Slashdot Mirror


Hands-On With Sony's VR Headset

It wasn't long after the rise of the Oculus Rift that Sony hopped on the virtual reality bandwagon and announced a headset of their own. Now, Eurogamer has had a chance to operate and test Sony's hardware, which they say "has its own distinct vision for VR," as well as a distinct focus on console gaming. "On the 640x768 per eye first-gen Rift, the result was the perception of a disappointingly minuscule resolution, with a highly distracting "screen door" effect where you could see between the pixels. This is far less of an issue with Morpheus, and we were pleasantly surprised by how good image quality is in an environment where resolution remains at a premium. In discussing the situation with Sony, it's clear that some effort has gone into judging how to best apply the fisheye lens effect that distorts the image, with a stronger focus on retaining resolution in the key focus area. Over and above that, we wouldn't be surprised if the narrower field of view also contributes to improving image integrity. ... However, in comparing Morpheus to what we've seen from Oculus VR, it's perhaps surprising to discover that a truly transformative element of the proposition comes from a piece of hardware that you might already own: PlayStation Move. Our aspirations for the hardware were never fully realized, but the hook-up with Morpheus is a match made in heaven - in fact, if there is to be a struggle for market leadership with Oculus (and potentially Microsoft), the existing motion controller is undoubtedly one of the strongest weapons in Sony's arsenal."

46 comments

  1. Go SONY Crush the shitty ad delivery alternative by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Fuck occulus rift

  2. Call me tron by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

    I'd love to try one. The only problem is you can only play games licensed to playstation, so there won't be any vr pr0n.

    1. Re:Call me tron by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Why would you ... oh, forget it, I really don't want to know.

      I'm sure it will exist sooner or later. :-P

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Call me tron by GNious · · Score: 1

      There is supposedly VR Pr0n available for the Facebook Rift already - go use that

    3. Re:Call me tron by LifesABeach · · Score: 2

      I know at my work, having a VR interface that just looked at the screens, without me having to buy all the screens would be very useful.

    4. Re:Call me tron by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      why don't you just... look at the screens? also, shouldn't you own the screens already?

    5. Re:Call me tron by zurmikopa · · Score: 1

      I wrote a thing that does that (virtualizes monitors) but the resolution (at least with the original rift) makes it unusable. I'm hoping DK2 improves things enough that it at least isn't a horrible option, but 960x1080 per eye is probably still too low. Smearing was also a big problem for monitor virtualization, but DK2 should have mostly fixed that.

  3. LOL ... by gstoddart · · Score: 1

    but the hook-up with Morpheus

    You keep using that word. I am not sure it means what you think it means.

    There's some rule 34 fan fiction in there somewhere.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    1. Re:LOL ... by GameboyRMH · · Score: 3, Funny
      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  4. Puff piece propaganda by Jmc23 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    backed with a little bit of revisionist history

    At the very least they seem to be thinking about a counter-balance, though the Sony style will probably render that less than ideal.

    --
    Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
  5. Terrible field-of-view by Prune · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Narrow view angle significantly compromises immersion. I was hoping for better from Sony.

    --
    "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
    1. Re:Terrible field-of-view by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      the fov is what makes oculus so good.

      and also, FUCK THE MOVE CONTROLLER. the best way to play with oculus(and similar) still is sitting on the sofa with a keyboard and a mouse. unless you think your going to play for 10 minutes - and we all know that if a gaming session is 10 minutes then the game isn't that good to begin with...

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    2. Re:Terrible field-of-view by GNious · · Score: 1

      I've enjoyed some Move games, and thinking a couple of them could benefit from a HMD setup.

      If they figure out a wireless lightweight version, Move Sports could be pretty entertaining.

    3. Re:Terrible field-of-view by fractoid · · Score: 1

      Narrow view angle significantly compromises immersion.

      This is my biggest issue with it. I almost bought the TMZ-H1 back before Oculus got big, but decided not to because the FOV was so awful.

      --
      Rampant carbon sequestration destroyed the Dinosaurs' tropical paradise. I'm here to help repair the damage.
    4. Re:Terrible field-of-view by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sorry, but you're obviously wrong. A decent VR setup clearly needs a camera observing the player in order to correctly model the player's avatar in the world. Read the last Eve article from Chris Smith if you doubt that ... forcing the player to sit and hold a controller is a good present-day solution but it's hardly the future. Once you have this, physical controls are obsolete. Sony aren't there yet because they use these gay move controllers but they're closer than anybody else. Keyboard and mouse? Don't make me laugh. Once you lose the home keys you can't look down and find them again. Hardly a recipe for successful gaming, feeling around in the dark for where the keyboard layout starts. You're just a luddite.

  6. Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Molt · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I think this'll collapse unless Sony decide to open it to PC and maybe other consoles. It's not something that is general-use enough to bundle it with every console they sell, and there's not been a truly successful aftermarket add-on for a console as game manufacturers don't include support for them.

    I was supporting Oculus until the FB buyout, and then I looked to Sony as maybe they'd treat this as a general display device rather than a PS4-exclusive (You can plug an XBox into a Sony Bravia), but now I'm just hoping Valve wake up and Do Stuff with a few of Gabe's millions.

    --
    404 Not Found: No such file or resource as '.sig'
    1. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Jmc23 · · Score: 2
      Why would you turn away from Oculus just because of FB and then turn towards Sony?

      Yes, FB uses your info, they say they will in their user agreement, and yes they leave a bunch of stuff open but they also give you the option to shut stuff down.

      Sony on the other hand has been known for fucking over people with absolutely zero permission and absolutely no way to stop it.

      Maybe you're just really young?

      --
      Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
    2. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I think this'll collapse unless Sony decide to open it to PC and maybe other consoles.

      Could easily go either way, and there's plenty of room for hacking a driver to make it work with PC. The interface box just uses HDMI and USB so it's at least got standard interfaces.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by gl4ss · · Score: 2

      and you can hack a powerglove to work with your pc too.

      but your cousin isn't going to. unless it's really, really, really really good compared to oculus&others then it'll collapse. but if it's not pc compatible it's dead.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    4. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by jeti · · Score: 1

      1. Yes, Sony has a bad track record when it comes to marketing VR glasses. (Did you even know that VR glasses for the PS2 exist?) However, with all the press Oculus has generated and the competition getting ready, Sony may be willing to make a bigger bet on VR.

      2. FB seems to be going for a hands off approach that won't hinder the adoption of the Oculus Rift. I'm at least willing to take a wait and see approach before condemning the buyout. Apart from that, core members of Oculus like John Carmack and Michael Abrash as well as Mark Zuckerberg seem to be inspired to implement the Metaverse as described in Snow Crash. This is likely a medium term goal that comes on top of the general Oculus platform.

      3. Valve has clearly stated that they are not interested in producing their own VR hardware. And the former core members of Valves VR team are now employed by Oculus. Valve will likely promote good VR hardware solutions and software and provide a uniform VR API. It's also probable that we'll see recommended bundles of VR hardware, Steam boxes and the Steam controller.

    5. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      because FB will bastardize it into an annoying ad delivery platform more than likely sony makes its money by providing you products and or services rather than knowing a lot about you and force feeding you garbage like FB does

      its hard to cheer for sony but given the alternative is fb then i cheer for sony

    6. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Sony on the other hand has been known for fucking over people with absolutely zero permission and absolutely no way to stop it.

      Google "shadow profiles". I can (and do) boycott Sony products, but FB will sell my data even if I neither give it to them nor give them permission to sell it.

    7. Re: Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      and there's not been a truly successful aftermarket add-on for a console as game manufacturers don't include support for them.

      Why would a new gaming peripheral fare any better on PC than a first party console add-on?.

    8. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1. Yep, and usually after a while sony makes a damn good
      2. Of course they already soured the milk with the acquisition they need to back off and try to make it look like business as normal for oculus so they can get everyone in then change the EULA and privacy agreement or disable your device and then start shoving ads in your face literally
      3. Valve is awesome. please valve come save us from the madness so we're not just deciding which evil we prefer

    9. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I expect Sony to keep VR as an exclusive until there is even a hint of someone releasing it for everything. Then it'll be like yeaa... we were just testing it on the best gaming platform ever! I really hope Sony doesn't give me an excuse to give em money because well... fuck Sony.

    10. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I was supporting Oculus until Notch came out against the FB buyout

      FTFY.

      as maybe they'd treat this as a general display device rather than a PS4-exclusive

      Lulz.

      Valve wake up and Do Stuff with a few of Gabe's millions

      Um, sorry, Abrash and Forsyth already went to Oculus (that company you stopped "supporting" because they now have lots of investment money ...)

      Maybe Jeri Ellsworth can pick up where they left off ... oh, wait.

    11. Re:Not sure Sony are going to do much with this by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

      > Abrash and Forsyth already went to Oculus

      When did that happen? ? So [Michael] Abrash and [Tom] Forsynth AND John Carmack are at Oculus now !

      It will be interesting to see if VR _finally_ takes off.

  7. Re:Go SONY Crush the shitty ad delivery alternativ by Jmc23 · · Score: 2

    That would be the Ministry of State Security.

    --
    Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
  8. Re:Go SONY Crush the shitty ad delivery alternativ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    whats wrong with occulus farmville is going to be fucking intense now

  9. Final Fantasy XIV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    At the risk of repeating myself, I'd like to know if Final Fantasy XIV will support that VR headset on the PS4 version.

    1. Re:Final Fantasy XIV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That will always be a fantasy, and not a final one.

  10. Re:Go SONY Crush the shitty ad delivery alternativ by dmbasso · · Score: 2

    "Chinese technology startup ANTVR [...]"
    From: http://games.slashdot.org/stor...

    --
    `echo $[0x853204FA81]|tr 0-9 ionbsdeaml`@gmail.com
  11. Rootkit Sony by Mister+Liberty · · Score: 1

    [ten foot pole out of reach]
    Is this from the All-your-tronic-are-belong-to-us Rootkit-first-adopters Sony?

  12. Seriously? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The PS4 is already struggling to handle 1080p 30fps, I can't imagine it being able to even drive this thing properly.

    1. Re:Seriously? by Narishma · · Score: 1

      That's hardly a problem. You just reduce the image quality until you get the required framerate. The game may not be as pretty as the non-VR ones, but it'll probably be more immersive if done right.

      --
      Mada mada dane.
  13. I wouldn't bet against jc & abrash by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sony is competing against john carmack and mike abrash, with facebook money. john carmack has personal ties with nvidia, and VR promises to gobble up lots of GPU power... I would not bet on sony.

  14. Summary by abies · · Score: 3, Informative

    Trying to put it in concise list, TFA is bit too verbose. Short version - it is a real DK1 killer, too bad DK2 is already out there...

    Comparing to DK2 (prototype versus prototype, so don't jump with 'it will get fixed in final version'):

    - horizontal FOV 90 deg (instead of 100)
    ? no data about vertical FOV
    + better perceived pixel density (because of lower FOV)
    - blurry, high-persistence LED screen
    - 60Hz instead of 75 Hz (but high-persistence anyway is a killer here)
    - no mention of any advanced techniques like time warp
    + headband with tracking leds, which allows proper tracking even when you look behind
    + reported to be more friendly for people with prescription glasses
    + considerably better looking
    + headphones included
    - with jack input INSIDE the visor !
    = PS4 versus PC
    ? no exact data regarding tracking quality, seems to be lacking magnetometer compared to DK2, not sure if it makes a difference
    + utilizing PS Move and PS controllers fully, has some concept for VR interaction besides 'up to game designers'

    If Oculus will 'borrow' idea of tracking headband and Morpheus will get low-persistence OLED display, we will have very close match here for consumer version...

    1. Re:Summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wanted to post exactly this. WHY are they comparing the first oculus dev kit with morpheus instead of the latest prototype ? I can as well compare the new nVidia GPUs to AMD GPUs from 1-2 years ago...but is it relevant ??

    2. Re:Summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wanted to post exactly this. WHY are they comparing the first oculus dev kit with morpheus instead of the latest prototype ? I can as well compare the new nVidia GPUs to AMD GPUs from 1-2 years ago...but is it relevant ??

      Clearly Sony paid them, either in money or swag.

    3. Re:Summary by balaband · · Score: 1

      I would put "headphones included" as a minus; rather I get headphones I like + it doesn't become expensive paperweight in case one of the headphones goes funky

    4. Re:Summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      To be fair, you're comparing Sony's first prototype with Oculus Rift's second prototype. This is clearly biased in Oculus' favour, and yet Sony get a lot of wins even so.

      - blurry, high-persistence LED screen

      Yes, if only Sony made OLED screens. Like, if they had the world's first OLED TV ten years ago or something.

      = PS4 versus PC

      PS4 is a clear win over PC. There is only the game and some light system software running on the console, with a guaranteed GPU performance & timeshare, and a guaranteed CPU performance & coreshare. PC is a complete and utter mess in this respect, and if you're trying to pump a fast fixed frame rate and monitor 1KHz+ sensors you're going to need consistent performance. PC is going to fall on its face in this market once the fixed hardware spec machines get going.

  15. I Love the PowerGlove by Guppy · · Score: 1

    and you can hack a powerglove to work with your pc too.

    but your cousin isn't going to. unless it's really, really, really really good

    No, no. It's a Powerglove, you only do its because it's so Bad!

  16. VR hasn't been proven in the market, but... by wjcofkc · · Score: 1

    I think it's safe to say that the upcoming VR offerings will find success and that the technology is here to stay. This looks like a perfect application for the OLED technology we have seen demoed by Samsung. I would much rather have a single flexible screen that wrapped completely around my field of view completely. I imagine it would also cut down on the bulk substantially while also offering the ability to provide long battery life units.

    --
    Brought to you by Carl's Junior.