[vaktmestern]

Finally getting places with my hmz-1 didnt like it out of the box, but been modyfiyng it to improve comfort for longer usages, and after hours last night adjusting my sorces and the hmz-1 screen settings ,i finally found the magic i hoped it would provide... now its ultra sharp like oled should be.

The hmz-1 is so sensetive to the sorces signal so i recomend playing with the conected devices video settings, it really made a massive diffrence how clear n sharp the picture becomes.

[johnfer]

I just got my Sony HMZ-t1, thanks to MyDigtalDevice for great review

[airmyx]

I bought one of these (pair of these?) back in the spring - some of my thoughts:



Incredibly uncomfortable after 30 minutes when used out of the box. More so if you have a head which doesn't match any of their stock forehead pads. (For me, they're actually more comfortable removing the forehead pads altogether and just sticking a sock between the device and my forehead for padding!!)

Starting to reach a personalised solution using some boxing straps, sticky backed foam and felt pads.

Headphones are rubbish. Glad they've removed them from the mk2 version. Shame little else has improved with it though.

Depending on how stock pads fit your head, the outsides of the screen will blur & you'll feel you can't get 'close enough' to the screen. To borrow from Sony's marketing dept - I agree the HMZ is like having your own private cinema..... It's just with their poor lenses, it's like you have to watch all your movies from the projection room!! If you can mod to get your eyes closer to the lenses, this can be improved but never goes away 100%

For some inexplicable reason, the screen looks bigger when you're watching in 2D mode.


Default colour saturation seems low. Have to run them in a modified 'Vivid' picture mode to get a picture close to Bumptious settings on my Kuro.


Once set up, picture quality excellent but you do miss 1080p. With decent eyesight you will see the pixels under certain viewing conditions.

Immersion when in a dark room or using the light blockers is unmatched. Amazingly addictive gaming on them. No eye strain at all from extended periods of 3D. Obviously zero crosstalk.

Would not be surprised to learn they have moderate input lag. I can perform ok in first person shooters but I'm usually an ace pilot with the BF3 attack chopper (service star 7 & top 1% on Xbox for related effectiveness per death) but when on the HMZ I find myself needlessly crashing unless I make a conscious effort to fly more conservatively. Always feels like I pull up in time etc based on my instincts / experience but I end up clipping nearby trees or rooftops anyway.


HMZ is a flawed diamond. As it is the only decent display of its kind, I recommend it to anyone if it were half the price & you don't mind a bit of basic modding. But at £800, it's only for those with the cash to blow or Kuro owners who don't want to downgrade their sets for a bit of 3D!!

[mrapbp]

Great review!

I was one of the first in the que for these last Xmas and whilst I thought it was a stunning piece of kit in many ways there were FAR too many problems for a £800 piece of kit! I sold mine whilst they were still in demand and did OK out if it.

Have they never updated or improved this?

I was hoping they might have ironed out soe of the issues with a HMZ-T2 or something....... If they did I would be back in the que again!

[Spacecat]

tried on the hmz t2 today in a sony store

hurt my nose but pretty spectacular to watch, if they can make it lighter and more comfy i'd geta pair

[mrapbp]

Can't believe they have made a new/updated version and havent sorted out the MAJOR and obvious issues.

I so want this to work so I can buy another buy am not spending another £1k on a badly designed piece of kit! Damn them!!!

Originally Posted by Spacecat

tried on the hmz t2 today in a sony store

hurt my nose but pretty spectacular to watch, if they can make it lighter and more comfy i'd geta pair

[JonStatt]

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Can't believe they have made a new/updated version and havent sorted out the MAJOR and obvious issues.

I so want this to work so I can buy another buy am not spending another £1k on a badly designed piece of kit! Damn them!!!

It seems they didn't have much of a budget to "re-invent" them, and the updates are not really much, if any, in way of improvement. Basically, you can now use your own headphones! I understand the image is identical. However one issue a number of people complained about was that the eye adjustments (left/right positioning) were not individual, and some even opened up their unit to remove the gear linkage. I believe that Sony agreed with this change in this revision.

It is definitely NOT an upgrade for anyone already with the HMZ-T1

[jimsgill]

Originally Posted by Spacecat

tried on the hmz t2 today in a sony store

hurt my nose but pretty spectacular to watch, if they can make it lighter and more comfy i'd geta pair

Spacecat? Where did you get to demo them? I went into my local Sony store last weekend (in Derby) and was told by the totally useless and unaware MANAGER that they would not be getting any in store, all units had already been sold by Sony on a "made to order only" basis and the only place in the UK that had them on demo was Harrods in London

Cash is burning a hole in my pocket but with all the negative (and positive) reviews, I really need to try before I buy for a grands worth of gadget

[mrapbp]

I went throught this last year and unless they have seriously changed it in terms of comfort (which I dint think they have) it is unwearable for longer than abotu 10 mins!

If they could sort that out I would be first in line!!

Originally Posted by jimsgill

Spacecat? Where did you get to demo them? I went into my local Sony store last weekend (in Derby) and was told by the totally useless and unaware MANAGER that they would not be getting any in store, all units had already been sold by Sony on a "made to order only" basis and the only place in the UK that had them on demo was Harrods in London

Cash is burning a hole in my pocket but with all the negative (and positive) reviews, I really need to try before I buy for a grands worth of gadget

[jimsgill]

I hear ya but I have read countless times now (after the extensive research I've done to get to the point of considering murdering my credit card on them) that it's all about how you wear them. If you get it wrong and the weight ends up on your nose then yes, it's gonna be agony after about 10 mins. If you get it right and use the head strap and adjust it correctly then they do the job splendid.

All these comments are the real reason I HAVE to try them before I buy them as I won't be happy with a 15% restocking fee (or whatever they charge on opened goods being returned) on a grands worth of product.....

[mrapbp]

Might be the case with the new one but I bought the old one for Xmas last year and nothing I (or anyone) could do would make it wearable. Short of a custom job that is and I am not paying the best part of £1k for something I have to butcher!!

Originally Posted by jimsgill

I hear ya but I have read countless times now (after the extensive research I've done to get to the point of considering murdering my credit card on them) that it's all about how you wear them. If you get it wrong and the weight ends up on your nose then yes, it's gonna be agony after about 10 mins. If you get it right and use the head strap and adjust it correctly then they do the job splendid.

All these comments are the real reason I HAVE to try them before I buy them as I won't be happy with a 15% restocking fee (or whatever they charge on opened goods being returned) on a grands worth of product.....

[jimsgill]

I'm trying to argue with you mate I'm just getting more affirmation that I have to try them before buying but where to find em? Anyone's guess. (oh and they are 20% lighter this time around with redesigned head and nose supports so maybe they've had "some" development in that field?)

[mrapbp]

NP mate, just trying to give you the benefit of my experience. I bought blind and ended up having to sell the thing shortly after. If there is little or no change then it would still be a no for me.

If they have sorted out some of the issues then I am definitly interested in it again as in concept it was an amazing piece of kit.

I am in London early next week so might pop into Harrods and see if I can demo the new unit.

Originally Posted by jimsgill

I'm trying to argue with you mate I'm just getting more affirmation that I have to try them before buying but where to find em? Anyone's guess. (oh and they are 20% lighter this time around with redesigned head and nose supports so maybe they've had "some" development in that field?)

[jimsgill]

Aw man, you're rubbing it in now I've just rang the Birmingham Sony store and they don't have them and apparently have been told by Sony that they will not be pushing the T2's into retail stores.

Harrods will have them though I've been reliably informed. Shame it's 140 miles away for me

[jimsgill]

Going for it mate. Ordering this evening and I'll let you know how I get on. Got a new thread going on so won't keep reviving this one. Suffice to say that they'll go back for a refund if they're as "bad" as people fear from experience of the T1's.......

[mrapbp]

Lets us know.

I ebay'd mine after xmas last year and made a profit (as they were so scarce!)

Originally Posted by jimsgill

Going for it mate. Ordering this evening and I'll let you know how I get on. Got a new thread going on so won't keep reviving this one. Suffice to say that they'll go back for a refund if they're as "bad" as people fear from experience of the T1's.......

[vaktmestern]

Got my T2 a few days back Huge improvment over the poor first T1 its clearer no pixle structure as the first colors are better n sharper green is now green not the yelow pale effort on the first.

Its smaller lighter and the option 2 use ur own headset is really the exsperience i hoped the first T1 would provide

[mrapbp]

Is it more wearable/comfortable than the old one?

Originally Posted by vaktmestern

Got my T2 a few days back Huge improvment over the poor first T1 its clearer no pixle structure as the first colors are better n sharper green is now green not the yelow pale effort on the first.

Its smaller lighter and the option 2 use ur own headset is really the exsperience i hoped the first T1 would provide

[Spacecat]

i tried them in the SONY store on Tottenham Ct Rd London

they were selling them for £999

[vaktmestern]

Yeh its more comfort than the first but its still to heavy can easly do 4hours

[jimsgill]

Mine's arriving 2moro or Wednesday according to Sony so can't wait to be honest Really looking forward to it now. Hope I keep em and they're as brilliant as hoped

[JonStatt]

Originally Posted by vaktmestern

Got my T2 a few days back Huge improvment over the poor first T1 its clearer no pixle structure as the first colors are better n sharper green is now green not the yelow pale effort on the first.

Its smaller lighter and the option 2 use ur own headset is really the exsperience i hoped the first T1 would provide

No pixel structure would indicate its the opposite of clearer?! The T2 uses the same panels as the T1! I do like the way Sony do-away with the integrated headsets, claim its lighter because of that, and still charge the same price

[jimsgill]

Originally Posted by JonStatt

No pixel structure would indicate its the opposite of clearer?! The T2 uses the same panels as the T1! I do like the way Sony do-away with the integrated headsets, claim its lighter because of that, and still charge the same price

I've never seen the T1's but I'm guessing the loss of the intergrated headset but the addition of a headphone jack and, from what I've read, a wireless (bluetooth?) link connection to external headphones AND still including a jacked pair of phones might not be a fair assessment of why the price is not the same?

Now why they're priced £200 more. That's an argument I'd side with you on

[JonStatt]

Originally Posted by jimsgill

I've never seen the T1's but I'm guessing the loss of the intergrated headset but the addition of a headphone jack and, from what I've read, a wireless (bluetooth?) link connection to external headphones AND still including a jacked pair of phones might not be a fair assessment of why the price is not the same?

Now why they're priced £200 more. That's an argument I'd side with you on

I didn't think there was any Bluetooth link there. The included pair of phones are apparently really naff. The built-in ones on the T1 were not fantastic, but better than what is currently supplied. But people want to use their own phones which you cannot do with the T1. I certainly wouldn't upgrade from a T1 to a T2, but hoping that T3 is a revolutionary rather than evolutionary step.

[jimsgill]

Oh God yes, absolute no brainer not to "upgrade" if you already have a T1.

Like I said, never had one, never saw one and glad I've waited for the T2.

What I was trying to say was, naff or not, there's still some headphones in the package but it's a shame it's gone up £200. Still, I'm glad they've built a earphone jack into it instead.

Wasn't sure about Bluetooth (hence the ?) but straight from the Sony press release : "You can also use your own favourite wired or wireless headphones or inner-ear phones to enjoy immersive surround sound."

So it's either direct from source (like a PS3) in which case there's nothing in the T2's hardware or something else. Can you fill us in vaktmestern?

Either way, I'll find out tomorrow when it's delivered I can't really lose on this one cos if I get on with them, they're comfortable once adjusted correctly and the image blows me away, I'll keep em. If not, they'll go back within 7 days Suppose the financial hit is a "lose" but I've prepared for that one

[jimsgill]

OK folks. Finally received mine this week (7th November) and pretty much agree with 90% of what's already been said by folk that have bought or tried it.

My personal opinions after a couple of evenings playing with it. Spent a good 8 hours so far with it so it's not a quick judgement by any means.

Picture - STUNNING - 9.5/10 when in focus. Dont' see any "pixel" grid which I was worried about being 720p and I have 6/6 vision so I think you'd have to be particularly picky to notice any.

Audio - PANTS with the supplied headphones. The leads to each ear piece annoyed me so much! They wouldn't let the lower light shield sit properly however I tried.
Soon ditched for my Senny's which sorted things out nicely

Comfort - 5/10. Never had the T1's but can't imagine anything being heavier than these hanging on my head for any reasonable length of time. Especially with additional headphones!

Focus - Perfect in the central region. But constant, and I mean CONSTANT micro adjustments to keep the edges in focus. I've tried pulling them in to max and out to max positions using the forehead support. The individual eye pieces are maxed out to their outer positions as any movement inwards causes lack of focus in the centre for my head and eyes. I don't believe I have a particularly wide head or disproportional eye to eye span.

Practicality - 2/10 - I say this because the hdmi connection box and it's associated cabling plus the lead to the glasses just seem like clutter and do not lend themselves to a) being left connected and b) being picked up and taken with me to another venue for viewing, be it upstairs, at my girlfriends, to my friends.

My favourite seat in my living room is too far from my sources to reach with the supplied length of cables unless I get a longer HDMI cable to the box which would then have to sit in the middle of the room on my coffee table with the power lead and all other cables strewn in all directions to their destinations. The cable from the box to the goggles is permanently fixed into the goggle housing so really, it's a big setup and put away exercise required every time i want to use them

Other PERSONAL observations....

No matter how I try to fit the unit on my head, I manage to lose edge clarity with the smallest twitch or breathe. I do find the "sweet spot" but it soon slips away for another round of micro movements.

When the goggles are on and I'm happily watching away at whatever is on, there is a distinct light reflection within the image housing from the 2 display panels which, once noticed, I could not ignore. Very surprising.

After approx 4 hours of useage, watching all of Avatar 3D and playing Black Ops in 3D from the PS3, my neck muscles certainly know about it the next morning. This might be more down to the fact that I can't get into my preferred viewing seat and rest against my sofa back nicely.

A supplied "goggle rest" to put them on when not in use or when a loo or coffee break is required would have been a nice inclusion to the supplied package and/or a hard case to put them way into.


In summary, I REALLY and I mean REALLY wanted to love these goggles but the niggles are too great on a device that has cost me a pound shy of a grand

I understand that a lot of folk have more patience than me and are willing to modify, add to and experiment further to get it to "work" for them but at £999I expected it to have all the adjustments and comfort features as well as a decent pair of headphones included, being £200 MORE than the previous model.

At this moment I'm inclined to send them back I'm afraid

My tuppence worth to anyone that's interested Thanks for reading

[Spacecat]

@jimsgill

i kinda came to your conclusion from trying them on in the sony shop

they are so tantalisingly close yet just too annoying to buy esp at that price, i have hopes for a 3rd revision but not high ones seeing as this is not much better than the first one

the occulus rift looks promising for gaming maybe it can do film also?

[JonStatt]

In my case I felt the pros outweighed the cons (with the T1), but I fully appreciate all the comments you said about the T2 which are almost word for word what users felt about the T1. To be honest, the weight reduction is not sufficient to have any truly appreciable difference on comfort. The issue of having to be in a sweetspot is also something I find with my T1 but I did find I was able to find that spot more quickly each time I used it and found ways to "fix it in place" by adjusting all of the straps optimally.

The internal light reflections were an issue with the T1, but I am able to filter them out once I am absorbed by what I am playing or watching. But I can imagine some users will struggle once they notice it to stop seeing it.

Thank you for taking the time to give your feedback here!

[jimsgill]

Spacecat, I think the Rifts are primarly (if not exclusively) designed for gaming and the resolution is far lower than these Sony headsets. The field of view is supposed to be fantastic for that immersive gaming experience though.

I forgot to mention the perceived "size" of the screen with the goggles on. It really does feel like you're sat in a big cinema, bang in the optimal seat for viewing. Huge and, when in the sweet spot, a joy to watch.

Also forgot to mention the wireless headset confirmation. There is NO link to the headunit or control box in the package. I linked my bluetooth cans directly to my PS3.

John, it's my pleasure. I only hope it's useful to people that are considering buying without being fully aware of the pitfalls and shortcomings.

I Think I've said before about how hard I tried to sample the headsets at a nearby Sony store but having to order and purchase them just to realise they're not what I hoped is a hard way of going about learning my lesson

I truly believe I wouldn't have bought them despite a lot of folk saying you have to give them time once in the comfort of your own home and setup.

For me, I'd probably have kept them if it weren't for the biggest niggle in my mind. The convenience and practicality. Real shame. Too much cabling. I had the same problem with my ancient Olympus Eyetreks back in the day. They are sat in a cupboard somewhere to this day

Does anyone here know if there is any sign of a wireless HDMI standard being approved? A cableless headset is the ultimate goal for a gadget like this I think. Suppose then we'd have to contend with the weight of the batteries in the goggles? Sigh.....

Going to fill in the return form on Sony's store this evening. Truly a shame. Let's see what the T3's bring to the party next year folks.

[mrapbp]

Thanks for the superb review and like others have said almost word for word what I would have said about the T1.

Also you have just saved me £1k so thanks!

I find the whole thing very frustrating to be honest, they are soooo close to having a superb product but like yourself there is no way I would consider modding somethignnI had spent a thousand pounds on.

Lets hope they pull their fingers out with T3!!