Video glasses

	The K-VG230i model from China’s Shanghai Kingstronic supports QVGA LCD resolution, 3D feature and 50in virtual screen view.

Video glasses manufacture in China is growing steadily even as some consumer electronics sectors continue to feel the effects of the current economic slowdown.

The line’s popularity is driven primarily by recent advancements that have seen models evolve from mere accessories for mobile phones, PMPs and other handheld gadgets to portable stand-alone devices.

In this regard, suppliers expect more wireless versions to emerge in the next six to 12 months thanks to mature NAND fl ash memory technology. Such designs have large storage capacity, enabling them to copy fi les from external sources and play these directly using a built-in multimedia device.

Wired video glasses, in contrast, are still positioned as accessories, serving primarily as a means of projecting virtual images transmitted from various handheld mobile players into a larger display.

Makers are also venturing into the nonwired segment as it allows more room for product development, with applications expected to expand to medical devices, wireless monitoring and the military. The year ahead will also bring other functions such as 2.4GHz wireless connection and mobile TV to the fore.

Amid these developments, however, the less expensive wired designs continue to be the mainstream.

To keep the category fresh, makers are enhancing display resolution and virtual image size, the key factors that affect the performance of video glasses.

Popular models, for example, are confi gured to QVGA or VGA resolution and 30 to 80in virtual images. Further, companies predict that upcoming releases will be able to achieve SVGA-level display. High-defi nition products are under long-term plans.

Most wired designs have basic virtual image display, a built-in media player and an e-book reader. They can be connected to a TV, portable DVD or music player, mobile phone, gaming device, notebook or PC, and PMP. The devices support 3D movies and video games, and NTSC, PAL and SECAM systems.

Low-end and midrange video glasses provide QVGA resolution and 30 to 50in virtual sizes from a viewing distance of 1 or 2m. Models typically have an e-book function and connectivity to most portable entertainment electronics. They also support 3D movies and video game players and are equipped with a rechargeable lithium battery.

VGA resolution and 50 to 80in virtual sizes are common among high-end models, which usually have 2.4GHz wireless connection. Aside from a built-in multimedia player, e-book, and mobile TV function, such units come with up to 8GB of internal memory and a USB port.

They work with a range of file formats, including WAV, WMA, MP3, APE, FLV, AAC, WMV, ASF, AMV, AVI, MPEG-4, RM/RMVB, BMP, JPEG and GIF. External flash memory can reach 32GB. SD, MMC, MS, SM and xD readers are also supported.

Worn similarly to other types of eyewear, video glasses have optical systems and microdisplays. Makers plan to introduce cosmetic enhancements to attract orders. Some designs, for example, will reflect the culture of specific target markets.

Video glasses are priced higher than other electronic gadgets such as MP3 players and PMPs because they utilize a number of advanced technologies. Quotes are expected to decrease 5 to 10 percent in the next 12 months.

Display options diverse
Shipments to increase
Makers tap growing industry

	Shenzhen Estar of China has launched the EVG920E model supporting interlaced 3D display.

China-made video glasses come with LCD, LCoS and OLED screens. The first type is the most mature and dominates display options. Some companies, however, are intensifying product development activities for LCoS and OLEDs.

Sichuan CCO, for example, is focusing on OLED displays. Shenzhen Live Digital Technology Co. Ltd is concentrating on LCoS. The latter holds a few patents for the technology and is planning on mass-producing LCoS chips before the year ends.

For LCDs, most manufacturers use BDM-922K and BDM-230K modules based on Kopin’s AMLCD technology. Improvements, however, have so far been slow. Key patents belong to foreign companies, limiting mainland China makers’ efforts in LCD microdisplay development.

Meanwhile, for LCoS solutions, the majority of companies procure their requirement from Taiwan for cost considerations.

At least fi ve suppliers in the mainland, including Shenzhen Live Digital Technology Co. Ltd, have secured microdisplay technology patents for LCoS. These manufacturers expect more video glasses to adopt LCoS in the next few years, especially since the technology is the least expensive of the three display options.

OLED, however, is the most suitable technology for video glasses and other types of head-mount displays or HMDs because of its low consumption and brighter and clearer output.

Some makers in China already offer models with OLED screens, using modules produced in-house. These include Shanghai iTheater and Sichuan CCO. Other OLED microdisplay sources are MicroEmissive of the UK and eMagin of the US.

Despite its advantages, OLED has the smallest share of the three display choices due to high costs, a shorter lifetime and durability issues.

Amid decreased consumer spending in key destinations such as the US and Europe, video glasses remain popular. Demand for such products is sustained by the prevalence of virtual games.

In fact, global shipments of HMDs, including video glasses, are expected to reach 1.3 million units by 2012, four times the volume in 2007. Revenue is projected to reach $724 million, for a CAGR of 28.2 percent, according to iSuppli.

China makers, meanwhile, are predicting an increase of up to 10 percent in shipments in coming months, particularly in light of increasing demand from India and Southeast Asia.

In addition to these markets, the other major destinations are Europe, the US, and the Middle East.

Video glasses production in China began in 2005. Spurred by the rapid development of consumer electronics, particularly portable digital products, and realizing the industry’s potential for growth and profit generation, companies emphasized R&D and started making microdisplay modules in 2007.

There are now more than 15 manufacturers of video glasses in China. Shanghai iTheater, Shenzhen Estar Displaytech Co. Ltd and Shenzhen I-ENT Union Display Tech Co. Ltd are among the major players.

Small to midsize companies average 300 to 2,000 units in monthly output.

Large enterprises produce 5,000 or more, with export share exceeding 70 percent.

Almost all makers accept OEM and ODM orders. Some promote their own brands.

Suppliers assign between 15 and 30 personnel for the development of optical systems, circuit main board, software, housings and hardware. They also work with overseas providers for R&D of microdisplay ICs.

For QC, in-house engineers are responsible for the inspection of incoming components and anti-interference testing.

Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces, and Shanghai and Beijing are the key hubs for video glasses in China.

A number of factories in Guangdong act as the manufacturing partners of local trading companies and R&D centers in Shanghai. Production is centered in Shenzhen, where 70 percent of suppliers are based.

Shanghai, meanwhile, is a suitable take-off point for video glasses manufacture given makers’ experience in other electronic products, including portable projectors, PMPs, mini notebooks and digital photo frames. The city also has companies specializing in HMDs.

Shanghai also boasts large-scale industrial developments, trading ports and exporting channels. It is home to several regional headquarters, R&D institutions and branch offices of multinational companies.

Beijing and Zhejiang have strong R&D capability. These areas host several trading companies as well.