It seems like everyone and their brother has been promising personalized, private big screen viewing entertainment in the form of pair of glasses. Sadly, very few have actually been worth the wait, or the expense.  Enter Myvu's Crystal video glasses from Myvu Corporation. Reasonably priced between $299.00 and $324.00 (after a slick $20 discount), the Crysal set comes with everything you'll need to get started and jump right into the action, including hard case, iPod cable, and a universal cable for composite devices. Happily, compared to most of the others, for the quality of the product the price is one just about any budget can live with, especially if you find yourself really needing this type of product. Frequent flyers and parents on a long vacation with the kids, I'm talking to you.

So, let's get right to the question everyone is asking. Just what is the video quality of these glasses? How big does the screen look? I am happy to report that the picture quality is very good. After trying out several videos and over the course of about three days, it really came down to the quality of the video file, not the quality of the Crystals. Which is a very good thing. The size of the screen didn't really meet my expectations, but it wouldn't be enough of an issue to avoid a purchase. It appeared to me to be about like watching a 27" television screen from about eight feet away, the rare occurrence when the company's claim matched the boast.

Luckily, the sleek design of the Crystal's really make them feel comfortable on your head, regardless of your position. They weigh only a little over three ounces, which is basically nothing. You can move your head in natural ways while wearing them and it doesn't feel as if they are about to slide down off your face.  There are plenty of wires (maybe too many), but the instructions are clear, and because of the proprietary connections for the iPod, set-up for Apple's player was literally a snap.  Plus, considering that most connections only fit and connect in one specific way, even the least technical traveler shouldn't have any trouble getting things up and running.

The device touts a four hour-battery life, courtesy of the lithium-polymer battery, and my experience was close to that, although I never sat and watched continuously for that length of time in one session. Altogether I averaged a good three and a half hours of charge, before I had to plug it back in and let it rejuvenate itself. Also, on a high-note, the device can be charged via the included USB cable - very convenient!  While the majority of my time with the Crystal glasses were with the iPod, a separate adapter allowed for plugging in any standard composite-ended device as well, but in the future I hope Mvvu decides to allow higher-definition sources as this would open the set-up to a wider array of available sources.

I've read elsewhere that some have noticed or complained about a glare from ambient light, but I never really experienced this. However, while others may have appreciated the ability to see around the screen into the real world (peripheral vision), I always found that distracting. If I am watching Fight Club on my flight to Denver, that is what I want to watch. Noticing that the flight attendant is heading my way really is just a distraction for me and Tyler Durden.

As I said above, there aren't too many down-sides to the Myvu Crystal video glasses, but so much of it depends on your personal needs. I am certain that if you are a frequent flyer or traveler of any kind, these glasses can really help you while away the hours in comfort and quality (not to mention privacy). I wasn't able to really test the durability of the product, but if you have kids over ten who are used to handling iPods and PSPs carefully, then the glasses shouldn't be an issue...until they start to fight over them. But then again, you could just get two pairs.