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Cinera headset puts a movie theater in your face

Cinera headset puts a movie theater in your face
Looking like a gadget out of a 1990s cyberpunk movie, Cinera offers a cheap solution for those wanting big-screen home entertainment without paying for the huge set up
Looking like a gadget out of a 1990s cyberpunk movie, Cinera offers a cheap solution for those wanting big-screen home entertainment without paying for the huge set up
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Cinera is designed to replicate the sensation of watching a movie on the big screen
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Cinera is designed to replicate the sensation of watching a movie on the big screen
The device comes with a head mount but the makers recommend a hands-free arm be used as wearing the device for a long period of time will inevitably get uncomfortable
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The device comes with a head mount but the makers recommend a hands-free arm be used as wearing the device for a long period of time will inevitably get uncomfortable
The device comes in several different color schemes
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The device comes in several different color schemes
The headset is designed to fit comfortable over most glasses
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The headset is designed to fit comfortable over most glasses
The headset offers big dual screen resolution for each eye
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The headset offers big dual screen resolution for each eye
Looking like a gadget out of a 1990s cyberpunk movie, Cinera offers a cheap solution for those wanting big-screen home entertainment without paying for the huge set up
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Looking like a gadget out of a 1990s cyberpunk movie, Cinera offers a cheap solution for those wanting big-screen home entertainment without paying for the huge set up
View gallery - 6 images

Cinera is one of those crowdfunding projects that seems absurd on first glance, but increasingly looks like a good idea the longer you think about it. Billed as an immersive personal theater headset, it's basically like sitting really close to a tiny HDTV while wearing headphones to give the effect of sitting in front of a cinema-sized screen.

The device is a stereoscopic headset with dual displays each packing a resolution of 2560 x 1140 pixels, which is admittedly pretty impressive. The view is calibrated to imitate a screen with a field of vision of 66 degrees so it essentially resembles the scope of a cinema screen if you were to sit in the front third of a large theater.

Although Cinera can come with an optional head mount, the makers recommend using the supplied "burden free arm" that holds the unit in front of your face without weighing down your head. Anyone who has spent more than 10 or 20 minutes wearing a modern VR headset will immediately recognize the benefits of this design detail.

The device comes with a head mount but the makers recommend a hands-free arm be used as wearing the device for a long period of time will inevitably get uncomfortable
The device comes with a head mount but the makers recommend a hands-free arm be used as wearing the device for a long period of time will inevitably get uncomfortable

HDMI, USB and Micro USB inputs allow content to be sourced from a variety of devices, from a gaming console to a Blu-Ray player. The system also runs on Android and is Wi-Fi-enabled, meaning you can watch Netflix and other streaming services directly through the headset.

The dual-screen device also means you can watch 3D media without suffering from the frustrating dimming effect of plastic glasses – a plus for anyone still waving the 3D flag. The head mount is also recommended for FPV drone operators, and a battery means the system can run unplugged for up for four hours for such applications.

The headset is designed to fit comfortable over most glasses
The headset is designed to fit comfortable over most glasses

Ultimately, it is hard to really gauge the worthiness of Cinera without actually trying it ourselves, but we are certainly pretty fascinated by the idea. It's inarguably an anti-social way to watch TV, but it's also a great option for people who either can't afford a giant HDTV or just don't have the space.

Cinera is designed to replicate the sensation of watching a movie on the big screen
Cinera is designed to replicate the sensation of watching a movie on the big screen

If you're wondering whether the idea would actually catch on, well, it has smashed its initial Kickstarter goal and still has over two weeks to run. The current early bird price is US$449, or $498 including the head mount. As with any crowdfunding campaign, there is a degree of risk involved, but the company seems to have executed some well-realized prototypes and ambitiously propose to ship the first units by December.

The unit is undeniably weird-looking, and certainly not the future of home entertainment, but it could be a fun, immersive way to watch your favorite movie at home without spending thousands on a giant home entertainment system.

Check out the Cinera campaign video below.

Source: Kickstarter

Cinera: An Immersive Personal Theater Headset

View gallery - 6 images
6 comments
6 comments
TheSplund
Anyone else thought 'what's with the green hair' or 'why's there a green cloud emanating from his head'?
Joel_WS
>TheSplund,
Too many VR movies can turn a person into a potted plant.
f8lee
A cute idea, but two flaws I see offhand: 1- the idea of seeing a (worthy) movie on the big screen - that is, one with big effects etc. - is that the viewer is immersed - all the micro-movements made from your seat will just confirm to your senses that what you are looking at is indeed 20 feet tall. With the "burden free arm" it would seem you need to keep you head in a locked position. And I guess with the additional head mount a plant grows out of your head (or perhaps it does get a bit weighty) 2 - the theater experience includes "big audio" that simply cannot be replicated with headphones - you can't achieve chest-thumping bass with a tiny pair of speakers covering your ears.
On the other hand, avoiding a theater full of self-important morons who insist on texting while watching could make it all worthwhile...
Dan Lewis
The support arm is of the wrong design type. It should be more like the spring counter balance arms used to support cameras for steady shots.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
Doesn't say anything about individual focus but this is absolutely necessary for people with IOL's.
guzmanchinky
I'm thinking about buying a pair for my RV...