Sony Officially Intros 3D Head Mounted Display
So much for going out to the movies on Friday night: now everyone can watch theater-quality 3D movies at home by wearing headgear seemingly ripped right out of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Forget the Viewmaster: Wednesday in Tokyo, Sony announced the upcoming launch of the "world's first" head-mounted personal 3D viewer, the HMZ-T1. Looking like head gear ripped straight out of a sci-fi movie (pew pew eyes like Scott "Cyclops" summers), the 3D visor offers both 2D and 3D content up close and personal, spread out across a theater-like virtual screen, or rather, the equivalent of a 62.5-foot (750-inch) screen viewed from about 60 feet away.
That's right: the days of actually going out in public to see a movie are rapidly drawing to a close. "The hardest part for us was to make it as small-sized as possible, while maintaining high definition, but we succeeded," Shigeru Kato, a Sony vice president, told Reuters. "People can enjoy watching a favorite movie or play a videogame on their own without bothering other family members."
Honestly, this is a movie junkie's dream come true. The headset packs a pair of 3D-capable 1280 x 720 OLED panels which receives input from an HDMI source like a Blu-ray player, a PC, Sony’s PlayStation 3 console and other 3D hardware and media. The screens also use Sony's 45-degree optical lens technology to reduce 3D crosstalk to nearly zero.
"'HMZ-T1' adopts the 'Dual Panel 3D method,' which utilizes separate panels for the left and right eyes, each with its own dedicated 3D video," the company explained in a press release Wednesday. "Therefore, it does not generate crosstalk. Furthermore, as the HD quality video is displayed separately on each of the panels, viewers can now enjoy high resolution 3D video that is natural, bright and extremely pure, to an extent that had not been possible until now."
On the audio front, 5.1 multi-channel virtual surround sound completes the full-on immersive package. Users can select four different surround modes including Standard, Cinema for emulating a movie theater experience, Game for reproducing a clear sense of direction, and Music for those who simply want to hear tunes in the 60,000 yen ($784) specs. A control key located behind the front of the device is used to control the volume as well as basic operations such as playback, pause, fast forward, rewind, previous chapter, next chapter.
"Before, watching a movie on a big screen was a pastime for the whole family, but now there is a growing demand from people who want to enjoy videos on large-sized screens alone," Kato added.
The 3D specs comes with an additional processor unit that is equipped with a built-in HDMI output switcher so that users can switch between the Head Mounted Display and an additional connected HDTV. It also charges the headset when it's not in use – Sony says that a wearable sensor automatically turns off the two screens when the viewer isn't donning the futuristic specs.
But while Sony’s upcoming Head Mounted Display sounds just awesomely cool, the company warns that it's not for everyone. "Considering the protection of the growth and development, we ask children (age 15 and younger) to refrain from using this product," the company said. "In any rough or unstable environment with a propensity for travel sickness to occur (such as in a vehicle), we ask our customers to refrain from using the device."
The headset will initially launch in Japan on November 11 for 60,000 yen ($784 USD). So far there's no word on when the device will arrive here in the States, but we're betting it will be in the same timeframe as the launch of Sony's handheld platform, the PlayStation Vita.
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$800 for a screen only you can enjoy is a bit much to ask for. I would have to see one in action first..
I don't know, $800 seems like a bit much...and the idea of not going to the movies with friends or family is kind of a negative in my book. Gaming would bee cool in that though. Maybe in 6 years it'll be cheap enough for me to buy.
At least you won't be able to see the people making fun of you for wearing it....
Curious of its weight. I imagine after watching a movie for an hour your neck will start to ache??
A pair of 3D capable screens, what's the point in that? A pair of regular 2D screens is all you need.
1280x720? $800? I'll boldly pass...
il pay that much when its a contact lense that creates a holograph infront of me
a lot of poor people on Toms today. If it was $100 would you think it had a chance of being decent. The price at least makes me curious about the quality of it.
Don't know about this being the first 3D glasses. Virtual Products released Virtual i-O glasses for 3-D viewing with head tracking support back in 1995. Though there weren't that many programs/videos available in 3-D back then unlike nowadays so it didn't take off.
Seems a bit big. I want the wrap 1200 sunglasses style
http://www.vuzix.com/consumer/products_wrap_1200.html
But even worse resolution. I want to try before I buy. If they are a "half immersive" flickering experience like the last one I tried then the wait is not over for me.
I wonder why they can put a 1080p panel the size of a coin in a projector, But somehow they can't make that work in a 3d head mounted display ?? Anyone know the technical realities that limits the resolution?.
This might be useful for 3d pron, but I think anyone around would still notice when you drop your pants...
As a side note, cut down on the sensationalism. I know your just copying and pasting what Sony has published, but come on. Its also the equivalent to a 15" screen viewed from 12" away (doesn't sound that big now does it). Or you can say "This is like viewing a screen 25% larger than the SUN* (from a distance of 1au)" if your going to sensationalize things, go big or go home!
How long before they remove the headset feature?
When combined with TrackIR, you would get a virtual reality setup that would be pretty sweet. It would be perfect for those flight simulators with full range of movement and clickable cockpits, like DCS A-10 and DCS Black Shark. Really any TrackIr game would be awesome! Go to YouTube and search for TrackIR if you don’t know what it is and you will see what I am talking about.
->Dalethepcman While I agree with you on the sensationalism sillyness. The screen description is accurate. Its made this way because the appearance of the screen, when you look at it, will actually be 60 feet away and probably gives the roomy feel of being in a theater.
It can't really be compared to a 15" screen 12" away. Its the focal point that decides the distance and screen size. Even if its an illusion it still appears that way.
As an example the vuzix solution has a focal point that is a lot closer. 10 feet and 75 inch.
the future come closer where the online game "the world" from [dot]hack games become reality .. it's gonna be fun !
a lot of poor people on Toms today. If it was $100 would you think it had a chance of being decent. The price at least makes me curious about the quality of it.
Buy the Razer Blade while you're at it.
OK seriously, Virtual IO has had this for like 15+ years.
I remember playing Magic Carpet in 3D with the headset also doing motion tracking in the 486 days, and then afterwords watching 3D jaws from a VCR.
"world's first" head-mounted personal 3D viewer" is pretty much an all around BS claim.
I wouldn't be surprised that many people using these will get nausea the same way people get seasick / carsick etc.
On the bright side; Yay! You can watch 3D on the toilet!
So a giant screen with only 720p? The tech sounds really cool but that would be pretty low res. This will become a lot better when they go 1080p or even 1440p, if they ever do...
its not a giant screen. its a tiny screen simulating the effect of a giant screen. being as small as the display actually is, even 720p is more pixels than it needs. you wouldn't be able to physically see any more pixels than that. those would be prrrreeetttyyy small pixels to cram 1920x1080 into a screen that can't be more than an inch or two big. the reason why a projector is actually 1080p is because a projector is actually producing an extremely large image on a wall or white screen and because of that screens actual size, you would indeed be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p.
my problem is not being able to use your own headphones, because i know for a fact i have better than they will offer.
$800 for a screen only you can enjoy is a bit much to ask for. I would have to see one in action first..
im by myself 99% of the time anyway.
oled should make it FAR better than anything else on the market.
I don't know, $800 seems like a bit much...and the idea of not going to the movies with friends or family is kind of a negative in my book. Gaming would bee cool in that though. Maybe in 6 years it'll be cheap enough for me to buy.
i go to the movies with family, they wont shut up about who is that actor, and where do i know them from, and it ruins the movie, and GOD FORBID anyone else is in the theater or its packed, have fun being at a theater when its like that.
other people have only ruined movies for me.
At least you won't be able to see the people making fun of you for wearing it....
yea, i dont see anyone doing that, unless they are complete morons.
1280x720? $800? I'll boldly pass...
720 oled, so long as they dont skimp on the oled, it will be better than even the best of the lcd, i could take a 720p over a 1080p for tv/games/movies if the screen is better. granted it wouldnt replace general pc screen, but i would complement it.
Don't know about this being the first 3D glasses. Virtual Products released Virtual i-O glasses for 3-D viewing with head tracking support back in 1995. Though there weren't that many programs/videos available in 3-D back then unlike nowadays so it didn't take off.
i may have used those. they had i think a crt for each eye, i know it wasn't lcd because the quality of the picture was to high. they were nice, but they didnt use oled and needed specific mounts to even go on your head. granted i may be thinking of something completely different.
Seems a bit big. I want the wrap 1200 sunglasses style http://www.vuzix.com/consumer/prod [...] 00.htmlBut even worse resolution. I want to try before I buy. If they are a "half immersive" flickering experience like the last one I tried then the wait is not over for me.I wonder why they can put a 1080p panel the size of a coin in a projector, But somehow they can't make that work in a 3d head mounted display ?? Anyone know the technical realities that limits the resolution?.
in labs they have oled at over 1000dpi.
the reality is that a projector has different mechanics than a screen, correct me if i'm wrong, but don't they have a separate color thing for each of the main colors, and the projectors them selves are larger than the screen, these are compact size of a quarter screens, while a projector, at least good ones are 1 foot by 2 feet. and are about 8 inches tall. and they are fitting i believe 2 of these into a visor like device.
This might be useful for 3d pron, but I think anyone around would still notice when you drop your pants...As a side note, cut down on the sensationalism. I know your just copying and pasting what Sony has published, but come on. Its also the equivalent to a 15" screen viewed from 12" away (doesn't sound that big now does it). Or you can say "This is like viewing a screen 25% larger than the SUN* (from a distance of 1au)" if your going to sensationalize things, go big or go home!
i get where you are coming from, but its realy not something you can explain, you have to experience it. i mean a theater screen is HUGE right? do you think that you are looking at what is basically a 100 foot screen from 100 feet away, or are you thinking damn thats a big screen.
when these things are done right, you actually believe their is a theater screen in front of you.
For $800 you could see 80 movies at the cinema over the course of several years.
For 3D porn be sure to close any doors and windows. If someone breaks in chances are you won't hear or see them. Heh. Reminds me of TV show called "My Name Is Earl" where they cleaned out a stoners and deaf persons apartment while they were in it. Hahaha.
Well, i might wait for a bit but i like the idea. If its really good, i might even buy them at that price ( saving up for 4 months for it probably ).
.
I cant even begin to imagine how amazing this could be... 750 inch screen? Its crazy for gaming, games like stalker, like crysis... but how about games with an open world, like prototype... well, id love to see that in action, but in any case id wish it was full hd... we will see how it turns out to be, since im sure those googles will appear on every big electronics store
Guys, come on! The $800 isn't for the nifty low resolution or the satisfying feeling of nirvana you have as you slowly put your head gear on knowing you are alone in this world. It's for the sweet style you'll be kickin'! ...still alone
I wouldn't be surprised that many people using these will get nausea the same way people get seasick / carsick etc.On the bright side; Yay! You can watch 3D on the toilet!
Yeah, great for people who havee problems with that: Get a horror movie.
How come Toms does not have these in the report?
[citationEach of these panels is only 0.7-inch in size and have a resolution of 1280 x 720, which gives them a mind-blowing pixel density of 2098-PPI. Each of these displays on the HMZ-T1 are positioned in a way that they recreate the experience of watching a 750-inch 3D TV from 20m.[/citation]
From:
http://blog.gsmarena.com/sony-anno [...] more-19044
Im as geek as the next guy but this is just a bit too awkward and nerdy for me. I mean this is just shutting out the whole world. Well, I guess that is a pretty big market.
While cool, 3D makes my head hurt, so no go for me.
It doesn't reduce 3D crosstalk to "nearly zero", it reduces crosstalk TO ZERO. Crosstalk is physically impossible when you have a separate screen for each eye. Yes, that's right, 3D with ZERO ghosting. None whatsoever. All HMDs except HeadPlay have zero crosstalk. Normal 3D cinema and 3D TVs have quite a lot of crosstalk. This 3D probably makes your head hurt less. The other way to get zero ghosting is with parallel or crosseyed viewing on a normal screen without glasses, but that's hard.
It also won't have any flicker, unlike a 3D TV at home, which will make your head hurt less.
About the screen size... These virtual screens have two virtual distances away from your eyes. One distance is the focus distance: your eyes always need to focus like they would focus on a real object that distance away, otherwise it will look blurry. The focus distance is the same for the whole screen, regardless of what 3D objects it is showing. A 3D object popping out to 30cm in front of your face would still require you to focus your eyes 20 metres away. Which gives you a headache. You can probably adjust the focus distance on these (unlike the Vuzix VR920).
The other distance is the stereoscopic 3D distance. That's caused by the illusion of parallax. The edges of the screen and any 2D content will seem like they are 20 metres away. 3D content that pops out, will actually be popping out of a screen 20 metres away. 3D content that has depth (most of most 3D movies) will have depth more than 20 metres away. You can't really tell the difference between 20 metres and infinity. But don't worry, on these glasses, 3D content behind the screen will look like it's further than infinity. That means your eyes will be the opposite of cross eyed most of the time you watch 3D content (the same with the parallel viewing I mentioned above). If you can, I would recommend adjusting the convergence on any 3D content to move it closer (unfortunately 2D content won't let us do that). And adjust the focus on the glasses to move the focus closer (if it does have focus controls like I suspect).
A 45 degree FOV is excellent. Quite a bit larger than the competition. They probably mean diagonal FOV. I don't like widescreen in a VR helmet, since it seems like they're cheating me out of vertical FOV for no reason. But even so, this is a large virtual screen, and will probably fill more of your view than your average screen.
You would be able to make out the difference between HD and Full-HD at that size, unless the optics blur things.
The other details we need to know are:
Does it have head tracking? No
What 3D input formats can it accept? Ideally we want one that can also accept 3D in formats like Side-By-Side from sources that can't generate 3D signals.
What frame rate can it do?
How much lag is there between when a game outputs a frame, and it displays it?
Is it blurry?
Is there red ghosting on one side of objects and blue ghosting on the other side due to the difference in wavelengths of red and blue light refracting differently though the optics?
And does it do 24-bit colour (the VR920 doesn't).