Head-Tracking VR Illusions for X?

[Gtrax]

First - here is the link
Johnny Chung Lee - Projects - Wii
Look for the 3rd video down from the top.

He provides software in C# for DirectX.

I don't have the skills - but something like this would be great for Xorg.

duh - OK, so I am having a little pipe-dream

[elija]

Now that is cool. The trouble is you'd never stop playing a game
that did that. I was like "yeah, yeah yeah" and then I saw the
effect.

Had a similiar effect on me as when I first encountered force feedback.

[Gtrax]

There is one more mind-bender consideration you have to go through when you look at that video. The entire 'effect' is being captured via a final camera making the presentation. The illusion is so very strong that it works in your head even as you view the 2D video clip!

[elija]

I know. It's stunning. Imagine what is it like when you are really
there! As I said, it would be hard to stop playing a game that
immersive. It could also change the (inter)face of educational
software.

[ryokimball]

CCOOLLL!!!! I freaked out when I saw that --I didn't know what to think! And

The illusion is so very strong that it works in your head even as you view the 2D video clip!

SO TRUE!
....
...
Okay, the Wii at this house is technically my dad's, but it is SO fixing to be hacked. Actually, all I need is the remote; radio shack has IR LEDs. If only my dad would lend me his bluetooth adapter....

-----------
Nix that --anyone know where I can find a IR digital camera for under $50? Ebay and google didn't show anything useful....

[elija]

Heh - just showed it to a friend of mine. He came out with what
must be the quote of the year.

Imagine playing Doom 3 on that baby. You'd need a nappy!

[Gtrax]

The friend who originally sent me the link designs video/audio FPGA's for studio video production kit. He was onto eBay to aquire a Wii remote controller in minutes. It has now arrived This post is some hardware advice. My apologies to those who already know, and find it boring.

The IR sources are the IR LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) are dragged out of dead TV/VCR remote controllers. I surely have enough of them around; a combination of originals and 'universal' replacements, variously taped up to hold those useless battery covers on, and/or having worn through buttons that only work if you squeeze them for 10 seconds plus! I approve of this kind of 'recycling', but you can get them from Maplin's, Radio Shack-type stores, Digikey (if you also order an unreasonable amount of other stuff) etc. You can even get some cheap toys from ASDA/Wallmart, Argus, with the intention of it being the LED donor.

About IR cameras: This gets a bit geek, but stay with me a bit. As I understand it, you don't need any additional camera for this. The IR camera detection smarts is built into the WiiMote. This is using the whole thing backwards. It is the basic way the Nintendo box detects how you are waving the remote about. Yo strap the Wii Remote onto the top of the display, pointing right at you. Then, allowing that its a bit awkward to wave the whole Nintendo about, you use a couple of lamps strapped to your headgear instead.

IR diodes usually radiate around 940nm or 1050nm wavelength. This is known as 'near IR' region, and can be seen by cheap cameras. Even a couple of flashlight bulbs run in series to offer a weak red glow would work, but the LED's are the source of choice, because they don't get so hot, don't use hundreds of mA, and give small sharp directed high-resolution positioning.

Lighting up LEDs - especially when you can't see them? Not straight across a battery! You set the current through them using resistor or electronic current regulator. 10mA is usually all you need for this , but they are known to run up to about 40mA. Don't use more than you need, you pay in batteries! I am just assuming that anyone even contemplating this stuff is at home with soldering irons, wires, 2-part epoxy cement, and bodging an anything that will go on the head to carry a couple of lights. Sunglasses to helmets - it's your choice.

Keep in mind there is lots I do not yet understand on how this is done. If I find I have messed up in any of this, I will post a correction. At this stage, I consider it a coffee lounge discussion.

Sadly - the DirectX API software bombed out in the compile attempt. There are a thousand ways this could happen in Windows environment. Given the hardball expertise he has around him, I expect they will overcome it.

Google is your friend here. Wii Remote - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Also - these controllers can be mis-applied in other cool ways. Wii homebrew - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are way more Wii controllers sold beyond those needed for Nintendo boxes. This is because we break them, drop them into the coffee, fling them at the screen, or try to shove them into the winner where they best fit. They are so available, you may not need to pinch your Dad's, and you might end up having to donate yours if he keeps losing!