This is a bit on the Snowcrash side of Maker projects, but I wanted to see if the new iPod video would foster a new market for VR / LCD goggles. I have two types, one is meant for viewing video full screen, with both eyes – the other is a one screen LCD. Each has their uses with the iPod video and I may actually start using these on some trips when I don’t feel like holding the iPod video the entire time watching a video…So, here are the photos of the iPod video, homemade battery extender, travel case and LCD goggles….I’ve wondering if small portable video devices will eventually spark the VR / LCD goggles you always see in the future sci-fi movies. Since I have a couple pair for projects, I tried it out…
Here’s the travel pack – Cable for the LCD goggles, 9v battery with 5v voltage regulator for extra juice, the iPod video and a battery pack for the LCD goggles. I purchased the LCD goggles about 4-5 months ago from www.geeks.com. I think they were discontinued, they’re unbranded but they’re pretty good for experiments.
Goggles with case.
Case closed, goggles out, iPod video running. The sound and video all go to the googles.
The goggles flip up if you need to tune back in to meat space.
I had tried to see how hard it would be to work with without a case, and it’s a cable-mess. I think I’ll build a custom case so I have access to to the iPod screen. I could also use a dock that allows IR or RF control too.
As bizarre as it looks, it really works great outside. I’m tempted to take them on my next flight, the reactions might be more fun than the videos I’m watching.
I have a single LCD goggle too, I like this one the best since I can glance over and see what the video has.
I have to use headphones directly on the iPod for these goggles.
Packed in case, playing.
VR to go.
I like these for “just in time” video. Imagine aircraft/industrial/etc… workers being able to watch a video on specific assembly while working on the craft/things as needed. From schematics to 3D renderings the iPod (or something like it) plus some pretty cheap goggles might work out well for specific scenarios.
Overall, I’m not sure if the iPod VR idea will take off, but a small cheap pair of LCD goggles might make a much better viewing experience for log videos.
Once OLEDs start shipping, we could embed them in glasses and have a wireless video way of display – could be interesting.
And as soon as I get time, controlling iTunes and iPods with a VR glove!
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42 thoughts on “Introducing…the iPod VR!”
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Nobody can beat you.
Your geekiness goes to the infinity… AND BEYOOOOOOOND.
LOVE IT!
Holy crap, Phillip, that is COOL! Do you have any info (model #s, etc.) on the goggles…especially the single LCD one? That thing rocks! Do you remember the $-range you bought them for? I may try to track one or both down for my Xmas list…
I love it!
So where is a good place to pick up the goggles? A search of “LCD Goggles” at the link given turned up nothing and a google search doesn’t provide much written after 2001.
the single lcd ones were maybe $200? i don’t recall now, but they came from a company called eyetop – http://www.eyetop.net/home/index.php . the other ones are from http://www.geeks.com and they were a one day sale for under $200 again i think. these little goggles are hard to find, i’ll see what else i can dig up.
This place has a lot of toys you never knew you needed/wanted including a wide range of HMDs including the single display one above.
http://www.tekgear.ca/
Swweeettt. $200 is well within the holiday budget (though my wife may balk at something that geeky! LOL.) Thanks to both Peter and Philip; If I get one and hack something cool up, I’ll make sure to send in a link.
Awesome – I’ve wanted to do something with goggles like those for ages… I’d also enjoy any help finding where to purchace the single LCD ones as well.
Just for info, Aerospace are looking at doing this sort of thing for technicians working on vehicles, for the obvious reasons. They have in the works a sort of see-through version that is going to superimpose the parts on reality (but I’ll need to see that to believe it!).
Current state of the art is more of a wrist-mounted system, sometimes with headset, sometimes without.
This is Beautiful! I’m a photographer specializing in QuickTime VR, and I can readily see the future possibilities! I also own BongoTies, and I’d like to send Phillip a free package for his efforts (please forward your mailing address) – I think they might be the ticket to help control all those wires.
This is Beautiful! I’m a photographer specializing in QuickTime VR, and I can readily see the future possibilities! I also own BongoTies, and I’d like to send Phillip a free package for his efforts (please forward your mailing address) – I think they might be the ticket to help control all those wires.
Does the menu’s show up in the googles? If so howd you program the ipod to show its native menu system.
Thanks
Does the menu’s show up in the googles? If so howd you program the ipod to show its native menu system.
Thanks
Did you make the native menu system show up in the googles? Please let me know how you did it…Thanks
For those of you interested, I did a little looking around and found those goggles here.
found those dual lcd goggles on ebay for less than $100.
search “virtual reality head”.
the single one is on ebay too: “eyetop” ($200)
One crank-rechargeable flashlight and some fancy cable braiding later, and you’ll be a freer man. That is, if you don’t write such scathing timestamped edit files for short film authors….
Hi Phillip
I am a QT VR photographer also http://www.aroundandaboutsandiego.com
I just purchased an ipod 30 gig because the guy at the apple store said I could play QT VRs on the ipod. I did the convert to ipod from QT Pro so far no such luck.
Wondering if you have had any experience or luck.
The full screen one is available on ebay for less than $100
also, some of you may be interested in igargoyle, where theyve linked to this post, igargoyle is about wearable computing, cyborgs, robots, etc: http://www.igargoyle.com
iPod Video is very hot today, many people don’t know how to choose this kind of tool, you can try to use PQ DVD to iPod Video Converter, a powerful tool that i have used!
http://www.yaodownload.com/video-design/video/ipod-video-converter/
the single lcd ones were maybe $200? i don’t recall now, but they came from a company called eyetop . the other ones are from http://www.priceangels.com
and they were a one day sale for under $200 again i think. these little
goggles are hard to find, i’ll see what else i can dig up. cheap pc gadgets
funny redesign of the gadgets parts to a new set, those gadgets are able to found on http://www.sencart.com