Virtual Environment and Sensori-Motor Activities: Visualization

The levels of immersion and presence felt by users in a Virtual Environment (VE) are very important factors that dictate the quality of the Virtual Reality (VR) experience. Sensori-motor systems, both hardware and software, are the components of a VR system that contribute to generate the VEs and to create the feeling of being there. This paper reviews the different visu- alization hardware/software components that are at the heart of a VR system and provides means for assessing their perform- ance in the context of various applications. Because of its historical and functional importance in the field of VR, visualiza- tion hardware is reviewed first (HMDs, VRDs, stereo glasses, CRT, LCD monitors and Plasma displays...). Then, a list of the most important insights, which should be addressed when designing and assembling a VR system, are discussed. Finally, visualization software is covered in the context of the available hardware components.