First impressions on the Vuzix Wrap 1200 and Sony's HMZ-T1
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 1:29 pm
so finally I got back from the IFA 2011 and there was much to see, from glasses free TVs (all parrallaxed sadly) hence through tablet PC's and cameras.
But the reason for why i went to the IFA was to see the new HMDs from Sony and Vuzix.
So lets start with the Vuzix Wrap 1200.
when i put on the glasses the friendly woman from vuzix showed me a 2D animation movie and after it the 3D version of it and it was quiete an enyoeble experience. next they showed me the older version: wrap 280xl to compare the image quality.
I clearly noticed the difference, the screen of the 1200 was much bigger and the edges looked clean and smooth. also the resolution appeared to be higher. But not that high as you are accustomed by the nowadays HD standard. in fact i was able to see the individual dots of the image which coheres with the boxed standart resolution from the video they showed me (852 x 480). So i dont know what the image is like when the resolution is upscaled to 1280 x 720 pixels. Also the colour was not that satisfying, the image was kinda washed out but it was ok.
So also I asked them about the video input and the eyewar is connected via a vga adapter BUT later they told me that they will release an hdmi adapter for it so that you are able to connect it to your pc or favorite video console which was nice to hear
Also I asked them when they finally release the VR1200 Version and they said it will be shipped in a couple of weeks around europe... I think they will release it in a week or two in the US market.
Sadly i dont own a vr920 to compare the difference but all I can say is that it was a cool experience.
Now lets switch to Sony's new HMZ-T1 display-sytem
Sony had quite a large booth on the IFA and they showed many products.
As i walked though the hall I finally noticed the desk with all the HMDs lying around there.
Some standed alone others where connected to a 3D Camera and even a Sony Playstation.
First I tried the ones with the only video input and as soon as I was putting them on I was amazed...
The picture quality was truely 720 p which u see when you watch a 720p movie on your HD TV (crisp and clear) and the contrast was superb, due to the OLED technology.
The Black looked real black and colours where so deep and just felt natural.
Also the device contains a build in menue where you can set your contrast,brightness, sharpness, etc.
and change the input and 3D/2D mode
Also you can use an audio equlizer for the Headphones which where kinda low budget I would say.
The Sound was not that good as you are familair with the theatre like experience but it was suitble.
From the field of view-point it was really like sitting in a movie theatre where you are totally immersed. In fact the horizontal view was so wide that I wasnt able to look at the image at once and had to , like in a theatre, move my eyes from left to right to grasp the hole picture . Then I moved to the Version that was hooked up to a 3D Camera and it worked good but the image wasnt as clean as the video only version maybe thats due to the camera. The 3D effect is definatly there but i imagine watching 3D movie or games which can be refined and optimized so that the Pop-Out effect emerges, will just take your breath.
Then I tried the Playstation Version where I played Gran Turismo 5 unfortunatly in 2D...
When you play games on it you will be immersed much faster then watching movies ...
So i played for 5 minutes and it was kinda intense coz i moved my head automaticly in the direction which my vehicle was driving
Unfortuantly there was no HeadTracker to it so that I was kinda confused when i twisted my head the image direction was setted to one direction.
So I know that sounds all very good doesnt it
But threre is one big draw back...
namely the weight.
Which i would say is 9-11 ounces
As i was strapping that thing over my face i felt the weight on my nose and it was not that confortble.
Now you might think that the retaining bracket that is placed at your forehead would compensate the weight on your nose which is kinda true but keep in mind that you ve to strap the clamp at you backhead very tight so that it will be not a long time until you get headache (not from the screens but from the tight fixation of the devide to your head )
Maybe some of you guys will tweak it a bit or transform it to a helmet or something like that.
Ok now where i ve seen both devices I can not pick a winner coz there have both different pros and cons i would say.
Vuzix eyewear is more confortble to wear and you can carry it outisde where otheres wouldnt noticed it.
Ideal for traveling and use them with your iphone.
Sony's HMZ-T1 is more targeted for homeuse and especially lying on a couch (like the guy in the commercial)
With these conditions you can enjoy an image like you where sitting in the middle row of a cinema all for you alone ^^.
But as I said when you are in an stand up position I assure you you are not able to hold out 2 hours watching a movie without constrain your neck and nose.
Ok I think I made my point and hope you guys have now a somewhat of impression of what these 2 new devices will be.
If you ve question plz dont be afreaid to ask them I will give my best to answer it .
Byeall
But the reason for why i went to the IFA was to see the new HMDs from Sony and Vuzix.
So lets start with the Vuzix Wrap 1200.
when i put on the glasses the friendly woman from vuzix showed me a 2D animation movie and after it the 3D version of it and it was quiete an enyoeble experience. next they showed me the older version: wrap 280xl to compare the image quality.
I clearly noticed the difference, the screen of the 1200 was much bigger and the edges looked clean and smooth. also the resolution appeared to be higher. But not that high as you are accustomed by the nowadays HD standard. in fact i was able to see the individual dots of the image which coheres with the boxed standart resolution from the video they showed me (852 x 480). So i dont know what the image is like when the resolution is upscaled to 1280 x 720 pixels. Also the colour was not that satisfying, the image was kinda washed out but it was ok.
So also I asked them about the video input and the eyewar is connected via a vga adapter BUT later they told me that they will release an hdmi adapter for it so that you are able to connect it to your pc or favorite video console which was nice to hear
Also I asked them when they finally release the VR1200 Version and they said it will be shipped in a couple of weeks around europe... I think they will release it in a week or two in the US market.
Sadly i dont own a vr920 to compare the difference but all I can say is that it was a cool experience.
Now lets switch to Sony's new HMZ-T1 display-sytem
Sony had quite a large booth on the IFA and they showed many products.
As i walked though the hall I finally noticed the desk with all the HMDs lying around there.
Some standed alone others where connected to a 3D Camera and even a Sony Playstation.
First I tried the ones with the only video input and as soon as I was putting them on I was amazed...
The picture quality was truely 720 p which u see when you watch a 720p movie on your HD TV (crisp and clear) and the contrast was superb, due to the OLED technology.
The Black looked real black and colours where so deep and just felt natural.
Also the device contains a build in menue where you can set your contrast,brightness, sharpness, etc.
and change the input and 3D/2D mode
Also you can use an audio equlizer for the Headphones which where kinda low budget I would say.
The Sound was not that good as you are familair with the theatre like experience but it was suitble.
From the field of view-point it was really like sitting in a movie theatre where you are totally immersed. In fact the horizontal view was so wide that I wasnt able to look at the image at once and had to , like in a theatre, move my eyes from left to right to grasp the hole picture . Then I moved to the Version that was hooked up to a 3D Camera and it worked good but the image wasnt as clean as the video only version maybe thats due to the camera. The 3D effect is definatly there but i imagine watching 3D movie or games which can be refined and optimized so that the Pop-Out effect emerges, will just take your breath.
Then I tried the Playstation Version where I played Gran Turismo 5 unfortunatly in 2D...
When you play games on it you will be immersed much faster then watching movies ...
So i played for 5 minutes and it was kinda intense coz i moved my head automaticly in the direction which my vehicle was driving
Unfortuantly there was no HeadTracker to it so that I was kinda confused when i twisted my head the image direction was setted to one direction.
So I know that sounds all very good doesnt it
But threre is one big draw back...
namely the weight.
Which i would say is 9-11 ounces
As i was strapping that thing over my face i felt the weight on my nose and it was not that confortble.
Now you might think that the retaining bracket that is placed at your forehead would compensate the weight on your nose which is kinda true but keep in mind that you ve to strap the clamp at you backhead very tight so that it will be not a long time until you get headache (not from the screens but from the tight fixation of the devide to your head )
Maybe some of you guys will tweak it a bit or transform it to a helmet or something like that.
Ok now where i ve seen both devices I can not pick a winner coz there have both different pros and cons i would say.
Vuzix eyewear is more confortble to wear and you can carry it outisde where otheres wouldnt noticed it.
Ideal for traveling and use them with your iphone.
Sony's HMZ-T1 is more targeted for homeuse and especially lying on a couch (like the guy in the commercial)
With these conditions you can enjoy an image like you where sitting in the middle row of a cinema all for you alone ^^.
But as I said when you are in an stand up position I assure you you are not able to hold out 2 hours watching a movie without constrain your neck and nose.
Ok I think I made my point and hope you guys have now a somewhat of impression of what these 2 new devices will be.
If you ve question plz dont be afreaid to ask them I will give my best to answer it .
Byeall