Microsoft IllumiRoom concept + Backlighting in general

[steaky360]

I for one am very excited about this, I do like the idea of backlights for TV's/Monitors etc. to help envelop the player/viewer in the action on screen.

Recently I saw a kickstarter campaign for some backlights: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/woodenshark/lightpack-ambient-backlight-for-your-displays?ref=search

Now these look really cool, I'm not certain whether they'll do everything they claim to in the kickstarter. It's been funded already with 16 days to go so you can still get in on the action if you want. Not sure of PC gaming compatibility I guess it'll improve as they become popular. But I think they'd be better for TV's and certainly be better than the madcats lights currently on sale.


Microsoft however, have produced the most alluring idea of this to date in my opinion. A combination of a projector and a kinect gives an amazing out of tv experience. Obviously its being geared towards the console market, but surely once that has been done it will be entirely possible to match it to PC games too.
Source: http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/default.aspx?id=191304

The future is bright!

 

[nathanjrb]

The future is here!

 

[ChrisByatt]

I backed lightpack when it first appeared - when it arrives I'll show it off

IllumiRoom looks great, but perhaps a little OTT, and a projector... I bet it's VERY expensive!

 

[steaky360]

No doubt, but it is a totally different dimension of cool in my opinion, I do think the final design for it would be significantly sleeker and wouldn't be a projector+kinect but rather a projectinect (see what I did there?).

I'm considering backing lightpack but again, reading the kickstarter page makes me think this is the first in a few iterations of something that will eventually be amazing (not that its going to start out 'not amazing' because it is pretty damn cool!)!

 

[ChrisByatt]

No doubt, but it is a totally different dimension of cool in my opinion, I do think the final design for it would be significantly sleeker and wouldn't be a projector+kinect but rather a projectinect (see what I did there?).

I'm considering backing lightpack but again, reading the kickstarter page makes me think this is the first in a few iterations of something that will eventually be amazing (not that its going to start out 'not amazing' because it is pretty damn cool!)!

I doubt the hardware would change much though - it's just a bunch of leds on a stick - what's going to change is the software .

I'd rather have something like the Oculus Rift for better immersion than IllumiRoom - and as for motion controls I've already got a developer leap motion device so all sorted there

 

[Dr_Jameo]

That looks very good! A projector filling in the blanks of a traditional screen... All we need now is a 3D projector and we can go somewhere with this!

 

[steaky360]

I doubt the hardware would change much though - it's just a bunch of leds on a stick - what's going to change is the software .

I think they have stated on their kickstarter page that the next generation to feature things like cable passthrough would require a hardware change and so is not being included as a stretch goal etc. Its in their FAQ too.

The oculus rift is excellent, but not so much if you wear specs imo. The illumiroom concept wasn't really a motion controller I didn't think, the kinect is more for interacting with your existing furniture or thats how I saw it .

 

[ChrisByatt]

I think they have stated on their kickstarter page that the next generation to feature things like cable passthrough would require a hardware change and so is not being included as a stretch goal etc. Its in their FAQ too.

The oculus rift is excellent, but not so much if you wear specs imo. The illumiroom concept wasn't really a motion controller I didn't think, the kinect is more for interacting with your existing furniture or thats how I saw it .

Oh really? That's a shame...

Do you have one? I want a rift so bad - and put a new display in it. A tablet with a 1920x1200 7 inch igzo display has just been released - would look so much better than the 1280x800 one they have currently

 

[steaky360]

Nah I don't have one, I just can't see how it can be comfortable for someone who wears glasses. The band around your head would make the arms of the glasses dig into your head. The rift's visor would likely sit on your nose, which is where my glasses rest too . Not comfy.

The are amazing things though! The concept is fantastic.

 

[ChrisByatt]

Yeah I see your point - shame really.. I hope they address things like this in the final version.

 

[saccha]

That is absolutely incredible, if it works in real life as good as it does on the promo video then I have found the next thing to save for!