Video Goggles Almost Catching On

Oct. 1, 2007 -- You can't board a bus or plane without seeing lots of people wearing ear phones. Now, a few are beginning to watch video on tiny screens, but few are wearing TV goggles yet. A look at why that's true, and how the video world could be changing.

TV goggles, video glasses, iWear (with an "i") are all names for a technology that has been almost catching on for years. It did catch on with Jack Buser, who travels a lot for business.

He tells us, "I found myself on airplanes, basically holding my iPod for an hour and a half to watch a movie. All the blood was rushing to my elbow. So, I decided to get a pair of these just so I could kick back on the airplane, and watch a movie and relax."

Just a few years ago, the first video goggles cost more than a thousand dollars, were so big and cumbersome they covered your face, and the video players were the size of a shoe box. Things have changed. Today, they're as light as eyeglasses, cost less than $500, and the video players will fit in your pocket. (One model called Myvue sells for less than $200.)

In these goggles, each eye has its own display, but it's not 3D; the images just merge into one.

In each case, you must provide your own iPod or other video player. And most viewers are still sold online --- only a few in airport terminals, and some Macy's, and for just a few months at Micro Center computer department stores.

General Manager Red Calub says, "I think it's still a very new field. You can imagine where we were when we first had headsets, and now we have wireless bluetooth headsets."

Jack Buser agrees. "No one ever believed that anyone would ever wear headphones out in public. It was the weirdest thing. 'No one's ever going to wear those!' And here we are now, where you see headphones in public. It's the most everyday occurrence. So is that going to happen to these? I don't know."

At Micro Center, Caleb believes the catalyst will be rapid development and improvement. For example, next month, a new version of Myvu will work with any video player, even camcorders, DVDs and some cellphones.

MORE INFORMATION:

MYVU PERSONAL VIDEO VIEWERS
Eyewear that plugs into 5th generation ipod. Check to make sure your player is compatible. Myvu charges extra for prescription clip-on lenses.
Website: www.myvu.com/myvu
$199.95 - $299.95 depending upon the model.

MICRO CENTER
Computer and specialty electronics department store.
Website: www.microcenter.com
Micro Center Santa Clara
Phone: (408) 919-5400 (Santa Clara, CA)
Other locations nationwide.

OTHER MERCHANTS THAT CARRY MYVU EYEWEAR
May not be in all locations:
AirportWireless and Palm Stores: In airports nationwide.
Apple Store Online only.
Macy's
Zoom Vending Machines in airports and retail stores nationwide.

OTHER MOBILE VIDEO EYEWEAR MANUFACTURERS
Designer Brands Video Glasses at Newegg EZVISION/ezGear For Your Eyes Only at ThinkGeek Vuzix Video Eyewear by Vuzix Corporation (formerly Icuiti)

NOTE: Check with merchants. Prices and models are updated frequently.

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