The Avegant Glyph Video Glasses just landed on crowdfunding portal Kickstarter. Employing a proprietary Virtual Retina Display (VRD), the Glyph provides a vivid high resolution user experience absent the typical screen-door pixelation issues found in current competing next generation video glasses. The Avegant Glyph was one of our favorite hands-on experiences of CES 2014, and we are glad to see these revolutionary video glasses enter the funding phase.
The Avegant Glyph video glasses are intended to provide the wearer with an immersive audio/visual experience … your own private mobile theater. And, since the Glyph can use virtually any device with an HDMI out as a source, it works with mobile electronics already in play such as laptops, tablets, and video games. Just plug it in and you have amazing video and sound on the go. In addition, the Glyph sports head-tracking sensors which allow the user rudimentary game control with a simple turn of the head. However, although this motion tracking technology already works with existing content such as Call of Duty: Ghosts, the true magic will come when developers begin to create content specifically designed for the devices like the Glyph.
The Avegant Glyph’s magic comes from its unique Virtual Retina Display. Based upon an array of 2 million micromirrors, the video glasses lack a traditional screen and employ projection and reflection technology to transmit images directly into to user’s retina. Sound scary? Don’t worry, it’s safe. And, not using a standard stack of pixels allows the Glyph to provide a more realistic and sharper image without the screen-door effect typically complained of with modern video glasses. Another benefit is that it does not induce nausea or disorientation after extended viewing, a common experience when wearing traditional immersive displays.
The Glyph will initially ship with 1280 x 720 per eye resolution, allowing for a 720p HD picture. The 45° horizontal field of view will effectively put the wearer in front of a standard sized movie theater screen sitting a dozen or so rows back. And, the 120 Hz refresh rate should keep the video stream running smoothly even during action sequences. Add the 3 hour rechargeable battery, and you have enough juice to watch those lengthy Oliver Stone director’s cuts while jetting down to the Caribbean.
The Avegnat Glyph is an amazing little immersive audio/visual system. However, the question remains … will consumers find the unit too cumbersome to tote around on a regular basis? We believe that size will not be an issue. The current success enjoyed by the over-sized headphones market tends to establish that, for a superior media experience, consumers are willing to endure a little wearable bulk, and pay handsomely for it. And, if the public is willing to parade around in Dr. Dre Beats for slightly enhanced audio flavor, the similarly-sized Avegant Glyph for superior audio and visual seems like a sure thing at only $500.
Source
Avegant Glyph Video Glasses: [Company Website] [Kickstarter]
