But even still, I want to get some feedback before commiting to such a purchase. Hence I've asked for input.

The article certain covers a lot more ground than that.

Wow, HMDs are that dead in the water? I cannot be the only über geek here. This is a friggin' Second Life forum!

I wouldn't be able to use it due to a physical condition, but I am wondering why you'd want one in the first place?

Cost may be the prohibitive factor, since this IS a second life forum, and the majority of residents, are NOT paying customers.

I wouldn't fancy it as you only really get the full benefit when viewed i 1st person view, which for me is only when trying to walk in a crowded and laggy area.

I forget his name at this moment, but there is a "regular" that I frequently talk to at Shrouded Isle who uses an HMD for SL, and loves it.

We've had a few discussions about it, often recalling the book Snow Crash, and it's just about got me convinced to go get my own.

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I didn't pay $1000 for my entire setup. Let alone some thingy to use for SL. I'm too cheap to buy a headset and microphone.

Whenever I wander into beautifully built area I go into first person view and just start walking around. The perspective changes radically and everything seems larger. Precipices are more fearsome and tall buildings seem to stretch up into the sky. I would seriously recommend just walking through a sim and seeing how much larger and more complex the landscape becomes. I can see how an hmd could make this experience more enjoyable.

I'd love to have one myself! But the price would have to come down to a more reasonable consumer level. For now I guess staring reeeaaall close at the monitor is about as close as I can get.

Add the HMD and a body suit to "feel things" and you just opened up a whole new market for the Escorts here

Well, if you think of his name, introduce me.


http://www.GigantiCo.squarespace.com

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When you look at SL on screen, you are looking at a flat image. When you wear an HMD... did you ever have a viewmaster as a kid?

When you wear an HMD, the screen for your left eye is from a slight different perspective than the screen for your right eye. This creates the parallax effect that makes things look truly 3D, not just a flat image of 3D, like on a screen. Hence, it appears that you are "inside" the 3D space.

http://GigantiCo.squarespace.com


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Real life is a flat image for me as well, so it doesn't make much of a difference for me .

I was thinking more about practical issues really. Like writing something down, looking at the other screen, drinking and while I can type without looking at the keyboard, for the less used punctuation signs, I do need to peek to see where they are.

Just seemed like you'd have to regularly take it off/put it back on making it a rather clumsy experience?

His name is Isambard Demozay

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I found http://www.GigantiCo.squarespace.com to be an extremely entertaining site, well worth looking at, regardless of one's interest or lack of interest in display technology. A very interesting selection of topics, well written, with nice links.

I was also wondering about whether the heads up displays would prevent one from seeing the keyboard and mouse. There's a now somewhat old, perhaps discontinued device called a twiddler, which is a handheld mouse with keys, designed for optional use of one in each hand, I believe, that allows one to both mouse and keyboard without letting go, that might be of use for such a totally immersive display system.

Thank you very much.
That was quite thoughtful of you.


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http://www.GigantiCo.squarespace.com

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