Immersive Visualization / IQ-Station Wiki
This site hosts information on virtual reality systems that are geared toward scientific visualization, and as such often toward VR on Linux-based systems. Thus, pages here cover various software (and sometimes hardware) technologies that enable virtual reality operation on Linux.
The original IQ-station effort was to create low-cost (for the time) VR systems making use of 3DTV displays to produce CAVE/Fishtank-style VR displays. That effort pre-dated the rise of the consumer HMD VR systems, however, the realm of midrange-cost large-fishtank systems is still important, and has transitioned from 3DTV-based systems to short-throw projectors.
PartsList
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Components
Each component is thoroughly discussed in individual sections, in which the pros and cons are enumerated and recommendations provided:
- 3D Displays
- 3D Glasses
- Low-cost position tracking
- Handheld controllers
- Computers
- Mounting & Furniture
Summary of Recommendations
TODO: copy the recommendations from the specific pages as they are created.
Original Parts-List
Here is the original parts list of the components required to construct an IQ-station.
Item 1: large TV w/ stereoscopic output
DLP options:
- Mitsubishi 3D-Stereo DLP TV -- INL uses the WD73837 (the 73" version)
- Samsung 7-series DLP TV -- eg. 61A750 or 67A750 (first number is inches diag)
- Get the kind with the LED Light engine
- Samsung discountinued these, but may be able to find inventory
- To me the Samsung DLP TVs were better than the Mitsubishi's:
- used LED light source
- banding is less noticable
- Dell S300 projectors
- these are sold as projectors, so require a screen
- not great brightness when in 3D mode
- are only 720P HD, not 1080P resolution
Flat options:
- Samsung Plasma TV -- e.g. P/N 50B450B1DXZA (ie. the 50" 450B model)
- available at Best Buy for <$900
- advantages:
- flat panel TV (opens more mounting possibilities)
- brightness is good
- no banding issues
- disadvantages:
- largest size currently availables is 50"
- less than full HD resolution (res is 1360x768)
- ghosting and burn-in may be problematic
- Panasonic Plasma -- e.g. model TC-P65VT25 (65" diagonal)
- advantages:
- these seem to have the least ghosting of flat 3DTVs
- disadvantages:
- Other than viewing one in the KAUST booth at SC'10, I
have no personal experience with these, so not sure
how easy it is to interface 3rd party glasses, etc.
Item 2: stereo glasses
- NuVision AGP6000. They are cheaper and probably a little more
durable. But the batteries are not replaceable, so once
they're used up, the glasses are discarded.
- XpandD model X101 are also nice -- they have replaceable batteries,
and work with the same emitter (they purchased the NuVision
company).
- XpandD model X102 work with DLP-link, which is found in most modern
DLP-based displays. They do not require a separate emitter.
- XpandD model X103 are slated to come out this month and the claim
is that they will work with any of the new 3DTVs that have
their own proprietary IR signal -- we have not yet had a
chance to test them.
- Real3D CrystalEyes (formerly StereoGraphics)
- Emitter: Model E-2
- Glases: Model CrystalEyes-3 or CyrstalEyes-4
- The CE-4 are lowercost, and have USB-chargeable
batteries
- NuVision
- Emitter: AGP110 (~$500)
- Glasses: AGP6000 (~$95/ea)
- XpandD X101 glasses (~$110/ea)
Item 3: tracking Cameras
- NaturalPoint -- NaturalPoint now has a "kit" that basically has most of
the components that you will need, so it's fairly easy to order.
- "Tracking Tools Plus" package -- $5299.00
- (6) "Lens M12 3.5mm F#1.6 No-Filter, Low Distortion" -- $50.00/each
- (2) '7/16" Markers (5ct)' -- $20.00/each
- (2) "Rigid Body Marker Base" -- $5.00/each
[Note, the "Tracking Tools Plus" package also includes markers and
marker bases, but you'll want the extras for a total of 4 of each item.]
- NaturalPoint now also has newer camera technology that supposedly will require
less cameras -- which could make calibration a much easier process. I
sent them an email several weeks ago asking about this, but haven't
gotten a response.
- AR-tracking has also been talking about a lower-cost option with two cameras
that are phyiscally connected, and therefore reducing/eliminating
calibration.
- Something else we're experimenting with (more info by the end of the week)
is the Polhemus Wireless Patriot. My preliminary tests have not made
me overly enthusiastic though, and the cost is about $11K.
Item 4: camera mounting equipment (We typically order from B&H Photo/Video):
- IU setup:
- (6) Bogen 035RL Super clamp w/ standard stud -- $26.99/each
- (6) Manfrotto 482 Micro Ball Head mounts -- $36.95/each
- (2) Bogen 3-sec articulated arm w/ cam bracket -- $53.50 ($34.95 w/o bracket)
- [optional] (6) Bogen 037 Reversible Short Stud, w/ 3/8" & 1/4"-20 threads -- $6.95/each
- [optional] (2) Bogen 042 Extension Arm w/ 013 Double Ended Spigot - 6" -- $18.00/each
- [optional] (2) Bogen 259B Extension Column - 10" -- $23.49/each
- [optional] instead of the 3-sec articulated arm, might consider the double
articulated arm
- [optional] instead of the 3-sec articulated arm w/ bracket, might get w/o
bracket, and use the reversible short studs instead.
- you may also want a tripod to mount the ground-plane calibrator bar
- INL setup:
- (6) Bogen 035RL Super clamp w/ standard stud -- $26.99/each
- (6) Manfrotto 482 or 492 Micro Ball Head mounts -- $36.95/each
- PVC pipes clamped to the Anthro table
Item 5: PC for the tracking running MS-Windows
- MS-Windows is required by the NaturalPoint software
- Can use either an AOpen "miniPC" or a MacMini. At DRI I used an AOpen
"miniPC Duo" that I bought through Champaign Computer. At UI, I
bought an AOpen xxx, which I haven't used yet, and am currently
using a repurposed MacMini (model unknown) booted into MS-Windows.
We also use a small desktop computer for one of our prototypes.
I was a little concerned over the speed of the AOpen
- Display for this PC. You can either use a separate LCD display for this
PC, or use a 2nd input to the large 3D TV. In the latter case,
make sure to order a DVI to HDMI cable to connect to the TV.
- Optional: you will probably also want a small network router/switch to
connect the tracking PC to the graphics PC (or you can use an
existing network). I've chosen to have a small switch to allow
the two computers to communicate regardless of availability of
any external networking equipment.
- Optional: we will be investigating whether we can get this to work as
a virtual machine on the primary visualization PC.
Item 6: PC to run the graphics
- Laptop or Desktop, whatever suits your needs ($1000-$10000)
- You'll also want a game controller or Wiimote for button/valuator inputs
- I'm currently using the Logitech Cordless RumblePad2
- I also recommend a UPS big enough to handle both the PC's and the
network device -- it allows for moving the setup around w/o
the constant need for taking it up and down.
- INL also has an LCD display as the head display for the graphics PC
- IU has used an HP-LD4200tm touchscreen as a controller/touch-input
display (and I think it's a nice feature).
Item 7: The platform. The system we've sent to SC'09 is an adjustable height table.
As we experiment with flat-panel displays, we've been looking at the
veriticle stand options.
- Adjustable height Anthro Table:
- (1) Elevate Adjusta, 48" w 36"d, Black/Black -- $2849.00
[cat # ELTAD48BK/BK4]
- (1) Flat Panel Monitor Arm, Standard -- $239.00
[cat # LCDBK]
- (2) Equipment Base Shelf, Black -- $99.95/each
[cat # 416BK]
- (1) Power Bar, 12 Receptacles -- $109.95
[cat # PBA12SM]
- The Flat panel monitor arm is only necessary if you get a 2nd display
for the tracking computer. I think that works well though,
so I would recommend that setup. INL has two of these since they
have two LCD panels.
- The other option we've used for our IQ-Station is the Chief 200lb capacity
rolling stands -- a pair one for the 3D display, and one for a
control display (though at SC'10, we used a 42" HP touchscreen, and
could put the virtual world across screens, and it worked pretty
well). The Cheif stand models are PFCUB (taller unit) and the
PFMUB (medium height unit), both with the 200lb capacity. NOTE:
if the medium height is still a little too tall, so the shorter
unit might be preferred, but only if it raises enough to be just
below the primary screen.