3D Vision within costumes.

David Boccabella

Hi Folks.

Often when one creates a costume you find you have issues with vision.  You have on several occasions seen a pair of video goggles incorporated in to the suit for the actor to see either where they are going or their performance.

This can be done cheaply with a camera module (see CMOS Camera Modules on EBay) that has A/V out
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-micro-CCTV-High-Resolution-Camera-spy-covert-security-480TVL-0-008LUX-AK-A-/152111485134?hash=item236a8d10ce:g:OvcAAOSwOVpXTsdm

and a pair of Video Glasses for around $160. 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-Virtual-Reality-Video-Glasses-VR-Goggle-With-AV-Interface-Earphone-For-Drone/132145646272?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=2220072&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=2&asc=20140106155344&meid=a19d2cfdee224c43b47423c49f636d68&pid=100005&rk=2&rkt=6&sd=272560484516

You can mount the camera anywhere on the outside of the suit and see where you are going.

However you will not have depth perception as you need 3D for that.

Generating a 3D system is difficult and expensive. However a company called SuppoModel has made a small board that can merge 2 camera feeds together and make it into a 3D side by side feed.

So now we can do the following

2 x CMOS camera's from EBay $60  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-micro-CCTV-High-Resolution-Camera-spy-covert-security-480TVL-0-008LUX-AK-A-/152111485134?hash=item236a8d10ce:g:OvcAAOSwOVpXTsdm

1 x Video Goggles that are 3D side by side capable. $200 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vision-720-68-inch-Virtual-Video-3D-Glasses-Theater-Eyewear-Display-Multi-media-/132146170458?hash=item1ec4868a5a:g:raAAAOSw-itXvUgX

And a SuppoModel.com   http://suppomodel.com/FPV/FPV 3D camera multi view video.html
I have seen this around for about $70 on Ebay    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/282413570154

Someone with a little soldering skill can easily make up a system that would be perfect for walking around in. One additional point is that the Suppo board can handle up to 4 camera's so you can do a point down or look behind system fairly easily.

Enjoy

Dave

Chris Ellerby

Stereoscopic 3D will still have a lot of challenges.  You have things like matching the interocular distance of the user's eyes, lenses to properly form the image so it works right, etc.  These are the same challenges companies like Valve and Oculus have been tackling with their VR head mounted displays.

The problem is that the value gained by depth perception will likely be outweighed at the end of the day by the complexity of the system and the headache/eye strain it would likely produce.

Inexpensive off-the shelf solutions are not going to be high resolution, which can also lead to eye strain when you are attempting to create a stereoscopic experience. 

I'm still a fan of the traditional small monitor placed inside a costume if there's space.  Video goggles work fine if you don't have clearance for a monitor, but I find they end up generating heat (mainly from covering your face), fogging up, and make your face sweaty/itchy.  One eye HUDs are pretty handy though.

/Chris

David Boccabella

Thanks for you input Chris. Its valuable information to know

I tend to use off the shelf video glasses as they already have been set up for viewing.. But I have had limited chance to play with 3D.

Again many thanks for your input