Technologies in development
There are a small number of accessible cinema systems in development that will provide exhibitors alternatives to current systems, should they reach commercialisation. A summary of some of the technologies is below.
Subtitle glasses
A feasible product that is close to being market-ready is Sony's Entertainment Access Technology that incorporates subtitle glasses. User testing has recorded that there’s no need for refocusing, which is an issue for some with closed caption units. The lightweight unit can be worn over standard glasses and auto adjusts its brightness to lighting conditions.
A separate receiver can provide audio description or an enhanced soundtrack for people with vision impairments.
Although not commercialised yet, Sony is already thinking of the glasses’ future capabilities, including simultaneous conversation transcription so that deaf people could read what’s being said in the course of a conversation.
This personal device is due for commercialisation as early as 2012.
Personal 3D viewers
Sony’s HMZ – a personal, head-mounted display for 3D movies, music videos and games – is quite futuristic compared to other technologies in development but it hints that personal captioned movie delivery on a headset is not as far off as we might imagine. Available for purchase in late 2011 the HMZ delivers 3DTV on an OLED screen in an immersive environment.
Another personal 3D headset is the Vuzix Wrap 1200. Both these gaming devices plug into gaming consoles, although the Vuzix Wrap will also plug into one Android device as well as your iPhone or iPad. With a number of headsets coming to market, it may lead to competition to produce a better (more accessible) product.
Other possibilities
There are already smartphone apps, such as Subtitles, by Structure6 for iPhone, available to view captions or subtitles. However, these are not synched with the movie being projected in the cinema and must be activated by the user.
News articles and reviews on developing cinema access technologies:
- Subtitle glasses continue to earn promising responses from movie-goers
- Sony subtitle glasses could be a hit with deaf moviegoers
- Italian project provides cinema captioning via Samsung smartphones and tablets
- New cinema caption eyewear being trialled in the USA
- Cinemark gave me the freedom to choose
- Our hands-on Doremi CaptiView in-depth review
