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Virtuality Visette 1: Difference between revisions

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|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Subtype = [[Standalone VR]]
|Subtype = Arcade VR
|Release Date = 1991
|Platform = Virtuality arcade system
|Price = $60000 (discontinued)
|Creator = [[W Industries]] / [[Virtuality Group]]
|Display = 2 x LCD binocular
|Announced = 1990
|Resolution = 276x372 per-eye
|Release = 1990
|Refresh Rate = 20 Hz
|Price = System cost ~£30,000 (manufacturing)
|Field of View =  
|Website =
|Horizontal FoV =  
|OS = Proprietary (Amiga 3000)
|Vertical FoV =  
|CPU = Amiga 3000 with TMS34020 graphics accelerators
|Diagonal FoV =  
|GPU = Texas Instruments TMS34020 with TMS34082 FPU
|IPD Range =  
|Storage =
|Ocularity = Binocular
|RAM = 4 MB Fast RAM
|Display = 2 x LCD (Panasonic)
|Resolution = 372 x 250 per eye (276 x 372 reported variant)
|Refresh = 20 Hz
|Brightness =
|FOV =
|PPD =
|Lenses =
|IPD =
|Eye Tracking =
|Hand Tracking =
|Tracking = 6DoF (Polhemus Fast Track magnetic)
|Spatial Mapping =
|Speakers = 4 speakers
|Microphone = Built-in
|Audio Jack =
|Connectivity =
|Ports =
|Battery =
|Weight = ~3.5 kg
|Materials =
|Colors =
|Sensors =
|Input = 3DoF joystick controller
}}
}}


'''Virtuality Visette 1''' is a [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] released in 1991.
The '''Virtuality Visette 1''' was a [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[W Industries]] (later renamed [[Virtuality Group]]) for use in the Virtuality 1000 series arcade VR systems. Launched in 1990, the Visette 1 was one of the first commercially available VR headsets and represented a landmark achievement in bringing virtual reality experiences to the general public through video arcades.<ref name="wikipedia">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtuality_(product)|title=Virtuality (product)|publisher=Wikipedia}}</ref>
 
== History and Development ==
 
=== Company Origins ===
Virtuality Group was originally founded in October 1987 as "W Industries" by Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern. The company renamed itself to Virtuality in 1993. The company's mission was to develop and commercialize virtual reality technology for entertainment applications.<ref name="timeextension">{{cite web|url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/the-making-of-virtuality-the-1990s-pioneer-that-sold-the-world-on-vr|title=Virtuality, The 1990s Pioneer That Sold The World On VR|publisher=Time Extension}}</ref>
 
=== Product Launch ===
The Virtuality 1000SU VR system, featuring the Visette 1 headset, was launched in 1990 at the Computer Graphics '90 exhibition held at Alexandra Palace in London. This marked the beginning of commercial virtual reality entertainment.
 
=== Dactyl Nightmare ===
In 1991, W Industries launched ''Dactyl Nightmare'', which became the world's first commercial VR arcade game. The game showcased the capabilities of the Visette 1 and became synonymous with early VR gaming experiences.<ref name="aixr">{{cite web|url=https://aixr.org/insights/best-xr-headsets-for-location-based-entertainment-part-one-legacy-hardware/|title=Best XR Headsets for Location-based Entertainment – Part One: Legacy hardware|publisher=AIXR}}</ref>
 
== Design and Hardware ==
 
=== Display System ===
The Visette 1 contained a pair of LCD screens supplied by Panasonic. The displays were derived from camcorder accessories and provided a resolution of 372 x 250 pixels per eye (some sources report 276 x 372 per eye). While modest by modern standards, this resolution was groundbreaking for consumer-accessible VR in 1990.
 
=== Refresh Rate ===
The display operated at 20 Hz (20 frames per second), which, combined with system latency, contributed to motion sickness in some users during extended play sessions.
 
=== Weight ===
The Visette 1 weighed approximately 3.5 kilograms, significantly heavier than modern VR headsets. This weight was a result of the display technology, electronics, and audio systems integrated into the unit.
 
=== Audio System ===
The headset integrated four speakers and a built-in microphone, providing immersive audio and enabling voice communication in multiplayer games.
 
== Tracking System ==
 
=== Polhemus Fast Track ===
The Virtuality 1000 series used a Polhemus "Fast Track" magnetic tracking system to monitor players' movements. The system provided full 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) tracking.
 
=== Magnetic Field Tracking ===
A magnetic transmitter mounted in a ring structure around the play area created a 3D magnetic field. Receivers embedded in both the Visette headset and the controller detected position within this field, allowing the system to determine:
* Head orientation (where the player was looking)
* Head position
* Controller position and orientation (where the player was pointing)
 
== Computing Hardware ==
 
The Virtuality 1000 series arcade units were powered by sophisticated computing hardware for their era:
 
=== Host System ===
* Commodore Amiga 3000
* 4 MB of Fast RAM
* CD-ROM drive
 
=== Graphics Acceleration ===
* Dual Texas Instruments TMS34020 graphics processors
* TMS34082 floating-point co-processors
* Combined performance: approximately 40 Mflops
* Polygon rendering: ~30,000 polygons per second at 20 FPS
 
== Input Devices ==
 
The Visette 1 was paired with a 3DoF joystick controller that allowed players to interact with the virtual environment. The controller tracked rotation but not position independently of the player's hand movement.
 
== Arcade Implementation ==
 
=== Stand-Up Pods ===
The Visette 1 was deployed in dedicated arcade pods, which included the headset, controller, computing hardware, and a ring-shaped play area for the tracking system.
 
=== Cost ===
A complete stand-up Virtuality pod cost approximately £30,000 to manufacture in the 1990s. The units were sold at significantly higher prices, with games costing between £5,000 and £10,000 each.
 
=== Multiplayer ===
Multiple Virtuality pods could be networked together for multiplayer VR experiences, a revolutionary feature at the time.
 
== Legacy ==
 
The Visette 1 and Virtuality arcade systems are widely recognized as pioneers of commercial virtual reality. By the time of Virtuality Group's bankruptcy in 1997, approximately 1,200 Virtuality arcade machines had been deployed worldwide. These machines provided many people with their first exposure to virtual reality technology, laying the groundwork for public interest in VR that would later support the modern VR industry revival.<ref name="kotaku">{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-man-whos-keeping-1990s-virtual-reality-machines-ali-1778990894|title=The Man Who's Keeping 1990s Virtual Reality Machines Alive|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref>


== Specifications ==
== Specifications ==
* '''Display:''' 2 x LCD binocular
* '''Resolution:''' 276x372 per-eye
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 20 Hz


* '''Price:''' $60000 (discontinued)
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! Details
|-
| Display Type || 2 x LCD (Panasonic)
|-
| Resolution || 372 x 250 per eye
|-
| Refresh Rate || 20 Hz
|-
| Tracking || 6DoF (Polhemus magnetic)
|-
| Audio || 4 speakers, microphone
|-
| Weight || ~3.5 kg
|-
| Host System || Amiga 3000
|-
| Graphics || TMS34020 (40 Mflops)
|-
| Controller || 3DoF joystick
|}


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Virtuality]]
* [[Virtuality Visette 2]]
* [[W Industries]]
* [[Dactyl Nightmare]]
* [[Virtual Reality]]
* [[Virtual Reality]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[Arcade VR]]
* [[VR Headset]]
 
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:VR Headsets]]
[[Category:VR Headsets]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Arcade VR]]
[[Category:1990s VR]]
[[Category:Virtuality]]
[[Category:Historical VR devices]]
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