Epson offers a peek into the future by launching its innovative personal display device – the Epson Moverio BT-100 see-through mobile viewer.
Available in Singapore from 23 July 2012 at S$999. Pre-orders from 9-22 July.
The Epson Moverio BT-100 is available from 23 July 2012 at S$999.
The Epson Moverio BT-100 comprises a headset and an Android-powered media player cum controller.
Bring your personal entertainment on the move.
The device allows users to view streaming video, experience 3D content (in side-by-side format) and enjoy downloaded digital content on a large virtual 320-inch perceived screen projected from 20 meters away.
If you harbour ambitions to be part of the X-men, the headset makes you look like Cyclops.
It uses micro-projection technology to project the imagery onto the visor.
The media player cum controller operates on Google Android 2.2.
Built-in 802.11n wireless connectivity allows the user to browse the Web for content.
Alternatively, pre-downloaded content can be accessed via the device’s microSDHC card slot (4GB card included) and built-in 1GB of internal storage, especially when wireless network access is unavailable.
microSDHC card slot and built-in 1GB internal storage.
The viewer boasts nearly six hours of rechargeable battery life, supports Adobe Flash 11, and features Dolby Mobile surround sound.
If you have your own kick-a** Dr. Dre headphones or Monster headsets, there’s an audio out socket available.
There’s no video out though, since that defeats the raison d’etre of the Moverio.
If you wear glasses, you can wear the Moverio over them.
In fact, you need to, since there’s no diopter adjustment on the Moverio.
While wearing the Moverio, you can still see through them at the surroundings.
Available for pre-order from 9-22 July – the Moverio, that is.
You can choose to remove the shades to see the external world better but that makes it more difficult to watch the imagery inside the Moverio unless you’re facing a blank wall with a dark surface.
Although the Moverio runs on Android Froyo, it is not Google Play certified.
Epson said that when they approached Google, the latter felt the Moverio could neither be categorised as a smartphone or tablet.
So you’ll have to head to 3rd-party app-sites for Moverio apps.
And, for the moment, there’s no augmented reality.
Hands-on the Moverio BT-100
I tried out the Moverio for about 20 minutes during the launch event at ION Sky in Singapore.
Epson Moverio BT-100 see-through mobile viewer.
Apart from image quality, I was curious whether the headset would be excessively heavy and whether prolonged viewing would cause dizziness and discomfort.
I found image quality to be excellent.
It did feel like watching a big screen.
The weight was okay for me although that seems to a major concern for many people, and something Epson is cognizant of.
I didn’t experience any dizziness although I’d tried it for a short 20 minutes. You’ll have to use it for a longer period of time to really tell.
The Epson Moverio BT-100 will be available in Singapore from 23 July 2012 exclusively at selected Best Denki outlets (Compass Point, Jurong IMM, Ngee Ann City, Parkway Parade, and VivoCity) for S$999.00.
Customers can pre-order the Moverio at the Best Denki outlets from 9–22 July 2012 and get a free 16GB Micro SD card (worth $18) and a pair of CX215 Sennheiser earphones (worth $68.90).
* Promotion valid for pre-order sets only.
Although the media player cum controller is an additional box to carry, it’s better than having to plug the headset to a living room set top player.
What I found terribly irritating was that the perceived screen moved every time you moved your head.
But since the display is in the headset itself, that seems pretty unavoidable.
I wonder if there’s any way to “stabilise” the display in the future.
Epson quotes studies in the US that advises against children below 12-years perusing such devices – because their eyesight has not fully developed yet.
Epson Moverio BT-100 in a box
So this may not be an appropriate gift for a young child – despite its obvious drool factor.
At the moment, it’s targeted more at the early adopter.
I can see the Moverio coming in very handy for watching movies while riding in the MRT.
You can enjoy absolute privacy without the irritation of fellow passengers peering at your smartphone or tablet.
Just make sure you’re not sitting on a privileged seat with a feisty old woman staring down at your oblivious cyclops facade.
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