HMZ-T3
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Sony kills its head-mounted video display to go all-in on VR
For those with long-ish memories, Sony's HMZ series of head-mounted displays were a very rudimentary way to catch movies on a "750-inch screen." Of course, strapping one to your face wasn't a very social way to spend an evening, so you can understand that the device's appeal was a bit limited. So limited, in fact, that the company is now sending the project down the Shinano river on a longboat piled high with firewood. According to Japanese news outfit AV Watch, Sony bosses have decided to devote all of its resources to improving Morpheus, the PlayStation-branded virtual reality headset, as well as the company's take on Google Glass.
Sony HMZ-T3W wearable display is up for pre-order in the US, costs $999
US buyers who want to swap large displays for wearable screens might want to check out Sony's online store, where the HMZ-T3W is now available for pre-order for $999. Hirai and Co. claim this third iteration of the head-mounted display comes with dual OLED monitors that simulate sitting 65 feet away from an enormous 750-inch screen. The wireless version that's up on Sony's website -- a wired version might come out in the future -- can stream content up to 7 meters away from the source, although it's still tethered to a small battery pack. One of our favorite features, however, is that it plugs into smartphones and tablets via MHL or micro-HDMI. The units won't start shipping until next month, but those who'd like to watch movies or game à la Geordi La Forge better start writing that letter to Santa.
Sony's new HMZ-T3 wearable display gets 'wireless' option, easy smartphone connectivity and HD audio (hands-on)
Ahead of Sony's own IFA press event, it's already announced its latest head-mounted display. The HMZ-T3 is the third iteration and while there's no substitutional reality function (or camera), the company's made some important improvements that could tip the balance for anyone concerned with sinking a substantial amount of cash for a one-person display. It'll come in a new "wireless" iteration -- we'll explain why we used those quote marks a little later -- while Sony has also improved the clarity of its dual OLED displays through lens and software adjustments (although the 720p resolution stays the same). There's now a bigger viewing sweet spot and several new specialized screen options for gaming and movie-watching. Our favorite new feature, however, is the ability to plug in Android (presumably Xperia) devices with micro-HDMI / MHL connectivity. The device, via the battery pack, has ports for both full-size and micro-HMDI cables, and given the current influx of HD-capable smartphones (and content), it's a pretty pervasive way to use it. The HMZ-T3 also arrives with high-definition audio, virtualized 7.1 channel sound and has shed 10 grams since the T2. That's despite improved padding and some more forgiving adjustment controls that made wearing the device noticeably less frustrating. Both wireless and wired options are set to go on sale in Japan this October and while a global roll-out isn't yet confirmed, Sony's told us that it's certainly "in discussions" about further availability. We managed to get some early access to the wearable ahead of its reveal in Germany, so naturally, we played some games and watched some video. Our initial impressions and more details are right after the break.
