Home | Forums | Article Search | Subscribe & Shop | Contact Us | Log Out Vuzix iWear AV920 Email This Print This View My Personal Library Heavy Gear April 2008 • Vol.8 Issue 4 Page(s) 31 in print issue Add To My Personal Library Vuzix iWear AV920 iWear AV920 $349.95 Vuzix www.vuzix.com CPU Rating: 3 Specs: Twin 640 x 480 LCDs; 2.9 ounces; integrated headphones As much as I want some things to live up to the hype, they rarely do. Such is the case with the iWear AV920, a visor reminiscent of Geordi’s in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Vuzix says the AV920 is equivalent to watching a 62-inch screen from 9 feet away, providing “all the privacy of your own virtual movie theater.” By focusing your eyes on nothing but the AV920’s display, it does have a big-screen feel. Unfortunately, it’s not a feeling worth nearly $350. Vuzix’s efforts are commendable, though. The AV920 offers 2D and 3D functionality; it works with devices with a composite video jack, including game consoles; its integrated Li-Ion battery provides about five hours of power; and video outputs to an acceptable 640 x 480 per screen. Vuzix also gives you what you need to get going (A/V cables, mini-USB charger, AC adapter, etc.). The design isn’t bad, either. The visor weighs just 2.9 ounces and integrates flexible, removable earbuds. The AccuTilt viewer pivots 15 degrees, and an optional immersive eyeshield ($14.95) blocks out nearly all ambient light. Negatively, the embedded twin LCDs the AV920 uses to reproduce images never left me feeling I was viewing just one 62-inch screen. Additionally, maintaining a good viewing angle was a chore. Vuzix says the AV920 features its “best mobile experience yet,” but I can’t imagine using the visor for anything but stationary applications. Additionally, video during “300,” “The Departed,” and “The Last Waltz” was noticeably soft and colors borderline accurate. The AV920’s handling of “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” was surprisingly immersive, however, as various objects displayed realistic depth and convincing movement. The integrated headphones output generally strong and clear audio, but I did notice a distracting, steady buzz while using standalone headphones that seemed to stem from the power adapter. Interestingly, Vuzix’s newer AV920-C lets gamers daisy-chain multiple AV920s. Thus, if you’re playing Halo 3, for example, each player views his own 62-inch virtual screen rather than view one screen divided into sections. by Blaine Flamig  User Reviews Be the first to write a review of this product Want more information about a topic you found of interest while reading this article? Type a word or phrase that identifies the topic and click "Search" to find relevant articles from within our editorial database. Enter A Subject (key words or a phrase): ALL Words (‘digital’ AND ‘photography’) ANY Words (‘digital’ OR ‘photography’) Exact Match ('digital photography'- all words MUST appear together) Home      Copyright & Legal Information      Privacy Policy      Site Map      Contact Us Copyright © 2010 Sandhills Publishing Company U.S.A. All rights reserved.