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ANTVR - China's Answer To Oculus Rift Is Raising Funds

Posted by samzenpus on from the strap-it-on dept.

dryriver (1010635) writes "Chinese technology startup ANTVR is raising funds on Kickstarter for a new, gaming oriented VR Headset capable of rivaling FaceBook's Oculus Rift VR Headset technologically speaking. The ANTVR headset features a full HD screen (1920 x 1080, 1 megapixel per eye), 100 degrees of FOV, 9-axis motion detect with low latency (1 ms), wireless communication, support for Playstation, Xbox, PC, Android gaming platforms, as well as an interesting 'virtual gun' type controller that can be folded open into a steering wheel or gamepad-type controller, and also holds batteries that can power the ANTVR for 3 — 8 hours. Interesting technical features include being able to detect whether the ANTVR wearer steps forward, backwards, to the left or to the right, and also whether the wearer crouches or jumps. The ANTVR headset also comes with a viewing window at the bottom of the unit that can be opened, so you can glance down and see your hands and keyboard and mouse for example. What makes ANTVR interesting is that it isn't a 'cheap Chinese knockoff of Oculus Rift'. A lot of original thought seems to have gone into making ANTVR a 'significantly different from a design standpoint' competitor to Oculus Rift. It now remains to be seen how much money ANTVR can raise on Kickstarter, and how many real world users/gamers opt for this new Chinese VR kit over the older — and currently — more famous Oculus Rift."

12 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. Sorry by bhcompy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Not going to be giving money to a Chinese startup on Kickstarter. It's already difficult enough to determine which Kickstarters are legit, not even going to get into one's in sketchy countries like China

    1. Re:Sorry by jeffmflanagan · · Score: 4, Insightful

      How is China sketchier than your country?

    2. Re:Sorry by LordLimecat · · Score: 3

      This is like claiming someone has the burden of proof in proving that nearly 90% of hacks are initiated from China, Russia, or eastern europe.

      At some point something enters the pool of common knowledge, and you just look ridiculous asking for proof.

    3. Re:Sorry by jones_supa · · Score: 2

      This is like claiming someone has the burden of proof in proving that nearly 90% of hacks are initiated from China, Russia, or eastern europe.

      They absolutely have the burden of proof in proving that. Akamai's report from last year shows that the top 3 are China, Indonesia and... *drumroll* ...United States! In this case the question of how China is any more sketchy than USA, could also be asked again. They're in the same boat.

  2. Re:limited field of view by fakeid · · Score: 2

    I'm fairly certain he's making a somewhat racist joke regarding eye shape.

  3. Re:Chinese IP Knockoffs Forgo Branding,Now Bypassi by CanHasDIY · · Score: 2

    I prefer to support the original innovators in this case.

    Sooo... Nintendo?

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    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  4. It's a toss up. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The American version restricts you to a Virtual Free Speech Zone, six miles from the event you're protesting.

    So do you want to see virtual tanks, or do you want to be in a virtual cage?

  5. VR headset not tied to Facebook? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Cheap knock off or not, I'll take one!

    I'd rather support this because ANTVR isn't tied to Facebook. This means I can get VR without giving money to any company tied to Facebook's bottom line and without all my personal data being stolen and sold by Facebook.

  6. Re:Chinese IP Knockoffs Forgo Branding,Now Bypassi by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Oculus Rift VR are not the "original innovators" in any way. they are working atop a ton of previous work and previous products you could buy.

    So when will Raytheon expect your support in VR technology they were one of the "original innovators" of?

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  7. Spying by jeffmflanagan · · Score: 3, Funny

    So the question is will people be more afraid of this Chinese device spying on them or Facebook's Occulus Rift.

  8. I like competition by Torp · · Score: 2

    I'll buy a device from whoever stays in bussiness in the next 5-10 years. Kickstart anyone now? No way.
    Sadly I think this is *still* not the time for working VR.

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    I apologize for the lack of a signature.
  9. 1 ms latency what? by hitchhacker · · Score: 2
    I believe the summary put a comma in the wrong place...

    9-axis motion detect with low latency (1 ms), wireless communication

    Should be:

    9-axis motion detect, with low latency (1 ms) wireless communication

    The article mentions nothing of 1ms latency head tracking... it does mention the wireless communication latency being 1ms, however. This is a very important distinction as the latency of head tracking is what the Occulus Rift has appeared to have put the most effort into via their custom 3-way merged sensor chip.

    -metric