From: cyberoid@stein.u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson)
Subject: INDUSTRY: Kaiser to promote VR over cable
Date: 14 Aug 1993 08:06:38 GMT
Organization: WORLDESIGN, Seattle


Techwire reports on clari.tw.electronics that Kaiser Electro-Optics
Inc. is working with startup VR1 Entertainment Inc. to bring "virtual
reality" to the home via cable television.

VR1 gets exclusive rights to the Kaiser VIM headset.  VR1, based in
Boulder, Colorado, will transmit virtual worlds over Time Warner's HBO
sometime in mid-1994.

The programming will comprise computer-generated, stereoscopically
filmed [filmed?] 3D home entertainment.

The article goes on to say that Kaiser is offering the $10,000 VIM to
the arcade industry but that the price will drop dramatically with
consumer production.  [I find this difficult to believe, if Kaiser is
referring to its complex and complicated top-end display unit.]

VR1 is attempting to license software for virtual reality to cable
systems and producers of 3D programming.  VR1, privately held, is
going to put out a decoder box, eventually, according to president
Richard Schmelzer.  Reportedly, VR1 has a $60 million satellite uplink
in Denver, from where its programming will originate.

[Does any of this make sense?]