Game Developer Conference - Special Edition - March, 2010 View the Future® Vuzix Developer Newsletter Stereoscopic 3D Eyewear – Goes From Geek to Chic Royalty Free SDK Update Stereoscopic 3D is the latest trend in movies and games – which format(s) do I support? Beta Release SDK Supports Side- by-Side Stereoscopic 3D Video and 6-DoF Tracker. Vuzix has been providing a roy- alty free SDK for its PC compat- ible video eyewear since 2006. A new release of the Vuzix SDK (beta release) will be available for download from the Vuzix website (www.vuzix.com) in late March, 2010. This new release expands the depth of supported stereoscop- ic formats and adds support for the soon to be released Wrap 6-DoF (Degree of Freedom) Tracker. This is a question many game developers are asking themselves, as there is no single clear winner in the format The Side-by-Side stereoscopic wars. Until recently, Frame Sequential appeared to be the leading format for PC games, but recently Side-by-Side 3D format has become popular of has made great strides. Vuzix offers end-users two options, Frame Sequential through the iWear® VR920 video late and is expected to show up in eyewear or Side-by-Side through the Wrap line of video eyewear. other titles moving forward. This format is supported in this new The sunglass style Wrap™ eyewear line is the latest addition to the Vuzix eyewear line. When equipped with an SDK release and Vuzix encour- optional Wrap VGA Adapter, it can be connected to any Windows based PC running XP, Vista or 7 - 32 or 64-bit ages software developers to sup- versions. Using the latest Vuzix SDK and Eyewear Manager software, games can automatically switch to the port both Side-by-Side and Frame appropriate 3D video format thereby eliminating user confusion. Sequential in all 3D enabled titles. Head tracking is a capability that Dead Reckoning Tracker Get Connected With The Wrap 920 adds untold realism to games by breaking the chain between the Vuzix’ 6-DoF Tracker with compass, Connecting to an iPod® or iPhone®, portable DVD Player, video-out en- desktop monitor and real-world only slightly larger than a 25¢ piece. abled cell phone, Windows based PC or even a console gaming system, The Wrap 920 has you covered. The Wrap 920 provides a 67” screen, as simulation of seeing where you seen from 10 ft, plus the flexibility of connecting to virtually any device look. The soon to be released with video out. Vuzix 6-DoF Tracker is fully sup- ported in this release of the SDK. By default, the Vuzix Wrap 920 comes with a composite cable (RCA type) The SDK is a .DLL driver that is to provide a generic connection compatible with most audio/video devic- easy to interface to. Here is what es, such as cell phones, portable DVD players and a host of devices. For one professional programmer those using an iPod, iPod touch or iPhone, a specialized composite video recently said about adding head cable is also included for a direct connection, ideal for watching movies tracking to their program; “Your on a plane or stereoscopic 3D video streaming off YouTube. Soon, a Wrap team has done a great job at creat- This tiny positional-powerhouse Recharge Pack and Wrap Power Sled will be available to expand your ing the SDK. We had your device plugs into a small port on the back connection options to component for superior video quality. For Windows integrated and running in about 40 of a Wrap 920 video eyewear and laptop and desktop systems, an optional Wrap VGA Adapter connects to a minutes. We still have to complete provides head tracking accuracy VGA port. If your PC does not have a VGA port, a DVI-to-VGA or similar the optimizing process and add er- previously unavailable. The 6-DoF adapter can be used to further broaden the Wrap 920’s reach. Tracker utilizes multiple magneto- ror checking but we had the basics resistive sensors, accelerometers up and running very quickly.” and gyros for high accuracy. Pro- Console Eyewear grammers can use the provided po- Side-by-Side stereoscopic video support in console video games, such as Avatar, make it possible for game play- sitioning and tracking algorithms or ers to enjoy 3D video using Vuzix Wrap video eyewear on a 67” monitor, as seen from 10 feet, without spending use their own. thousands of dollars. Wrap video eyewear connect to console game systems through its standard composite connections or soon to be released component enabled accessories, such as the lithium battery equipped Wrap Scheduled to ship in Q2, 2010. Recharge Pack and Wrap Power Sled. Augmented Reality Vuzix Eyewear Manager Goes Beta It’s Here, It’s Now The Vuzix Eyewear Manager, The scope of the Vuzix Eyewear an application for managing all Manager has also been expanded Vuzix shipped the first consumer aspects for Vuzix’ PC compat- to now cover Vuzix Wrap 920 vid- market augmented reality display ible video eyewear goes beta in eo eyewear equipped with a Wrap systems in August 2009. The late March, 2010. A complete VGA Adapter and connected to a iWear VR920 video eyewear and rewrite of the prior VR920 user PC. Support for the upcoming Vuz- iWear CamAR enabled augment- interface software offers greater ix Wrap 6-DoF Tracker with com- ed reality programs to break into convenience, improved perfor- pass is included provides an option the PC market. This is a single Vuzix iWear VR920 with CamAR mance and multiple feature en- to the existing iWear VR920 for camera system that clips onto the hancements. virtual reality applications. Support front of an iWear VR920 virtual for the Side-by-Side stereoscopic reality eyewear and connects di- The Vuzix Eyewear Manager com- 3D format supported by the Wrap rectly to a USB port on the host bines the functionality of the iWear- 920 is also included in this new re- PC. The computer sees the iWear Monitor and iWear Calibrator into lease and supported by many of the CamAR as a standard USB cam- a single application with a new Vuzix Extensions. The Vuzix Eye- Vuzix Wrap 920AR era, requiring no special drivers and easier to use user interface and wear Manager automatically recog- or interface. The demand for this new test utilities including a visual nizes when a Wrap 920 with VGA product has been so great that production had to be geared up beyond stereoscopic 3D video tester. The Adapter is connected and uses the our initial expectation. number of Vuzix Extensions, en- Side-by-Side 3D format where sup- abling stereoscopic 3D video and/ ported by Extensions. In Q2, 2010, Vuzix will up the ante with the world’s first consumer or head tracking in released game market stereoscopic augmented reality eyewear system. titles, has been increased to over 100. In addition, new and upgraded The Wrap 920AR augmented reality eyewear features a 67-inch stereo- Vuzix Extensions can now be re- scopic 3D display as seen from 10-feet (3m) and a stereo camera pair leased independent of the Vuzix The Vuzix Eyewear Manager beta that “looks” into the world, bringing mixed and augmented reality to Eyewear Manager software and release will be posted as a free life. The stereo cameras, each capturing 752 x 480 images at 60 fps, easily installed by the user as son as download on the Vuzix website delivers a single 1504 x 480 side-by-side image that can be viewed in they are available. (www.vuzix.com) March 18, 2010. 3D on the Wrap eyewear displays. Get Connected With The Wrap 920 Vuzix Developer Program Connecting to an iPod® or an iPod, iPod touch or iPhone, a • Royalty Free SDKs • Developer seed program (Software Development Kit) iPhone®, portable DVD Player, specialized composite video cable • Key Product Technical video-out enabled cell phone, is also included for a direct con- • Vuzix Developer Newsletter Assistance Windows based PC or even a con- nection, ideal for watching mov- • Co-marketing Opportunities • Access to Vuzix Development sole gaming system, The Wrap ies on a plane or stereoscopic 3D Resources 920 has you covered. The Wrap video streaming off YouTube. 920 provides a 67” screen, as seen Soon, a Wrap Recharge Pack and from 10 ft, plus the flexibility of Wrap Power Sled will be available Developer Seed Program Console System Eyewear connecting to virtually any device to expand your connection options with video out. to component for superior video In recognition of software develop- Side-by-Side stereoscopic video quality. Far Windows PC laptop er’s need for samples to test native support in console video games, By default, the Vuzix Wrap 920 and desktop systems an optional such as Avatar, make it possible stereoscopic video and head track- comes with a composite cable Wrap VGA Adapter and connect to for game players to enjoy 3D ing support, Vuzix has created a (RCA type) to provide a generic a VGA port on desktop and laptop Developer Seed Program. This pro- video using Vuzix Wrap video eyewear on a 67” monitor, as seen connection compatible with most PCs. If your PC does not have a gram makes Vuzix video eyewear audio/video devices, such as cell VGA port, a DVI-to-VGA or simi- available to qualified developers for from 10 feet, without spending thousands of dollars. Wrap video phones, portable DVD players and lar adapter can be used to further loan and at a discounted purchase a host of devices. For those using broaden the Wrap 920’s reach.