Sony Preparing New 3D Headset for Japanese Release
by Craig Getting on August 31, 2011 1:31 PM ESTThe HMZ-T1, the first iteration of a concept Sony demoed this past CES, will release in Japan on November 11, says Sony Japan.
Japan will serve as a test market for the futuristic piece of headgear, which boasts two 0.7-inch OLED panels each with a resolution of 1280x780. Sony says the experience compares to watching a 750-inch 3D screen from 20 meters away. The device, which also includes integrated 5.1 surround sound headphones, isn’t mobile, of course. It will need to be be tethered to its HDMI-ready processing unit.
Sony is expected to price the device at 60,000 yen ($783 US). The company’s currently mum about a release in other markets. Performance in Japan could make that decision for them.
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Renzu - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
I suppose you could also say it's a screen the size of the moon from some many miles away, but it's actual field of vision is about 43 degrees-- A little better, but similar to the current consumer headsets on the market, which present an experience akin to staring at a TV down a hallway. Higher (read: more immersive) FoVs require larger panels, larger optics and an overall larger headset, which I suppose is partly why companies refuse to produce a true enthusiast model for consumers.I'm also reminded of the Zeiss Cinemizer 720p that has been touted for a while now.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
Dang... beat me to it!Renzu - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
Engadget now says $600 in the US, sometime November/December.Also being able to focus on something so close to our eyes is what optics are for, otherwise we'd all go blind trying to use HMDs. Anyway 43 degrees viewing angle isn't that bad. Sony itself seems to tout the viewing angle is 45 degrees. I think the consumer HMDs of the past used like .45-inch displays resulting in 36-degree (or so) viewing angles which, acc'd to everyone, sucks for immersion. It's no 90 or 120 degrees, but hopefully one day it'll get there for consumer HMDs.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
"...the experience compares to watching a 750-inch 3D screen from 20 meters away..."...only with a lot more eye strain because you're focusing on something 4.75 inches from your face instead of 20 meters away. You know, if I stick my face 4.75 inches away from my 30" LCD, it's like watching a movie on a 32000" screen from 20 meters! Ain't math (and hyperbole) fun?
Sanity - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
I don't think the eye strain will be like you're staring at something 4.75" away. It's more like one of those 3D posters/pictures. Your eyes focus on a point well beyond the surface of the poster...which allows you to see the 3D image. In this headset, your eyes will focus on a point beyond the screens...one screen for each eye, and your brain puts them together into one image. There would be a lot less eye strain than you think.JarredWalton - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
If you're not focusing on the screens, won't the resulting image be blurry? Try reading a book 4.75" from your face but focus on a point well beyond the surface of the page and see how that goes. Maybe they're doing something funky to make focusing less of an issue, but... well, though MagicEye things aren't exactly known for being friendly either!whickywhickyjim - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
Knowing Sony, I'm sure a that a proprietary connector will come on the other end of the visor, along with a free rootkit. No thank you.landerf - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
This might workout fine for near sighted people, as in no eyestrain. Wallets will be strained regardless.sintaxera - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
Remember this?http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7ipg_nintendo-on...
SilthDraeth - Wednesday, August 31, 2011 - link
That was a good video. I can't believe I never saw it before now, considering how closely I followed Revolution.