Hasta La Gadget!

Sony’s second generation 3D visor didn’t make a big splash back at IFA, but the HMZ-T2 certainly has a pigeonhole at Tokyo’s premier gaming event. In addition to the headset’s substitutional reality prototype, the standard model stakes claim to almost a fifth of PlayStation’s demo area. With all the local buzz, we decided to weigh in on how the $900 headgear shapes up as a gaming display. The answer? Heavily. Out of necessity, the HMZ-T2 crams the majority of its hardware in front of the users eyeballs, bearing most of its weight on the nose. Over extended gaming sessions, we could see this becoming uncomfortable — and indeed, in our short time with the device we found our neck relaxing, begging to give in to the weight of the device. As silly as hung-head gaming might appear, however, the visual effect certainly does the trick — creating the illusion of a large 3D television 4-6 feet in front of the user. It didn’t add anything to Hot Shots Golf 6 in terms of gameplay or experience, but it certainly comes in a more compact form than a full size television. The fancy headgear could surely be a boon for gamers living in a tight space, but folks with room (and cash) to spare are probably better off with a proper flat screen. On the other hand, visors are way more futuristic looking. Don’t believe us? See us get our Geordi La Forge on after the break.

Continue reading Sony’s HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video)

Filed under: Displays, Gaming, Peripherals, HD

Sony’s HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sony didn’t exactly go out of its way to talk up the new HMZ-T2 during its press conference the other day at IFA, never actually mentioning it on stage. The device did, however, pop up in a small corner of the company’s show booth. The reason for the silence is pretty clear, when you get down to it — not a lot has changed here. Really, the T2 is just a minor update to a first generation product, most of its changes revolving around making the admittedly slightly uncomfortable wearable a bit easier on your head. It’s 100 grams lighter than its predecessor and features improvements to its adjustable parts.

The head pad is larger and can be moved to better fit your head, the strap can be adjusted at a number of points and the sliders beneath the 0.7-inch OLED monitors can be adjusted independently from one another. Oh, and while there are Virtualphone built-in, there’s also a headphone jack, so you can bring your own pair. All in all, we have to say it did feel a bit more comfortable than the set we tried on for the first time roughly this time last year. The headset also features different viewing modes, including 24p True Cinema for slower paced movies and Clear mode for action scenes, as well as Auto Color Temperature to help improve the picture.

All told, however, it’s not much to write home about — if you were thinking of picking up the T1, this guy is certainly an improvement. If you’ve already got one to call your own, however, it’s probably not worth the upgrade when it hits later this year.

Continue reading Sony HMZ-T2 3D display, heads-in (video)

Filed under: Displays, Wearables, HD

Sony HMZ-T2 3D display, heads-in (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments