New Sony SimulView TV Offers Glimpse into Future of Multiple View Television

A new television from Sony, called a “game-changer” by TechDIgest, allows two viewers to see two different things on the same screen at the same time. And while the initial version is meant for gamers, future versions might allow two or more people to sit on a couch together watching different movies or shows. The only downside, thus far, is that each user must wear 3D goggles.

The new TV, called the SimulView is bundled with the Sony Playstation 3D and is currently for sale on such sites as Amazon. It works by synchronizing the signal sent to the screen with the 3D goggles, though the image shown to the user is 2D, because it is shared with the second player. It works because the processor inside the screen runs so fast that no flicker is created, allowing side by side playing of available PlayStation video games. With it, gamers can play using the same screen without having to worry that their foes are able to see their moves. PC Magazine has already reviewed the new TV and calls it “unique and fun” though the editors also note that it’s clear this is an early version and hold out hope for future improvements.

The fact that the TV is originally being sold as a game display is actually beside the point. What matters is that Sony has a product on the market right now that allows multiple viewers to see different things on the same screen, which could portend all sorts of intriguing possibilities. Imagine for example, two people watching the same movie, but with subtle differences between them; like say for example, one person hates nudity, or seeing blood, but the other thinks it’s necessary. Each could watch the same movie with or without such imagery, at the same time, still experiencing the same movie together, but with both getting what they want. Or what if movie-makers started adding different backgrounds or even characters to scenes depending on audience tastes. The basic movie would be the same, but the experience would be slightly different for each person watching it on the same television set.

Clearly this is a new type of technology that opens the door to a lot of possibilities. What will need to be worked out of course is a way for the same thing to happen without the users having to wear bulky or awkward goggles, and perhaps a way to offer differences in sound to go with the different imagery at the same time as well.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *