The Interactor
(Product Review & Product Sales Information)
By Charles T. 'Dr. Tom' Turley
RATINGS
Superb *****
Excellent ****
Very Good ***
Fair *
Poor X
Aura's Interactor: *****
First Introduced in 1996..
The Aura Interactor
Product Review
Usually, there's only three standard ways to experience sound with the Apple
IIGS; mono or stereo and psychoacoustic. But, suppose you could extend all
three (even mono output) with the added audio special effects of something
known as physioacoustics, to feel the action of sound from
your Apple IIGS, combined with what you're hearing. Well, take it from somebody
that's been using it for several over one and a half years now with astounding
results and it's an amazing experience to behold with your Apple IIGS.
Aura Systems Inc. furnished me with their two new physioacoustic sound systems;
'The Interactor Cushion' and 'The Interactor Vest' - for
my evaluation and review, using both with my Apple IIGS. The vest model
is shown. Both; vest or cushion systems are equally impressive in their
physioacoustic special audio effect addition and unique
abilities.
The Interactor is the 'one-of-a-kind' virtual reality vest and/or cushion,
that adds a new and vivid dimension of physioacoustics - by
allowing you to feel the sound output from your Apple IIGS, as well as hear
it. Imagine with your IIGS games, feeling and hearing the roar of a jet
engine, the bounce of a basketball hitting the hardwood, the lightning jabs
and kicks of a martial arts warrior... or the spine-tingling excitement
of laser blasts hitting your spacecraft.
Just imagine, what an astounding dimensional enhancement you'd have with
your IIGS, a stereo card, sound output to your stereo system, speakers and/or
headphones, plus the Interactor, listening to your favorite music or playing
your favorite game. You can feel all of the sounds and hear them. The soundscapes
are presented with such realism, it's as if you were in the actual music
environment and performance or within the games themselves.
The Interactor works by "listening" to any sound system's audio
output (even mono output), and triggering an Aura Magnetic actuator within
the cushion or vest core, which in turn creates real physioacoustic induction
of body-pulsing vibrations keyed to the IIGS' ensoniq DOC sound outputs
and synchronized to the video on-screen action. Controls allow the output
to be fine-tuned from a feather soft tickling effect type touch effect to
intense pounding. And, they even have an option switch that provides a way
to suppress the music or audio from games, if desired. Used with my SoundMeister
stereo card (or any other quality IIGS output stereo sound card and a good
quality stereo system), 'The Interactor' is the ultimate virtual audio experience,
really making the user realize what the 'S' in the Apple IIGS is all about!
Not just limited to audio with your computer, the Interactor also works
with standard TV, S-TV, VCR, and CDs, adding the same vivid and virtual
reality and physioacoustic sensations of feeling to the audio environmentsand
activities as well.
Behind the Technology
One of the basic forces of nature, electromagnetism, has been
used by Aura in a new patented way to create large amounts of force in a
small package. A magnetic actuator is a device that creates a back-and-forth
force upon receipt of an electrical command. Aura's high force electromagnetic
actuator (HFA) is the first "Lorentz's Law" actuator to provide
both the high forces and long strokes produced by hydraulic or pneumatic
actuators at the speed and precision of response produced by voice coil
actuators.
This ability lies in Aura's patented magnetic design. High energy permanent
magnets are arranged in such a way as to focus nearly all of their magnetic
energy into useful work. Standard voice coil actuators typically utilize
about 40% of the available magnetic energy; Aura's HFA uses nearly 90% of
that energy. The unique magnetic arrangement also allows virtually unlimited
stroke potential. Standard voice coil actuators typically provide less than
one inch of stroke. Aura's HFA stroke is virtually unlimited, as demonstrated
in a recently constructed Aura actuator which can produce over 1,000 pounds
of force over a 32-inch stroke.
Because the HFA is an all electromagnetic device, it requires no petro or
organic chemicals, and due to its unique design the device is automatically
shielded and does not radiate any electromagnetic energy. Thus the HFA is
truly an environmentally clean device.
For the last several years, this HFA technology has been applied to numerous
government and government-related projects, including several projects for
the U.S. military. These earlier projects helped refine this technology
and bring it to its current state.
The 'User-friendly' documentation - furnished with the systems, presents
virtually all questions
with clear and concise answers, with detailed instructions and clearly understood
diagrams, that anybody could understand. The instructions are through, in
every respect. Aura gives an 3-Month owners - full warranty and service,
covering repair and/or replacement on any defects in material and workmanship,
at its own option free of charge.
I certainly recommend it for an experience in IIGS sound enhancements -
you won't regret or forget.
You won't realize what a limited soundscape experience you've been dealing
with, until you have one for yourself. Comparing it with the standard effects
of a good stereo computer set of speakers with a subwoofer - it puts the
bass vibrations and physical effects of them to shame!
I've made special arrangements to obtain all of the remaining stock
of the 'Vest Model Only'
I now have 150 of these amazing units available
for sale at: $40 each - plus normal S & H charges.
If you are interested in ordering one please inquire promptly!
(After these remaining 150 units are sold - there will be no more available)
Email: cturley@grin.net
Surface Mail:
Charles T. Turley
115 Santa Clara St.
Brisbane, CA 94005-1736
USA
Voice Tel. (415) 468-1609
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The Aura Interactor Cushion was originally sold for
$150 by: Aura Systems, Inc., 2335 Alaska Ave., El Segundo, CA 90245-9735.
The toll-free number is:
1-800-909-2872. Tel. (310) 643-5300, Fax: (310) 643-8846. Aura and Interactor
are logos and trademarks of Aura Systems, Inc.
