Vuzix's $249.95 iWear AV310 Widescreen eyewear now shipping globally
By Darren Murph 
posted February 20th 2009 2:34AM
posted February 20th 2009 2:34AM
Vuzix iWear® AV310 Widescreen is Now Shipping Globally
World's first widescreen personal media viewer has a 16:9 aspect ratio, 3D capabilities and independent focal adjustment all in a sub-$250 price point
Rochester, NY – February 19, 2009 – Vuzix Corporation is excited to announce the widespread retail availability of the iWear® AV310 Widescreen. The AV310 projects a virtual 52' screen from 9-feet and will run for five full hours on a single AA battery. Additionally, the AV310 offers independent focus adjustment and an adjustable nosepiece and earphones for unmatched long term comfort. Users can also expect improved compatibility, as the AV310 is compatible with all NTSC or PAL devices with a video output.
"We are certainly sensitive to the economic climate and have redirected research and development efforts to accommodate budgetary constraints," said Vuzix CEO Paul Travers. "The iWear® AV310 Widescreen provides state-of-the-art technology at a price point far below anything our competition has to offer," added Travers.
Compatible devices include:
• All iPod models
• Portable media players
• Video cameras
• Cellular phones with video output
• Gaming consoles
• Digital cameras
• DVD players
The AV310's high quality features include:
• Virtual 52' screen viewed from 9-feet
• Full 16:9 Widescreen Aspect Ratio
• Independent +2 to -5 diopter focus, providing individual adjustment for each eye
• Twin high-resolution LCD displays
• "Vuzix' 3D" watermark compliant
• Removable and comfort fit earbuds
• Adjustable, hypoallergenic nosepiece
• AccuTilt™ viewer with 15 degrees of tilt adjustment
• Up to 5 hours of battery life on one AA battery
• On screen display settings control
• For use with or without eyeglasses
• MSRP $249.95
This first-ever consumer personal media viewer with a true widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio had its production increased due to capturing higher than expected market share. Company executives attribute the proportionately higher sales to due the products unique combination of high tech features and compelling affordability. Additionally, Vuzix Corporation was able to strengthen current retail distribution relationships while developing new partnerships at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show.
The AV310 will be available at Brookstone, SkyMall, MicroCenter, Hammacher Schlemmer and Vuzix.com.
For specific product information, please visit www.vuzix.com/iwear/.
For more information about Vuzix Corporation, please visit www.vuzix.com.
A 52' screen viewed from 9 feet is a bit overkill, don't you think?
"A 52' screen viewed from 9 feet is a bit overkill, don't you think?"
I think most of those TV eyewears are about that big...
Not if you get to look like data from star trek.
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Fail.
The guy who wears the visor is Geordi La Forge
The bad part about it is that it probably still has a really low resolution. Most of the other screens like this have resolutions of 320 x 240 or less, can you imagine watching a video in a resolution that low stretched across a 52" screen? Horrible.
I see you have not yet learned the difference between ' and '', much like young Mr. Murph up there. I myself am a devout follower of the metric gods. but even I have noticed this small, important difference.
The Vuzix homepage states that the experience is "Equivalent to 52" screen viewed from 9 feet". Darren must be using some hi-tec cutting edge apparatus, since he doesn't have copy/paste. The Engadget article says "Virtual 52' screen viewed from 9-feet". Vuzix says 52 _inches_, Darren (and some of you) says 52 _feet_.
A 52 foot screen at 9 feet distance would be a bit much, no?
hes super "douched out"
Yes, apparently in Vuzix's warped reality 428 x 240 (as seen on their website) is a very high resolution.
I wouldn't be concerned with the economy if I had a a pair of TV Sunglasses visor eyepiece computer.
hmm....i can kidna see myself hooking up a 360 to this...
damn Mirrors Edge would be insane on this !
Only total douchebags look like that.
You beat me to it. LOL.
And Mac users. And they don't even need to wear these thing to look like douchebags.
+1
Why is Jon low ranked? The map speaks truth after all
Because being the troll he is, he had to bring up Apple.
still only 640*480 pixels. Stuff like this has been around for at least 10 years. When are we gonna see a 1080 version?
Why the hell did I believe you?
The widescreen is a blistering 428 x 240. And I bet it scales wonderfully. /rolleyes
an episode of 24 is only 45 minutes long without commercials.
If it's good enough for Dane Cook, well then I don't want it.
I hate dane cook too, he's a freakin douchebag and im glad he got embezzled by his own half brother. in other words the guy in the picture is kinda hunky......for a guy.
Serge, your comments are all kind of homoerotic.
I looked at this and just started laughing.
ditto
"Twin high resolution LCDs"
Do they think we honestly don't need to know what resolution they are? The worst part is that its 640x480 and they are calling it 16:9
What part about a 4:3 resolution equates to 16:9 viewing ratio? I'm so bewildered. If this was 1080 (interlaced, even) I would be on this yesterday.
We've been playing with these at a show I'm working on to review on the show. I imagine the hosts will be nice about the product, but I had to play with them first to learn them and I wasn't impressed. The resolution isn't very good, but it might appeal to someone.
"sir, what snack would you like to have today ?, excuse me sir........excuse me sir..... sir..snack... damn this guy can't hear me speak nor can he see me here". Bad times for airplane crews.
@Editor: Correction... it is 52 inches at 9ft distance, not feet.
When I read that in the article, I burst out laughing. A 52' screen from 9 feet away? Too bad I'm not Mr. Magoo.
What do you get a guy who already has a closet full of pastel Lacoste polos and a black velvet jacket for every night of the week? This.
On Vuzix.com it says it is equivalent to a 52 INCH (not foot) display from 9 feet.
"The AV310 Widescreen is a lightweight (4 oz) wearable display that transforms your small video screen into a large 16:9 widescreen home theater with a virtual 52-inch display as seen from nine feet."
I watch my 60 inch TV from about 5 to 6 feet away, so these glasses would be a serious downgrade. 52 feet from 9 feet, on the other hand, would be way too close - like taking a few steps back from an IMAX screen. You couldn't see the whole thing.
The whole notion of comparing video-glasses to a X-size TV as seen from Y-distance makes absolutely no sense. They just need to say what percentage of the field of view is used by the glasses. 100% would mean all you can see is the screen, no edges. 50% would mean half of your view is screen, half is black. Knowing that would make more sense than this nonsensical hypthetical TV comparison. Plus, what's the resolution?
Cyclops, get away from Jean!
You could pick up a set of old Sony Glasstrons that offer the same resolution! Whats next Vuzix Virtual Boy?
REVIEW IT, i wanna know if it blows out your eyes or not.
That photo is a perfect example of how to keep the seat next to you completely vacant.
Who comes up with these dorky lookin' gadgets, anyway?
It is just me, or is he watching pr0n on that?
No bulge, no pr0n.
No, he's watching Wall Street for the 984th time, cause he doesn't manage to memorize that Gordon Gecko quote at 1:03.
not unless it's air guitar porn, I think
I had a pair of Sony Glastron LCD glasses. It was a novelty at best, I could never finish a movie because they made me light headed.
one word..pr0n!
hmmm.... for single men only.
Seriously, why would a couple/family pay that kind of cash for a single-person viewing experience, and it's not even HD.... Unless you're on a transatlantic flight like every week or something.
They'd be useful anytime you're traveling, unless you're in control of the transportation of course, and want to watch your videos. The situations people would use them in wouldn't be too dissimilar from ones when people use MP3 players, with the exception of times they'd require sight (such as at work). They'd also be handy for watching videos on a large screen in non-traditional ways, like being in bed and having the tv set focused wherever your head is most comfortable, or watching a television show while taking a relaxing bath. If I had something like this I'd probably use it while laying outside, maybe down by the pool, basking in the sun, which would be nice not having to dick around trying to find a comfortable position to lie with a book or having to keep it positioned so it's always in the shade so it is readable without discomfort.
Beyond that though, they could make for some wicked gaming experiences (if they were HD...which makes this a non-buy for me). Somebody up top mentioned Mirror's Edge. What I think would be freaking sweet is to couple these with a modified version of the Wiimote hack (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/) that would track your head as your move through space. It'd be a really trippy experience and some really cool stuff could come from clever developers.
I second that, Nick.
Somebody give these to Johnny Lee so he can hack in some head-tracking. That would be seriously awesome.
When you have a family and you work late hours, this is the best way to watch a movie without waking anyone up. But I agree with the resolution. We need higher.
I guess this is one time I am appreciative of the fact that I have to wear glasses.
Who knew glasses would one day prevent douchebaggery.
Their product page says it can be used with or without eyeglasses.
...exactly how, I don't understand, but they say you can still experience the douchebaggery.
Only to -5 dioptre? Useless to me if I wasn't wearing my contact lenses then... boo hiss!
hey, that guys is looking like cyclops from XMEN