Virtuality 1000SD: Difference between revisions - VR & AR Wiki - Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality Wiki

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{{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

|Creator = Dr. Jonathan D. Waldern

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|Average Pixel Density =

|Peak Pixel Density =

|Foveated Rendering = No

|Foveated Rendering =

|Optics = Mirror-reflected Planar lenses

|Ocularity = Binocular stereoscopic 3D

|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 Frequency =

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|Audio = Four built-in speakers, integrated stereo headphones

|Microphone = Yes

|3.5mm Audio Jack = No

|3.5mm Audio Jack =

|Camera = No

|Connectivity = Networked multiplayer capability, proprietary wired connection

|Ports = CGA/RGBVS video output

|Wired Video = Yes

|Wireless Video = No

|Wireless Video =

|WiFi = No

|WiFi =

|Bluetooth = No

|Bluetooth =

|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

|Weight = 320 kg (complete pod), 640g (Visette HMD without cable)

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===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===

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===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==

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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>:

* **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"/>.

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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==

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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="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="aixr">Pulkka, A. "Best XR Headsets for Location-based Entertainment – Part One: Legacy Hardware." AIXR Insights. January 6, 2022.</ref>

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</references>

[[Category:Virtual ~~reality arcade systems~~]]

[[Category:Devices]]

[[Category:Vintage Devices]]

[[Category:Vintage VR]]

[[Category:Virtual Reality Arcade Systems]]

[[Category:Virtuality products]]

[[Category:1991 in video gaming]]