Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 7, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
At Macworld, German optics group Carl Zeiss introduced Cinemizer Plus, new video glasses that project iPod movies onto a virtual large screen. Technically, the device is identical to the Cinemizer glasses solution Zeiss introduced a year ago, which simulates a screen with a diagonal of 115 centimeters at a distance of two meters in front of the viewer’s eyes. For the successor glasses unveiled for the first time in San Francisco, wearing comfort and the integrated headphones were improved. The latter do not have to be used if other high-quality headphones are already available. For the first time, the iPhone is also officially supported alongside the various iPod models.
“Over the years, mobile devices have become increasingly compact. Video glasses solve the dilemma that compact construction unfortunately also leaves less and less room for screens,” explained Andreas Klavehn, Head of Marketing for Multimedia Devices at Carl Zeiss. To provide a mobile cinema experience lasting up to four hours while conserving the iPod or iPhone’s power, the video glasses use their own battery. In addition to adjustable earpieces made from soft two-component plastic, the Plus version includes two additional nose-pad adapters that let users adjust how the glasses rest on the nose. “That not only permits a much more comfortable fit, but also improves the viewing angle onto the TFT display,” Klavehn said.
The glasses’ technical capabilities make it possible to enjoy 3D content comfortably on the virtual screen. While 3D cinema is already highly successful in the United States, it has so far led a rather bleak existence in Europe. Klavehn sees the video glasses as an important contribution to promoting genuine 3D content, especially because any user can download and watch 3D films or games. “Of course, we are still talking about the future because such content is still lacking in retail and on download platforms. But that future could be quite close, since the combination of iTunes and the iPod or iPhone provides ideal conditions for establishing the necessary distribution,” Klavehn said.
Sales of the new Cinemizer Plus are scheduled to begin in March 2009. In addition to iPhone and iPod, other mobile devices with video outputs are supported. The video glasses are also suitable for nearsighted and farsighted glasses wearers because the diopter setting can be adjusted on the device. Those unwilling to wait can still buy the first generation of Zeiss consumer video glasses, the Cinemizer, for €369 from Amazon or various specialist retailers.
