Oculus Virtual Lounge (VirtuaView)

[maboo63]

is it possible to zoom in when u're sitting in a row further away from the screen?

[Namielus]

You can always jump a row of seats? haha, havent put in any zoom feature yet

[TheLookingGlass]

Havent found a way to manually set it up, but I will be able to warp you to different rooms with different types of screens.
It doesnt seem impossible to do tho, I just havent done lots of interactive materials yet.

I'm sure there are countless ideas that will spring up as you continue development that will be added over time so I hope we're not adding too much pressure Also, maybe you could set up a document where we can create a list of ideas we would like to see implemented "one day". I know there have been different suggestions thrown around in this forum but a dedicated document might be best.

Remember when I started this thread I had never used unity or written a line of code in my life.

I'm impressed Namiellus that you started with an idea and are now bringing your idea to "virtual" reality! Despite having no programming experience! Where most people would have stopped at the idea part you are seeing it through to a final product so cheers to you! And forget the naysayers that may not like the idea or perhaps think there it has already been implemented (i.e. garry's mod theater servers). You're Virtual Lounge is your unique idea that will have a unique implementation that focus's on VR from the start! I think I've said this before but I am very excited to test/buy/try your Virtual Lounge once we all get our Rift Dev Kits in a few months!

[TheLookingGlass]

is it possible to zoom in when u're sitting in a row further away from the screen?

Wouldn't having a zoom feature be akin to using binoculars in a real world movie theater? Kind of defeats the purpose of simulating a real world theater

[Namielus]

Thanks for all the great feedback. Please stand by for another big update (sort of) later tonight!
I am uploading a video as we speak but its slow on my 0.5mbit upload.

[maboo63]

is it possible to zoom in when u're sitting in a row further away from the screen?

Wouldn't having a zoom feature be akin to using binoculars in a real world movie theater? Kind of defeats the purpose of simulating a real world theater

not in my world

[Namielus]

Become the voice of the annoying bum in the theatre.

Many of you have asked if there will be annoying people in the cinema rattling bags of chips and talking during the movie.
Make it whatever you want, and try to make it fit his gestures in relation to whats going on in the screen.
I listened to the request and put in the first optional heckler.

The thing is, it has no audio and I am having a little competition to see if anyone can add some funny dialogue.

Do this;
Add dialogue, upload the video and make a video response to the youtube video in addition to
posting it here.
I am going to come up with a cool prize, and you get to be permanently in the virtual cinema for a (again optional) comical effect. You might even get modelled so the character looks like you.

[youtube-hd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaCYqMUHjiQ[/youtube-hd]

I am hoping to get some submissions and being able to have a Poll here to determine the winner.

PS; I am uploading the original file to a filehost, last time there was an error. Meanwhile feel free to just download from youtube.

[Additives]

Wow, looking good. Can't wait to use this to watch well....anything.

Does this have any support (or plans to support) 3D movies?

[MegaJack21]

dude that sounds pretty cool, I approve this idea

[omeDev]

this is actually a really good idea! by using Unity web player The team at Oculus could organize a short virtual presentation which the April rift users could tune in by entering a specific url. also, you would have a specific set of animated sequence like the ones you've shown in your videos. booing,clapping,maybe some weird hand movements.
I think it'd be funny to see all the early rift adopters in this virtual conference room and palmer thanking everyone.
perhaps this could be so much more.. let's start a virtual rooms hosting service. where users could set up a virtual room to explore. like maybe an underground virtual robot fighting real steel style game. where players could build their own robots and pit it against other VR players.

[JanVR]

Namielus, this is terrific. Congrats on the progress so far.

[cerulianbaloo]

@Namielus Not sure if you answered this already, but does the image quality of the video appear consistent depending on how close you are to the virtual cinema screen? Could I sit in the first few rows and not have a problem with blurriness or pixelation?

[Namielus]

The closer you are the sharper would the video be to you, but it would fill your view.
This is due to the resolution limits on the rift dev kit

[Diorama]

Nameilus, is there any way you could post another example video of the virtual cinema, if you get time?

I know it's greedy as we already have the one with Oculus video, but it would be great to see something else. Its just so cool.

Like, a movie trailer, or a clip from a tv show.


Thanks!

[Namielus]

ask me for any trailer! I am unsure about the legalities in terms of showing content from movies etc tho.
If someone can tell me its safe, I dont mind showing anything at all.

[Diorama]

Speed Racer, Starship Troopers or the original BBC trailer for Red Dwarf (to see how older/square aspect ratio stuff works. 'legacy entertainment')

[Fredz]

Or for legal movies, the Big Buck Bunny trailer or a short clip from Tears of Steel :
- http://www.bigbuckbunny.org/index.php/trailer-page/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tears ... l_clip.ogg

[Namielus]

Here is the speed racer trailer, my shitty internet just takes to long to upload more videos tonight.
Hope this is something at least.

[youtube-hd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJpO4tUZ3HE[/youtube-hd]

[Diorama]

Thanks very much Namielus! Fantastic The vibrant colours and action look great in your virtual cinema

How long will it be between me getting my rift devkit and being able to try out the virtual cinema?

[Namielus]

Honestly it depends on when I get mine.
I have not been able to try the adjacent reality IMU yet, so I would need to integrate support for that.
Or you would have to get yourself a trackir5

[space123321]

i must say I am really loving this through my DIY rift and can't wait to experience it with actual tracking. I was an owner of an HMZ, and while the picture was outstanding my brain simply could not forget that I was watching two small screens therefore the imersion was not that intense for me. Looking at this video through the DIY rift totally gives me the immersion fealing I was looking for! Can't wait!

[Mystify]

Obviously there is a drastic reduction in resolution with such an approach. How much are you finding this matters?

[Namielus]

It matters so much that you wont be permanently watching content like this. But we all need to remember that we are getting dev-kits, not a consumer product.
I will continue working towards the consumer/future versions.

[Benjimoron]

Great work man! Glad you're carrying on with it, just thought I'd post the Garry's Mod one in case it saved you some time and money!!

[Benjimoron]

It matters so much that you wont be permanently watching content like this. But we all need to remember that we are getting dev-kits, not a consumer product.
I will continue working towards the consumer/future versions.

I would guess that in the near future we'll be able to put some 10-20 megapixels right infront of our faces if we want to. Which means that this isn't a problem. In a couple of years we'll be able to fit enough pixels in to make it a non-issue.

[Namielus]

I understand. I just think alternatives are good.

[ftarnogol]

Namielus, what software are you using for 3d modelling? Blender?

[Namielus]

I am using other 3dmodellers for more complex models, I am using sketchup for structures. I know it sounds strange but it works for architecture.
I want to learn 3DsMax or blender ASAP tho

[unsilentwill]

For sure. Being at the local imaginary cineplex is one thing, but imagine

The Globe theater...


...Paris Opera House...


...Saint Petersberg...


or Bangkok.

Sure could be a little distracting, but it'd be incredible to come back from watching a movie or a Netflix Marathon to an already amazing space. Dream big, we're going to be living in them soon enough. Though, I'm supposed to be an artist, I could just do it myself.

I'm super excited about this project, I never thought I'd own a personal portable theater before.

[Diorama]

Or a drive-in.....in space...

[unsilentwill]

Pull up in a hotrod starship, turn a knob to turn down the light of the cosmos. It'd be romantic if it weren't so damn nerdy.

[raijinspecial]

Pull up in a hotrod starship, turn a knob to turn down the light of the cosmos. It'd be romantic if it weren't so damn nerdy.

NO, that's pretty badass.

[Namielus]

I think making a game with spaceship physics and modelling the cosmos is a little out of my reach.

[unsilentwill]

It is with that attitude.

Haha sorry for hijacking your thread, my imagination goes berserk when I start thinking of Rift applications. Could your program could be skinned for different 3D worlds, and the screen size adjusted maybe?

[Namielus]

I will definitely offer vastly different room. Maybe even space themed.
At the present skill level I just cant make a space sim-like experience where you fly into a "fly-in" cinema in space.

I will try to show some of the other models I am working on for cinemas, but for now I am focusing on getting the tech into place.

[industrai]

@Namielus: Great work! Very impressive for no coding experience!

I know you mention streaming content from URLs, but what about things like Netflix, Hulu, CBS, etc? It would be really great if the screen could actually be a browser session for all those sites that don't allow you to stream directly from a URL. Is it possible to drop a web browser into Unity?

[ftarnogol]

I am using other 3dmodellers for more complex models, I am using sketchup for structures. I know it sounds strange but it works for architecture.
I want to learn 3DsMax or blender ASAP tho

Not weird at all. Sketchup is easy as hell to work with... Blender's learning curve is a PITA (I'm still trying to get the hang of it).

[AdaAugmented]

Can't wait to watch movies together with other people over the net. I already do this once in a while with friends in other countries, either one of us streaming to the others, or everyone syncing a local copy of the movie.. but I think having a virtual environment to lounge in together would be really sociable and awesome.

[volvox]

Here's an idea for how to make the Heckler character less arbitrary and more useful:
You can have an unpaid version of the software which allows you to watch content, but until you purchase the premium (paid) version there will be an obnoxious guy in the theater making noises and using his cell phone while you watch anything.

[Mystify]

You could have an option to record yourself heckling the show, which can be synced to the playback. People could then have the option of putting their favorite hecklers in the theater with them.