Scaling down is not what I was talking about, that can look good. I'm talking about up-scaling, especially if the hardware uses a cheap algorithm. On the other hand, it could use a better method but introduce lag. Hard to say without seeing it and comparing.

Couldn't you use scaling down to offset the scaling up though? Displaying the 1080p version scaled down to 720p which is then scaled up to 1080p. I agree with your concern when it comes to displaying a 720p image on an LCoS display which is native 1080p if there is bad hardware scaling, but downscaling may help with the overall image quality.

Also, is GPU hardware scaling an option when it comes to 3D? There are some options with GPU scaling which make up-scaling look a bit better for standard output.

Didn't Palmer say these things rocked? I trust him

You can't use GPU scaling as we need to output 720p60hz 3D. 1080p is only at 1080p24hz 3D which is too slow for gaming.

I have no doubt they are awesome - I have pre-ordered a pair.
Thanks for the info on GPU scaling, I wasn't sure on that front.
Do you think in 2D mode 1080p runs at 60Hz (or higher)?

I have no doubt it will run on 1080p60hz @ 2D but you are missing out half of the fun without 3D. 3D is just perfect for dual screen HMD. Not sure on ST1080 but HMZ-T1 does give some sort of 3D illusion even in 2D mode, like 2.5D.

This phenomenon was discovered over 100 years ago. It was called the Synopter.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1 ... aches.html

Yes I'm enjoying this effect, even in all games I feel more in the game. This thing has made my games more fresh lol. I don't play for more than an hour at a time, even with comfort band it is a tad heavy. Maybe version 2.0

Sounds exactly like the same effect achieved by collimated/fresnel displays.

Didn't know there is the term for this effect. I should try to watch The Matrix using HMD and see if I get the same effect.

I theorize this effect would be superior for simulators in some ways (not 3d cockpits however) but if you had a dedicated projector for the scene this would be awesome.
3D is great for giving a real 3D cockpit and I think it gives you a pseudo collimated mode for long distance that works for me.

@PalmerTech

On CES2012 you were able to play on the ST1080 which was connected to the PS3 Gaming Console running Gran Turismo.
As far as i know the PS3 can only output max. 1280x720 resolution right ?
Did you see any quality drop concerning the native resolution of the ST1080 being 1920x1080 pixels ?
Thank you !

When i change the resolution of my ACER Desktop Monitor ( native resolution 1920x1080 ) there is a big Picture-Quality drop when i switch to 1280x720.
Lets hope its not the same quality loss as on the monitor.

Using the stereo movie maker to view a 2D movie has the same effect: some depth, but not quite 3D. Cartoons wok much better than detailed movies for this. It looks less like 3D depth and more like cardboard cutouts at different distances.

Does this work with comics? I'd like to convert comics into 3D.

Well, it's not real 3D, it's just a trick like cyberreality described. I suppose you could try with comics but the effect wouldn't be that good. It works better with moving images but if the source isn't originally 3D it will never look as good.

So SMD posted some answers on their website and it looks like they updated their 3D specs to include the top and bottom format. They also wrote that other formats will be available in future releases. I hope they mean future software releases and not hardware release! Is it possible to convert half SBS videos into top and bottom formats? I have a feeling the conversion process would probably take hours

I think the conversion could easily be done in real time, but the quality would suffer since you would be starting with half the horizontal resolution and stretching it.

Since it has no diopter correction, I'll wait for the next generation.

Cool, top-bottom support is nice to have.

What would top-bottom mean in terms of 1080p 3D gaming?

I am a little confuse at ST1080's rated contrast ratio. This is what their website says "We state two contrast numbers, one for the capability of our microdisplays (1200:1) and one for the HMD system (100:1) which accounts for the LEDs that illuminate our LCoS displays. "

So what exactly is 1200:1 and 100:1? Full on/off contrast ratio or ansi contrast ratio? And how does these numbers compare to HMZ-T1?

Hard to say. I know they were really pushing the AR aspect with the 10% see through ability so that might effect the numbers?

The 10% see through crap is optional right? They will ship some kind of blocking filter with it right?

Yep, they have confimed that the ST1080 will be shipping with a blackout filter. They have been talking a lot about a 50% transparency version though for an affordable consumer HUD

It seems like they should have just designed it so you could swap out different transparency shields instead of offering a different version for each transparency level. Given the choice I would prefer the opaque one, but it would be cool if you had the option to test out different transparencies with a single unit.

I do wonder how well the 90% transparency will work for AR applications. It may be enough to make for some interesting experiences. But for most of the time I would probably use the blocker.

@brantlew: That exactly what they are planning, but are still working on being able to manufacture a panel which is visible using a high level of transparencies. 10% is a proof of concept and is probably the limit for the displays in a bright environment for the moment (see the ST1080 CES review by PalmerTech)

@cybereality: 90% would be cool, but would probably require a TOLED screen rather than LCoS. TOLED is still in design stages for most - there is research into TOLED contact lenses, but the cemical mixture used to produce the red in the RGB scale is highly toxic and can be easily absorbed through eyes. I'm not planning on using the AR functionality of the ST1080, and I don't think 10% would be very useful.

It means that the panels themselves are 1200:1, which is in the same range as most good monitors and TVs. The 100:1 figure accounts for lighting, internal reflections, light loss through the lenses, etc. Now, you may say "Oh no! 100:1 sounds awful!", but the reality is, that is actually better than you will get with your average TV in an average scenario. Sure, that fancy TV might be capable in theory of 1200:1, but if you are watching it in anything less than an absolutely non-reflective pitch black environment, the effective contrast ratio plummets. Same thing with projectors that are capable of 10,000:1 contrast, no way is your actual image going to be even close to that.

Lots of professional HMDs have near 50:1 actual contrast, so 100:1 is doing pretty darn well. The Sony does better contrast wise, a LOT better, actually, but the ST1080 is also much brighter.

@Brantlew: If they wanted to make a version that was adjustable only with different blockers, there would be a lot of caveats. A viewer with 90% transparency would have to throw away 90% of the light being put off the panel.

Got the following email from them. Side-by-side now officially supported! Anyone else really impressed with the company's responsiveness so far??


Dear Email Subscriber,

There is one week left for pre-ordering the ST1080 at the discounted price of $699! After March 21, the price goes back up to $799.

Sales have been very brisk, and we at SMD have been very, very encouraged by the global response. So, to all you pre-order customers, thank you!

We've been updating our product specs page for the ST1080 on our website. Some of the updates include:
Earbuds are replaceable via 3.5mm mono jacks on each ear stem of the HMD
Controller now has 3.5mm stereo output jack for user's to use their own headphones
Confirmed that the HMD cable, which connects the HMD to the Controller, is integrated with the HMD
Confirmed that the head strap is included
3D formats supported: 720p/60Hz Frame Packing (full resolution), 1080p/24Hz Frame Packing (full resolution), 1080p/30Hz Top and Bottom (1920x2160), 1080p/60Hz Side by Side (half resolution)
External battery pack is not included in the base product.
Compatible with iPhone 4S (requires Apple Digital AV Adapter) and Droid X mobile phones.
Compatible with iPad 2 (requires Apple Digital  AV Adapater)
We are continuing to make progress towards production ramp up, and we're excited for the market response once its in your hands. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Paul Jin
CEO, SiliconMicroDisplay

Very impressed.

ohh man so close to pulling the trigger on this one now... the only thing that I'm afraid of is the physical incompatibility with my prescription glasses! The last thing I want is to buy the thing and then find that it won't fit over my glasses and having to spend another fortune on new glasses or contact lens haha. The only comforting thing is that their own founder Mike Jin wears glasses.

Palmer, since you're one of the few people on this board that actually went to their booth, did you happen to notice anyone with glasses trying out their product or have difficulty with fitting? Do you happen to wear glasses yourself? =D

Has anyone actually pre-ordered yet? I am wondering if they charge the credit card immediately or wait til it ships. I'm assuming they do it immediately but I recall hearing somewhere that it was illegal to charge credit cards until the unit has actually shipped. Any idea?

I have. AU$745 after converting for USD and US$80 for international shipping. I used Paypal just in case so I can lodge a dispute if all goes pear shaped (I don't think it will, but SMD is a new company).

This will be my first 3D device and have been looking for the perfect resolution/display/weight/compatibility/price combo for about 2 years now. I think the ST1080 will be as close as it gets and can't wait for their 4K version

I ordered on the 3rd. They did charge the entire amount upfront.

I've been struggling with the decision all week, but finally ordered mine. Optimistic but hoping it doesn't become an expensive paper weight. They charged my card immediately for $731 ( no tax for some reason ) Now I just need to figure out my head tracker.

After owning glasses style HMD's in the past, I do prefer the head strap/helmet style. While the specs are soooo nice and coming together perfectly - my main concern is the fact that there is no light block piece from side/rear light entering the glasses (I recall my Vuzix glasses had a rubber add-on that blocked out rear/side light that was essential while I used it). Unfortunely this puts a hault to my interest...

Seems odd to consider light pollution as an important decision factor. That's the easiest thing to fix. Scarf or light-switch both work pretty well in that respect.

True - I guess I am trying to justify my HMZ over the ST lol!

In all honesty it is just a personal preference - some like the glasses style, some like the helmet style... just glad to be seeing more displays coming to market!

Yeah having two players in the market is great!...except that it makes decision-making that much harder. I badly wanted the Sony FOV and constrast and would also prefer a sensory blocking design, but I just couldn't come to terms with some of its short-comings.

They said it should work with glasses. I do have glasses, but I rarely wear them, and did not try them out myself with the ST1080.

Even if not, you should be able to take your prescription to a cheap glasses shop and get a pair made, then take the lenses and stick them to the ST1080. I don't know the cost for you, but there is a place near me that will do cheap pairs for $20 USD.