Return to the archive index

Re: Inexpensive Display Technology

From: <>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 20:42:22 -0500

I've gotta agree with Tony on this one.

If I was going from scratch as a hobbyist, for my first machine I'd
put my money into an M1 display at this point.  Its designed as a HUD,
supported by the company, and very hackable (which is actively
encouraged by the company).  The image is sharp, power consumption
acceptable, and the electronics seem solid.  You don't have to futz
with software and is as close to plug and play as you are going to get
for under $1k - probably for a long time.  The issues are the
res (use anti-aliasing to help, but 60 columns is perfectly readable
out of the box), the focus is fixed at infinity (hackable -order your
model unglued in case you want to play), and the head mount needs
customization - just like any HUD.  The important thing is it gets you
started on the journey to figuring out what you REALLY want.

The reason I haven't spoken out is I was hoping to have a Lizzy 3.0VGA
design on the web site using it, but I'm just too busy thesing.  I
also generally try to use a machine in daily life for a month before
writing it up.  However, such a system is not hard - even downright
trivial.  Buy the Ampro VGA board (lowest power consumption I've
tested yet vs. Jump and Advantech) and follow the same Lizzy
instructions.  The end.  Even less hassle than the Lizzy 2
instructions.  Even less $ too at this point - <$2k

Hey!...any of my UROPs listening?  Quick  weekend project to
write up/test the instructions?

BTW, we're always pursuing other HUD's, and the serious hacker types
should stick with the P5 for its res/power (together we'll eventually
get it), but the M1 is the work horse for those who want something now
without hassle.  I encourage you to use the opportunity Liquid Image
has given.  Experiment and publish what you find out to the list.

						Thad Starner
						MIT Media Laboratory
						Wearable Computing Project

Previous Message in Thread | Next Message in Thread

From Wear-Hard Mailing list Archive (WH)
Maintained by R. Paul McCarty

Archive created with babymail