I was thinking of using the same Hydis 5.6" display you have with the VGA controller. Do you really like it? As far as the lens, I was going to see what you figured out and how it performed. I also want to mount a head tracker in the helmet. What was the small black button you had on the top front of the MRG in your pics? Also, do you know about how much the unit weighed when you finished it?

Thanks

I do like it, but there are a lot of changes I would make in a second revision.

First off, there is now a controller board with HDMI, Component, DVI, and VGA, and I would much rather use that. Problem is, the board for it is pretty large. The solution? I would take the control board, and instead of building it into the HMD, install it into a control box. There is a somewhat proprietary LVDS cable bundle that goes from the controller board to the panel, and while it is normally short (Maybe 12" or so), you could extend it to be several feet long very easily. That would let you use a better controller board, and also reduce weight. As for performance of the panel, it is absolutely amazing.

For the lens, I ended up using something just like this: http://www.all-spec.com/products/a-2024 ... edium=feed

The stock MRG optics have high magnification, but they are very, very low quality, in my opinion. The above is a much better choice, but using a single lens for a screen that size is always going to be a bit of a strain unless you are using multiple lenses, which I have been considering. Most likely, a magnifier like above, but with a good, high quality fresnel somewhere in the path between the LCD and the magnifier.

The small black nub was just part of the LCD mount I made, it stuck out a bit. I do not know exactly how much it weighed, but it was less than the stock MRG weight, for sure.

Could you possibly provide a link for the controller board and the proprietary cable you are talking about? I am very interested in doing these mods on the MRG. Flight sim and FPS games would look amazing with this FOV and resolution! Not to mention, throw in a head tracker..... It may not be stereoscopic, but it would be about as good as your gonna get, shy of buying a $25,000 professional system!

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-6inch-TFT-LCD-128 ... 3902wt_905

There is a link to the LCD panel and the nice controller board together. See the cable that goes from the controller to the LCD panel? You would need to extend it by cutting and stripping the wires, then splicing in a longer extension cable. The seller might be willing to sell you a premade extended cable, you would have to ask.

Your main problem will be weight, but if you can handle it, it will be pretty nice!

Got it, thanks. I sent him an email about the cable. I'll post here when I get an answer. My end goal is to create that most immersive gaming experience you can have at home. Once I get the HMD complete, I'm going to look into building a full motion simulator like this one. He is also using the TrackIR5 system for head tracking. Which could easily be used with the MRG. Just stick 3 IR reflective stickers on the front of the helmet and it should be able to track it the same.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONjAwKO-IjA&feature=related[/youtube]

**EDIT** I just found this! Talk about adding another dimension of realism!

http://www.x-simulator.de/forum/viewtop ... lit=#29167

All you need now is smell-o-vision!

I know! Just add the smell of burning rubber or afterburner fumes and it would just like being there!

If you want smell-o-vision, just buy a Sensorama, it's in stereo 3D too !

Here is the response I got from vitrolight about the cable....

"Thanks for your inquiry. but I'v tested with the 1meter and 1.5meter cable(but soldered myself instead of one cable), they both did not work for the LCD, this LCD flashs at that length. For your 2meters cable I think manually extend not work for sure.
I can try to make line from factory but the problem is their MOQ will be 100pcs. So I am stuck here."

I really only plan on using this for PC games, so I will to with the VGA board and mount it in the helmet like you did. But there are plenty of adapter cables to convert RCA, HDMI, to VGA.

Hey PalmerTech, that lens is listed at 2inches by 4 inches, is that large enough to cover the whole 5.6 inch vitro lcd panel ?

Did you also try this one (LINK BELOW) and did you like it ?
http://www.amazon.com/Bausch-Lomb-Saver ... 195&sr=8-1

You do not actually need all that much size to "cover" it, since it is some distance away. And I bought several magnifiers, and I wish I could remember which I used in the end... But some of them, while close to 4"x2", most were actually 5"x2". There is an extra half inch or so on either side of the lens that goes into the frame. But like I said, I would not suggest using the same one I did.

Yes, I have one of those. Problem is, the magnification is pretty low! I have been wanting to use that lens, plus another large lens, with an 8" 800x600 LCD that should just barely fit in the MRG. The FOV on my test rig is HUGE, it fills nearly the entire 5"x4" lens surface.

You owned at X-Sight? Why did you sell it? How'd you get it? Or did you just try it? What was it like?

I made a thread with reviews of my HMDs, I will be adding two or three more to it tomorrow. If you would like, I can skip ahead and talk about the X-Sight. I just got a chance to use one, I never owned one; my wording was a bit off there.

Hey Palmer, If you had it to do over again. Would you do another upgrade of the MRG helmet? The reason I ask is, I have 2 complete MRG 2.2 VR setups, and I am debating on upgrading one or both or to sell both units.

Hmmmmm... That is a tough question.

The thing is, the stock MRG optics are, well, total crap. The shell is nice, but you do not need something that heavy anymore! Display tech has advanced so much that were I to build another one of these, 60% of the weight of the unit would be the shell. That said, if you can deal with the weight and size (In fact, it would be reduced a bit), then upgrading the unit for a few hundred dollars might be worth it to you. I don't know how much you could get for them if you sold them, they do not have much practical use, but they are a fun collectors item! I would keep at least one, if I were you.

I have an MRG shell I have modded with custom foam padding, and it is a lot more comfortable. Now I just need to put something in it! If/when I do, I will let you know if my opinion has changed.

Interesting, I am deciding about this myself for a Mono Scopic HMD I am building a friend of mine who is stereo blind, weather or not to get a MRG shell and upgrade that or to build my own shell based on a headband mounting system similar to the Virtual Research V4 and Fakespace Wide5. I know the headband system will be lighter but I do actually like the look of the MRG even as bulky as it is.

@Palmer
In your opinion is the weight of the MRG heavy enough to make the HMD un-usable for long periods of time?

No, it is still usable, especially if you use softer foam than comes with it. The most critical thing is to make sure that the weight is all balanced on the top of the head, and not on your face.

Decided to sell my MRG2.2 VR systems. See here: http://www.mtbs3d.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=13841. I just don't have the time for this project anymore. Own a piece of VR history!