As promised, the guys over at Avegant have launched the Kickstarter campaign for their DLP based portable media HMD the Avegant Glyph.

Rapid Rise

The early development prototype
The early development prototype

It’s only been a few months since Ben Lang clapped his eyes on an early development prototype utilising a brand new generation of portable display technology. Reporting from Engadget: Expand, Ben described the images he witnessed while wearing the HMD thus:

..it was one of the most vivid and natural things I’ve ever seen on any display. The scene before me looked incredibly real, even though the field of view is not at immersive levels.

The concept renders for the new Glyph prototype

Shortly after this hands-on, Avegant launched images of it’s vision for the consumer version of the device. The Glyph was to be a combo media viewing device that incorporated a pair of high-quality headphones and a drop down visor housing the stereo display. It was a bold move in terms of industrial design. We were intrigued and met up with the team a couple of weeks ago at CES 2014. We were one of the first people to try the new prototype and despite some reservations around what Avegant termed ‘human factors’ (ergonomics essentially), it was pretty

clear the design had enormous potential. That killer display was of course present, but now joined by a new set of mid to high-end, custom  crafted headphones. Here are some of my thoughts on the CES demo:

Colours too are incredibly vibrant, natural and, ignoring stereoscopy, have a three dimensional quality to them. It feels as if you’re gazing at an open window in a darkened room as light spills into your eyes in a way that feels extremely natural.

..and on those custom headphones:

I listened to various audio tracks and bass felt taut and fast whilst low frequency response still low enough to give depth. Vocals were transparent with no sibilants (despite that titanium) and good stereo imaging was evident.

$250k Goal Smashed Within 24 Hours

Avegant launched their Kickstarter on January 22nd with backer tiers starting at $5 heading all the way up to $9999 with those pledging above $499 receiving a beta version of the Glyph – due for delivery December 2014.

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Before we even had a chance to get a story up on the site announcing the Kickstarter, Avegant had already blown through their $250k goal and on their way to $300k. Clearly the unique design has struck a chord with gadget hounds around the world and Avegant’s research and gut instinct about the need and appeal for such a device were dead on.

So far, no stretch goals have been announced yet, but with only 1 day of a 30 day campaign complete we very much doubt the team at Avegant won’t have something up their sleeves.

We’d wish Avegant luck but as it’s clear they’re not in any need of that we’ll simply say that you can reach the Kickstarter page here and that we’re very much look forward to seeing how the next prototype shapes up.

What do you think of the Avegant Glyph and the idea of this sort of portable media device? Would you buy it? Are you backing the Kickstarter? Let us know in the comments below.

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • Curtrock

    Well, on the last article about the “Glyph” I posted a warning to Avegant about them needing to embrace the whole VR aspect, and I stated that their product was only a glorified version of the Sony HMZ. Oops! Their Kickstarter has launched and they reached their goal in 5hrs. It would seem, that there are plenty of people who are quite happy to just pipe in their existing HDMI feed to be viewed on a personal-viewer, regardless if it is VR compatable or not. I’m a huge Oculus Rift fan, and I can’t help but to compare the Glyph to the Rift. These are 2 very different devices, and they both have their merits and uses. I can’t justify $500 for the Glyph, knowing I’m gonna fork out for the DK2 “and” the consumer Rift. But, I’m happy to be wrong about the demand for what the Glyph brings to the table, and I offer a hearty CONGRATS to Avegant. I’m fascinated with the idea of the screen-less Virtual Retina tech, and I’m curious to see if it’s something that the Rift could benefit from, in the future. As always, kudos to R2VR for the best coverage of ALL the coolest tech stories!

  • PsychShaman

    Wow, grats to Avegant. I’m looking forward to seeing the Retinal Display for myself, and also seeing this technology in future VR devices!

  • Leonardo

    I think that this hmd will have success. There is a need, in portable devices like smartphones and tablets, of big displays to watch videos and navigate in internet, nowdays the problem is that big displays and transportability are in contrast. Using an hmd like the Glyph with his 45° degree horizontal field of view is like watching a 18.7″ display at a distance of 50 centimeters. Connecting a smartphone with the Glyph you can watch videos and navigate in internet using the touch display of the smartphone as you use a touchpad of a notebook!

  • Maddy25

    i guess Glyph is better for watching films, Rift is better for gaming

  • Was happy to get the Beta Special Kickstarter Edition, given how fast the Kickstarter funded. While I’m obviously excited for Rift CV, this does fit a different niche that I’m sure my wife — who goes to sleep much earlier than I do — will appreciate.

  • Maddy25

    would it actually be best for gaming if it also had diagonal screen width equal to the Rift?

    • Oliver

      The FAQ states the FOV would be about 45° which is far less. So it’s more like watching a big screen instead of looking through glasses onto a world.

  • Anyone
    • eyeandeye

      I’ll have to take your word for it. That’s really cool though. I love the Rift but that Infiniteye FOV sure would be awesome.

      Someday, hopefully soon, all these ideas will converge into a super HMD – The Riftfiniglyph

  • Pontianak

    I was actually pretty hyped by the retinal tech they have going, because it was advertised that it enabled you to use the device without your glasses. Gotta read the fine print though, turns out it doesn’t support astigmatism. I believe John Carmack said they could correct for Astigmatism in the Rift via software, which makes me think they are working on a solution for those of us with glasses.