It’s devilish hard to write something thoughtful about video glasses! It appears as if these devices are quite familiar to us, and the manufacture of such video gadgets is going swimmingly thanks to hi-tech industry giants… But we still lack something!
First, millions of users can hardly distinguish between video glasses, stereo helmets and visors of augmented reality. This terminology confusion turns the discussions in forums into something incomprehensible.
Second, we can’t say that the video glasses are now the part of our routine life. Though many geeks are really keen on such devices, all these technologies are still regarded as something exotic, that is why we lack the information from buyers and users.
To put it shortly: this review is devoted to video glasses only, i.e., a compact gadget intended to watch films at home, in plane or car as well as play modest experimental games. Together we will examine the main parameters of up-to-date holographic lenses, their cons and pros.
WHAT FOR ARE THEY NEEDED?
Before getting acquainted with new technologies in video sphere, you should first determine how you will use the unusual glasses and how much you are ready to spend on them.
To buy ordinary video glasses is not the reason to overpay. In case you are looking for a road-gadget to watch films and look through photos in any private area in plain or train, you may save money and pay minimally. In case you are in search of high quality and 100% video immersing, you have to pay much more.
WHAT DOES THE PRICE OF 3D VIEWERS DEPEND ON?
Let’s examine the price range. Drop in any large on-line market and you will see: today the price of video glasses varies from 75$ to … 3000-4000$ (as a rule, the latter models really possess the home cinema functionality). There are even more expensive models, but their price can’t be regarded as reasonable.
For 75 – 400$ the buyer will get an ordinary variant: spectacles with internal memory, SD card slot and minimal complete set. Light and compact models (MOULTRIE HD VIDEO GLASSES model, and others are among them) can’t be customized at will and you are certain not to get a high quality picture. Nevertheless, they may be an optimal road gadget for many users. We advise to buy models with AV interface, e.g. Av-in and WGA.
From 400$ the range burst begins. Here are flat glasses which direct the ready image to the eye retina, more classic small screen glasses, adjustable diopter glasses, and real mini-helmets. Their functionality exceeds greatly that of “road models”. Among them the following models are especially worth of mentioning:
- Home cinema glasses, a real alternative to TV set;
- glasses for gamers with the total in-game effect;
- «remote displays» for different devices which can be useful for IT-specialists, designers, programmers, …and film fans again;
- universal products covering the functions of video glasses, augmented reality visors, etc., and claiming to compete with Google Glasses.
KEY PARAMETERS OF UP-TO-DATE VIDEO GLASSES
Some key parameters are common for all models including the cheapest ones, so every potential purchaser should be aware of them. Let’s look closer at them.
1. Virtual screen size
The size of virtual screen is very important as it is the screen which you will have before your curious eyes. By the way, do you know that in the majority of models the “picture” is transmitted to each eye separately?
Commonly, the video glasses work with 52, 72, 84 and 98 inch format. However, there are models that make you believe that you watch many meter plasma or even movie screen. It’s true that you appear to see it from the distance of some meters. It is normal, otherwise you would cast your eye over the whole screen “body”.
2. Video screen resolution
We can’t avoid the problem of video screen resolution. The higher the resolution is, the more distinct and smooth the picture is. It is clear, though some producers have already begun to provide their low resolution glasses with image “special” smoothers. The most market models permit 640х480 resolution. It is not very cool, is it? But they have their own purchasers, and even very delighted ones (sometimes you may read their reviews like this “Oh, I simply can’t play at ordinary comp any more after having tried this thing!»)
However, at the moment you may buy video glasses with 1280х720 resolution and even FULLHD format. Among them there are Avegant Glyph, Epson Moverio BT-200 and others. Warning! The price range strikes not less than the picture quality difference.
3. Size and autonomy
Both weight and size of such gadgets are very important as well as the ability for off-line operation. First, nobody can ignore the comfort! You can hardly like the gadget which is able to turn you into an old ruin with pain in the neck and the nose bridge rubbed sore for just a couple of hours. Second, energy blocks of some recent models resemble the backpacks of Ghostbusters!
So heavy and big, they will entangle your legs and arms with cables: many video glasses can’t function off-line. Even the expensive model Sony HMZ T3 is tightly connected with a power block. This is a great annoyance!
3. Whom the video glasses don’t suit
Finishing our examination of «main parameters», we can’t conceal that some people can’t use any video glasses. The weak vestibular system and poor vision can make you suffer badly when using this gadget. So, check the video glasses for yourself without fail before purchasing it. Otherwise you may be greatly disappointed.
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