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1. Ascension Technologies Corporation releases the Nest of Birds, the pciBird and the laserBird
2. n-Visions Datavisor VGA again avaliable
3. Elumens releases the Stereooption for the Visionstation series
4. MicroOptical Corporation and TekGear Displays now avaliable at EST
5. EST now distributes Extron Electronics
6. New releases and patches
7. Events

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1. Ascension Technologies Corporation releases the nest of Birds, the pciBird and the laserBird

nest of Birds is an inexpensive 4 sensor solution that costs 4.5% less than the other options. The unit is compact in a single chassis, integrated desktop design. The user also has the option of a Serial or modern USB interface.
The 4-sensor configuration is ideal for interactive graphics applications as well as education, virtual reality and gaming environments

Benefits:

- Simultaneously Track 4 Sensors
- Unrestricted Tracking without Line-of-Sight Restrictions
- Simultaneous Measurement of Multiple Sensors
- Fast Dynamic Performance without Degradation
- Easy Expandability
- Real-Time Interaction with Virtual Images
- Free Interface Software & Technical Support
- Outputs Available on ISA Bus without I/O Delays
- CRT Sync to Neutralize CRT Noise
- No Calibrations or Adjustments Required

pciBIRD is the new magnetic tracker that is powered by the PCI bus on your computer. This means no I/O delays in data acquisition and the same precise magnetic tracking technology Ascension has been delivering for over 15 years.

- 6 degrees-of-freedom
- Head, hand, body tracking
- Track biomedical instruments, probes, scopes and ultrasound scan-heads
- Track without line-of-sight restrictions
- Simultaneously track multiple sensors
- No calibration or adjustments required

New for pciBIRD:

- All positional data is time stamped for added versatility
- Windows 98, NT, 2000, ME and Plug & Play compatable
- Advanced Application Programming Interface (API) for seamless integration to your applications
- Detailed error reporting provides clear indication of environmental error sources
- Automatic metal and distortion detection ensures highest data quality

Benefits:

- Unrestricted Tracking without Line-of-Sight Restrictions
- FCC Class B Compliant
- Simultaneous Measurement of Multiple Sensors
- Fast Dynamic Performance without Degradation
- Easy Expandability
- Real-Time Interaction with Virtual and Biomedical Images
- Technical Support & Interface Software Examples Outputs Available on PCI Bus without I/O Delays
- No Calibrations or Adjustments Required

laserBIRD is a highly accurate optical tracker for use in environments that preclude magnetic, acoustic and inertial trackers. It delivers full position and orientation measurements (6DOF) over a wide field of view with a simple interface to your host computer. Positional accuracy is 1 mm RMS.

Benefits:

- Exact position & orientation tracking without environmental distortion.
- Small, light-weight sensors for easy mounting on any object.
- Wide area tracking coverage with new scanning laser technology.
- Miniaturized scanner with self-contained DSP electronics offers smallest form factor and easiest placement of all available optical trackers

2. n-Visions Datavisor VGA again avaliable

Datavisor® head mounted displays are designed to meet the demands of the human visual apparatus while fulfilling the practical requirement for a device that is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to use.
The Datavisor VGA displays a resolution of 640x480 and incorporates a custom converter ASIC that allows it to accept normal 60Hz IBM standard VGA input in addition to 180Hz RGB.

Optics:
Datavisor head mounted displays employ reflective collimated windows and corrective relay lenses to achieve optical tolerances within standards established by the US Air Force Armstrong Research Laboratory for head mounted displays in extended use applications.

Mechanics:
The system is arranged mechanically with the image sources and corrective relay optics balanced on each side of the head at ear level. All optical and electronic components are housed in a durable, lightweight, molded shell that incorporates mounting positions for headphones and tracking sensors. The head fitting system is adjustable with a pair of ratchets located on the back and top of the unit.
IPD adjustments, located within easy reach on the sides of the unit at the temple, will accommodate a wide range of users. The Datavisor incorporates a precision focus adjustment, ranging from inches to infinity, giving users the ability to control how far away the virtual environment appears inside the display. The adjustment is located on the bottom of the unit near the ear.

Flexibility:
Delivering features and performance essential for high performance visualization applications, the design of the Datavisor system lends itself to many capabilities beyond the reach of traditional virtual reality displays.
The collimated window optics allow an undistorted optical path to the eye so that the system may be configured for see-through applications by changing the fully opaque mirror in front of the eyes to a partially transparent one. For installations that use retinal tracking, miniature cameras are easily mounted inside the unit without consuming eye-relief.
Datavisor VGA systems are easily upgraded to 1280x1024 performance.

3. Elumens releases the Stereooption for the Visionstation 1024

When combined with the immersive qualities of the VisionStation, 3D images not only pop off the screen; they surround the user, resulting in an unprecedented visual experience. In addition to stereo capabilities, the VisionStation 1024S incorporates Texas Instrument's DLP® projection technology. Elumens' new display is 30 percent brighter than the original and comes fully loaded with enhanced optics, a stereoscopic viewing kit, an audio system, speaker platforms, and rolling casters. A multi-position light shade and full-size work desk also are available. Stereoscopic capabilities can be added to the original VisionStation and the new VisionStation 800 via an easy upgrade.

To create stereoscopic spherical projection, Elumens added stereo support to its SPI (spherical projection of images) application-programming interface. Nicknamed "SPIclops"- this innovative API can be used with OpenGL®, Performer®, IRIX® and will soon be available for DirectX® 7 and 8. Application providers can choose to enable one to four image channels depending on their performance requirements and computing horsepower. SPIclops performance is excellent on both professional graphics engines and consumer-priced PC graphics cards.

4. MicroOptical Corporation and TekGear Displays now avaliable at EST

The MicroOptical Corporation is the leader in the development of next generation electronic display devices.Their eyeglass display system represents an ergonomic breakthrough over conventional head-mounted display technology. MicroOptical's Clip-On Monitor is the perfect way to put data and graphics continuously in your field of view, allowing the performance of tasks with hands free and without the need to stop work to glance over at a distant monitor.

Tek Gear designs and manufactures portable display products for OEM and industrial applications. All of our product offerings are based upon micro display devices. These display devices measure less than 0.7" in diagonal and draw very little power. Microdisplays are perfectly suited for portable applications where power consumption, size and weight are paramount.

5. Extron Electronics products now avaliable at EST

Extron manufactures computer-video interfaces, switchers, distribution amplifiers, computer-video scan converters, scalers, signal processing equipment, and high resolution cables. These products are used to integrate computer, video, and audio into presentation displays for today's boardrooms, presentation/training centers, university lecture halls, and other applications.

6. New releases and patches:

WorldUpR5:

You can now download WorldUpR5 patch 4

WUP Patch 4 Players

WUP ActiveX Control

WUP Internet Plugin

7. Events

During the next three months you can visit us at the following events:

- Euromold, November, 28th - December 1st, 2001 in Frankfurt, Germany