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IIS VFX3D: 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 = PC VR
|Release Date = 2000
|Platform = [[PC]]
|Price = $1800 (discontinued)
|Creator = [[Interactive Imaging Systems]] (IIS)
|Display = 2 x LCD binocular
|Announced = January 24, 2000
|Resolution = 380x337 per-eye
|Release = 2000
|Refresh Rate = 75 Hz
|Price =
|Field of View =  
|Website =
|Horizontal FoV =  
|OS = Windows
|Vertical FoV =  
|CPU = Host PC dependent
|Diagonal FoV =  
|GPU = Host PC dependent
|IPD Range =  
|Storage =
|Ocularity = Binocular
|RAM =
|Display = 2 x Color LCD
|Resolution = 380 x 337 per eye (360,000 pixels)
|Refresh = 75 Hz
|Brightness =
|FOV = 35° diagonal
|PPD =
|Lenses = Fixed focus IPD optics
|IPD = Fixed
|Eye Tracking =
|Hand Tracking =
|Tracking = 3DoF (VOS solid-state sensors)
|Spatial Mapping =
|Speakers = Integrated
|Microphone =
|Audio Jack =
|Connectivity = USB
|Ports =
|Battery =
|Weight =
|Materials =
|Colors =
|Sensors = Solid-state sensors (3-axis)
|Input = 3DoF controller
}}
}}


'''IIS VFX3D''' is a [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] released in 2000.
The '''IIS VFX3D''' was a [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by Interactive Imaging Systems, Inc. (IIS). Released on January 24, 2000, the VFX3D was positioned as the successor to the [[Forte VFX1]] and represented one of the final consumer VR products released before interest in virtual reality waned in the early 2000s.<ref name="stereo3d">{{cite web|url=http://www.stereo3d.com/news/news0026.html|title=IIS VFX3D News|publisher=Stereo3D}}</ref>
 
== History and Development ==
 
=== Company Background ===
Interactive Imaging Systems (IIS) was founded in 1997 after purchasing the assets of Forte Technologies, the company behind the pioneering [[Forte VFX1]] VR headset. IIS would later become [[Vuzix]], continuing to operate in the wearable display market as of 2023.
 
=== VFX3D Announcement ===
On January 24, 2000, IIS announced the release of the VFX3D from their headquarters in Rochester, NY. The company positioned it as part of their "New Generation high performance virtual reality peripherals."<ref name="ixbt">{{cite web|url=http://ixbtlabs.com/articles/vfx3d/|title=VFX3D virtual reality helmet|publisher=iXBT Labs}}</ref>
 
=== End of an Era ===
The VFX3D emerged at the tail end of the 1990s VR boom. As the decade concluded, interest in VR declined sharply, and most VR devices released during this period were commercial failures. There would not be another significant attempt at consumer VR for more than a decade, until the emergence of the [[Oculus Rift]] and other modern headsets.<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web|url=https://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/704-history-of-virtual-reality-2.html|title=The History Of Virtual Reality|publisher=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>
 
== Design and Hardware ==
 
=== Display System ===
The VFX3D featured dual color LCD displays:
* '''Pixel Count:''' 360,000 pixels per display
* '''Resolution:''' 380 x 337 per eye
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 75 Hz
* '''Stereoscopic:''' Yes
 
The display offered improved resolution and color reproduction compared to the VFX1, which had 180,000 subpixels per display.
 
=== Field of View ===
The VFX3D had a 35-degree diagonal field of view. This was notably narrower than the VFX1's 45-degree FOV, representing a trade-off for other improvements.
 
=== Optical System ===
The VFX3D used a fixed-focus IPD optics engine, which simplified the design but removed the adjustability offered by the VFX1.
 
== Tracking System ==
 
=== VOS Head Tracking ===
The VFX3D incorporated IIS's patented VOS 3DoF head tracking system, which was completely redesigned from the VFX1:
* '''Sensors:''' Solid-state sensors on all three axes
* '''Degrees of Freedom:''' 3DoF (yaw, pitch, roll)
* '''Improved Accuracy:''' Enhanced tracking performance over previous generation
 
== Connectivity ==
 
=== USB Interface ===
The VFX3D featured an improved Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface for simplified installation, replacing the ISA card requirement of the VFX1. This made the headset compatible with a wider range of computers, including laptops.
 
== Comparison with VFX1 ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Feature !! VFX1 !! VFX3D
|-
| Release Year || 1995 || 2000
|-
| Resolution || 263 x 230 per eye || 380 x 337 per eye
|-
| Pixel Count || 180,000 subpixels || 360,000 pixels
|-
| Refresh Rate || 60 Hz || 75 Hz
|-
| Field of View || 45° || 35°
|-
| Interface || ISA card || USB
|-
| Optics || Adjustable || Fixed
|-
| Controller || Cyberpuck (2DoF) || 3DoF controller
|-
| Color Reproduction || 256 colors || Improved
|}
 
=== Improvements ===
* Doubled pixel resolution
* Better color reproduction
* Improved refresh rate
* Simplified USB connectivity
* Redesigned solid-state head tracking
 
=== Trade-offs ===
* Reduced field of view (35° vs 45°)
* Fixed optics (no IPD adjustment)
* No Cyberpuck controller
 
== Applications ==
 
The VFX3D was designed for multiple use cases:
* '''Gaming:''' PC gaming with stereoscopic 3D support
* '''Education:''' Educational VR applications
* '''CAD Systems:''' Computer-aided design visualization
* '''Desktop/Laptop:''' Compatible with both desktop PCs and laptops


== Specifications ==
== Specifications ==
* '''Display:''' 2 x LCD binocular
* '''Resolution:''' 380x337 per-eye
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 75 Hz


* '''Price:''' $1800 (discontinued)
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! Details
|-
| Display Type || 2 x Color LCD
|-
| Pixel Count || 360,000 per display
|-
| Resolution || 380 x 337 per eye
|-
| Refresh Rate || 75 Hz
|-
| Field of View || 35° diagonal
|-
| Head Tracking || 3DoF (VOS solid-state)
|-
| Controller Tracking || 3DoF
|-
| Interface || USB
|-
| Platform || Desktop PC, Laptop
|}
 
== Legacy ==
 
The VFX3D was one of the last consumer VR headsets released before the long "VR winter" that lasted from the early 2000s until the emergence of the [[Oculus Rift]] around 2012. The technology and expertise developed by IIS continued through the company's evolution into [[Vuzix]], which remains active in the augmented reality and wearable display market.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Forte VFX1]]
* [[Vuzix]]
* [[Virtual Reality]]
* [[Virtual Reality]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[1990s VR]]
* [[VR Headset]]
* [[2000s VR]]
 
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:VR Headsets]]
[[Category:VR Headsets]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:2000s VR]]
[[Category:Consumer VR]]
[[Category:Historical VR devices]]
[[Category:PC VR]]
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