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Post by Dan @ 03:55pm 26/09/11 | 21 Comments
Eurogamer is reporting on comments from Sony, talking big about their forthcoming HMZ-T1 Head Mounted Display -- a 3D-capable headset fitted with two 720p OLED screens and 5.1 channel virtual surround sound.

The electronic manufacturing giant allegedly uses the words "revolutionise games forever" -- a big claim for a display, but looking at the kit, we still can't wait to try one out for ourselves.
"Dive into the breathless firefights of Killzone 3, and you'll see those twin OLED screens comfortably keep up with all the action as it intensifies to give you a flicker-free image, whether it's of mushrooming explosions or onrushing enemies.

A wide viewing angle is designed to draw you fully into the world in front of you, while all-encompassing sound lets you hear footsteps approaching you from behind, or gunfire blasting from all sides, thanks to three-dimensional Virtual Phone Technology."
The headset will be able to interface with the PS3, PS Vita and presumably most other HDMI-equipped devices:
"Plugging right into 3D games and movies couldn't be simpler," Sony explains. "Use an HDMI cable to connect the Personal 3D Viewer to your PS3 system and you're ready to go. Built-in controls let you adjust the volume and change settings, giving you complete flexibility to tailor your own experience.
The HMZ-T1 has been pegged for a November launch in the US and Japan at a surprisingly reasonable price point of "around" USD$799 and 60,000 YEN, though it will no doubt hike a bit if it makes it to Australian shores.

Check out the showcase video embedded below and hit up Sony UK's product page for more details.




sonyhead mounted displayhmz-t1





Latest Comments
bioallethrin
Posted 05:38pm 26/9/11
I bet it's not designed for anyone who wear glasses
trog
Posted 05:44pm 26/9/11
Carmack is spending quite a bit of time looking into HMDs at the moment as well, as evidenced from his comments on Twitter.
maRtz
Posted 05:45pm 26/9/11
no word for PC's?
Dethon
Posted 06:14pm 26/9/11
I would wager that it would be sorted for ppl wearing glasses - the image is up close - so close in fact that it kinda looks like almost anyone would have trouble focusing that close if it was a normal display.
I can just imagine catching the train to work and almost everyone having these things on.
You could also probably watch whatever you wanted without anyone around you knowing....
The mind boggles..concerts - you could wear these which would be connected to a network of cameras and select which camera angle you want...
have them fitted with motionsensor/cams - get your friend/partner/other gamers to wear an outfit covered in markers that could make them look like something else altogether in your eyes.
Dan
Posted 06:29pm 26/9/11
no word for PC's?
It's a display with a HDMI input...

I can just imagine catching the train to work and almost everyone having these things on.
Not sure about trains and other more bustling public spaces where you need to at least have some manner of awareness of things around you, but if they're comfortable and as good as they seem, then they seem like a perfect fit for long-haul flights. Be interesting to see what their power consumption is like.

I'd imagine there'd be minimal processing, so it'd just be the power draw of the 2 small OLED screens which I'd presume would be somewhere between a smartphone and tablet.
icewyrm
Posted 06:38pm 26/9/11
Been waiting a good many years to see a product like this hit the shelf. Hope it's good, and comfortable to use for long periods.

Don't like the idea of using it in a public space, personally. Mainly because of the price tag more than anything else, I don't expect them to be quite as solid as a tablet or notebook.

Come to think of it, I wonder how durable they would be in the long term? You can buy a fair bit of screen real estate with $800 AU plus markup.

Might be interesting to use while at work, actually... Though the low res might hurt you there I guess.
Basket
Posted 06:44pm 26/9/11
I bet it's not designed for anyone who wear glasses


that, I wear my glasses around 80% of the time especially for computer and t.v..
Twisted
Posted 06:49pm 26/9/11
Meh. It is just a massive gimick. It will come and go.
ShwaMiller86
Posted 07:04pm 26/9/11
I have no idea about how this device works, but I'd assume that - like a camera viewfinder - you can use it without your glasses by simply adjusting a setting. Doesn't that make sense?

*glasses wearer*

Oh, also: I think it is stupid. Simulated 5.1 is never the same as 5.1 naturally heard from the right distance and stuff like that cannot be good for your eyes when used extensively/exclusively. I'm sure they have plenty to people lined up to say otherwise, but I'm happy to be paranoid on this one.
HurricaneJim
Posted 07:06pm 26/9/11
Not sure about trains and other more bustling public spaces where you need to at least have some manner of awareness of things around you, but if they're comfortable and as good as they seem, then they seem like a perfect fit for long-haul flights. Be interesting to see what their power consumption is like.

I'd imagine there'd be minimal processing, so it'd just be the power draw of the 2 small OLED screens which I'd presume would be somewhere between a smartphone and tablet.


Yeah....wearing them on the street. I can imagine someone creating a 3D Nav program for people on foot...

oh wait.....
Crakaveli
Posted 07:26pm 26/9/11
now they just need to add a head tracker like TrackIR and this will be amazing for sims.
deadlyf
Posted 08:35pm 26/9/11
I remember trying to play quake on some goggles some company was pimping at a lan once. It was really awkward to control and kind of blurry and hard to tell what was going on. These look pretty much the same but with probably a much much better screen.

Will be worth looking at when a decent manufacturer starts making them.
DM
Posted 08:47pm 26/9/11
I expect this to cause lots of headaches. If I can't use it on my PC either this sure won't even get a second thought out of me. Seems like a cheaper way to do 3D though if you can't afford a 3D TV.
Midda
Posted 08:55pm 26/9/11
It looks like you won't be able to wear your own headphones with it, which is kind of s***. I'd much prefer to use my own headphones plugged into my PC soundcard.
tel
Posted 09:24am 27/9/11
I agree with Crakaveli, if this thing also had a head tracker then it would be something to consider buying for FPS games.
Other than that, i think i stick to 3d on my flat screen thanks.
skythra
Posted 11:48am 27/9/11
I agree with Crakaveli, if this thing also had a head tracker then it would be something to consider buying for FPS games.
Other than that, i think i stick to 3d on my flat screen thanks.

Unless you're on a swivel chair with a wireless controller i don't think that's good enough..
gamer
Posted 03:12pm 27/9/11
Why the f*** does it need head tracking you morons?

It's not like any of you would want to aim a crosshair with your f*****g head in a FPS is it?

And there isnt a single f*****g game I know of that has head tracking support allowing you to move (and aim) in one direction while you look in another.
fpot
Posted 03:21pm 27/9/11
And there isnt a single f*****g game I know of that has head tracking support allowing you to move (and aim) in one direction while you look in another.
I think Arma2 allows this.

But what about things like driving games and flight sims? Head tracking would be very useful in them.
copuis
Posted 03:23pm 27/9/11
tracking in a flight sim would be the bomb
Tepid
Posted 06:34pm 27/9/11
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443044

here's a pretty informative thread. most of you guys in this thread or wrong about a lot of things (eg. how it is with glasses [not that i care cos i dont wear them])
teq
Posted 03:35pm 29/11/11
I will be super interested when its more like VR gear, ie you can move your head around and your view changes
for gaming, that would be pimp
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