HR 920 User Experience and Conclusion

October 6, 2009 0 Comments

i-Glasses HR 920 - User Experience and Conclusion

We tested the HR 920's with a number of devices in a variety of situations. The input devices were as follow:

· Xbox 360

· iPod

· Laptop

XBOX 360 and i-Glasses HR 920

The image and audio quality while watching a video through the Xbox 360 is good and depending on your situation they might make a
good choice for you. For example, if you plan to travel with your Xbox and or portable gaming device and will not have access to a large HDTV, a pair of HR 920's will work nicely for you. They would also work well for you if you have a small non-HDTV and do not intend to upgrade.

But the HR 920's cannot replace an equally priced HDTV for the following reasons. While the image appears about the size of a 42 - 80 inch screen from 6 - 8 feet away it is not as clear or bright as a decent HD image. Detail is lost in movies and gaming can be very difficult. For example, in Halo there are a number of dimly lit scenes which even on a good HDTV with the brightness turned up can feel very dark. Such scenes are all but impossible to navigate with the HR 920's. It is also noteworthy that, when gaming, there is a tendency to move your head to follow the action. But this is frustrating because moving your head only moves the action farther away. You have to learn to keep you head still. Not impossible but a bit disconcerting at first.

iPod and iPhone and i-Glasses HR 920

The very best reason to get a pair of HR 920's is for use with your iPod, iPhone or other smart mobile device. The experience of watching a video through the HR 920's is far superior to watching it on your iPhone. It is a fully immersive experience and the video output of the iPhone matches nicely with the capabilities of the video glasses. It's like carrying around a large screen TV in your pocket. We watched movies in bright sun and in a darkened room and found that, with the detachable immersion visor, the image quality remained more or less constant.

Laptop

We attempted to test the HR 920's with a laptop but were frustrated to learn that they cannot hook up to an SVGA source without significant additional cost. In addition the image quality would be poor. If you are looking for a set of video glasses to hook up to a PC we suggest a higher resolution model such as the i-Glasses i3PC.

Conclusion

Overall we were very impressed with the HR 920's. While the styling leaves something to be desired, the capabilities, features and accessories, at this price point, are top notch. You can find similar devices out there by manufacturers like Myvu and Vuzix but you will be hard pressed to beat the image and audio quality.

By far the best application for these video glasses is in combination with a smart mobile device like an iPod or iPhone. While you will have to spend a bit more money on the Apple Composite Video Cable, the experience is more than worth it. While the display on the iPhone is great for short videos, frequent travelers, commuters, and kids will really enjoy the experience of watching full lenght movies through their HR 920's. In combination the two devices become something more than they are alone.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something to hook up to your laptop or Xbox 360 you should consider a higher resolution headset.

Likes

· Watching iPod or iPhone videos on a large screen

· Controls for brightness, contrast and volume

· Image quality when hooked up to a smart mobile device

· Audio quality

· Detachable earbuds

· Detachable nose piece

· Removable Immersion Visor

Dislikes

· No way to adjust the focal point

· Wireless remote should be integrated into the in-line controls and made digital.