Media Port UP, Nikon’s multimedia playback headset
Yesterday, camera giant Nikon announced the successful development of the Media Port UP (“UP” read as individual letters), a multimedia playback headset device which also supports Internet connection. At a first glance, it looks like a pair of headphones with a small display tacked on, designed, as many others, to take video files from an iPod and make them a private experience for the viewer. But no, you’re actually looking at a media player.
This innovative product features a display, headphones, mobile A/V player, WiFi capability, high-capacity memory and power source in a single compact unit. This way, users can enjoy high-quality images, videos and music anywhere they’d like to. There will be available two devices: the Media Port UP300x and the basic version, UP300.
Nikon is a very important multinational corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specialized in optics and imaging. Since the year of its foundation, 1917, the company developed a variety of products that ensures the simple enjoyment of high-quality imaging, beginning of course, with digital cameras. Adjusting to the new trend, where digital wave has led to great changes in the ways in which images, videos and music are enjoyed, Nikon understands the fact that modern people can increase the value of time with the ability to access and enjoy information. The UP models sit comfortably on the head, and immediately allow access to information provided by all the features incorporated, available with various mobile devices, such as image and audio playback, communications, built-in memory and simple power source, all in a single unit. The important thing is that the product has the same size and weight as conventional sound-isolating headphones.
As far as the name is concerned, “UP” was taken from a number of word combinations such as “universal port”, “ubiquitous player”, “ultimate player”, “U (your) partner”. “U (your) pleasure” and “U (your) power”, used to describe the broad functionality and uses of the product.
Among its major functions, we must remind the fact that a compact unit, offering display, headphones, mobile A/V player, WiFi capability and Internet connection, gives you the chance to enjoy videos and music anywhere, anyhow, anytime, while your hands are free to do other things. There is a clear and easy-to-see high-quality display, due to the incorporated liquid crystal display, backlight, and newly developed optics that enable display zoom. Through extremely compact and lightweight, the UP allows users to enjoy clear undistorted images. This was possible through development and adoption of a new adhesion double-layer diffractive optical element (DOE) lens. Compared to most common lenses, which use refraction to change the direction in which light moves, DOE lens use light diffraction. The high-performance UP300x features a built-in motion sensor that allows hands free operation, including volume adjustment, by only moving the head up or down, left or right.
The Media Port UP models are provided with Internet connection (registration with a supported Internet service provider is required) through a wireless LAN network which is made possible with integrated WiFi capability. Nikon places an original online service at your disposal, called UP link, which enables Web browsing and download of media contents.
On the other hand, the integrated design allows user to experience a superior sound quality, due to the integrated amplifier and speakers in a single unit. There is no need for a cable connection, therefore the noise is minimized, ensuring a pure sound quality. The UP models support Windows Media Player files, so compatible media files, such as WMV9 and MPEG-1, MPEG-2 movies, and MP3, AAC, WMA9 audio files, saved to a computer can be transferred to a UP.
A great thing about these devices is the built-in high-capacity memory. The UP300x, for example, is provided with an 8 GB internal memory, while the basic version, the UP300, offers 4 GB of internal memory. The UP300x can hold MPEG-2 data of up to 160 minutes in length or WMV9 data of up to 500 minutes in length.
Regardless the things you want to do, either you want to view images or videos or simply listening to music, the display arm can be adjusted, which means it can be lowered to eye level or kept in its storage position. When viewing images or videos with just one eye, the visibility with that eye is affected by external brightness visible with the opposite eye. This is why the UP has a function that automatically adjusts image or video brightness according to ambient brightness. In addition, the Media Port UP models are designed with a high eyepoint and diopter adjustment to ensure comfortable viewing even if you’re wearing glasses.
The UP can be powered by two AA alkaline batteries and comes with two Sanyo AA “eneloop” Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and dedicated quick charger. Using supplied batteries, you can enjoy uninterrupted video playback of up to 120 minutes or music playback of up to 270 minutes.
Unfortunately, the Media Port UP will be available only in Japan through Nikon Imaging Japan Inc. online UP store and can be purchased for $580.
(Source Dvice)
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2 Responses to “Media Port UP, Nikon’s multimedia playback headset”
By MikeE on Oct 8, 2008 | Reply
Nikon must be the last company on earth I’d have expected to make this borg-like device. I know the camera manufacturers have had to adapt to the camera phones taking over their market, but I’m not sure this device help compensate for slowing sales.