Another interesting video interview from CES 2012 done my MTBS is up, this time it is Kris Roberts who interviews Jason Kaplan, VP of Business Development for Sensics. They talk about about a new prototype HMD device being developed by the company, a standalone 3D-capable HMD device with augmented reality features. Sensics’ 3D HMD has a built-in Android OS-based hardware as powerful as what you get on a recent Android smartphone or tablet and capable of running all these apps intended for smartphones and tablets. The 3D HMD uses 1280×1024 resolution panels and multiple video cameras for motion tracking and for augmented reality applications, furthermore the device can be used as a standalone product for Android-based applications or can be connected to a PC for example over HDMI interface. Certainly an interesting product that we may be able to see by the end of this year actually appearing on the market, meanwhile you can watch two more interviews from MTBS3D made at CES 2012 following the links below.
Back in November last year I’ve mentioned the upcoming SiliconMicroDisplay ST1080 3D HMD and now the product is getting closer to soon becoming available on the market. Silicon Micro Display (SMD) was present at CES this year and there they were showing prototypes of their Full HD 3D-capable head mounted display unit. Neil Schneider from MTBS has managed to do a short interview at the Silicon Micro Display’s booth at CES, so now there is a bit more information about the device. It seems that SMD is not only interested in the possible use of their device for stereoscopic 3D entertainment, but also has interest in the use of the HMD device for Augmented Reality (AR) applications since the unit will feature semi transparent displays. The ST1080 HMD device you wear weights just 180 grams, so it is going to be pretty light and comfortable to be worn for longer time, but there is also an external control unit that has the HDMI input as well as some control buttons. In the interview they mention the device is HDMI 1.3a-capable, which can turn out to be a bit problematic for compatibility, with a HDMI 1.4 and even higher resolution model in the works. There is also a micro USB port that would allow you to use external power sources such as compact batteries when you want to be able to use the device on the go for example. No head-tracking features are planned for the device, so this may come as a bit of a disappointment for some gamers, but the guys at SMD have apparently decided to focus more on the core technology and functionality of the HMD device instead to fill it in with extra features that may not be that useable or well designed and functional. And now for the pricing and availability, initially these Full HD 3D-capable HMDs will be sold for $799 USD, no exact date for the product release on the market, but it will hopefully be this year with initial availability in the US.
It seems that Head Mounted Displays (HMD) are going to be a big thing by the end of this year and in 2012 as well, after a few years of silence in the HMD front (it happens every few years since the 90s), they seem to be yet again ready for a prime time with 3D support being the key focus this time (mostly for video, not for gaming). I’m talking about devices such as the more affordable Vuzix Wrap series of HMD devices available for a while, the new Sony HMZ-T1 Personal 3D Viewer that appeared briefly on the US market and is currently Backorderable, as well as the upcoming Epson Moverio BT-100 and SiliconMicroDisplay ST1080. So you can say that there will be a good choice of different type of 3D-capable HMD devices, more affordable with lesser specs and more expensive solutions with higher resolution and more extras. One important question however still remains and it is if this type of devices will finally be here to stay, or they will yet again remain dubbed as not good enough, not comfortable enough and not usable enough as it has happened with such products before. Is it finally time for the HMDs to come out of the niche market and become mainstream product, only time will tell, but there is already a lot of interest from consumers in this type of products and apparently big companies are also interested…
Epson’s Moverio BT-100 offers a resolution of 960×540 pixels with 2D and 3D support (for video playback), built-in headphones with Dolby Mobile technology, and uses an Android-based control unit. What is different with this device is that it is intended to be used as a standalone entertainment package and not together with a PC or another external multimedia player. Another interesting thing about the device is the fact that it does not have the two small LCD screens in the front, but instead projects the image on the front transparent part and this means that you can also partly see the real world around you while using this device. But the only drawback is that Moverio BT-100 looks quite big and lets say a bit strange when worn on your head, but if this does not bother you, then you should still be Ok with this personal entertainment device. Epson’s Moverio BT-100 is expected to be available on the Japanese market on November 25th with a price of around $800 USD.
SiliconMicroDisplay ST1080 is another type of 3D-capable HMD device that uses LCoS microdisplays and is expected to offer a native resolution of 1920×1080 pixels in both 2D and 3D mode. ST1080 is a see-through type HMD that will allow you to also see your surroundings while using it. It also has an external controller like Sony’s device and also comes with a 5 hour mobile battery pack when you want to use it on the go and don’t have where to plug it in. The controller unit apparently uses only HDMI input and the stereo 3D support should be based on the frame packaging method defined in HDMI 1.4. This of course would mean 1080p 3D mode with 24Hz, so suitable only for movies and for games 720p 3D mode with 50/60Hz should be used, so not that much of an advantage offer the HMZ-T1 from Sony if it will only be used fro gaming. SiliconMicroDisplay ST1080 is expected to be available in December this year and a price has not been disclosed yet, but still it is an interesting product you should keep your eyes on if you are interested in HMDs.
