Find out all about the best and most consumer-friendly headsets on the market today, for both gaming and social experiences.
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While many science fiction films have predicted a future dominated by virtual reality, the technology isn’t quite as prevalent just yet. But more and more people are discovering what the world of VR, where you can strap on a headset and completely immerse yourself in a new environment, actually includes.
Games are, of course, one of the most popular ways to use VR technology, but other experiences such as virtual film festivals or concerts are becoming more widespread. Most importantly, while the world is still in the middle of a pandemic, VR allows users to interact with crowds in real life.
Eric Kohn of IndieWire, who picked up a VR headset for the first time in March, wrote: “Technology now goes far beyond interactive movies and games: it’s the ultimate panacea for protecting yourself wherever people gather can without breathing the same air in immersive spaces. Filmmakers and musicians have started looking for ways to share their work, and the results might even appeal to the current exhibition and the creative challenges facing the industry. “
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Thanks to platforms like Altspace and VR Chat, which Kohn explores in his article, users can engage in crowded 3D environments in ways that would otherwise be impossible right now.
If you too want to get into VR, these are the basic settings you can acquire to metaphorically dip your toe in the water – which you can of course do virtually with your new gear.
The most exciting new headset, according to IndieWire VR expert Eric Kohn, is the Oculus Quest 2. It’s just launched, so you get the very latest Oculus technology, although it’s not a big step beyond the Oculus Quest. However, it’s the most consumer-friendly VR headset available, as it allows users to tie it to their own PC – which the previous model didn’t – and it offers more gaming access. Kohn notes: “In particular, players can play the VR game HALF LIFE: ALYX, which is supposedly the best VR game to date, but can only be played on higher-level headsets so far.”
Technical specifications per Oculus include: next-level hardware (ie, a “lightning-fast processor” and the highest resolution display offered by the company); All-in-one games (backward compatibility means you can play both new titles and old favorites available in the Quest content library); immersive entertainment with 3D movie sound (live concerts, films, exclusive events and more); Easy out-of-the-box setup (just download the Quest smartphone app to get everything connected and you’re good to go, even without a PC or console. With the required Facebook login, you can meet up with friends quickly and easily); a premium display with 50% more pixels than the original Quest; ultimate control with redesigned Oculus touch controllers; and PC VR compatibility with an Oculus Link cable (sold separately here).
Your purchase includes the VR headset, two touch controllers, a charging cable, two AA batteries, a power adapter and a glasses spacer. The base model has 64GB of storage, but you can get four times the storage (256GB) here for an additional $ 100.
The next step in the Oculus tree is the Oculus Rift, which has more processing power and higher resolution. You will also need a PC for this.
The Rift offers access to the top VR game library – hundreds of games and exclusive games are already available in the Oculus Store, with more to come according to the company – as well as upgraded optics, including next-generation lenses and a sharper display for a reduced price “Screen door” effect; ergonomic design thanks to a halo headband that is attached by quickly turning the fit wheel; updated Oculus Touch controllers; and Oculus Insight Tracking, which converts your movements to VR no matter which direction you’re facing, and provides room-scale tracking with no external sensors. A Facebook account is also required to sign in so that you can easily meet up with friends and explore new communities.
Oculus’ main competitor is likely the HTC Vive, which thanks to its six tracking cameras offers PC-controlled VR and a redesigned user interface with a wide tracking field of view. sound isolating on-ear headphones; ventilated faceplate; Excellent visual fidelity with a combined resolution of 2880 x 1700, a refresh rate of 90 Hz and an adjustable IPD dial (Interpupillary Distance) for visual comfort and quality; practical folding design; lightweight ergonomic headset design; Steam and Viveport library access for games and apps; plus two months of unlimited VR play with more than 700 games and apps with the included code for Viveport Infinity. Your purchase comes with your headset, two wireless controllers, four AA batteries, a link box, DisplayPort, and USB 3.0 cables.
If you’re not into the social experiences that are available with VR and prefer to just focus on gaming, the PlayStation VR might be for you. When you pair a PlayStation VR headset, a PlayStation camera, and two PlayStation Move motion controllers, you can play the game system’s VR tier. This Marvel bundle contains a PlayStation VR headset, a PlayStation camera, two PlayStation Move motion controllers, Marvel’s VR Blu-ray Disc “Iron Man” and a demo disc 3.0.
Once you’ve made the VR jump, there are a few essential accessories to stock up on to make your experience even more enjoyable. This carrying case fits your Oculus Quest 2 headset, controllers, charging cable and power adapter in a custom inlay and molded part so that everything stays neatly organized in the sturdy protective case. There is also extra space for the Elite harness if you want to buy this one.
Speaking of the elite harness, you can purchase one of the official premium rigid hard harnesses that improve stability and ergonomics when playing and come with a flexible, head-supporting support for longer and more comfortable playtime. The rear footwheel is easy to adjust to ensure it stays in place.
And finally, if you want to ensure the best possible fit for your Oculus Quest 2 headset, this Fit Kit includes two interchangeable face surfaces of alternating widths that you can use to find your ideal fit – wider and narrower options to increase or decrease the cushioning between yours Face and the headset and are made of the same high quality materials as the standard interface – and silicone light blockers that prevent excess light from entering around the nose.
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