Until full-color flexible displays start hitting the market in who knows how many years, the only way to get big-screen video enjoyment on the go (besides holding your iPod right up to your face) is by attaching your device to a
head-mounted display. Far from the
bulky eyesores they once were, HMDs have thankfully
evolved to the point where you don't look completely goofy sporting a pair in public, so there will probably be some interest in a new low-profile model called the ezVision Video
iWear Glasses. Typical of these devices, instead of advertising the actual size of the LCDs, manufacturer ezGear only claims that the ezVisions simulate a 50-inch widescreen TV at some undetermined distance. You also get an 8-hour rechargeable battery, iPod and RCA breakout cables, and a replaceable nose piece, all for $400 direct from the manufacturer, or perhaps less when they arrive at retailers later this month.
[Via
Yahoo]
Update: Sounds like ezGear was using "iWear," a trademark belonging to another company, without permission. Woops! Call 'em the ezVision Video Glasses.
posted Jun 12th 2006 2:05PM
Does it come with a year's supply of Excedrin for the headaches?
Not these things again..
wow, 320x240? f that.
I can deal with being called LeForge so others can't tell I'm watching the Spice Girls movie again, if they really worked well. The design definately looks better than some of that other junk. In the mean time my lappy provides a pretty damn good res/size combo...where is that damn "true" video ipod anyhow? ;)
Sigh. When are the manufacturers going to figure out that people geeky enough to use these HMDs wear GLASSES!
are you guys really all that dumb? 320 x 240 for a screen that is only 1" what did you expect ? 1080p LOL
You know, if carrying your iPod with you didn't already scream "MUG ME," then watching a video on your iPod, with glasses that take up your whole line of sight, and with headphones that block out all sound, will make you about as much of a sitting duck as you could be.
Of course, that's only if you use these anywhere public, which, considering you really need that video fix without a tv being nearby---is probably where you'd be.
This would be great for an airplane. Not seeing or hearing the people around you would be great. Espescially when your neighbor has his light on and you need a movie to put you to sleep.
The test I want to do is having a screaming baby next to you and see how it does of blocking out all sound.
I know they can do better than 320x240... this is rediculous. What good will these things do? I think this is for iPod users only. (and perhaps other low resolution PvP's)
Oh yea, I guess you could watch pron, while laying in bed with your wife... unless she's exceptionally ugly, then you could look at pictures of beautiful women while... doin' your thing.
They'll sell millions :)
has anyone ever used one of these or other brands? I would think that your eyes would be sore as he** after watching a 3 hour movie.
320x240 and 640x480 versions of these have been around for a while, maybe not as small as the latest round. Unfortunately you can always see the pixels and because of the funky lenses and bright lights close to your eyes they do cause pretty severe eye strain. It would be nice to see some of the new micro sized LCD technology be used in these to get better resolutions so their optics aren't so caustic.
small but reasonably price 640 x 480 would be great for a laptop as well as an IPOD on a plane. I would love to watch a DVD on my laptop but be able to close the lid.
I tried a pair years ago and they worked well but were outrageously expensive. I would have no issue getting these if they hooked into my laptop and had a higher resolution. The technology exists so it isn't an unreasonable idea.
http://www.mspecs.com/
Much cheaper (about 200 us dollar) And a 640 480 is comming up
From The Specification Page
50” at 8.5’ effective image size
"Sigh. When are the manufacturers going to figure out that people geeky enough to use these HMDs wear GLASSES!"
Yeah...you'd think a mechanically actuated focusing lens (and at that one independant one on each side a la binoculars) wouldn't be too much to ask nor that big of an engineering challenge...
But I think SOME people are aware of it. Maybe a year ago on either Engadget or Gizmodo I remember some company is working on a tiny projector that will be mounted in the frame of more of less regular prescription glasses and simply project the images onto the lenses at such an angle as to be visible to the wearer.
Functional and available during our life times ? Depends how long ya live...
"...unless she's exceptionally ugly, then you could look at pictures of beautiful women while... doin' your thing."
Hmm...I don't know if 2x the price of this thing (and to be fair if you're gonna buy one you should buy two. While some wives may be ugly...the majority of husbands/men in general ain't exactly Adonis either...) is a very cost effective solution to spousal ugliness.
That's what light switches and paper bags are for...
The problem with Diopters (The kind of focusing lenses you're talking about) is that they require more depth to function (You've got to have space to move the lens back and forth to adjust the focus). Therefore these glasses, which are aiming for slimness among other things, won't incorporate such things.
It's a shame, too, as the VFX-1 HMD I still have gathering dust in an attic somewhere had diopters, built-in mic and speakers, and 3 degrees of head-tracking magic. And that uses an ISA card and VESA connector, so that gives you an idea just how old it is.
The ezVision actually work over glasses, and for 320x280 (the resolution of the iPod), the look very good.
Actually the 320x280 is not bad I would prefer 640x480.. And they only give you a headache if your wearing them all fricking day... Try wearing some thing like this in Iraq all fing day long and you will need more that just asprin.. A U.S. Military company makes glasses for the iPod as well.... hopefully the resolution will improve.
Jeez guys, 320x240 and 640x480 is optional depending on what gadjet or res you're using, Thats the standard size for ipods and psps but nothings stopping you using 1024x768
You idiot.
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