i-Glasses HR 920 - Body
and Design
The HR 920 immediately
identifies itself as part of the i-Glasses / i-Theater family, but
there are a number of distinct differences between it and older
versions. The big improvement is in the new Kopin displays. Prior
models at this price point had a QVGA resolution of around 230,000
pixels or approximately 320 x 240. This resolution is fine for iPod
videos but not so hot when hooked up to an Xbox 360. Most of the
video glasses being sold today use the same Kopin displays which
puts the emphasis, when making comparisons, on the construction,
accessories and price.
The frame is considerably
lighter than previous versions of the i-Glasses. It weighs around
2.4 ounces and is worn over the ears like a standard set of
glasses. The older style, looked more like a gamers head mounted
display. The new frame also boasts the cherry red visor on the
front which is either a huge plus or a big negative depending on
your personal tastes. Functionally it does nothing at all. Other
changes to the frames allow you to customize the i-Glasses to
better suit your face and taste and include detachable in-ear
earphones, and a removable nose piece.
Beyond the frame changes the
HR 920's come with an improved set of accessories which makes them
really stand out from previous models. A new wireless controller
allows you to adjust contrast and brightness on the fly and to
switch display sources from VGA to NTCS. This is a huge improvement
over previous models, which had no adjustable controls, as it
enables you to make adjustments that suit the ambient light, the
video source, and your personal tastes. And there is now an in-line
control box for powering the device on, adjusting volume, and
plugging in a set of headphones. The box also houses the
rechargeable battery. This is an improvement over previous models
which had the battery integrated into the frame making them heavier
and reducing play time.
Construction and
environmental seals
The HR 920's are
unquestionably lighter and more streamlined than previous versions
but they may also be less rugged. IO Displays has a one year
warranty on their products which covers manufacturer defects and
they are a small company so it's not hard to reach someone who can
help you in the event of a problem. But we recommend a gentle hand
when using the HR 920's. When wearing video glasses be sure to open
them at the joint where the arm meets the frame. Don't pull them
open wide by grabbing the end of the arms as this may put stress on
the joint. Worn properly, in the right environment, and treated
with respect you should have no problems with the HR
920's.
On your
head
The HR 920 frames weigh in
at a mere 2.4 ounces. This makes it .4 ounces lighter than the Myvu
Crystal EV's. They fit comfortably on the face but, when sitting
upright, can feel a little heavy on one side where the input line
plugs into the glasses arm. And it takes a few moments to get them
in the right position so that the image is properly focused for
your eyes. But, once you get settled, with a fully charged battery,
hooked up to an iPhone, the HR 920's work like a dream. They feel
light on your face and perform admirably in light or dark
conditions, sitting up or lying down, and you could easily watch a
movie without difficulty. We had a 10 year old volunteer who loved
the styling and form and who was loathe to take them off after
watching a couple hours of Pixar shorts. By contrast when hooking
them up to an Xbox 360, you have to be close to the device and hook
in an additional set of composite video cables. This makes the
glasses uncomfortably heavy and limits the place and position that
you can be in while watching a video or playing a game. Add in the
USB charger line and the problem is compounded.
Weight is not the only
consideration. We are not fond of the red visor on the front of the
video glasses. It makes them appear more like a costume accessory
and less like a serious piece of technology. This is a shame
because the HR 920's stack up favorably against most of the
competition in most areas. You will be hard pressed to find a
comparable set of features and accessories at the same price.
Fortunately most users will not be walking around with their HR
920's on. The glasses are really best suited to a reclined position
in a semi darkened environment hooked up to a smart mobile device
like an iPhone.
Battery
Compartment
The battery compartment on
the HR 920 is in the in-line power and volume control box behind a
simple sliding door. The HR 920 uses a rechargeable lithium battery
which provides 3.5 hours of play time and which charges through a
USB Mini Connection Cable, 5 Volts/350 mA.
Connections
The HR 920's connectors
attach in several places. On the arms of the frame there are two
plugs, one by each ear, for the detachable earbuds and one small
USB type connection for the in-line controls and video input. The
USB connection has a Velcro strap which wraps around the arm to add
strength. On the in-line control box, which also houses the
battery, you find a small power port for the micro USB charging
line and a port where the user can connect their own headphones,
including noise canceling headphones. This is beneficial in any
noisy environment (like on an airplane). And running from the
bottom of the box is the video input cable. The input cable can be
attached to a number of different devices but you will need the
right connectors for each device.
With the included connectors
you can attach the HR 920's to a wide variety of devices including,
most DVD players, Gaming platforms and MP4 Players (iPod, Zune,
Creative Labs, Archos). For newer iPods and iPhones, however, you
will need the Apple Composite Video Cable for iPod or iPhone.
Please contact your local Apple retailer or www.apple.com for information on this
connection. For the Zune, you will need the Zune AV Output Cable
(available from Microsoft). Other MP4 players may require specific
cabling/connectors. Please check with your device
manufacturer.
Supplied in the
box
The HR 920 is, depending on
your region, offered as kit with a variety of connectors and
accessories.
Included in the box is:
·
Lithium
Battery/control box
·
USB Charger
Cable
·
Composite Video
and Audio Pig Tail
·
"Mini-Stereo" A/V
Pig Tail
·
Stereo Ear Bud
type speakers
·
Removable
Immersion Visor
·
Remote
Control.
·
Manual
Operations and
Controls
The controls are fairly
straight forward on the HR 920. The in-line control box allows you
to power the device on and off with a small sliding switch on the
side. A small blue light comes on to let you know that power is
flowing to the headset. On the other side of the box is a circular
volume control dial.
The wireless remote controls
brightness, contrast and video source. You must be wearing the
headset to make the adjustments as the buttons are analog and there
is no other way to know what your button press did.
Introduction
Body and Design
Specifications
Experience and Conclusion
