Description
What is the player?
The VMS Player allows VR playback of compositions recorded in the VMR (Visual Music Recording) format. The software contains the same synthesizer engine used when recording the pieces, but it is controlled by recorded data rather than by the hardware devices used by the artists. The VMR format stores the control signals running the synthesizer rather than the video output. This approach has many advantages over distributing via 360 video:
- 6DoF: Unlike spherical videos which only respond to changes in view direction, The VMS Player allows 6 degrees of freedom of movement – if you are in a safe space, feel free to dance with the colors.
- Unlimited resolution: The recording is independent of resolution: if the hardware running the VMS Player is upgraded in the future to support a headset with 8k resolution, the compositions will take full advantage of the increased power.
- High frame rates: Like resolution, the frame rate is independent of the recording and dependent only on the hardware. A state of the art GPU can maintain a full 90hz update rate on these recordings.
- Compact recordings: Because the recording only contains control signals, it is as much as 100x smaller than a 360 video of the same scenes.
System Requirements
- Headsets supported:
- Oculus Rift CV1: The compositions were recorded using this headset, so this will deliver the most accurate rendition.
- HTC Vive and other OpenVR headsets: We have run the original Vive at the office and it works OK, and we assume that other HMDs using this
- Samsung Odyssey Plus and other Windows MR devices: These work well, but you need to install the WMR to SteamVR converter.
- LCD based displays: Our current compositions will not look very good on displays that don’t support a true black, such as the Oculus Rift S and the Valve Index. If you want to use a current Oculus product, use the Oculus Quest with the link cable.
- Memory: 16GB needed.
- GPUs: Nvidia 1070 or better is recommended. We have not tested with Radeon.
- CPUs: We use Intel i7s, but you should be OK with AMD or even with i5.
Bundled Compositions
The current VMS Player distribution includes copies of all 6compositions currently available on the Download page. There is no need to download these pieces separately. The VMR versions of future recordings will be made available for separate download.
Usage Instructions
- Opening recordings: Use the File menu to select one of the recordings. These are *.VMR files are stored by default in the folder MyDocuments->VmsPlayer
- Headset v Desktop display: The system detects when the headset is mounted. If so, the output is directed to the headset and will not be shown on the desktop monitor. When the headset is removed, the output will be directed back to the console window.
- Centering: By default the system center will follow how the VR equipment is set up. If you want to set a different direction as front, look in that direction and press CTRL+Space.
- Desktop operation: The VMS Player runs like a typical media player with Play, Stop, Rewind, and a timeline that allows seeking to points in the composition.
- Operation using the Oculus Touch: the app can also be controlled using the VR hardware:
- Play – Press the index trigger on either hand
- Pause – Press the hand trigger on either hand
- Rewind – Press any button (A,B,X,Y)
- Recenter – Press the thumb joystick
- Other ways to control when underwater:
- The Space bar can be used to toggle between play/pause and CTRL+Space can be used to center the output. Before going underwater, make sure the mouse is over the VMS_Player app or it won’t receive the key strokes.
Support
Please contact info@visualmusicsystems.com if you have any problems using the system.