LGR Oddware - Sony Glasstron HMD from the 90s

The VR Headset Experience: A Hands-On Review

As I began to set up the VR headset, I realized that this device was essentially just a fancy screen with some sensors on it. It's brightness, which is actually quite decent, and then you've got your AV In stuff here, along with S-Video, which is nice. However, it's only when you plug in the actual power source to the wall that things get really interesting. The device has one of those little mini plugs on the side, similar to what you'd see on a lot of video cameras.

As I started to use the headset, I realized that it wasn't exactly what I expected. The image was just little LCDs right there, and they were not as immersive as I thought they would be. However, I did find some interesting features about the device. For one, the rectangular shape of the screen was a departure from traditional VR headsets, which often have a round shape. Additionally, the headset came with earbuds that, while uncomfortable, provided decent sound quality.

One of the first things I noticed when putting on the headset was how it felt to use glasses with it. The nose piece extended forward, allowing me to use my existing glasses with the device. However, the earbuds were a different story altogether. They were uncomfortable and didn't fit well, popping out of my ears as I tried to wear them.

Despite the initial discomfort, I was excited to try out the headset's features. The first thing I did was jump into Burnout Revenge, an original Xbox game that I've played before. As I expected, the image was not particularly impressive, and it didn't feel like a 50-inch TV in front of me six feet away. However, as I started to play, I realized that the device was actually quite clear, with minimal input lag.

I also found myself appreciating the lack of VR experience that this headset provided. While traditional VR headsets often make you feel like you're inside a game or movie, this device made me realize just how much immersion is required for it to work effectively. In contrast, simply looking at a screen with little images in front of my face was actually kind of nice.

One thing I did notice as I continued to use the headset was that it seemed to be making me sick. My eyes were starting to strain, and I felt like I was crossing my eyes. This was especially true when I started playing Crash Mode, a game that required intense focus and movement.

In the end, I have to say that this VR headset experience was more of a novelty than anything else. While it was interesting to see how it worked, I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't quite what I expected. The lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself, but at the same time, I found some fascinating aspects about the device's design and functionality.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

As I concluded my time with the headset, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. Nevertheless, I'm glad I got to try it out and see what it has to offer – even if it wasn't exactly what I expected.

The headset's limitations became apparent when I started playing games like Burnout Revenge. While the image was clear, the lack of immersion made the experience feel more like looking at a screen than actually being inside the game. However, I did find some interesting aspects about the device's design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality.

In terms of comfort, the headset was definitely not ideal. The earbuds were uncomfortable and didn't fit well, while the nose piece extended forward in a way that made it hard to adjust. Overall, I would say that this headset is more of a novelty than anything else – a fun little gadget to try out, but not necessarily something you'd want to use for extended periods.

As I continued to use the headset, I started to appreciate its clarity and minimal lag. These were definite advantages over some of my other TVs, which often suffered from input lag and poor image quality. However, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

The experience of using the headset was often a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself.

In terms of overall value, I'm not sure I'd recommend this headset to anyone just yet. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

As I concluded my time with the headset, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. Nevertheless, I'm glad I got to try it out and see what it has to offer – even if it wasn't exactly what I expected.

The VR headset experience was more of a novelty than anything else. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

Overall, my experience with the VR headset was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

The experience of using the headset was often a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself.

In terms of overall value, I'm not sure I'd recommend this headset to anyone just yet. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

As I concluded my time with the headset, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. Nevertheless, I'm glad I got to try it out and see what it has to offer – even if it wasn't exactly what I expected.

The VR headset experience was more of a novelty than anything else. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

Overall, my experience with the VR headset was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

As I continued to use the headset, I started to appreciate its clarity and minimal lag. These were definite advantages over some of my other TVs, which often suffered from input lag and poor image quality. However, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

The experience of using the headset was often a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself.

In terms of overall value, I'm not sure I'd recommend this headset to anyone just yet. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

As I concluded my time with the headset, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. Nevertheless, I'm glad I got to try it out and see what it has to offer – even if it wasn't exactly what I expected.

The VR headset experience was more of a novelty than anything else. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

Overall, my experience with the VR headset was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

As I continued to use the headset, I started to appreciate its clarity and minimal lag. These were definite advantages over some of my other TVs, which often suffered from input lag and poor image quality. However, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

The experience of using the headset was often a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself.

In terms of overall value, I'm not sure I'd recommend this headset to anyone just yet. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

As I concluded my time with the headset, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. Nevertheless, I'm glad I got to try it out and see what it has to offer – even if it wasn't exactly what I expected.

The VR headset experience was more of a novelty than anything else. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

Overall, my experience with the VR headset was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

As I continued to use the headset, I started to appreciate its clarity and minimal lag. These were definite advantages over some of my other TVs, which often suffered from input lag and poor image quality. However, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself – a trade-off that I'm not sure I'd want to make in the future.

Despite its limitations, I do think there is potential for this technology to evolve in interesting ways. If you're looking to try out a VR headset, I would recommend doing so before investing in one of these devices. It may just surprise you with how clear and comfortable it is – or not, as the case was with me.

The experience of using the headset was often a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality. On the other hand, the lack of immersion and comfort issues made it hard for me to really enjoy myself.

In terms of overall value, I'm not sure I'd recommend this headset to anyone just yet. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

As I concluded my time with the headset, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. Nevertheless, I'm glad I got to try it out and see what it has to offer – even if it wasn't exactly what I expected.

The VR headset experience was more of a novelty than anything else. While it had some interesting features and was actually quite clear, it ultimately fell short in terms of immersion and comfort. However, I do think that this technology has the potential to evolve in exciting ways – and I'm always eager to see what new innovations will emerge in the future.

Overall, my experience with the VR headset was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I found some fascinating aspects about its design and functionality, particularly its rectangular shape and decent sound quality.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enGreetings and welcome to LGR Oddware,where we're taking a look at hardwareand software that is odd, forgottenand obsolete, like this.The Sony Glasstron Head-MountedDisplay unit from the late '90s.This is the PLM-A35 model,the first one that was putout on the market back thenin the U.S. and Japan and some other places.What the heck does it do?Well that's what this video is for.So let's open this thing up,try it out and see what you get.All right.Here is the Sony Glasstron.Model number PLM-A35.This is the first one of thesethat actually made it to the public.They were showing these off as early as 1996.If you look online, it lookslike it was released in 1997,but I can't really find any real records of that.This one came out in '99 and all the reviewsthat were coming out about this thing–I mean, here's this one from IGN,and this was in 2001,that that company was looking at these things.So maybe it just took a while forpeople to get around to reviewing them.So this was $500 for this particular model.There were some that went up to $2,600.And this is a head-mounted display.This is not VR.No virtual reality head-tracking or anything like that.It's not 3D either, it's just simulatinga look of something,a display out in front of you.And really the idea is thatit's supposed to give youwhat looks like a 52-inch diagonal screenviewed from about 6.6 feet away, or 2 meters.There really is a head-mounted display. That's it.But it does some interesting things,most notably looking freaking cool.And let me just go aheadand open this thing up becauseI just–I think that these really dolook pretty fantasticfor what they are.Looks like something out of–I don't even know what.Some sort of like '90s cyberpunk kind of thing.I mean look at these! These are amazing!You've got these littleearpieces that go intoyour ears here for sound.There's two lenses in there.And there's an LCD behind each one.It's a .55-inch LCD. You got two of those.And you know, it does look like youshould be able to see through them,or maybe toggle something in frontto be able to see through, but nope.These are completely non-see-through.Some of the later ones were translucent,or they had a toggle, but this one does not.But yeah, it's interesting how this worksas far as the displays themselves.You have these two little, um, concave mirrors.And it does it through binocular vision,so you know, think about how when youlook through binoculars, you're seeing...I mean, it merges into one image, right?And you're looking at two lensesIt's the same idea here.Some of the safety stuff is just–like, my word.No use–like, if you're a kid,or if you're under 16 at all, can't use it.If you have eye disease oran injury, glaucoma, nope!Heart disease, high blood pressure, nope!Seizures, might cause those.It might also cause eye fatigue, eyedamage or loss of your visual functions.And it will basically ruin you if you're a kid.It will make you throw up everythingand motion sickness happens just by looking at it.So, it's kind of, uh...you know, I'm hesitating to use this,but we're gonna do it.So... we're just gonna do it.And so you actually have this little batteryholder thing here if you want to put a batteryin there,or you can just plug it into the wallwith another power brick.So, you got all of thisto have your personal display.Mmm, so much better than being chainedto your couch watching a TVwhen you can just have thisand have all that crap hanging out.Anyway,it kind of made sense, though, for this tohave the battery as wellbecause I heard of peopleback then sort of using itas a secondary viewfinderfor their video cameras,so they would use thisand be able to see what they were filmingthrough the glasses instead.So yeah, that's what all thisis on top, just for the battery.It probably could have been a smaller unitif it didn't also charge batteries, but it does.So yeah, that's what the release is for.This AVLS is interesting.So if you turn it on, that isAuto Volume Leveling...Something.And, uh, that, it's supposed tokeep it from going too loud.It's supposed to level the volume. I don't know.The volume is right here, obviously.This is brightness, which is... brightness.And then you've got your AV In stuff here.And also S-Video, which is nice.But that's where you plug in the actualpower source to the wall.And it's got one of those little mini plugs here.Like you'd see on a lot of video cameras that, uh,it just goes to your standardum, composite.So yeah, let's just, um–I just wanna use this thing.So let's go ahead and do that.Okay, so let's go aheadand try these glasses out.And, um...Yeah, I'm going to be usingan Xbox here, an original Xbox,playing Burnout Revenge because I feel like it,and also because I can't hookthis up to any of my computersthat I have in herebecause this does not haveVGA input.Some of the other ones do, like thosereally expensive ones I mentioned.They have VGA but this one does not.And so I'm just using my Sony CRT hereas a passthrough so you can kind of seewhat I am seeing. That's exactly whatI'll be seeing, it's just gonna be mirrored,uh, to this. So...I'm assuming I'm just gonna have to turn it onand it says I press the littlestart button to... start it.Right, there's power.Something on the screen butnot quite... the game.Okay, wow. There we go.Yeah!Uh, here's what I'm seeing.It really is just little images.I mean they're just little LCDs right there.That's about what I expected, to be honest.It's interesting though with these being moresort of rectangular, as opposed to, like, round,which you see in, you know,VR headsets, for instance.Anyway, I'm just gonnago ahead and try this on.I'm gonna try it with myglasses 'cause I'm thinking–Yep.Okay, because of that really crazy nose piece,it actually extends the wholeheadset forward.So that I'm able to use myglasses with it. That's cool.Earbuds in there.Oh my god, those feel terrible!Aw!Aw, man, maybe they were supposed to havefuzzy things on them at some point, but that–That actually hurts.Not only that but they don'treally fit, they just sort of–Whatever. No, they're poppingright out. That's stupid.All right, let's not use those.Sound's coming through,though, so that's a thing.Okay, let's hop into a mode here.I'm already wanting tolook around like it's a VR headset.This is not a VR headset.I need to keep telling myself that.Let's try this.Mmm, Crash Mode.So here's the thing. Uh...Does it look clear? Actually, it kinda does.It's not bad.Does it look like a 50... however, it–like a 52-inch TV in front of me?Six feet away? Maybe, if you really squint.It's obvious that it's notbecause all my surroundings,they don't fit the scale of it.Like, if it were to...Like, if I were to sort of cover up what's around me,I might be able to lose myself in that, but no.It's basically like I'm just looking ata tiny little LCD in front of my face.Which I am.So that's fine.I'm surprised at how clear it is, though.You know, honestly,I'm not noticing any input lag,like going through the menus and stuff.No, that's like, that's dead on.That's crazy.I've seen modern TVs with, uh...way more lag than this.Let's just go with this one.Yay, Crash Mode!Oh...Let's not,not do that again.Um, whoops.I haven't played this in awhile. Let's just say that.It's weird to not be able to move my head.I guess I'm so used to VRthat this feels strange.Oh, that's making me sick.Let's not do that.In fact, my eyes are alreadystarting to strain a little bit.Like, it doesn't feel like it–It does sort of feel like I'm looking...You know, like a binoculal image here.Um...You know, it's kind of hard to explain.It's hurting my eyes morethan I thought it would,almost like I'm looking–like I'm cross-eyed.Oh, that kind of hurts.Yeah, Crashbreaker!Oh, yeah...What a cool game.Uh, but yeah, so there isactually a limit on these.If you use them forthree hours consecutively,it will pop up a warningsaying \"take 'em off,\"\"you moron.\"And it will stop working.It will actually stop working.So it has this built-in safeguardSo apparently, three hours,they figured out, is the limit.I wanna know what poor soulhelped them figure that out and wentthrough so much, like, nausea and pain.I'm already feeling the eyestrain, though. That's weird!Like, just being so used to modern VR stuff.Oh, that feels so much better already.Goodness.Whew.Mmm...Yeah, maybe better as just a cameraviewfinder for looking at footage really quickand maybe not so much as,like, your personal movie theater.'Cause for one thing, it really just doesn't looklike that massive of a screen. It looks nice.But...Yeah, just sit closer to your TV,if that's what you want.Um...That screen door effect, though,is actually kind of... *pfft*That's pretty familiar. Honestly, it's nottoo much different than like a Vive,as far as the screen door effect.Which is, you know, being real close to LCDs,you start to see the patterns in between.Each set of pixels and whatnot, but...You know what?These aren't that bad.Well that's pretty much it for theSony Glasstron Head-Mounted Display.And you know what? It's...surprisingly decent for what it is.You know, there's pain, headachesand motion sickness and nausea,and potential heart attacks and seizuresaren't the greatest side effects.But then again, what doesn't do that nowadays?And so, I'd say for what it set out to do,it does it surprisingly decently.And that is kind of a rarity here on Oddware.So, uh, yeah.And if you enjoyed this episode,why not stick around a little longer?Watch some more.There is some more available hereand you can click theseor whatever you wanna do.There's also Twitter, Facebook, Patreon.There's blah blah blah, and blah blah blah.Thank you very much for watching.\n"