Virtuality 1000SD - Revision history

Xinreality at 09:38, 26 June 2025

2025-06-26T09:38:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:38, 26 June 2025
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	===Commercial Launch===		===Commercial Launch===
	The Virtuality 1000SU VR system prototype was first shown at the Computer Graphics '90 exhibition held at [[Alexandra Palace]] in London<ref name="wikipedia"/>. The commercial versions, including the 1000SD and 1000CS models, were officially announced in October 1990 and released in arcades in 1991, during what was one of the biggest years the amusement arcades would ever see<ref name="vrs"/>. The sit-down 1000SD was specifically targeted at flight simulation and driving titles that required fixed seating<ref name="time">McFerran, D. "Virtuality Gave Us '90s VR — Now Its Legacy Is Being Celebrated." Time Extension. April 30, 2024.</ref>.		The Virtuality 1000SU VR system prototype was first shown at the Computer Graphics '90 exhibition held at [[Alexandra Palace]] in London<ref name="wikipedia"/>. The commercial versions, including the 1000SD and 1000CS models, were officially announced in October 1990 and released in arcades in 1991, during what was one of the biggest years the amusement arcades would ever see<ref name="vrs"/>. The sit-down 1000SD was specifically targeted at flight simulation and driving titles that required fixed seating<ref name="time">McFerran, D. "Virtuality Gave Us '90s VR - Now Its Legacy Is Being Celebrated." Time Extension. April 30, 2024.</ref>.

	===Market Position and Distribution===		===Market Position and Distribution===
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	<ref name="pureamiga">Pure Amiga. "The Amiga not-quite-3000." July 26, 2022. https://www.pureamiga.co.uk/2022/07/26/the-amiga-not-quite-3000/</ref>		<ref name="pureamiga">Pure Amiga. "The Amiga not-quite-3000." July 26, 2022. https://www.pureamiga.co.uk/2022/07/26/the-amiga-not-quite-3000/</ref>
	<ref name="vrcompare">VRcompare. "Virtuality Visette 1: Full Specification." Accessed June 26, 2025. https://vr-compare.com/headset/virtualityvisette1</ref>		<ref name="vrcompare">VRcompare. "Virtuality Visette 1: Full Specification." Accessed June 26, 2025. https://vr-compare.com/headset/virtualityvisette1</ref>
	<ref name="time">McFerran, D. "Virtuality Gave Us '90s VR — Now Its Legacy Is Being Celebrated." Time Extension. April 30, 2024.</ref>		<ref name="time">McFerran, D. "Virtuality Gave Us '90s VR - Now Its Legacy Is Being Celebrated." Time Extension. April 30, 2024.</ref>
	<ref name="xin">VR & AR Wiki. "Virtuality." Accessed June 26, 2025. https://xinreality.com/wiki/Virtuality</ref>		<ref name="xin">VR & AR Wiki. "Virtuality." Accessed June 26, 2025. https://xinreality.com/wiki/Virtuality</ref>
	<ref name="aixr">Pulkka, A. "Best XR Headsets for Location-based Entertainment – Part One: Legacy Hardware." AIXR Insights. January 6, 2022.</ref>		<ref name="aixr">Pulkka, A. "Best XR Headsets for Location-based Entertainment – Part One: Legacy Hardware." AIXR Insights. January 6, 2022.</ref>

Xinreality: /* Physical Specifications */

2025-06-26T08:29:55Z

Physical Specifications

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:29, 26 June 2025
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	===Physical Specifications===		===Physical Specifications===
	* Pod Dimensions: 1.20m W × 1.45m L × 1.65m H		* '''Pod Dimensions''': 1.20m W × 1.45m L × 1.65m H
	* Total Weight: 320 kg (complete pod)		* '''Total Weight''': 320 kg (complete pod)
	* Power Requirements: 240V AC, 750W maximum		* '''Power Requirements''': 240V AC, 750W maximum
	* Shell Design: Bright red molded plastic with "VIRTUALITY" embossing<ref name="commons">Wikimedia Commons. "Virtuality-1000SD-VR-Arcade-System.jpg." March 9, 2024.</ref>		* '''Shell Design''': Bright red molded plastic with "VIRTUALITY" embossing<ref name="commons">Wikimedia Commons. "Virtuality-1000SD-VR-Arcade-System.jpg." March 9, 2024.</ref>

	==Games Library==		==Games Library==

Xinreality: /* Input Devices */

2025-06-26T08:29:28Z

Input Devices

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:29, 26 June 2025
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	The 1000SD supported multiple input configurations depending on the game<ref name="retro">Retro-VR. "Virtuality 1000SD hardware notes." 2025.</ref>:		The 1000SD supported multiple input configurations depending on the game<ref name="retro">Retro-VR. "Virtuality 1000SD hardware notes." 2025.</ref>:
	* Twin analogue "Space Joysticks" - Magnetically tracked controllers for most games		* '''Twin analogue "Space Joysticks"''' - Magnetically tracked controllers for most games
	* Steering wheel - For racing games like Total Destruction		* '''Steering wheel''' - For racing games like Total Destruction
	* Aircraft yoke - For flight simulators like VTOL and Flying Aces		* '''Aircraft yoke''' - For flight simulators like VTOL and Flying Aces
	* Light gun - For shooting gallery games (prototype only)		* '''Light gun''' - For shooting gallery games (prototype only)

	The Space Joystick featured a button for forward movement, with the joystick's position controlling the virtual hand's orientation in 3D space<ref name="wikipedia"/>.		The Space Joystick featured a button for forward movement, with the joystick's position controlling the virtual hand's orientation in 3D space<ref name="wikipedia"/>.

Xinreality: /* Commercial Applications */

2025-06-26T08:29:07Z

Commercial Applications

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:29, 26 June 2025
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	Beyond arcade gaming, Virtuality 1000SD units were sold to corporations for various applications:		Beyond arcade gaming, Virtuality 1000SD units were sold to corporations for various applications:
	* [[Ford Motor Company\|Ford]] - Vehicle design visualization		* '''[[Ford Motor Company\|Ford]]''' - Vehicle design visualization
	* [[IBM]] - Data visualization research		* '''[[IBM]]''' - Data visualization research
	* [[Mitsubishi]] - Industrial training simulations		* '''[[Mitsubishi]]''' - Industrial training simulations
	* [[British Telecom]] - Telepresence experiments		* '''[[British Telecom]]''' - Telepresence experiments
	* Olin Corporation - Chemical engineering simulations<ref name="wikipedia"/>		* '''Olin Corporation''' - Chemical engineering simulations<ref name="wikipedia"/>

	==Legacy and Impact==		==Legacy and Impact==

Xinreality at 08:28, 26 June 2025

2025-06-26T08:28:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:28, 26 June 2025
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	{{Device Infobox		{{Device Infobox
	\|image = [[File:Virtuality~~-1000SD-VR-Arcade-System~~.jpg\|300px]]		\|image = [[File:Virtuality 1000SD1.jpg\|300px]]
	\|VR/AR = Virtual Reality		\|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
	\|Type = Virtual Reality Arcade System		\|Type = [[Virtual Reality Arcade System]]
	\|Subtype = ~~PC-Powered VR,~~ Sit-down ~~pod~~		\|Subtype = [[Sit-down Pod]], [[Vintage VR]]
	\|Platform = Virtuality		\|Platform = Virtuality
	\|Creator = Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern		\|Creator = Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern
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	\|Average Pixel Density =		\|Average Pixel Density =
	\|Peak Pixel Density =		\|Peak Pixel Density =
	\|Foveated Rendering = No		\|Foveated Rendering =
	\|Optics = Mirror-reflected Planar lenses		\|Optics = Mirror-reflected Planar lenses
	\|Ocularity = Binocular stereoscopic 3D		\|Ocularity = Binocular stereoscopic 3D
	\|IPD Range = 55-72 mm (manual slider adjustment)		\|IPD Range = 55-72 mm (manual slider adjustment)
	\|Adjustable Diopter = No		\|Adjustable Diopter =
	\|Passthrough = No		\|Passthrough =
	\|Tracking = 6 DoF DC magnetic (Ascension Technology Bird)		\|Tracking = 6 DoF DC magnetic (Ascension Technology Bird)
	\|Tracking Frequency =		\|Tracking Frequency =
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	\|Audio = Four built-in speakers, integrated stereo headphones		\|Audio = Four built-in speakers, integrated stereo headphones
	\|Microphone = Yes		\|Microphone = Yes
	\|3.5mm Audio Jack = No		\|3.5mm Audio Jack =
	\|Camera = No		\|Camera = No
	\|Connectivity = Networked multiplayer capability, proprietary wired connection		\|Connectivity = Networked multiplayer capability, proprietary wired connection
	\|Ports = CGA/RGBVS video output		\|Ports = CGA/RGBVS video output
	\|Wired Video = Yes		\|Wired Video = Yes
	\|Wireless Video = No		\|Wireless Video =
	\|WiFi = No		\|WiFi =
	\|Bluetooth = No		\|Bluetooth =
	\|Power = 240V AC mains power, 750W maximum		\|Power = 240V AC mains power, 750W maximum
	\|Battery Capacity = ~~N/A~~		\|Battery Capacity =
	\|Battery Life = ~~N/A~~		\|Battery Life =
	\|Charge Time = ~~N/A~~		\|Charge Time =
	\|Dimensions = Pod: 1.20m W × 1.45m L × 1.65m H		\|Dimensions = Pod: 1.20m W × 1.45m L × 1.65m H
	\|Weight = 320 kg (complete pod), 640g (Visette HMD without cable)		\|Weight = 320 kg (complete pod), 640g (Visette HMD without cable)
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	</references>		</references>

	[[Category:Virtual ~~reality arcade systems~~]]		[[Category:Devices]]
			[[Category:Vintage Devices]]
			[[Category:Vintage VR]]
			[[Category:Virtual Reality Arcade Systems]]
	[[Category:Virtuality products]]		[[Category:Virtuality products]]
	[[Category:1991 in video gaming]]		[[Category:1991 in video gaming]]

Xinreality at 08:24, 26 June 2025

2025-06-26T08:24:08Z

Show changes

Xinreality: Created page with "{{Device Infobox |image = |VR/AR = Virtual Reality |Type = Virtual Reality Arcade System |Subtype = PC-Powered VR |Platform = Virtuality |Creator = Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern |Developer = W Industries (later Virtuality Group) |Manufacturer = Virtuality Group |Announcement Date = 1990 |Release Date = 1991 |Price = £20,000 - £30,000 (arcade unit) |Website = |Versions = 1000SD (Sit Down) |Requires = Arcade installation, dedicated attendant |Predecessor = Virtuality prototy..."

2025-06-26T08:19:03Z

Created page with "{{Device Infobox |image = |VR/AR = Virtual Reality |Type = Virtual Reality Arcade System |Subtype = PC-Powered VR |Platform = Virtuality |Creator = Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern |Developer = W Industries (later Virtuality Group) |Manufacturer = Virtuality Group |Announcement Date = 1990 |Release Date = 1991 |Price = £20,000 - £30,000 (arcade unit) |Website = |Versions = 1000SD (Sit Down) |Requires = Arcade installation, dedicated attendant |Predecessor = Virtuality prototy..."

New page

{{Device Infobox
|image =
|VR/AR = Virtual Reality
|Type = Virtual Reality Arcade System
|Subtype = PC-Powered VR
|Platform = Virtuality
|Creator = Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern
|Developer = W Industries (later Virtuality Group)
|Manufacturer = Virtuality Group
|Announcement Date = 1990
|Release Date = 1991
|Price = £20,000 - £30,000 (arcade unit)
|Website =
|Versions = 1000SD (Sit Down)
|Requires = Arcade installation, dedicated attendant
|Predecessor = Virtuality prototypes
|Successor = Virtuality 2000SD
|Operating System = AmigaOS
|Chipset = Texas Instruments TMS34020 (x2)
|CPU = Motorola 68030 (Amiga 3000)
|GPU = Custom graphics accelerator cards (x2)
|HPU =
|Storage = CD-ROM
|Memory = 4 MB Fast RAM
|SD Card Slot = No
|Display = LCD
|Subpixel Layout =
|Peak Brightness =
|Resolution = 372x250 per eye (276x372 according to some sources)
|Refresh Rate = 20 Hz (20 FPS)
|Pixel Density =
|Persistence =
|Precision =
|Field of View =
|Horizontal FoV =
|Vertical FoV =
|Visible FoV =
|Rendered FoV =
|Binocular Overlap =
|Average Pixel Density =
|Peak Pixel Density =
|Foveated Rendering = No
|Optics = Mirror-based system
|Ocularity = Stereoscopic 3D
|IPD Range =
|Adjustable Diopter =
|Passthrough = No
|Tracking = 6 DoF
|Tracking Frequency =
|Base Stations =
|Eye Tracking = No
|Face Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = No
|Body Tracking = No
|Rotational Tracking = Yes
|Positional Tracking = Yes
|Update Rate =
|Tracking Volume =
|Play Space = Seated position
|Latency =
|Audio = Built-in speakers
|Microphone = Yes
|3.5mm Audio Jack =
|Camera = No
|Connectivity = Network capability for multiplayer
|Ports =
|Wired Video = Yes
|Wireless Video = No
|WiFi = No
|Bluetooth = No
|Power = AC mains power
|Battery Capacity = N/A
|Battery Life = N/A
|Charge Time = N/A
|Dimensions = Large arcade cabinet
|Weight =
|Material =
|Headstrap =
|Haptics = No
|Color =
|Sensors = Magnetic tracking sensors
|Input = Joystick controller
|Compliance =
|Size =
|Cable Length =
}}

The '''Virtuality 1000SD''' was a sit-down [[virtual reality]] arcade system produced by [[Virtuality Group]], released in 1991 as part of the groundbreaking 1000 series<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "Virtuality (product)." May 25, 2025.</ref>. The "SD" designation stood for "Sit Down," distinguishing it from its stand-up counterpart, the 1000CS (CyberSpace)<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "Virtuality – A New Reality of Promise, Two Decades Too Soon." April 17, 2018.</ref>.

==History==

===Development===
The Virtuality 1000 series evolved from research conducted by Dr. [[Jonathan D. Waldern]] at the Human Computer Interface Research Unit of [[Leicester Polytechnic]] (now [[De Montfort University]])<ref name="wikipedia"/>. By 1986, Waldern had produced a system known as the "Roaming Caterpillar" that could deliver a [[stereoscopic]] view of a three-dimensional scene<ref name="wikipedia"/>.

Waldern subsequently formed W Industries in October 1987 to commercialise 3D visualisation technology together with colleagues Al Humrich, Richard Holmes and Terry Rowley<ref name="wikipedia"/>. The team produced multiple prototype VR units, with a fifth prototype version being produced by 1989 that would form the basis of the first commercially released Virtuality system<ref name="wikipedia"/>.

===Commercial Launch===
The Virtuality 1000SU VR system was launched in 1990 at the Computer Graphics '90 exhibition held at [[Alexandra Palace]] in London<ref name="wikipedia"/>. The 1000SD and 1000CS models were released in arcades in 1991, during what was one of the biggest years the amusement arcades would ever see<ref name="vrs"/>.

===Market Position===
The 1000SD was positioned as a slightly cheaper alternative to the stand-up 1000CS model<ref name="vrs"/>. However, "slightly cheaper" is a term used under strong advisement, as compared to the usual price of between £2000 and £10,000 for a contemporary arcade machine, Virtuality units cost between £20,000 and £30,000 per pod<ref name="vrs"/>. This was before the added expense of having to pay for an attendant to help people in and out of the machine, hook up the Visette Head Mounted Display, and deal with player confusion<ref name="vrs"/>.

==Technical Specifications==

===Computer System===
The 1000SD was powered by a [[Commodore Amiga 3000]] with:
* [[Motorola 68030]] CPU
* 4 MB of Fast RAM
* CD-ROM drive
* A pair of graphics accelerators (one for each eye) based around the [[Texas Instruments TMS34020]] chips with a TMS34082 floating point co-processor<ref name="wikipedia"/>

Each graphics card could deliver about 40 Mflops with a capability to render 30,000 polygons/s at 20FPS<ref name="wikipedia"/>.

===Display Technology===
The 1000 series headset (called the "Visette") featured:
* A pair of [[LCD]] screens supplied by [[Panasonic]]
* Resolution of 372x250 per eye (derived from a camcorder accessory)<ref name="wikipedia"/>
* The screens were positioned either side of the headset and reflected with mirrors into the lenses, as they were too heavy to be positioned directly in front of the user's eyes<ref name="wikipedia"/>
* 20 Hz refresh rate (20 frames per second)<ref name="vrs"/>

===Tracking System===
Unlike the 1000CS version which featured [[6 degrees of freedom|6DoF]] AC magnetic tracking delivered by a [[Polhemus]] Fastrack unit embedded in the waist height ring<ref name="wikipedia"/>, the 1000SD's tracking system was adapted for seated gameplay.

==Games Library==

The 1000SD ran the same games as the 1000CS, including<ref name="virtuality-com">Virtuality.com. "Home - Virtuality.com." June 17, 2019.</ref>:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Game Title !! Description
|-
| [[Dactyl Nightmare]] || Multiplayer arena combat with pterodactyl enemies
|-
| Grid Busters || Robot shoot-em-up
|-
| Hero || Locked door puzzle game
|-
| Legend Quest || Fantasy adventure
|-
| Battlesphere || Space battle
|-
| Exorex || Robot warriors combat
|-
| Total Destruction || Stock car racing
|-
| VTOL || Harrier Jump Jet simulator
|-
| Flying Aces || Biplane dogfight simulator
|}

==Technical Limitations==

Despite being powered by one of the most powerful consumer PCs of the era, the Virtuality 1000SD had significant limitations:
* At best the hardware could render up to 30,000 polygons at up to 20 frames a second<ref name="vrs"/>
* The 20 Hz refresh rate was far below what would later be considered necessary for smooth VR (60+ Hz)<ref name="vrs"/>
* The world consisted of flat shaded polygons and simple geometry<ref name="segaretro">Sega Retro. "Mega Visor Display." September 23, 2022.</ref>
* [[Motion sickness]] was a common issue due to low frame rates and joystick-based locomotion<ref name="vrs"/>

==Network Capabilities==

The first two networked VR systems were sold to [[British Telecom]] Research Laboratories to experiment with networked [[telepresence]] applications<ref name="wikipedia"/>. The system supported multiplayer gaming, allowing players in different pods to interact in the same virtual environment.

==Legacy and Impact==

The Virtuality 1000SD, along with its stand-up counterpart, was instrumental in:
* Sparking public interest in virtual reality during the early 1990s<ref name="wikipedia"/>
* Establishing many of the design patterns for VR arcade systems
* Demonstrating both the potential and limitations of early VR technology

Many other systems were sold to corporations including [[Ford]], [[IBM]], [[Mitsubishi]] and Olin<ref name="wikipedia"/>. At its peak, Virtuality was worth over £90 million and was the top player in the arcade virtual reality business<ref name="vrs"/>.

==Restoration and Preservation==

Due to the age and complexity of the systems, restoration of Virtuality 1000SD units presents significant challenges. Common issues include<ref name="ukvac">ukVac. "Virtuality 1000 SD restoration." July 31, 2014.</ref>:
* Dead Amiga computers requiring replacement
* HDD failures (often replaced with CF cards via SCSI to IDE adapters)
* CRT display failures
* Joystick malfunctions
* Sound system problems

The [[Retro Computer Museum]] in Leicester, UK maintains working Virtuality machines<ref name="pureamiga">Pure Amiga. "The Amiga not-quite-3000." July 26, 2022.</ref>.

==See Also==
* [[Virtuality 1000CS]]
* [[Virtuality 2000SD]]
* [[Amiga 3000]]
* [[Virtual reality]]
* [[Virtual reality headset]]
* [[1990s in video gaming]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia. "Virtuality (product)." May 25, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtuality_(product)</ref>
<ref name="vrs">Virtual Reality Society. "Virtuality – A New Reality of Promise, Two Decades Too Soon." April 17, 2018. https://www.vrs.org.uk/dr-jonathan-walden-virtuality-new-reality-promise-two-decades-soon/</ref>
<ref name="virtuality-com">Virtuality.com. "Home - Virtuality.com." June 17, 2019. https://virtuality.com/</ref>
<ref name="segaretro">Sega Retro. "Mega Visor Display." September 23, 2022. https://segaretro.org/Mega_Visor_Display</ref>
<ref name="ukvac">ukVac. "Virtuality 1000 SD restoration." July 31, 2014. https://www.ukvac.com/forum/threads/virtuality-1000-sd-restoration.27856/</ref>
<ref name="pureamiga">Pure Amiga. "The Amiga not-quite-3000." July 26, 2022. https://www.pureamiga.co.uk/2022/07/26/the-amiga-not-quite-3000/</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Virtual reality arcade systems]]
[[Category:Virtuality products]]
[[Category:1991 in video gaming]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1991]]
[[Category:Amiga hardware]]
[[Category:Arcade systems]]