Whilst a number of manufacturers are actively exploring the glasses-free approach to 3D Sony has targeted a different route making the headwear oversized and unveiling the Sony Personal 3D viewer at IFA 2011.

Far from the first lens incorporating headset to attempt personal 3D viewing, Sony’s Personal 3D Viewer does not seem to have pushed the struggling technology in any notably new direction. Whilst there is a discernible level of 3D output, images still appear slightly flat with little depth and a minimalist amount of pop.

Whilst the dual 0.7-inch HD OLED displays are touted as capable of replicating the experience of a 750-foot cinema screen, the reality is a little different and far from that impressive. Almost Nintendo 3DS like in terms of 3D quality the Sony
Personal 3D viewer is still very much a rudimentary offering with grainy, blurred, rounded-edged 3D images falling far from perfect.

Although our eyes didn’t turn square sitting that close to not one but two screen like our mothers told us they would, focusing on the content proved slightly troublesome with the slightest tilt or shack of the head throwing off the seemingly small 3D sweet spot.

On the plus side the close proximity to the screen combined with the 5.1 virtual surround sound made for an immersive experience. Running the Personal 3D Viewer from a PS3 connection and gaming content gains a new level of immersion whilst hooking up to a 3D capable camcorder, offers a more detailed look at video playback.

With a Sony Personal 3D Viewer release date set for November in Japan with a price tag in the region of the £480 mark, the PS3 and Vaio manufacturer looks set to continue to push this underwhelming and clunky technology.