'Harry Potter' time-freezing binoculars that offer instant action replays



Harry Potter fans who watched enviously as the schoolboy wizard wielded magical time-freezing binoculars will soon be able to buy their own super spyglasses.



For designers at Sony have invented binoculars that allow users to pause, rewind and play back whatever they are viewing.



The digital devices – reminiscent of the ‘Omnioculars’ used by Potter to watch his favourite sport of Quidditch – could revolutionise birdwatching, horse racing, cricket and even opera.



Revolutionary: The time-freezing binoculars could completely change birdwatching, horse racing, cricket and even opera

They will allow a birdwatcher to record a sighting of a rare species and then send proof to other twitchers within minutes. A GPS receiver also notes the position of the sighting.



They will let golf and cricket spectators enjoy their own action-replays at live tournaments or test matches.



And the technology also allows music fans to record and watch concerts in 3D, while recording the sound in stereo.

Sony says its ‘Vinoculars’ – or video binoculars – are the first devices of their kind in the world.

Unlike conventional models which rely on two sets of lenses side by side to make distant objects appear closer, the hi-tech version captures images using two miniature cameras positioned in parallel.



The images are displayed live on high-definition screens in the eyepieces, mimicking the look and experience of traditional binoculars. But at the press of a button the glasses record images either in ordinary video or in 3D, which can then be played back on a 3D television.



The Vinoculars can also capture still photographs, with all images and videos saved to a memory stick.



Because they can record sound, birdwatchers will be able to capture birdsong and sports fans will be able to record the reaction of spectators.



And there won’t be the usual frustrating fiddle to bring an image into focus, as the Vinoculars also come with electronic autofocus and ‘steadyshot’ technology to stop images shaking even when magnified at up to 20 times.



But all this technology doesn’t come cheap. When the Vinoculars go on sale in November prices are expected to start at £1,800.

