Seiko
Epson Corporation (SEC) is partnering with the Japanese New National
Theatre Foundation (NNTF), Information Services International - Dentsu,
Ltd., and Zimaku+ Inc. to test an opera subtitle delivery system. The
system will be tested from February 28 to March 2 during performances by
the New National Theatre Opera Studio in Japan. Selected guests will be
able to follow the performances with subtitles projected onto the
see-through lenses of Epson's new Moverio BT-200 smartglasses.
Operas
are commonly sung in Italian or German, so opera houses often install
large LED displays in front of the stage wings to provide subtitles
during performances. The problem with these systems, however, is that
operagoers have a hard time immersing themselves in the performance
because they are constantly taking their eyes off the stage to read the
subtitles.
Epson
and its partners have created and will test the practical potential of a
more convenient subtitle system that they hope solves this problem. The
new system takes advantage of the ability of the Epson Moverio BT-200,
which can be worn like an ordinary pair of glasses, to display subtitles
seemingly in the air while guests watch the action on the stage.
Moverio BT-200 smartglasses will be loaned to selected guests who want a
more natural opera viewing experience with line-of-sight subtitles.
The roles of the four parties in the demonstration are as follows:
Epson
Epson will provide Moverio BT-200 smartglasses.
New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT)
The NNTT Opera Studio will present a production of Ariadne auf Naxos for three days, from February 28 to March 2.
Information Services International - Dentsu (ISID)
ISID
will provide "potaVee," an area-limited, Wi-Fi multicasting platform
that delivers subtitles that are synchronized with the opera. ISID also
created a subtitle app for the Moverio BT-200.
Zimaku+
Zimaku+
will produce the subtitles for the opera, provide and run the server
used to deliver the subtitles, and manage the test during the sessions.
Epson
believes that the Moverio's binocular, transparent display and
hands-free navigation give it the potential to transform the way people
experience and interact with the world around them. The Moverio
technology platform can serve as a foundation for the development of new
visual tools in a wide variety of consumer and commercial fields.
Epson Moverio BT-200 Smart Glasses
Sporting
a sleek, light design, the Epson Moverio BT-200 smartglasses offer
users the ability to enjoy crystal clear video entertainment, games,
music, and web content anytime and anywhere. With transparent lenses and
motion tracking sensors that make navigation hands-free, the Moverio
projects see-through overlays of digital content onto the real world so
that users can enjoy a compelling augmented reality experience while
still being able to see their surroundings. The ways in which
smart-glasses can be used and enjoyed is rapidly expanding with the
development of an increasingly diverse range of applications.
