Virtual i-O i-glasses!: Difference between revisions
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[[File:i-glasses2.jpg|thumb|300px|i-glasses]] | |||
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'''i-glasses!''' (stylized as '''i-glasses!''') were a series of [[head-mounted displays]] (HMDs) developed and manufactured by [[Virtual i-O]] from 1995 to 1997, and later by i-O Display Systems until 2013. These devices were among the first consumer-oriented [[virtual reality]] headsets to achieve mainstream distribution, offering an affordable entry point into VR and [[augmented reality]] experiences during the mid-1990s.<ref name="vrtifacts">V-Rtifacts. 1995 Virtual IO I-Glasses. Retrieved from https://vrtifacts.com/1995-virtual-io-i-glasses/</ref> | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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Sluggish sales and high manufacturing overhead forced Virtual i-O into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 1997. Its assets were reorganized as '''i-O Display Systems''', which continued to refine the product line through the 2000s, introducing the higher-resolution i-glasses SVGA in 1997 and the stereo-capable SVGA Pro in 2003.<ref name="3do"/><ref name="jonpeddie">Robert Dow. i-O Display Shows Off PRO SVGA Compatible Headset. Jon Peddie Research. July 7, 2003.</ref> | Sluggish sales and high manufacturing overhead forced Virtual i-O into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 1997. Its assets were reorganized as '''i-O Display Systems''', which continued to refine the product line through the 2000s, introducing the higher-resolution i-glasses SVGA in 1997 and the stereo-capable SVGA Pro in 2003.<ref name="3do"/><ref name="jonpeddie">Robert Dow. i-O Display Shows Off PRO SVGA Compatible Headset. Jon Peddie Research. July 7, 2003.</ref> | ||
==Technical | ==Technical specifications== | ||
===Display | ===Display technology=== | ||
The i-glasses utilized dual [[LCD]] displays to create a [[stereoscopic 3D]] effect. The 1995 models employed two 0.7 inch active-matrix LCDs with a [[color sequential display]] system, which displayed red, green, and blue colors in sequence to create full-color images.<ref name="stanford">Stanford Graphics. Virtual I/O's iglasses! head mounted display. Retrieved from https://graphics.stanford.edu/infrastructure/gamma-corrected/iglasses.html</ref> The displays were semi-transparent, allowing users to see through them in brightly lit environments, enabling [[augmented reality]] applications through a hinged, flip-up opaque visor.<ref name="google-arts"/> | The i-glasses utilized dual [[LCD]] displays to create a [[stereoscopic 3D]] effect. The 1995 models employed two 0.7 inch active-matrix LCDs with a [[color sequential display]] system, which displayed red, green, and blue colors in sequence to create full-color images.<ref name="stanford">Stanford Graphics. Virtual I/O's iglasses! head mounted display. Retrieved from https://graphics.stanford.edu/infrastructure/gamma-corrected/iglasses.html</ref> The displays were semi-transparent, allowing users to see through them in brightly lit environments, enabling [[augmented reality]] applications through a hinged, flip-up opaque visor.<ref name="google-arts"/> | ||
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* Later models: Created the impression of viewing a 52-inch screen from 6 feet away<ref name="tomshardware"/> | * Later models: Created the impression of viewing a 52-inch screen from 6 feet away<ref name="tomshardware"/> | ||
===Models and | ===Models and versions=== | ||
Virtual i-O and later i-O Display Systems released several versions of the i-glasses to target different markets: | Virtual i-O and later i-O Display Systems released several versions of the i-glasses to target different markets: | ||
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The i-glasses were positioned as an affordable alternative to high-end VR systems of the era. At $395-$799 depending on the model, they were significantly less expensive than professional VR equipment while offering consumer-friendly features like lightweight design and broad compatibility.<ref name="google-arts"/> | The i-glasses were positioned as an affordable alternative to high-end VR systems of the era. At $395-$799 depending on the model, they were significantly less expensive than professional VR equipment while offering consumer-friendly features like lightweight design and broad compatibility.<ref name="google-arts"/> | ||
Early reviews praised the unit's 227-gram | Early reviews praised the unit's 227-gram mass, half that of rival [[Forte VFX-1]], and competitive entry price, yet criticized its narrow 30-degree field of view and visible pixels.<ref name="stereo3d">Stereo3D.com. SVGA i-Glasses Experience forum thread. March 16, 2003.</ref> | ||
===Commercial Performance=== | ===Commercial Performance=== | ||