Philips Scuba: Difference between revisions
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{{Device Infobox | {{Device Infobox | ||
|image = | |image = [[File:Philips Scuba1.jpeg|200px]] | ||
|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]] | |VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]] | ||
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]] | |Type = [[Head-mounted display]] | ||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
|Platform = | |Platform = | ||
|Creator = | |Creator = | ||
|Developer = [[Philips], Philips Consumer Electronics | |Developer = [[Philips]], Philips Consumer Electronics | ||
|Manufacturer = [[Koninklijke Philips N.V.]], Philips Consumer Electronics | |Manufacturer = [[Koninklijke Philips N.V.]], Philips Consumer Electronics | ||
|Announcement Date = Late 1996 | |Announcement Date = Late 1996 | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
|Adjustable Diopter = | |Adjustable Diopter = | ||
|Passthrough = | |Passthrough = | ||
|Tracking = 3 | |Tracking = 3 DoF Non-positional | ||
|Tracking Frequency = | |Tracking Frequency = | ||
|Base Stations = No | |Base Stations = No | ||
| Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
|Cable Length = | |Cable Length = | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Philips Scuba Virtual Immersion Visor''' (models '''VIV100''', '''VIV100AT''', '''VIV100AT01''') was a [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) released by [[Philips]] Consumer Electronics in 1997-1998. Despite being marketed as a [[virtual reality]] headset during the 1990s VR craze, it was essentially a wearable television display or "video headset" that provided a stereoscopic viewing experience without true VR capabilities such as [[head tracking]].<ref name="retrovolve"/><ref name="vrshop"/> The device created a perceived 30-inch image at approximately 1.5 meters viewing distance.<ref name="googlearts"/> | |||
The '''Philips Scuba Virtual Immersion Visor''' (models '''VIV100''', '''VIV100AT''', '''VIV100AT01''') was a [[head-mounted display]] (HMD) released by [[Philips]] Consumer Electronics in 1997-1998. Despite being marketed as a [[virtual reality]] headset during the 1990s VR craze, it was essentially a wearable television display or "video headset" that provided a stereoscopic viewing experience without true VR capabilities such as [[head tracking]].<ref name="retrovolve" | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Development=== | ===Development=== | ||
The Scuba's technology was originally developed as a VR helmet for the [[Atari Jaguar]] home game system (released in 1993), descended from [[Retinal Displays]]' "Visor" family of HMDs. However, when that project fell through, the technology was sold to [[Philips]], who licensed the optics and chassis design while removing the [[head tracking]] component that Atari had intended to use for its Missile Command VR game.<ref name="googlearts" | The Scuba's technology was originally developed as a VR helmet for the [[Atari Jaguar]] home game system (released in 1993), descended from [[Retinal Displays]]' "Visor" family of HMDs. However, when that project fell through, the technology was sold to [[Philips]], who licensed the optics and chassis design while removing the [[head tracking]] component that Atari had intended to use for its Missile Command VR game.<ref name="googlearts"/><ref name="vrsarticle"/> | ||
===Release=== | ===Release=== | ||
Philips first teased the device at trade shows in late 1996<ref name="ultragppsg" | Philips first teased the device at trade shows in late 1996<ref name="ultragppsg"/> and released the Scuba Virtual Immersion Visor in 1997-1998 at a retail price of $299 USD.<ref name="vrshop"/><ref name="retrovolve"/> This price point was notably $100 more than the launch price of the [[Nintendo 64]], making it an expensive peripheral for the time, roughly $550 adjusted for 2025 inflation.<ref name="retrovolve"/><ref name="ultragppsg"/> | ||
===Market Performance=== | ===Market Performance=== | ||
The Scuba sold approximately 55,000 units during its commercial run before being discontinued in 1999.<ref name="googlearts"/> Despite Philips' marketing efforts positioning it as a virtual reality device with claims like "You hadn't played a game until you'd played it wearing an Immersion Visor," consumer reception was mixed to negative, with many criticizing its poor image quality and misleading VR branding. The molds were later reused for low-cost TV viewers in Asia, while Retinal Displays pivoted toward wave-guide | The Scuba sold approximately 55,000 units during its commercial run before being discontinued in 1999.<ref name="googlearts"/> Despite Philips' marketing efforts positioning it as a virtual reality device with claims like "You hadn't played a game until you'd played it wearing an Immersion Visor," consumer reception was mixed to negative, with many criticizing its poor image quality and misleading VR branding. The molds were later reused for low-cost TV viewers in Asia, while Retinal Displays pivoted toward wave-guide optics, technology that ultimately seeded [[DigiLens]] in the mid-2000s. | ||
==Technical Specifications== | ==Technical Specifications== | ||
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* '''Resolution''': 263 × 230 pixels per eye<ref name="googlearts"/><ref name="vrshop"/> | * '''Resolution''': 263 × 230 pixels per eye<ref name="googlearts"/><ref name="vrshop"/> | ||
* '''TV Lines''': 400 TV lines<ref name="vrshop"/> | * '''TV Lines''': 400 TV lines<ref name="vrshop"/> | ||
* '''Refresh Rate''': 60 Hz (NTSC) / 50 Hz (PAL)<ref name="youtube" | * '''Refresh Rate''': 60 Hz (NTSC) / 50 Hz (PAL)<ref name="youtube"/> | ||
* '''Field of View''': 50° diagonal (40° horizontal × 30° vertical effective)<ref name="vrshop"/><ref name="mellott" | * '''Field of View''': 50° diagonal (40° horizontal × 30° vertical effective)<ref name="vrshop"/><ref name="mellott"/> | ||
* '''Optics''': Single-element plastic lenses with fixed focus; no [[IPD]] or [[diopter]] adjustment<ref name="ultragppsg"/> | * '''Optics''': Single-element plastic lenses with fixed focus; no [[IPD]] or [[diopter]] adjustment<ref name="ultragppsg"/> | ||
===Physical Design=== | ===Physical Design=== | ||
The headset weighed 544 grams (1.19 pounds / 19.2 ounces) and featured a design similar to a diving mask, hence the "Scuba" name.<ref name="vrshop"/> It was heavier than contemporary video glasses such as the [[Sony Glasstron]], which reviewers criticized for causing neck strain during extended sessions.<ref name="dogey" | The headset weighed 544 grams (1.19 pounds / 19.2 ounces) and featured a design similar to a diving mask, hence the "Scuba" name.<ref name="vrshop"/> It was heavier than contemporary video glasses such as the [[Sony Glasstron]], which reviewers criticized for causing neck strain during extended sessions.<ref name="dogey"/> The device utilized: | ||
* A rubber face mask that pressed against the user's face to block external light<ref name="mellott"/> | * A rubber face mask that pressed against the user's face to block external light<ref name="mellott"/> | ||
* An adjustable head harness with a rear cradle and elastic top strap for weight distribution<ref name="mellott"/> | * An adjustable head harness with a rear cradle and elastic top strap for weight distribution<ref name="mellott"/> | ||
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==Compatibility== | ==Compatibility== | ||
The Philips Scuba was promoted as universal, compatible with various gaming consoles and devices that supported [[NTSC]] or [[PAL]] composite video output:<ref name="shopgoodwill" | The Philips Scuba was promoted as universal, compatible with various gaming consoles and devices that supported [[NTSC]] or [[PAL]] composite video output:<ref name="shopgoodwill"/><ref name="etsy"/> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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* '''High price''': At $299, it was considered expensive for what was essentially a head-mounted television<ref name="retrovolve"/> | * '''High price''': At $299, it was considered expensive for what was essentially a head-mounted television<ref name="retrovolve"/> | ||
* '''Physical discomfort''': The 544g weight led to neck cramps and the rubber facemask left marks on users' faces<ref name="retrovolve"/><ref name="mellott"/> | * '''Physical discomfort''': The 544g weight led to neck cramps and the rubber facemask left marks on users' faces<ref name="retrovolve"/><ref name="mellott"/> | ||
* '''Health issues''': Some users reported nausea, with effects compared to those of the [[Virtual Boy]]<ref name="reddit" | * '''Health issues''': Some users reported nausea, with effects compared to those of the [[Virtual Boy]]<ref name="reddit"/> | ||
Some reviewers noted that the headset performed better when disassembled, suggesting fundamental design flaws in the optical assembly.<ref name="retrovolve"/> One review rated it 4/10, noting that while it outperformed competitors in field of view, its optics were subpar compared to alternatives like [[Virtual I/O Glasses]].<ref name="mellott"/> | Some reviewers noted that the headset performed better when disassembled, suggesting fundamental design flaws in the optical assembly.<ref name="retrovolve"/> One review rated it 4/10, noting that while it outperformed competitors in field of view, its optics were subpar compared to alternatives like [[Virtual I/O Glasses]].<ref name="mellott"/> | ||
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Three model numbers have been identified: | Three model numbers have been identified: | ||
* '''VIV100''': The standard retail model<ref name="shopgoodwill"/> | * '''VIV100''': The standard retail model<ref name="shopgoodwill"/> | ||
* '''VIV100AT''': A variant model<ref name="ebaylisting" | * '''VIV100AT''': A variant model<ref name="ebaylisting"/> | ||
* '''VIV100AT01''': Another variant with the same specifications<ref name="ebay" | * '''VIV100AT01''': Another variant with the same specifications<ref name="ebay"/> | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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<ref name="youtube">YouTube. "Philips Scuba VR headset from 1997 (VIV100) – capacitor test & teardown". February 1, 2024.</ref> | <ref name="youtube">YouTube. "Philips Scuba VR headset from 1997 (VIV100) – capacitor test & teardown". February 1, 2024.</ref> | ||
<ref name="vrsarticle">VR Society. "Virtuality – A New Reality of Promise, Two Decades Too Soon". 2018. https://vrs.org.uk</ref> | <ref name="vrsarticle">VR Society. "Virtuality – A New Reality of Promise, Two Decades Too Soon". 2018. https://vrs.org.uk</ref> | ||
<ref name="reddit">Reddit Gaming Post. "I still own this it was a virtual reality headset". https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/1h82oc/</ref> | <ref name="reddit">Reddit Gaming Post. "I still own this it was a virtual reality headset". https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/1h82oc/</ref> | ||
<ref name="ebaylisting">eBay. "Philips SCUBA A/V Headset VIV100AT". Item 266739527771.</ref> | <ref name="ebaylisting">eBay. "Philips SCUBA A/V Headset VIV100AT". Item 266739527771.</ref> | ||
</references> | </references> | ||
[[Category:Vintage Devices]] | |||
[[Category:Vintage VR]] | |||
[[Category:Devices]] | |||
[[Category:Virtual Reality Devices]] | |||
[[Category:Virtual reality headsets]] | [[Category:Virtual reality headsets]] | ||
[[Category:Philips products]] | [[Category:Philips products]] | ||