Virtual Reality is Now – Live and in 3D

February 9, 2022

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Virtual Reality is Now!

Here in the 21st century, with the choices of Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, HTC
Vive and the Hololens from Microsoft. These now take virtual reality mainstream
to gamers and developers. For the uninitiated, virtual reality is an immersive
experience in which head movements are tracked in a three dimensional space,
virtual world, making it ideally suited for entertainment. But with all these companies to chose from, which VR headset is best for you? The following is just small selection of devices just waiting to be strapped to your head.

An affordable option

For less than $ 20, the Google Cardboard VR headset is the least expensive on the block but also provides the least amount of features. Google announced the cardboard virtual reality headset at Google I/O 2014 and an updated version 2 last year. By popping a smartphone into the cardboard container and strapping it to your head, it becomes a low cost way to experience virtual reality. All you need is a smartphone with the necessary gyroscope sensors and a positioning system to accurately track head movements.Even at this price point, you can still find a fair amount of Google Cardboard VR apps to support the product.

For only $99 – Samsung Gear VR

The Samsung Gear VR converts the latest Samsung Galaxy smartphones, emerging you with an amazing virtual experience. With the lightweight cordless headset you can watch movies in your own private cinema. The Super Amoled display brings a wide field of view, anything is possible with gaming adventures. The controls are four-way directional touchpad on your right temple. A real game changer, and what the Samsung’s Gear VR lacks right now, is positional head tracking. Rumor has it that this might not be the case in the near future. Another downside to the the Gear VR is that it’s only compatible with the Galaxy S6, the S6 Edge, the S6 Edge+ or the Note 5.

Unlike the Samsung Gear VR, with the Zeiss branded headset, it is possible to experience virtual or augmented reality any time.

Starting at $130, Zeiss VR One is a mobile Virtual Reality headset that works with any smartphone featuring display sizes of between 4.7 and 5.2 inches. The tinted, semi-transparent visor on the front of the headset allows for a smartphone camera to function with Augmented Reality apps. Eyeglasses can be worn while using the headset and audio ports plug into the device as well. And, are you ready for this, now you can use a 3D printer to print your own VR tray for the Zeiss VR one by downloading their CAD file.

Latest VR Release

The newest VR headset to enter the ring is the $ 800 HTC Vive VR headset, which plugs into PC’s and also works with Valve’s gaming system. Inside the solid black exterior molded surface headset, there are two fresnel designed lenses that make all the magic happen. With a combined 2160 x 1200 resolution and 90Hz refresh rate, the visual immersion provides 110˚degree field of view,with 32 headset sensors for 360˚ degrees of motion tracking. Inside the box you’ll find a Vive headset unit, two controllers, two base stations, a cloth to wipe down the lenses, a small hub that sits between the headset and your PC, charging cords for the controllers and power cables for base stations.

The setup is a bit intense. First step, pick your play area. Second, place the two wireless infrared Base-Station Lighthouse Cameras then download and install the setup software. Third, plug in the Link Box, power, USB and HDMI cables, and finish off with the Vive headset and controllers. Once you’re plugged in and the room has been mapped out, you’re free to explore around every inch of the digital space. The Base-Station Lighthouse cameras are small divots on the top of the two controllers and on the headset itself. There are 72 of these dots speckling the controllers and helmet that help accurately track the Vive. This is by far the biggest selling point, a headset that lets you physically interact with a virtual world.

While high-end HTC virtual reality devices are shipping soon, Microsoft is already preparing for the next era of computing. HoloLens is one of Microsoft’s new key products, a computer that you actually wear on your face. It has a screen that mixes together what you see in the real world with digital images.

At its annual developer’s conference Build in March, Microsoft announced that
it is now beginning to ship the HoloLens to developers. The headset uses a
variety of sensors and cameras to sense where walls and objects are, and then
developers can build apps that can interact with those real objects. While offered now as a $3,000 development kit, the consumer product is still likely years away.
Microsoft states the HoloLens is made up of specialized components that together enable holographic computing. The optical system works in lock-step with advanced sensors and the HPU makes light work of processing a large amount of data per second. All these components and more enable you to move freely and interact with holograms. Containing more computing power than the average laptop, the headset is passively cooled without fans. With no wires, external cameras, or phone or PC connection required, you can move freely and untethered. HoloLens embraces virtual reality and augmented reality to create a new reality—mixed reality. Virtual reality immerses you in a simulated world, Augmented reality overlays digital information on top of your real world. By understanding your environment, mixed reality enables holograms to look and sound like they’re part of your world.