Oculus "Rift" : An open-source HMD for Kickstarter

Post by **draven** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:01 am

If the funding keeps going at this pace, this project will be funded before the end of the day...

Post by **rajveer** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:04 am

>$50,000 already, I don't think that's going to be an issue

Post by **druidsbane** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:13 am

BillRoeske wrote:Also, the FOV visualization in the video is extremely panoramic compared to what we've heard up to this point, which is a little weird.

That is weird. Also, if they were both 110 degrees it would have been square not rectangular. I guess we'll just have to wait for QuakeCon and Palmer's next updates

Post by **zino** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:14 am

I see Notch on the pledge list already. Don't know if I should wish for him to promote it or not.

Post by **BillRoeske** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:23 am

zino wrote:[...] The presentation is really light on real data though. [...]

Agreed, I was also slightly disappointed by that. Particularly since this is aimed at developers/makers, I was hoping for an assault of nailed-down specifications for the prototype/developer unit. Hopefully a project update will nail down details like:

display update rate
sensor update rate
weight
hard numbers for horizontal and vertical FOV
video interface
USB-powered?

That said, the concept for the housing looks remarkably nice (and comfortable)! If that's what we're getting for the developer unit, I'll be quite impressed.

Edit: There's now a brief run-down below the picture of the signed poster and T-shirt. Thanks, Palmer!

Post by **Neil** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:26 am

Backed it. Good luck, Palmer!

Regards,
Neil

Post by **rmcclelland** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:33 am

Just hit Engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/01/ocul ... n-carmack/

Should make the funding goal by the end of the day.

I like the kickstarter page and video, though it is a little light on the technical details. Not sure if the housing shown will be what ships. Also, a "High Resolution Display" is mentioned...

The kickstarter strikes a good balance between being exciting for the consumer yet geared for the developer.

Post by **alexlf** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:35 am

Congrats Palmer! In for the month early version! Seems like you might end up changing the commercial VR landscape forever

EDIT: Woot, 100k!

Post by **Endothermic** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:37 am

Well over $80k now so i don't see it not making the $250k when its got another 30 days and quakecon to go

How are the international kits being shipped? Just hope its not surface mail so takes the arrival date to Jan/Feb

MalDuffin wrote:Just pledged myself.
If anyone figures out how to do it, let me know ( I don't want to pledge 300+275 ( + shipping ) in one go and just get one kit - I'm supporting the project, but I'm not that generous lol )

I'd like to know if there is a way to as well, if for some unforseen reason it's nearing 30 days and doesn't look like it will reach the $250k then i'd be inclined to get a 2nd unit to help it get there and also for a spare incase something break.

Hmm regarding breaking if we recieve the unit and something is broken and it doesn't work (or work properly) will it get replaced or will we need to puchase another unit(if able to purchase more)?

Okay it's over $96k now by the time I wrote that

Post by **Omarzuqo** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:50 am

100 grand in two hours!!!

@Palmertech: We all hoped and expected the project to be successful, but did you ever think it would be THAT successful? Isn't it overwhelming considering such demand on the kits?

Anyway, congratulations and best of luck!

Post by **fireslayer26** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:56 am

Holy Crap!! Already half way to the $250,000 goal!!!!!

In the 5 minutes it took me to watch the video, the pledges went up by $30,000!

The new design looks amazing too!

Post by **dmarcos** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:59 am

@PalmerTech: Congratulations! Well presented! I'm also one of the pre kickstarter backers. Can we get an update? I'm not in a rush just wanted to check we're not forgotten

Post by **skydave** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:02 am

Endothermic wrote:
MalDuffin wrote:Just pledged myself.
If anyone figures out how to do it, let me know ( I don't want to pledge 300+275 ( + shipping ) in one go and just get one kit - I'm supporting the project, but I'm not that generous lol )
I'd like to know if there is a way to as well, if for some unforseen reason it's nearing 30 days and doesn't look like it will reach the $250k then i'd be inclined to get a 2nd unit to help it get there and also for a spare incase something break.

Maybe this could work by creating a second kickstarter account?

Post by **nrp** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:03 am

I'll be surprised if the funding doesn't break a million by the end of the week.

Post by **mysticeti** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:05 am

BillRoeske wrote:
zino wrote:[...] The presentation is really light on real data though. [...]
Agreed, I was also slightly disappointed by that. Particularly since this is aimed at developers/makers, I was hoping for an assault of nailed-down specifications for the prototype/developer unit. Hopefully a project update will nail down details like:

display update rate

sensor update rate

weight

hard numbers for horizontal and vertical FOV

video interface

USB-powered?
That said, the concept for the housing looks remarkably nice (and comfortable)! If that's what we're getting for the developer unit, I'll be quite impressed.

There were a few details provided:

Technical specs of the Dev Kit (subject to change)
Head tracking: 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) ultra low latency
Field of view: 110 degrees diagonal / 90 degrees horizontal
Resolution: 1280x800 (640x800 per eye)
Inputs: DVI/HDMI and USB
Platforms: PC and mobile
Weight: ~0.22 kilograms

Post by **skydave** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:08 am

Vaughanabe13 wrote:
skydave wrote:
Vaughanabe13 wrote:
The kickstarter has only been live for a few minutes and it already has 50 backers for a total of $15,535.
Hi Vaughanabe13,
sure but the backing rate wont be constant over time. We will see how it goes.
We'll see how it goes, but I have a feeling this is going to catch on like wildfire on the internet, and don't forget they will be demoing the Rift at QuakeCon.

Hm looking at the latest numbers kind of makes my comment earlier a bit funny...

Post by **alexlf** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:11 am

I wonder if Palmer has seen how fast the Kickstarter is moving yet. He might be in for a pretty big surprise if he went for lunch or something

Post by **mysticeti** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:13 am

skydave wrote:
Hm looking at the latest numbers kind of makes my comment earlier a bit funny...

No no. Your comment about the rate not being constant spot on. The rate has been increasing!

My earlier comment about the price was off too. There are certainly times when one doesn't mind eating one's own words, right?

Post by **Endothermic** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:16 am

After finally watching the video on kickstarter it mentions as well as says on the site "ultra-low latency head tracking" does that mean the tracker is going to come with that 250hz firmware that JC had?

I'm guessing there will be an FAQ at some point on kickstarter that may have all the technical specs that everyone wants at some point?

On a side note in October EB are going to have the biggest games expo thats ever been in australia (so they say anyway, 30k square meters or something, Sony, 2k, Activision, EA, Capcom, Microsoft, Logitech and a plethora more companies), is there any chance of you could get the RIFT on show there?

I know you probably couldn't do it yourself since you'll be too busy but perhaps you could see if any of the companies that have hopped on board would be interested in bringing it over? Maybe one of them will want to do it just to go "nerh nerh we're on board with this and your not" to all those companies

edit: $145k.... 3:17am.... maybe i'll just stay up untill it becomes sucessfull just to witness it since it doesn't look like it's going to take much longer

Post by **BillRoeske** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:18 am

mysticeti wrote: [...]
There were a few details provided:

Technical specs of the Dev Kit (subject to change)
Head tracking: 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) ultra low latency
Field of view: 110 degrees diagonal / 90 degrees horizontal
Resolution: 1280x800 (640x800 per eye)
Inputs: DVI/HDMI and USB
Platforms: PC and mobile
Weight: ~0.22 kilograms

Oh hey, wow, I must be totally blind this morning. Thanks for pointing that out! Going back to edit my post now...

Edit: Turns out that Palmer added them after I made that comment. Still, thanks for drawing my attention to them!

Post by **PalmerTech** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:19 am

brantlew wrote:@PalmerTech: Just curious about the pre-Kickstarter buyers. Will we be included in the $500 Kickstarter Tier automatically or is our package completely separate? Also is the DIY kit different than the assembled dev kit other than simply being unassembled?

You can get the $500 tier, or a refund, or a partial refund, or whatever you want, really.

I can't figure it out in the next few days, but I promise that any pre-Kickstarter people will be well taken care of.

zino wrote:Great to see this up!

The presentation is really light on real data though. Most prominently resolution is not written out anywhere for example. Just "high resolution display", which I have a feeling will lead to some disappointed people unless they have been following this forum.

I agree. I just updated the page with some hard specs, they are very clear what you get total and per eye, resolution wise. We might actually be able to use a higher res panel if some things work out, but I would not count on it for the dev kit. The specs did not make it into the video because we were nailing down suppliers and parts options till the last second, and the video took time to finalize.

BillRoeske wrote:
druidsbane wrote:[...] Also, did it change to 110 degree horizontal FOV or is that the combined FOV for both eyes? I remember earlier it was just 90 degrees.[...]
As far as I can tell, it's unchanged. Up to this point, people have been quoting a 90° horizontal FOV, and the the video quotes the diagonal FOV. The unfortunate thing about the diagonal FOV is that, while it is a more marketing-friendly number, it doesn't tell you anything about the shape of the view.

Also, the FOV visualization in the video is extremely panoramic compared to what we've heard up to this point, which is a little weird.

I just updated the page to make clear, it is 110 diagonal, 90 horizontal. I mentioned 110 in the video because even as a less useful spec, it is what most HMD makers are using. I beat their FOV spec regardless, but for people who do not take the time to learn the difference, it needs to be easy to compare.

The FOV visualization is indeed too wide. That version of the CG should not have made it into the video, but things were crazy at the last second with all this video editing and filming and re-filming and re-recording audio, etc. Will be putting together a proper comparison as an early update soon.

BillRoeske wrote:
zino wrote:[...] The presentation is really light on real data though. [...]
Agreed, I was also slightly disappointed by that. Particularly since this is aimed at developers/makers, I was hoping for an assault of nailed-down specifications for the prototype/developer unit. Hopefully a project update will nail down details like:

display update rate

sensor update rate

weight

hard numbers for horizontal and vertical FOV

video interface

USB-powered?

Just added the specs I could, but some of the things are still in flux. I want to avoid making promises I cannot keep.

The reason the video is so light is that a lot of people are watching it and getting excited, beyond just developers looking for specs. We are in the middle of putting together some updates with very in depth technical details, and information on the SDK and engine integration.

Post by **Xerion** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:19 am

Backed it

To the people wanting to get 2 sets, I don't know if Palmer will do this, but I have backed other projects and there I could just pledge more and they marked my "order" to give me both "rewards".

Post by **fireslayer26** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:24 am

Palmer, I hope your going to have some serious production and assembly partners. Because when the consumer version comes out, hopefully with a higher res panel, will FLY off the shelves! Especially if the price is under $500, every gamer in the world will want one of these!!!

I hope you still come visit us in the forums when your a millionaire!!

Post by **Johnny-Mnemonic** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:27 am

Backed the project in first hour, really wish you all the best Palmer! To you and your team!

Post by **BillRoeske** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:28 am

Awesome. I totally understand about all the reasons given, and believe me, I've had worse things make it into production releases due to circumstances beyond your control (ask me about Halo 2 for Windows Vista sometime...).

Thanks for keeping on top of this and updating with the specs! Also good to know that I actually wasn't being blind at first after all.

Post by **SinSilla** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:29 am

So i've been around here for quite a while now, have seen a lot of very encouraged people willing to try things out, even put together my own hmd. But what you have done and achieved in such a short amount of time is breathtaking and inspiring. Id like to thank you for what youre doing for our comunity and the future of VR. Since i just learned that my girl is pregnant i will just get me the tshirt this time, but im sure as hell in for the consumer version when it hits. All the best!

Post by **Azel1221** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:32 am

PalmerTech wrote:I agree. I just updated the page with some hard specs, they are very clear what you get total and per eye, resolution wise. We might actually be able to use a higher res panel if some things work out, but I would not count on it for the dev kit. The specs did not make it into the video because we were nailing down suppliers and parts options till the last second, and the video took time to finalize.

Hey Palmer, is the screen on the dev kit going to be upgradable? If so, how difficult are we talking and how much do you anticipate it might cost?

Post by **PalmerTech** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:51 am

Azel1221 wrote:
PalmerTech wrote:I agree. I just updated the page with some hard specs, they are very clear what you get total and per eye, resolution wise. We might actually be able to use a higher res panel if some things work out, but I would not count on it for the dev kit. The specs did not make it into the video because we were nailing down suppliers and parts options till the last second, and the video took time to finalize.
Hey Palmer, is the screen on the dev kit going to be upgradable? If so, how difficult are we talking and how much do you anticipate it might cost?

It will be upgradable if you are good at modding stuff! I cannot anticipate a cost, though, or if it would even be worth upgrading. The display is by far the most expensive part of the HMD, so it might end up making more sense to just buy a new version of the HMD than to buy a panel for a developer-Rift.

Post by **Azel1221** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:06 pm

PalmerTech wrote:
Azel1221 wrote:
PalmerTech wrote:I agree. I just updated the page with some hard specs, they are very clear what you get total and per eye, resolution wise. We might actually be able to use a higher res panel if some things work out, but I would not count on it for the dev kit. The specs did not make it into the video because we were nailing down suppliers and parts options till the last second, and the video took time to finalize.
Hey Palmer, is the screen on the dev kit going to be upgradable? If so, how difficult are we talking and how much do you anticipate it might cost?
It will be upgradable if you are good at modding stuff! I cannot anticipate a cost, though, or if it would even be worth upgrading. The display is by far the most expensive part of the HMD, so it might end up making more sense to just buy a new version of the HMD than to buy a panel for a developer-Rift.

Yea that was my suspicion, appreciate the candor. How are things shaping up for the consumer version? Obviously we all know it'd be an incredibly rough ballpark pretty much guaranteed to change, but what kind of price, resolution, and time frame are you working toward?

Post by **sth** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:08 pm

Given the iOS logo on the Kickstarter page, I'm wondering if it will be possible to read the head tracking data on that platform.
The display itself can probably be connected via the HDMI adapter (which also provides a separate dock connector), but will the USB connection be supported (camera connection kit?), given iOS' limited USB support?

[edit]: Over $200.000 already.
[edit]: Wow, that was fast. Congratulations Palmer!

Post by **fireslayer26** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:09 pm

Amazing! It looks like it will be funded by the end of the day!!!

Post by **mysticeti** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:17 pm

fireslayer26 wrote:Amazing! It looks like it will be funded by the end of the day!!!

Possibly by the end of the hour!

Another $5K pledge just went in.

Post by **DougWolanick** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:18 pm

The Rift Kickstarter is the top story on Reddit right now

http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments ... l_reality/

Post by **Okta** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:18 pm

Hey Palmer well done

. I have a question regarding the difference between this dev kit and the consumer version. What will be the difference? And will the res/aspect ratio be the same? Will all the dev work done on this model be usable on the consumer version?

$227k already lol, i hope you have a few spare hands around to assemble all these things

Post by **fireslayer26** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:20 pm

mysticeti wrote:
fireslayer26 wrote:Amazing! It looks like it will be funded by the end of the day!!!
Possibly by the end of the hour!

Another $5K pledge just went in.

At the rate its going, your probably right!

Post by **zino** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:24 pm

mysticeti wrote:
fireslayer26 wrote:Amazing! It looks like it will be funded by the end of the day!!!
Possibly by the end of the hour!

Another $5K pledge just went in.

That's Notch. He pledged 10k. I like him. He can stay.

Ref: https://twitter.com/notch/status/230727766520258560

Post by **vrforum1512** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:27 pm

Congratulations to Palmer and his team today!

Please may I ask some (newbie) questions about the Rift?

The display is described as stereoscopic. There is a lense for each eye, and a single LCD panel somehow giving images for both eyes.

Q: Is it truly stereoscopic?

Q: Is it the case that strictly the left (horizontal) half of the panel gives the image for the left eye, and the right half for the right eye?
Or is there overlap?

Q: Is there a physical divider between the eyes? i.e. blocking the left eye from seeing the right part of the LCD panel.
Or something else (perhaps the optical focus only).

Q: Is the video input two separate inputs, each rendered from different camera positions by the software (e.g. game engine)?
(This is my understanding of how some other stereo displays work.)

Q: If there are two separate left and right video channels, are they multiplexed on a single video cable, or using two cables?

Q: I assume there is a fixed-distance (virtual) focal distance. Roughly how long is that distance?

If some of these questions sound naive, it's probably because I don't know what I'm talking about!

Thanks, Richard

Post by **mysticeti** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:28 pm

zino wrote:
mysticeti wrote:
fireslayer26 wrote:Amazing! It looks like it will be funded by the end of the day!!!
Possibly by the end of the hour!

Another $5K pledge just went in.
That's Notch. He pledged 10k. I like him. He can stay.

Ref: https://twitter.com/notch/status/230727766520258560

That's awesome! I wonder if Oculus will fly Notch out to their HQ twice?

Post by **BillRoeske** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:29 pm

Ker-funded! Congrats, Palmer and the Oculus team!

Post by **SinSilla** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:30 pm

Done! Congratulations!