Posted 08.31.2011 at 11:00 am
15 Comments
Sony HMZ-T1
Sony
We caught a preview of Sony's odd, space-agey head-mounted viewer (appealingly named the HMZ-T1) back at CES in January, but we were pretty surprised to learn that not only is it not a mere demo, Sony's actually planning on, like, putting the thing in stores, where you can exchange currency for it and then take it home. Sony claims it offers an incredibly immersive 3-D experience, better than any TV. We've now played with it twice, and in some ways, that's true.
The idea here is for a personal, extremely high-definition 3-D display. It looks something like a visor, and has two small screens (one in front of each eye) along with non-replaceable headphones. A cable, both for power and data, runs from the headset to a small black box, about the size of a Nintendo Wii, which in turn plugs into any gadget you want (though Sony would undoubtedly prefer you use a PS3 or Blu-ray player). It'll cost somewhere between $750 and $800 when it's released this fall, but the experience--for one person--should be a bargain, compared to buying a high-end 3-D HDTV and stereo.
The HMZ-T1 is particularly notable because its screens use OLED displays--OLEDs are increasingly used for smaller gadgets like smartphones, due to the screen tech's clarity and deep, dark blacks, but get exponentially more expensive the bigger they get, to the point where the biggest OLED displays are only around 30 inches big and cost tens of thousands of dollars. But the HMZ-T1 uses two 0.7-inch OLEDs, close enough to your face that it appears about the same size as a 150-inch screen at 12 feet--basically, you can't see anything but the screen, and that screen is a very premium OLED.
Sound comes in the form of built-in headphones that slide down from the headset, providing 5.1 surround sound. In our previews, they sounded pretty good, and were comfortable enough, but keep in mind that you're stuck with these--there's no way to use your own headphones, let alone plug into a stereo.
So how does it feel to watch a movie or play a video game with the display strapped to your face? Mostly okay, really, with a few moments of "this feels weird." The 3-D is some of the better quality I've come across on a home system, though I did come away with a slight headache (admittedly, I'm particularly susceptible to 3-D-induced pain). The headset itself is pretty heavy, especially on the nose, where too much of the weight rests--I'm not sure how it'd fare for a two-hour movie. But the back is adjustable, and others seemed to find it more comfortable than I did.
What I wonder is who this is for--it can only be used by one person, and it's kind of expensive for that. It's really best suited--like 3-D itself--for video games, especially of the 3-D variety. It's extremely immersive; you can't see anything besides the screen, or hear anything besides what's coming out of your headphones, which is great for gaming. At the same time, though, it's extremely unnerving to move your head and find that the entire screen moves with you. You don't need to move your head, since you have a perfect view of the entire screen, but it's a natural reaction, and it broke the immersive spell every time. It's also chained by its power/data cord to a set-top box, so forget about blindly roaming around your house or even taking it on a plane unless you're prepared to set up a power strip with several full-sized pieces of home A/V equipment.
The HMZ-T1 lands in Japan on November 11th, with no word just yet on availability elsewhere.
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Yay! Someone is bring back the head gear! Remember the VFX 1 (www.dynamicsubspace.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/img_1182.jpg)? That was cool... I've been waiting for someone else to finally create a product in this segment. Seriously, games like Mechwarrior ruled! Thank you Sony for going in this direction. :)
I did go to the Sony website and try to read about pricing; no pricing information was offered.
They need to integrate accelerometers into it (like Wii controllers) so that moving your head changes what you see. This would be awesome in video games.
@ BubbaGump - I don't think they'll fit a dog.
@rettaH_daM, great advice, do not buy headset for dog, noted. Ok, retthaH_dam, you just put yourself off my Christmas list so you know. lol.
Agreed with Inverse!Mad_Hatter - this definitely needs a motion sensor! Combine this with motion controls and we finally have an FPS that can be played really well standing up! Keep your gun pointed in front of you to look left and right, peek around corners, etc. The potential for gaming is incredible.
It was a really smart move for Sony to make it in a way that it can plug into any 3D-capable device, so even PC-gamers can get in on the action, assuming there's minimal lag. As such, PC gamers can sit some motion sensors of their own on this thing, and combined with PC motion controllers (like the Razer Hydra) and a little bit of game modding, you would have just what I described.
I dare not imagine Battlefield 3 with such a system. It would be glorious *_*
SWEET! Finally the 1980's "Virtual Reality" is getting closer to what they wanted it to be.
Combine this headset, with the Virtusphere, and positionally responsive weaponset and you're totally "in the game"
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/virtusphere-virtual-reality-hamster-ball-put-to-the-test/
Playing Devil's Advocate since 1978
"The only constant in the universe is change"
-Heraclitus of Ephesus 535 BC - 475 BC
Zoooom, Kapow, Eeeerk, Zooom, Bang, Pow, KA-Poo-EEE! I just love this! BOOM! Weee! POW! ..... A NEW TOY! YEA!
Vuzix has sold these head pieces for many years, and has a variety of models. Their technology is now small enough to look and feel like sunglasses. They can also do VR head tracking and 3D. The prices are cheaper too starting at $250 on up and the gear can be bought now.
vuzix.com
Neat! They made the cartoon " The Jetsons" car into a 3D video display helmet, awesome!
Maybe the PS4 will somehow tie in with this technology. They'll have to do something good. A more powerful PS3 with more integrated motion controls won't cut it. It's gotta be at least as big of deal as what the Wii was when it came out, and then more.
I'm still not sold on 3D at home. Still seems kind of gimmicky. I'll admit, I don't want to buy a new TV. I mean I do, but at this point I'd rather have one of those 70" Sharp Quattrons than a 50" (or whatever) 3D display for about the same price.
They need to put gyroscopes in it to incorporate your head turning in the games.
Neither of these are out yet either, but are scheduled to be soon. They apparently don't have quite the sophistication with audio, but other than that they look to be lighter and easier to pack/carry:
www.vuzix.com/consumer/products_wrap_1200vr.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=INgcRCyFY90
All 3 are dual panel 1280X720 (also know as 720P) using OLEDs.
japan needs to just give us everything as soon as they make it!
awesome just imagine playing uncharted and batman arkham city on this. But this can spoil our eyes worser than playing on Tv and sometimes can make us feel dizzy to.
Seems like it would not be too difficult to add a motion sensor and allow a controller override for the joystick controlling your view, there again this could also be incredibly annoying when aiming...terminator anyone.