Epson shows off mobile video headset
Epson reveal the Moverio BT-100, an Android-powered mobile video headset, available in retail next month.
As part of the Integrate 2012 exhibition, Epson has unveiled its Moverio BT-100 "mobile see-through viewer" — a personal video headset by any other name.
The Moverio replicates a 320-inch display seen from 20m, but is transparent, meaning that the media appears to float, super-imposed on the world. Resolution is qHD and the design means that the image perspective changes based on the depth of field. Or, to put it another way, the further away you look, the bigger the image appears.
The device is Android 2.2 powered and uses a Flash video player. It's also Wi-Fi enabled and has a microSD port for storing media files. When on a wireless network, the device can be easily used for web browsing, as well being capable of running Android apps.
The headset connects a battery pack, which incorporates the controls, including a touch pad. Battery life is roughly 8 hours and there is 1GB of built-in memory.
The headset is big enough to sit over glasses, although, when trying the Moverio, we did find this a little bit uncomfortable. In-ear headphones are built in to the device, giving Dolby stereo sound, while a separate set of headphones can be connected via the control box.
The Moverio BT-100 will be available from Epson's online store in September for $799. Bruce Bealby, Business Manager Visual Imaging for Epson Australia, said that the company was in talks with other retailers, but that it was "early days" for the product.