Has anyone tried the devices that look like goggles and display a video image in them? There is a Sony version called "Glasstron" and I think there is an Olympus or Minolta model, too. Has anyone experienced them, and are they effective in making the video more intense, or "real"?

I'm sending this up on the off-chance that maybe somebody might have a tale to tell of VR goggles.

I just got my pair of Glasstron, and I did not have a chance to use them yet, because I can get them to work only from my PalmTheater. They do not work from my satellite, VCR or video switch box. I tried to contact SOny, but they are incompetent, and I am going to have to do some research.

You need to have a good vision from close (but you can wear your regular glasses). Lights off is better otherwise you can see your surrounding. A lot of cables to connect (from the glasstron to the command box, then from this box 1 to the power supply (whoch has one to the wall), and one to your equipment).

Quality is fine, I will say more about immersing later once I can get it fully working.

Olympus had a 16x9 model in Japan, and I think that could be better if you watch mostly DVDs, but I watched part of a 16x9 movie and it was big enough.

Let me know if you have other questions.

G

My buddy has the Olympus pair from asia.

One word....DAMN sweet. he came straight to my house after and I put in Armageddon using its s-video. The quality was sweet...just like sitting in a really huge theater with the screen quite far away. I think they are going for about $400US'ish. Sound quality is ok..but this is one sweet toy!

Well, I have to take back what I said regarding Sony support.

The night I was trying to hook up my Glasstron to my video switch, my wife was sleeping and I did that with dim lights. Results I confused inputs and outputs, and I can assure you that pluging the Glasstron on an input does not help http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif

OK, I watched my first movie yesterday. You need a good vision from close, but you can keep your glasses if your wear any (I don't). Watching a full 2 hours movie is an experience and you will find yourself trying to readjust the Glasstron on your head/ears along the way. Sound is good, and if you press the ear plugs on your ears it sounds like it comes from your brain. But you cannot keep your hands on them and I guess it was not designed for that.

Brightness control is almost nothing, so no need to bother. Colors are good. Do not try to read the credits or others small stuff.

If you have a good vison, you will see the pixels, but once you are in the movie, it does not matter.

One point, if you have a fan blowing (I live in the south), the air will flow between the glasstron and your eyes causing them to dry fast. As I was in bed I had to cover my head with the sheet.

Imagine a guy in bed in the dark with these stanges glasses on his head, and covered under the sheets http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif

You definitely need to be in the dark, because the Glasstron does not cover your eyes. It looks like a big screen from close, and it's a pretty cool toy.

It's good for travel, or if you want to watch TV without disturbing other people.

My wife got mine for $380, so it was a sweet deal.

A few companies are now coming on the market and prices may drop with quality increasing. A 16x9 (Olympus) would be good if you watch a lot of DVDs.

Good luck.

G