Razer Announces Open Source VR HDK2 Headset, And $5 Million Developer Fund (anandtech.com)

Razer has announced its second Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) headset. Dubbed HDK2, the new headset from the gaming-hardware company is priced at $400. As for the specifications, the HDK2 offers dual OLED display of screen resolution 2,160x1,200 pixels while retaining the 90hz low-latency refresh rate. The original HDK will continue to be available for purchase at $300. On the sidelines, the company announced a $5 million to studios working in this space. AnandTech reports: OSVR has an open framework so it will be able to work with a variety of controllers, and as more control mechanisms become available, it should be able to support them. The HDK system supports several content technologies, including SteamVR, and they plan to announce more content soon. On that note, OSVR is also announcing a $5 million developer fund. Their goal is to ensure unrestricted access of VR content on all hardware. If you are a VR content developer, you can apply to this fund. If approved by the fund, and OSVR support is added to the content, Razer, or other future contributors, will purchase game codes in bulk to help compensate developers for their integration time, and the fund will also assist with marketing and promotional support.Also at E3, Sony announced that its $399 PlayStation VR wil be available to purchase in the U.S. from October 13.

Comments

No Man's Sky?

[Anonymous Coward]

Any official PS4 VR support for No Man's Sky yet?

Re:No Man's Sky?

[Anonymous Coward]

The story above ends with "Also at E3, Sony announced that its $399 PlayStation VR wil be available to purchase in the U.S. from October 13." how the hell is the comment above off-topic? Xbox zealot?

Re:No Man's Sky?

[Anonymous Coward]

Arguably the "related news" line is off-topic itself, and really needs to die. The topic of the post is the Razer headset, and PS4 support for No Man's Sky is not in any conceivable way on-topic to that.

Linux

[Anonymous Coward]

Unfortunately, its support of OpenVR does not mean that SteamVR games will work under Linux. With the exception of the simple hellovr application, OpenVR has never worked on Linux. This means that only programs and games that use OSVR will work with this new HDK2 headset. The number of those... negligible. There's no support from Oculus for the customer version of the Rift, but at least the DK1 and DK2 (development kits) actually work under Linux; the only HMDs usable on Linux that have some games available for it. The last thing Valve has said about Linux support for the Vive was: "Still working on it. Still not ready yet." OpenHMD is getting close to supporting the customer version of the Rift on Linux, which means the Rift may work on Linux before the Vive. Either way, Linux still is very much a second class citizen. :|

Re:Linux

[Anonymous Coward]

Still better than Macs, which aren't even close to being third class citizens with their extremely weak GPUs in almost all systems.

Re:Linux

[bill_mcgonigle]

Does it work with just a regular graphics driver? I don't actually care too much about VR (it's fun, but nothing I need) but I want a monitor I can wear on a long bus ride. The resolution of this one looks good enough to fire up a terminal.

Unfortunately...

[Anonymous Coward]

...It'z Razer, which has devolved into overpriced esportzmomwherearemyfuckingcheetos!!!!!!!!!!1111111111 garbage.

You're not going to miss much.

First to $300 wins

[BLToday]

I tried out the Vive recently at a Microsoft store. Excellent controls, unnoticeable latency, and low resolution. The resolution was so low it reminds me of watching the original Wing Commander 3/4 interlacing videos.

I wouldn't buy it at $800. $300 is ok for something like this.

Re:First to $300 wins

[Draeven]

A friend of mine bought the Vive and I've had the pleasure of using it. I didn't find any real issue with the resolution myself, but aside from that it all comes down to price point, and I feel you're right, $300 would be ideal. The $399 price point and major franchises releasing games for the PS VR is why I think if any headset is going to succeed from our current crop, that would be the one.

F**ck yes!!

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh snap... Facebook.... same specs as U but $200 less and none of your creepy always connected malware calling home every 30 seconds + DRM bullshit.

Now OSVR needs to clean up their shims for OpenVR and Rift (or an OpenVR -> Rift detour)

What kind of lenses?

[Bryan Ischo]

The Vive is wonderful but the lenses are crap, full stop. Maybe they are the best that can be achieved with limited budget, time, and concessions to meet a certain feature profile. My DK2 lenses are actually better than the Vive lenses (in my opinion) in every way except field of view.

I would be interested in knowing what kind of lenses this new headset is using, and whether or not anyone with the wherewithal to do so is trying to make better lenses.

Slashdot used to be the place where I asked questions like this to get expert opinions, but admittedly I haven't really been around here much in the past 3 or 4 years so ... not sure if this still applies. I've tried asking a bit on reddit but questions get lost in the noise pretty easily there.

Re:What kind of lenses?

[Anonymous Coward]

Why are the Vive's lenses crap?

Re:What kind of lenses?

[Bryan Ischo]

Fresnel lens effects cause a variety of artifacts, most notably the appearance of reflective concentric rings in any scene with high contrast, and sometimes a reduced appearance of rings in scenes even with moderate contrast. Additionally, I can see the rings in scenes of flat color or coherent texture, as a subtle difference in pixel density in each successive ring. There is also a reduced contrast when compared to the DK2 lenses. Finally, the Vive lenses have a very small "sweet spot" in my experience; you can't look obliquely outside of a narrow focal range in the middle of the lenses without one or the other (or both) eyes blurring considerably.

And what about those promises for HDK 1.3 and 1.4?

[Khyber]

Razer DID say they were going to backport all these things to the owners of older models.

Yet somehow, they still have yet to bring the 1.4 lens stuff to the 1.3. First it was "In a month" now it's "Well..."

Bet these components won't be available for the older kits, thus screwing the early adopters out of money spent due to a marketing promise of which there are now archive.is captures of.

I know Razer reps read this site. I know a lot of people that want an answer.

IPD adjustment

[abies]

Any details about IPD (interpupilary distance) adjustment? Lack of it killed Oculus DK2 for me. With 72mm I'm well outside of comfortable range for non-adjustable headsets.