Marco....I think you are exactly right. As I stated earlier, I think the game has to be layed out for this device, and that includes a "practical use" organization of the game itself. Note in the video how he "dodges" around in one part of the video. So we produce a "Starwars" game between asteroids. That's what I mean. I have no idea if this is of practical value for flight simulator. But I'd bet you dinner that Tracker IR has looked at this as an upgrade software option, and I further would not be surprised to see it at some point.

Hi Bob,I think the "Wii tracker" method for a flight simulator would be practical with a multimonitor wrap-around configuration, where the left/right views are always visible. In this case, wrap-around + 3D effect would probably give an unsurpassed realism and immersion factor never seen before. :)Marco

To me and everyone else that Youtube movie looks 3D because of the kind of pictures they used and because the moves are 'followed' by the camera . But when you are in that room you would see the EXACT same on that screen and you would see it was flat.

Hi Jeroen,I think the 3d effect would equally be quite strong for the subject standing in the room (and obviously wearing those special glasses) and looking at the screen.The only missing hint for the brain would be the stereoscopic vision.3D cinema and this device are, from a certain point of view, complementary: with the 3D glasses (used in cinemas, etc.) you have stereoscopic vision, but lack the 3D parallax effect. With this Wii device, you have full 3D parallax effect, but lack stereoscopic vision.Marco

Hi Bob,I think the "Wii tracker" method for a flight simulator would be practical with a multimonitor wrap-around configuration, where the left/right views are always visible. In this case, wrap-around + 3D effect would probably give an unsurpassed realism and immersion factor never seen before. :)Marco

-----------------------Hooray! I volunteer! Me first!Alex Reid

In an article I read earlier today, someone stated that the 3-D effect only happens when there is head movement and that it dissappears when head motion stops. Having rewatched the videos very closely, it appears that this is true. This message poster stated that the brain gets tricked due to what it sees and "inherent expectations" of space when the head is in motion. Knowing this as one watches and analyzes what's happening, that too appears to be true. Notice how they tend to keep the camera in motion to get the maximum effect in these videos.The jury is probably still out on whether or not this is a significant factor. High motion games would be great. And at the least, in a sim, you would be no less then where we are now.Now if you throw in a position w/pan view (as we have now) / portal window (as this uses) software toggle, you may have a real winner !Bob (Las Cruces, NM)

I think "Major Breakthrough" is just a "bit" of an overstatement. It is simply a Track IR. Nothing more nothing less. Cheers. Craig

In an article I read earlier today, someone stated that the 3-D effect only happens when there is head movement and that it dissappears when head motion stops.

That's right, the 3D effect is only detectable during head movements, since it's due to parallax.In order to have a 3D effect when the head is still, one needs stereoscopic effects (red/blu or shutter 3D glasses).The ultimate setup would be wrap-around screens + fresnel lens + "Wii tracker" + shutter 3D glasses + touch screen monitors with interactive VC, but that would probably be a little over-the-top... :( Marco

I've been using fresnel lens+Freetrack (Track IR alternative)+shutter glasses for a couple of years now, and the immersion this combo provides still amazes me. The shutter glasses can be a bit tough on frame rates, but it's worth the cost.

OK, I admit I am probably the most technically-inept guy here, but I do know there are many creative and skilled flight simmers on these forums. Is it possible from the you-tube videos to put together this device and try it out on FSX? I guess if this is possible, we could get a clearer picture of how innovative this device might be for the average flight simmer. I know I am interested. Anything that can add more sensation to FSX is welcomed by me.

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Why is it..............That corner post's seem more irritating and in the way; that in real planes. The middle monitor---- left side is a good example.

It is simply a Track IR. Nothing more nothing less.

you are missing the point. back to the start and read again :)I agree that it's not a major breakthrough though.

Why is it..............That corner post's seem more irritating and in the way; that in real planes. The middle monitor---- left side is a good example.

-------------Yes- agreed. I would happily do without such trivia. It is especially bad when virtual artifacts such as window frames are included in 2D views L/R Fwd. The pics show the problem- and a solution.What would be nice is 2 matching 2D panels for Captain & 1st Officer that would blend seamlessly on middle/right mons.Then any simmer with $75 to spare for a used LCD, could enjoy a double wide view AND panel- rather than merely simulating it with popups. That second mon just plugs into port #2 on one's video card- set up "Display/Extend my Desktop" and you are good for go! Double your pleasure as they say!Alex ReidDefault FS9 KingairSame plane after virtual artifacts removed via Hex Editor & popups ready for instant use.

Hmmmm..., without reading the whole topic - i don't think it's exactly the same as TrackIR. The software they use knows exactly the 'depth position' for this targets. This way it can calculate the correct angles when you move and create the 3D effect shown in the video. That means a game or simulator has to be coded to take advantage of this tech. I believe that you would not see any difference to TrackIR in any game when you just buy the tracker hardware. It would still be 2D without calculating the correct position for each visible part on the screen.

The Wii breakfast video is priceless! :( Regarding TrackIR vs Wii tracker, contrary to what Gman says, THERE IS indeed a big difference between the two, but IT'S ONLY in the way the software manages the 3d view/movement. I'll try to explain it better with a picture:As you can see, when I move my head in TrackIR, the whole point of view AND the viewport is moved.It's like as if I'm holding a frame with my hands and looking through it while I move myself.On the other hand, when I move my head using that Wii tracker, the viewport remains fixed and ONLY the point of view moves.In this case, it's like as if I'm watching outside from a fixed windows.This explains why, with the Wii tracker, there is a very convincing 3D effect that is not present using TrackIR.It is important to note that TrackIR is perfectly capable to offer those same 3D effects, but it would need a different software.Why doesn't TrackIR use the other method? Probably because it would be less practical to use in a flight simulator: infact, while offering a more convincing 3D effect, from what I see the "Wii tracker" method does not allow rotations of the view (e.g. to look over the wings, or at six o'clock), and requires large and unpractical movements of the head (close to the screen) to see the instruments.Marco

Marco, super presentation. I

Marco, super presentation. I

I believe what we are seeing is what is called "Motion Parallax". By using software that creates a "portal window" rather than a simple "head tracking with panning capability" such as used in Tracker IR, this puts one into a position where objects in the foreground move further than objects in the background as the head moves. And this creates a 3-D effect from simple "motion parallax".While this phenomenon has been known for a long time, it appears Mr. Lee was perhaps the first to create it on existing hardware at extremely affordable prices. Who knows, he may have been the first to actaully create it on a computer, by simple programming the viewpoint to take advantage of this known phenomenon. The secret is the use of a portal window rather than traditional move and pan. Note, Mr. Lee very openly did say in his video that it only works for one person at a time. And with motion parallax as the vehicle of use here, that would be consistent.For a very good and simple explanation and demonstration of this on a web page, see the link below. While not exactly the same thing, it makes the phenomenon very easy to understand what is happening and why it works. I believe as one's head moves freely around in all directions in 3-D space it further amplifies the phenomenon as well.http://psych.hanover.edu/krantz/MotionPara...onParallax.htmlBob (Las Cruces, NM)