Some updates on troubleshooting my VFX-1 setup. Upon trying the Matrox Millennium 1 and Mystique 220 (2mb), I have found similar results where resolutions at 320x200 mono in DOS applications display in the headset, but other higher resolutions (some when using a stereo display mode) show blank screens or some kind of corruption.

One example is looking at Descent 1.4 in DOS. Descent offers a native VFX-1 driver in Setup as well as an "alternative" driver if setup is set to "None" for VR Devices.

The native driver appears to render a stereo image while the alternative driver appears to render a mono image. The native driver shows a doubled images (similar images on left half and right half of screen) on the monitor while having a corrupted image in the headset.

The alternate driver, however, does indeed render a somewhat single image on both the monitor and headset. Other games, such as ZAR, show similar behavior between such video modes.

Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated

Had some more luck. While I have not identified the exact issues with certain video cards and feature connectors with the VFX-1, I did find the following "Supported Video Cards" reference on archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20010204120500/ht … fx1/vidcard.htm

Part of the archived site has a troubleshooting guide. It turns out the VFX-1 DOS driver has a few options. One of those options might help solve the scrambled color issues I've seen every now and then.

I also started trying an ATI RAGE II + DVD All-in-Wonder card which seems to offer the most compatibility yet.

Using ATI's VBE utility (64VBE), I was able to enable VESA 1.0 and 2.0 video modes.

Stereo video modes are working in both Windows and DOS games at this point. I tried Flight Unlimited 2 (Windows) and Descent's native VFX-1 driver. No scrambled mess in this card.

Z.A.R. renders mostly correct, though the stereo video mode seems to still only render 1/2 of the image.

I think my next test is going to be downloading the software to enable the feature connector header on my s3 ViRGE card and see what compatibility looks like there.

Hi there!

I just want to say that I think it's great that you spend time working on the VFX-1!

I don't own one myself, but have a few fond memories of the VFX-1 or its kind from back in the 1990s, when I was little.

At one time, I was visiting a computer store with my dad were the experts were setting up PCs and 3D helmets for presentation..

That was when those demonstration/show case PCs still ran Windows 3.1 - I remember the screen savers Flying Windows, Marquee and Starfield running.

Well, they allowed me to wear one of them for a while, for reasons that are beyond me. ^^
I mean, those things were extremely precious at the time.

Anyway, it was a magic experience I'd never forget.
One demo was running a space ship in a 3D space environment.
Through head-movement it could be controlled, I vaguely remember.

Unfortunately, I've never found out the name of that demo. It used simple, white vector graphics in first-person or straight-behind perspective, I believe.
Not quite like Descent. ;)

Anyway, I still have some 3D glasses that use the same MS-DOS APIs, I believe.
One of it is LCDBios, afaik.

Here's more information: http://www.stereo3d.com/driverc.htm
http://www.stereo3d.com/

Anyway, you already know that, I suppose. Just wanted to not leave your thread unanswered. :)

VR and the VFX-1, especially, are an fascinating subject.
There's so much to explore. Yay! ^^

Good luck!
Jo22

PS: Also interesting to read (it's no complete list, I merely remember those) :

VFX1 emulation

Virtual Reality

IT IS THE NINETIES, and you are about to enter a whole new world of

I've also attached the picture of xjas' early homebrew glasses, as mentioned in the link above.
Just in case dropbox will forget about it in near future.

Because, the photo provides a good impression and a contrast to how hi-tec the VFX-1 really was/felt
at the time in comparison to what others had to use.
Not that the shutter glasses were less fun (except for the eyestrain!), but a real 3D helmet or Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) was something exceptional, really.

Hello !

Any news on your project ? Did you try with your S3 Virge card ?

I’m currently also trying to build up a rig for vfx1. I’m using a ATI All-in Wonder Rage II + DVD too, but I got no display at all on the vfx1. I tried to enable VESA video modes with ATI 64VBE (I got the same screen as the one you post above), and even SciTech Display Doctor, everything seems good on the software side, but no display at all…

Have you some advices ?
Thank you and have a nice day !

So I've returned to working on my VFX-1! A couple of notes:

- Tried the S3 Virge. Didn't work great. I went back to the ARK Logic PCI card. Output clarity is REALLY nice. I did change my rig however ...
- The desktop I am using now is a Socket 7 system with the ARK Logic, a Voodoo 1, a K6 @ 200mhz, 128 mb ram, and Windows 98 SE. These specs seem to fit the compatible software much better.

Today I wanted to tackle replacing the ear pads. The old adhesive was disintegrating and was gross. I picked up some sheepskin pads (https://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/headp … ds-xl-sheepskin) and did a swap (see pics). I had to rip and tear apart the old cloth pads to free the plastic brackets, but now I can reuse said clips for the new pads.

The pads look pretty good attached to the drivers, but the drivers were also glued onto the headset and that glue is LONG gone. So now I'm trying some JB Weld to reattach the drivers to the headset. Right now, it's just gonna take some time.

Later tonight I'll post some findings on software setup for various games and some further video card experiments. Spoiler alert: lots of cards didn't work, but the Intel i470 looks promising!

I fabricated a new head pad for the VFX-1. Used some leftover foam material from my kids' puzzle playmats, some vinyl wrap, and some velcro to get the job done. The headset stays nice and firm on my noggin now.

I also did a casual stream covering some of my discoveries with using and configuring the VFX-1 on my Windows 98 machine:
https://www.youtube.com/live/XYWYyMiPruE?si=1f-v25iDF-sFNN5T

Some highlights include:
- Running down some hardware configuration considerations
- Demoing games in various states of compatibility at this point in time
- Showing some differences between using Univbe and not using Univbe

bushmac wrote on 2024-02-19, 08:08:

did a casual stream covering some of my discoveries

Some helpful stuff in there for when I finally get around to setting up my own kit. I'd appreciate a ping whenever you do another one.

A Twitch user asked about the cards you tested for compatibility and you gave them a list in Discord. Was it the one from post #3, or would it make sense to ask you to post that here, or would you recommend to just grab a 1000PV like you and be done with it?

The rig you have in your first post is pretty similar to mine, though I only have a single graphics card (Voodoo3 PCI) - any particular reason you didn't use yours? Just noticed the "no AGP" in the post3 list, guess that answers that at least. Seeing how a non-addon V2 is on the list, I'll give my PCI V3 a try before buying yet another card.

elszgensa wrote on 2024-02-21, 14:10:

Some helpful stuff in there for when I finally get around to setting up my own kit. I'd appreciate a ping whenever you do anothe […]
Show full quote

bushmac wrote on 2024-02-19, 08:08:

did a casual stream covering some of my discoveries

Some helpful stuff in there for when I finally get around to setting up my own kit. I'd appreciate a ping whenever you do another one.

A Twitch user asked about the cards you tested for compatibility and you gave them a list in Discord. Was it the one from post #3, or would it make sense to ask you to post that here, or would you recommend to just grab a 1000PV like you and be done with it?

The rig you have in your first post is pretty similar to mine, though I only have a single graphics card (Voodoo3 PCI) - any particular reason you didn't use yours? Just noticed the "no AGP" in the post3 list, guess that answers that at least. Seeing how a non-addon V2 is on the list, I'll give my PCI V3 a try before buying yet another card.

This is the list I've been using for trying different cards: https://mellottsvrpage.com/vfxfaq.txt

The list given seems to list video cards from some early 90s ISA and VLB cards up to some mid-90s PCI cards. I've tried the following cards with no luck so far:
- TNT 2 M64 AGP
- Various flavors of the SiS 6326 AGP
- Expertcolor S3 Trio Virge PCI
- Intel i740 AGP
- ATI Rage 128 AGP
- Trident 3dlmage 9750 AGP
- Matrox G550 AGP
- AccelGraphics 255-0128-01 REV D AGP
- ELSA Razor II - P16 PCI
- A couple flavors of the Permedia 2 AGP
- Matrox Mystique PCI
- 3DForce B-16 AGP
- Diamond Stealth II S220 PCI 4MB (a Rendition V2100 chipset)

I've seen posts of folks saying they've had AGP cards work for them, but I have yet to find one for me. Furthermore, I have a Trio64 card coming in I will be trying.

My best advice is to start with a referenced card from the list to at least test your headset. Not having a video passthrough solution with the Voodoo 3 is a bummer, but worst case you might be swapping video cables when doing something in the VFX1 vs Glide or other 3d accelerated gaming.

My best guess at why the ARK 1000PV has been such a good option (keep in mind it's 2mb memory limit) is that it was also used for CAD work. There are some ARK 2000 series cards I'd like to try to get up to 4mb of vram for my desktop and get JUST A LITTLE more performance out of VFX1 gameplay.

Finally, I speculate the Intel i740 could be wired up to have the needed signals in a Feature Connector interface to work. The VESA video modes are there, especially when using Univbe. Consider the attached schematic and the feature connector pinout: https://old.pinouts.ru/Video/VesaFeature_pinout.shtml. There is other datasheet info out there in the Intel i740, but that could prove to be a good option for such an application if the wiring would work out.

More info on possible upgrades:
- https://mellottsvrpage.com/index.php/vfx1-erf … e-lens-upgrade/
- https://mellottsvrpage.com/index.php/vfx1-vga … inkbox-plans-2/

With the VGA box solution, stereo video mode Glide wrappers could be interesting:
- http://www.stereo3d.com/3dhome.htm

Finally, some game recommendations:
- https://porta2note.itch.io/gridfighter-3d
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/351820/ZAR/
- https://store.steampowered.com/app/351810/Mad … ell_and_Beyond/