Dear Hoover,
With your permission, we would like to post the following:
We would like to add the following comments to the discussion
concerning VisionWorks and VSG systems:
There are significant differences to Cambridge and VisionWorks products.
> VisionWorks is sold as a complete, integrated system: computer,
graphics controller*, all development software, premium graphics
monitor individually calibrated colorimetrically and for luminance
and contrast, and at framerates up to 240 Hz., and stereo equipment,
if required. Each system is custom configured and tested and often
includes custom modifications. Our goal is for the system to be
research-ready right out of the box(es). We call VW an "experiment
workstation" for reasons described below.
There are significant differences between VW and Cambridge software,
both of which we feel are excellent.
VisionWorks software is heirarchical. The base system is purely a
low-level C-language programming environment similar to that of CRS.
Particular attention is paid to providing utilities for
painlessly implementing flicker and
motion with frame-time accuracy, interframe color LUT manipulation,
and image sequencing.
Significantly, we also have high-level modules for very rapidly
developing full-blown applications with minimal code. When included
in an application these modules provide menu interfaces to
set up and control their respective elements:
> StimulusMaker for stimulus generation, MethodMaker for psychophysical
methods, and the Neurophysiology module, which provides tools for
electrophysiology. The modules are continuously
> updated, and their power and flexibility - without further programming -
can be attested to by our users.
>
> *Contrary to one comment, Vision Research Graphics currently offers its VisionWorks customers a choice of
> two graphics controllers--the AT-3000 or the CRS VSG, both great
controllers. Our AT-3000 board has a total of 10 MB VRAM that can be
configured as program
> memory or video memory. The VSG, which is more expensive, has higher
intensity resolution when using color. Both boards, used with VW
software (but not CRS software) provide 15-bit intensity resolution
in a special monochrome mode.
VSG owners can also purchase VW as a software product.
Betsy Hippensteel, Marketing
Vision Research Graphics
> bh@vrg.com
> http://www.vrg.com