Sony is working on a futuristic head-mounted display that immerses the viewer in 3D video.
The device, which is still only a prototype, was unveiled at a Sony news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening.
“We are working on prototypes of new 3D personal displays to keep us ahead in offering a better personal experience to consumers,” said Hiroshi Yoshioka, executive deputy president of Sony. “The first prototype is this Sony headmount display.”
Inside are two OLED displays that provide a high-quality, high-contrast image.
“You can enjoy a theater-like experience on the couch or in flight, with a virtual large screen and powerful sounds,” he said, joking that it allowed him to chase higher scores on the PlayStation 3’s Gran Turismo 5 without getting bothered by his wife.
A test of the prototype after the keynote backed up Yoshioka’s claims of a clear, vivid 3D image. The glasses required a quick calibration, so the images from the screens were correctly aligned to each eye, but after that they worked without a problem.
Sony has no launch date for the display, which is still being developed.
Two years ago at CES, Sony showed off a prototype head-mount display that showed 2D images. That device still hasn’t come to market.
It wasn’t the only 3D prototype on show. Sony also had no-glasses 3D televisions and a Blu-ray Disc player with 3D screen.
Just like the head-mount display, Sony says the no-glasses 3D TVs and Blu-ray player are prototypes. There’s no word on when they might be available.