We just reviewed Sony’s HMZ-T1 3DTV Headset, and while it provides a great 3D experience, it completely removes the viewer from the world around them. That’s not the case with Epson’s new see-through Moverio BT-100 video glasses. They allow for a private viewing experience while still allowing the wearer to keep an eye on their surroundings, and everyone staring at them.
According to Epson, a pair of 0.52 inch LCD displays, each with a resolution of 960×540, create a viewing experience that’s akin to watching a 320-inch display from 20m away. Which is the equivalent of watching a 50-inch display from about 3m, for those who don’t have a gymnasium sized living room. Multimedia content is fed to the glasses via a tethered control unit running Android 2.2, and while videos and pictures can be played from an SDHC card, the unit is equipped with Wi-Fi, a touchpad and a flash-enabled web browser so content can also be streamed online.
Available in Japan on November 25 for about $US643, the Moverios can also be worn over a user’s regular glasses, just the like oversized sunglasses that adorn grandparents around the world. And while they seem targeted as the ideal way to pass the time while flying, I think they’re far better suited for a daily commute on the train, letting you catch up on TV while keeping an eye on that sketchy dude sitting across from you. [Epson via TechCrunch]