IGN: Hands-On With Sony's 3D Head Mounted Display

One of the most interesting products featured at Sony's CES 2011 press conference this evening was their new 3D Head Mounted Display – virtual reality-style headgear that provides users with a complete 3D experience on the go, complete with simulated 5.1 surround.

[GWAVE]

Though these aren't at the top of my list, I see no problem with a personalized 3D HD setup. Imagine lying comfortably on your bed, plugging in your PS3, and playing some Uncharted 3 on the equivalent of a 60"+ screen.

[HolyOrangeCows]

"Imagine lying comfortably on your bed"

In the future, we won't even sit up to watch TV and play games.

Oh god....It's like Wall-e is coming to realization!

[Max Power]

Yes, all food in liquid form!

[pixelsword]

will drinks come in steam form?

[Jack Meahoffer]

I got to borrow one of the old non-3D models when I worked at a Sony call center years ago. It was really nice doing just that chillin on the bed watching this HUGE screen and not even having to lift your lazy F'ing head. haha

It was nice. I got some eye strain after awhile but I still wanted to buy one just couldn't afford it then.

They don't say how much these are but I'm interested because I'm not buying a new living room TV for a few more years for 3D.

[256bit]

SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!

[HappyGaming]

Eye strain can be fixed.
Comfort can be increased.
The size of the 60" virtual screen could be turned into a full 180 degree view.
They finally made them 3D.
FPS games could be revolutionised.
Head tracking could be added.
It could work along with a Kinect + Move combo for accurate hand tracking as well as body tracking.

We now have all the technology needed to drop into a realistic 3D world were we can walk (unfortunately with an analogue stick still) grab look around even observe our avatar bodies this is true virtual reality.

Edit: You can tell I have been passionate for the idea of 3D head mount display gaming for some time now :P

Gaming on a TV with a gamepad is not the future. The only issue is you will probably feel detached from reality. Removing the goggles will feel like waking up from a very realistic dream especially with 5.1 sound effects blocking out the real world completely for you.

Edit 2: and just imagine how awesome the PS OS could be you load PS4 which wirelessly stream 1080p HD video to your head gear (using wireless HDMI tech seen at CES 2007) and you are placed in a room that looks like you are in Tron with all your icons in a 360 around you. You play a movie and a cinema screen appears. You can chose to sit down in a chair and have head tilting mimick real life cinema experience by changing your view angle and sound direction move as you look left and right or press a lock button so you can lay down and watch a movie in bed with the virtual screen on your celling.

[Kurt Russell]

I would rather get the 60" tv. This is handy for people who have tiny studio flats and watch tv/play games on their own. I don't

[Hozi89]

Haha...We really are getting lazier and lazier by the hour.

So this device allows 3D gaming without the use of a tv?

[Bathyj]

I'm pretty much a gaming hermit now.

I think if I had one of these, the outside world might never see me again.

Might as well just jack into the Matrix now.

[AndrewRyan]

You probably won't be seeing these in stores for another 10 years unfortunately. I wish technology would just move faster but stupid companies have to keep technology back and keep it from selling. Cable companies for example don't even have HD content. It's fucking 2011 all channels should be HD for fuck sakes. Not even 1280x720? Society and business is fucking sad.

[edhe]

Complaining that people are sad due to arbitrary resolution is ironic, dontchaknow.

If you want everything to be HD then vote in a government that mandates it. Business will not do it without incentive.

[ReBurn]

You and me both, Bathyj. You and me both.

[thats_just_prime]

Another 10 years ? you do know they sold these things 15 years ago. Nintendo made one , Atari made, Sega dev one but never released it. this is slightly updated 20 year old (at least) tech

[Xander756]

Not gonna lie, that is pretty sad.

[nycredude]

I 'm pretty sure this would kick total ass for gamers and couch potatoes if it was resonably priced. I would buy it. Image hooking to this wirelessly with the ps3 cable and tv and watching just chilling in your bed while switching between plaing Killzone 3 Uncharted 3, GT5 TV Nexflix.

[sobekflakmonkey]

This is kinda cool, but i dont see how you would connect your ps3 or 360 to it, or anything for that matter (unless its wireless, and in that case the picture would be that great i dont think)....but like i said, this looks super bad ass, something straight outa cartoons :D

[Armyntt]

Roads!? Where we are going we dont need roads.

[specialguest]

These HMD with 3D capabilities have been around for a long time. There's a brand called I-glasses that makes 3D HMD, and it also includes head tracking.

[Kran]

"complete 3D experience on the go, complete with simulated 5.1 surround."

Not only will your eyes scramble from the 3D, but you'll also break your neck not seeing anything! :D YAY!

Hey, I never dissed this item. Its just a first indication comment. :P

[mrv321]

You do realise our eyes currently see in 3D, and I don't know about you but my aren't scrambled.

[Kran]

I know, but when we go see a movie, when we're watching a 3D film, our brain really hurts. When watching something pixelized in 3D, thats when your brain starts to hurt a bit.

Well. Mine does anyway. But then your brain gets used to it. Until you take the glasses off, where you get a headache again

[Cartesian3D]

@clockback

you know sth but you dont know everything about 3d tech . go read some articles and then talk about 3D tech faults and health problems..

your brain wont Hurt because its pixelated

secondly the only 3d tech that is MAY be hurtful to someone below 7 years old is glass less 3d tech... like toshiba TV at CES 2011 or nintendo 3ds , and its not even proved ( they said that because brain is learning how to see and control the eye muscles before that age)

[Christopher]

So that's how Geordi sees?

As far as this item, it all hinges on if it really works and how much it costs. Based on what they said, there were issues with proper placement. Guess we'll see how much it costs.

I wonder how it works for those who wear prescription glasses?

[hardcorehippiez]

the magnification can be adjusted on each screen you look at to get maximum clarification from each eye pretty much like binoculars and is fully adaptable to people with glasses. of course im just goin by the 2D version i have but i dont imagine that it would be that much different for 3D. hope that answers your query. i will be investing in a set of these as long as they arent that expensive but i dont think they will as this could be the trojan sony needs to get 3d to take of bigtime.

[dkgshiz]

This is just a prototype anyways but I think its basically just a waste.

[magicfrog]

Acturally if the price is acceptable then I would like to get one of this...
remember the .hack?

[sobekflakmonkey]

Agreed, i feel that it is kinda silly, cause it would probably be like the virtual boy in comfort-ability, but at the same time i would totally buy a pair if it was affordable..

[pr0digyZA]

Besides looking like you belong in Tron. I definitely this is a step forward to where games will eventually go. This could be a very absorbing way of getting involved in games. Plus you wouldn't need to buy separate objects you could just have this and then you'd have your sound picture and 3d all in one.Gotta say if they work out all the kinks then I'd buy it. (just wouldn't be caught dead going outside).

[Eamon]

This will be good for arcades and rides.

[extermin8or]

sega tried that for video games put the fact that your inner balance in your ear told you your movement speed ect was faster/slower than w hat you saw through your eyes and made you feel sick, so they canned it, 3D can do the same thing. Besides this is stupid device anyway

[HappyGaming]

Like running on a tread mill once you step of and walk forward you brain thinks shouldn't move so you start feeling really drunk like the world is moving back and you are standing in one spot.

Its not a stupid device by the way and I am sure if it evolves further you would all fall over this (it could be the next 3D and bluray leap)

[DelbertGrady]

Looks 90's-tastic!

Talk about being out of touch with consumers.

[pixelsword]

I know!

That's almost like talking about Kinect at CES when you have other products that people wanted to see...

Huh?

[FlyShootRaceSims]

Hush, be quiet! Bow down to a Sony product, you fool! This will be the bestest thing since sliced bread, I guarantee it! :)

[nycredude]

fly

I have more faith in Sony than MS when it comes to electronics. Much better track record.

[FlyShootRaceSims]

@ nycredude
Sarcasm aside, please don't take this particular comment seriously. I completely agree with you.

[RacingLightning01]

Didn't Nintendo allready make somthing like this in the early '90s? As I recall it didn't sell either, what with all the kid's going blind from ridiculous amounts of eye strain and all.

If they are ever going to make 3D take off, it needs to be glasses free, & not held 1/2 inch from your eyes.

[Cyb3r]

All I want to know is if it is as stressful on the eyes as the 3D glasses out now

[cochise313]

This looks pretty sweet, but i wonder what the price for one of these are?

[saoco]

Im in the navy, and i tell you, 90% of sailors would buy this. because it's private and you can watch whatever you without having to fight for the only tv in the berthing. ships get very borring after working hours.

[FlyShootRaceSims]

Aaah the November Alpha Victor Yankee! I did half a tour as a fleet sailor. We used to do Quake/Mechwarrior LAN parties in the Ship's library (USS KIDD). Good times!

[BABY-JEDI]

As 3D TV's technology hasn't been played out yet concerning 3D TV with or without glasses. Also costs concerning this option in comparison to 3D TV's must be a lot less. However, who wants to be an advert for a Daft Punk VID? My mind boggles LoL

[Ripyealip]

FAGGETS!!!! THIER ALL FAGGETS!!!!!! may death come to them shortly

[ReBurn]

Really, it's the impeccable spelling and grammar that does it for me.

[Z777]

Wow! and not too long ago i envisioned using a device like this to take advantage of Gran Turismos head tracking feature!!! In other words playing GT5 with this and using head tracking along with surround sound directly into your ears with a racing wheel AND 3d makes for a true driving expirience. lol. Imagine looking into your cockpit and actually looking at it without having to keep your eyes on the tv.. Sorry 4 my spelling but i can care less at this momemtn!

[edhe]

So, whilst i admit there's a coolness to the device, sony are trying to trap everyone in their own little worlds whereas nintendo and ms want people to still be human?

If the matrix comes then it'll be sony branded..

[Fallouts]

i hope next gen consoles come with this. the console can stay in the living room and still be played on the tv or you can put this bad boy on connect by wifi or something like that. that would be crazy...

[Obama]

.Hack everyone?

[BabyTownFrolics]

the head mounted device reminds me of greg giraldo

RIP

[rulakir]

Some of these postings are funny man.

[mindedone]

The only way this would do well commercially, is if it were included in a future gaming system. And I don't mean as a separate add-on like Move; I mean included first day like the Wii was.

We are already getting to a point where textures are no longer the driving force behind graphical prowess, where textures are taking a backseat to physics computations, like lighting, particle effects, anatomical motion, etc. Although these things will push companies to create more advanced gpu/cpus in our gaming systems (with, of course, the high price tag,) these companies are always looking for a new frontier so that they can continue to charge us more money (which, I have no problem with, if the product delivers on its high price tag.) If both motion controls, and something like this are both adopted, it only gives gaming companies another avenue to up the ante, or to further push the boundaries for video games, and ultimately line the companies' pockets.

Edit: I have a question for everyone. In the upcoming generation(s) would any of you prefer so see Wii-type graphics in exchange for better a smooth one to one correspondence with a product like this? Obviously having great one to one head tracking would take a lot of computational power (how much so I do not know), but are you willing to sacrifice graphics because of it?

[jeeves86]

So question, what about people that wear glasses? It obviously looks like it's another set of 3D glasses in the thing if you look at the images. I know a lot of people that wear glasses and 3D does jack-shit for them.

[BYE]

WTF is this shit?

"It's by Sony, watch your mouth!"

Sony? Oh what is this, this is incredible!

[Blackdeath_663]

... when films breach the walls of reality.
(how long will it be before we walkaround in latex and have our lives stored in disks, bluray disks)

[Shazz]

my 2012 resolution is end up fat as heck lol , these gadgets are so insane i mite end up not moving at all

[Holeran]

If it worked well it would sell like wild fire.