Posted 08.25.2011 at 3:09 pm
6 Comments
Sony's Subtitling Glasses
BBC
There are a lot of people out there dealing with some degree of hearing disability--one in six, by some estimates--and that audience is typically underserved when it comes to cinematic experience. Some films are screened with subtitles, but often at odd times. But Sony is working up a fix in its UK lab: a pair of glasses that places subtitles right in the user’s field of view.
BBC reports that the glasses--which could be in UK theaters as soon as next year--could open up the movie-going experience to myriad fans who previously couldn’t enjoy the cinema due to an inability to properly hear what’s going on on-screen. And while we haven’t had a chance to trial the glasses ourselves, the BBC’s test subject--a Brit named Charlie Swinbourne who himself has a hearing disability--said the glasses provide a pretty good experience, and that though the subtitles are beamed onto the glasses the feel is pretty seamless, as though they are projected onto the screen.
If they trial well in the UK the technology could wind up states-side in the not-too-distant future. And never mind the clunky frames and the less-than-fashionable appearance they create. At the rate Hollywood is churning out 3-D “blockbusters” (and I use that term loosely), pretty much everyone is already wearing silly-looking glasses in movie theaters anyhow.
See the glasses in action via the BBC’s report through the link below.
[BBC]
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or glasses that can be used at all times, which display sub-titles based on speech recognition.
why learn from your own mistakes, when you could learn from the mistakes of others?
There are currently around 700 English language subtitled shows around the UK every week, as listed here (Google subtitled cinema).
Subtitles on the cinema screen, for all to see. Although this is the preferred way to view cinema subtitles amongst most people that need them to enjoy a film, it requires cinemas to put on separate shows. Most people can't work their lives around one or two cinema shows a week, so currently, most people that would like to attend subtitled cinema shows can't do so. There's not enough choice of films and showtimes.
A 'personal' subtitle system, like the specs mentioned, or seat mounted displays, like they have in the US, would give people a better choice of films and showtimes, which would of course result in more people attending the cinema, purchasing popcorn & drinks etc.
Derek Brandon
grrr...another of my idea implemented...just not by me. I better start wearing an aluminum hat!
Ha, I've had this idea for YEARS, nice to see it happening. Other benefits can be at a concert or at the opera or a play. Being able to project visible and legible media at such a close distance to the eye while viewing items or events occurring in the background can also lead to new 3-d or special effects. Cool/
I don't think I would like to use the subtitling glasses and it's not comfortable when I have my own glasses. I prefer to watch any films with open captions. I know that subtitling glasses are NEAT for those who don't have glasses. :0(
I think it's good sometimes
Good news
Thank you
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