Tencent Digital (John) has been releasing PlayStation VR for more than a year since the last Sony event at the Tokyo Games on September 15 last year. After experiencing a wait, PlayStation VR is finally on sale. This long-awaited VR product will face the major rivals Oculus Rift and HTC Vive after its launch. The price is the most concern for gamers. The Oculus Rift is priced at US$599 and the HTC Vive is priced at US$799. VR's price is only 399 US dollars (in mainland China is priced at 2,999 yuan), on the surface, PlayStation VR occupies a large price advantage, but in addition to PS4, if you want to fully experience the VR game, you also need to separate A Sony PlayStation camera and PlayStation Move controller, if you have not purchased these two devices before, you can consider buying PlayStation VR set, the price of the package is 499 US dollars (in mainland China is priced at 3699 yuan), the package contains a PS VR, One PlayStation Camera and two PlayStation Move handles.
In this way, even if all the equipment needed for the PlayStation VR is equipped, the cost is lower than that of the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. Is it tempting? In addition, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive also need a high-profile computer to experience smooth VR games, and PlayStation VR only needs to match the original PlayStation 4 (PS VR) to experience virtual reality games. Let's take a look at how foreign media evaluates this VR device.
Gamespot
PS VR has always been a controversial virtual display device. Compared to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive helmets with high-performance PCs, the hardware performance of the PS4 is far less than that of a high-performance graphics PC host. In addition, this time with the PS VR MOVE controller and camera is Sony's equipment sold in 2010, these two peripherals were not designed for PS VR, in the rapid development of electronic products today, many years ago, the device Whether it can meet the needs of new games remains to be tested. However, after a few days of experience, Sony can really feel that this VR device has performed well, and there are also some disadvantages compared with existing devices.
PS VR is a VR virtual reality headset introduced by Sony and needs to be used with the PS4. Similar to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive functions, it enables visual 3D display and keeps the screen in sync with your body. With head tracking, it also simulates depth and orientation in virtual space. Some people mistakenly thought that VR was just a combination of motion capture and 3D TV like Wii. In fact, this is unscientific. VR is to immerse you in a virtual environment and let you think you are in this real place. For example, PS VR's "Large Robbery" game allows you to experience the feeling of real road gunfights.
The basic package of the PS VR includes a VR helmet, a cable, a stereo headset, a junction box (including an HDMI splitter), and a test disc. In addition to the PS4, you also need a Sony PlayStation camera and Move controller. The camera can track your hand position and experience the feeling of grabbing objects in a virtual environment. At this year's E3, Sony also announced a new gun controller and demonstrated it with the new FARPOINT.
Sony claims that almost all PS VR games support the DualShock4 controller, but by using the Move controller, the game will have a better experience. Therefore, the Move controller is an essential part of the VR game. It can simulate hand movements and enhance the immersion of the game. From the display resolution point of view, PS VR uses a 5.7-inch 1920 × 1080 resolution OLED screen (monocular resolution of 960 × 1080), viewing angle of 100 degrees, refresh rate 120Hz. In contrast, the single-eye resolution of Vive and Rift is 1080×1200, which is higher than PS VR. However, the refresh rate is 90 Hz, which is slightly lower than that of PS VR. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
TheVerge
This year was the year of the outbreak of virtual reality equipment. With the arrival of two high-end VR helmets, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, this spring, they were quickly sold out in just a few minutes. The emergence of these two devices led to the rapid development of the entire industry. After the passion, people began to gradually return to rationality. Although these two high-end VR helmets have a very good gaming experience, there is less and less information about the two helmets, especially the Oculus Rift, in the coming months. Many VR devices have Big news did not appear on these two high-end devices. In the last three months of 2016, the VR field finally ushered in the PlayStation VR.
PlayStation VR will be released on October 13th. This is Sony's attempt to join the VR experience in the PS4. Its price is relatively cheap compared with similar products, especially for those who already own a Sony gaming device. A lot of money. The supporting software and prospects of Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have been well-received by the public. The current problem of PS VR as a rising star is also very simple: if you are one of the millions of PS4 users, are you willing to purchase PS VR to experience virtual reality games?
PS VR was initially called "Morpheus Project" by Sony in 2014. Although it has undergone some visual adjustments afterwards, its core design has not changed much. The appearance of the PS VR looks like a popular 60s sci-fi spaceship with a clean white and streamlined design. The front is black panel and rubber caps. The external PS camera uses a blue matrix to catch the helmet. The LED light on the helmet is used to assist the positioning of the camera. PS VR continues the design philosophy of the Sony HMZ head-mounted display, but the physical machine has not been minimized. Regardless of whether or not its design appeals to your appetite, PlayStation VR is still an eye-catching presence.
In practical experience, the PS VR is very comfortable to wear. A headband may be added to the top of a typical VR headset device to increase stability, thus increasing a certain amount of discomfort. PS VR uses a pad to increase the comfort of wearing. You need to press the button before you put on your helmet and fasten it after wearing it. The screen of the helmet is located directly in front of it. There is a sense of suspension. The distance between the screen and the eyes can be adjusted. This means that the PS VR can also be used after wearing glasses.
Of course, PS VR sometimes appears to be loose. If you wear it incorrectly or choose an inappropriate pad, you may experience headaches. The PS VR feels lighter than other helmet devices and is therefore more comfortable for the head. In fact, PS VR weighs 610g, which is heavier than similar products. Due to its excellent industrial design, the weight distribution is more uniform, the pressure to wear is smaller, and the feeling is even lighter, which solves the problem that most VR devices will encounter. The part of the PS VR that is in contact with the face is rubberized, avoiding the use of sponge pads to accumulate dust, sweat, etc. The close fit of the rubber and the face substantially blocks the external light. However, after the PS VR is worn, external light can still be seen on the edge of the device. When looking straight up or quickly shaking the head, the device will slide. For the Danger Ball and other games in Play Station VR World, , may affect some gaming experience.
In general, PS VR is a high-performance, friendly gaming device. Of course there will be some designs that other devices didn't think of. For example, both the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive will require the user to make precise adjustments to suit a particular user. However, the PS VR is expected to enable different players to experience the fun of the PS VR. The frequent replacement of the user can also continue the PS VR experience.
Engadget
The PlayStation VR is performing very well, and the comfortable operation and perfect features are very eye-catching, although the hardware specifications are very limited. The most incredible thing is that it has better game resources than Rift and Vive equipment. Of course, for most people, the price is still relatively expensive and not easy to buy.
PSVR is "consumer-friendly" as its concept. It uses a plastic-encased helmet and looks similar to the appearance of competitors' products, but it is more rounded and more aesthetic. Whenever you use it, the lights on the helmet can remind you of the characters in the war. Unlike other products, its headband is very sturdy and has sufficient cushioning without the use of rough and simple mid-band fixation like other products. And there is only one cable out of the helmet, which is a lot better than Vive.
Although technologies such as Rift and Vive use advanced technology and hardware, PSVR pays more attention to detail. This is exactly what consumers expect from a company that has been manufacturing consumer electronics products for more than 30 years. Inside the helmet, there is a thin layer of rubber around the lens. When wearing it, it will rest on the face and nose. This seems to be a less stable structure for the helmet to wear, but in fact the rubber can play well. Fix it and feel comfortable on the skin. More importantly, he wouldn't sweat like Rift and Vive would wear for a long time. In addition, Sony's design makes it easier to share helmets with others. It requires only a simple wipe of the rubber and head pads without the need to clean the foam.
I don't know anything about Sony’s strategy, but with the expanding VR gaming market, using the 2009 controller and the 2013 camera on the new PSVR device is still risky, although for some consumers Save some money. These peripherals were once thought to be Sony's competing products with the Nintendo Wii and the Microsoft Kinect camera. Although there were some games that used these two devices, they were not really popular.
Speaking of the hardware part, the PSVR is equipped with a processor, which looks like a small step for the PS4. It can drive this "social screen". This is a new name given by Sony to the PSVR. The user can see in the helmet. To synchronize content with TV. Some games will use TV to increase multiplayer functionality and allow your good friends to fight against you on the same console.
Techradar
Like other brands of VR helmets on the market, PSVR also has a difficult task of allowing players to immerse themselves in virtual reality games. It produces two images that are then transmitted to each screen of the helmet. But unlike Rift and Vive, PSVR doesn't require an expensive high-end graphics card to run the game. Simply use the PlayStation 4's built-in graphics card to run the game smoothly. Track the game by using the PlayStation camera to track the nine glowing points on the helmet and move the controller or DualShock 4 handle.
In terms of games, Sony promised to design 30 games for PS VR, and most of them will be released before the end of this year. Some games will use a hybrid interactive experience where the player can use the Move handle or the DualShock handle to play the game, and some only support the Move handle, but there are also quite good game effects. For example, "Wayward Sky" will adopt a third-person and first-person hybrid perspective, which will provide deeper immersion. In addition, there are music games such as "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero". From a technical point of view, the space positioning support provided by the DualShock handle is very limited, so the Move handle is still a device worth buying.
PSVR games are still based on the development of ordinary handles, and some are not even VR exclusive experiences. Until PSVR is released, it still lacks the main game, and the Resident Evil 7 that supports PSVR will wait until 2017 to meet with everyone. Sony previously introduced some fun and entertaining games such as "Rez" and "Thumper" and other music games. These games obviously cannot meet the needs of the majority of players for the long-term development of the PS VR, but they can indeed bring a unique experience to this platform, which is more attractive than traditional games.
to sum up
For now, PSVR is the cheapest high-end VR device. It also represents Sony's formal entry into the VR field, using the old PlayStation camera to implement new features, although using new hardware to solve the problem of handling or compared with Hcul Vive Oculus The use of pure VR content appears to be somewhat behind, so Sony still has a long way to go in the VR space. However, the comfort, cost-effectiveness, and rich gaming resources that PSVRs wear are difficult to achieve for other brands. Of course, the sensation of early control devices was not very sensitive, and the interface was not perfect. At present, relatively few game resources are also areas that Sony needs to improve. At the same time, restraint is not the best approach, and we do not want PSVR to be the only device on the market that people are pursuing. It cannot yet form market monopoly. However, Sony has already provided interesting and low-cost game content to strengthen the development of the new platform. Compared with cutting-edge technology, the key to VR's success is to allow more people to use VR. Sony has already led the PlayStation VR platform more than any other manufacturer.
If your home is spacious enough and you are looking for a more exciting VR gaming experience, and the money is not a problem, it is recommended to choose HTC Vive. PSVR has less space requirement, but the game screen is compared with the effect of high-end graphics PC host There is still a certain gap, of course, if you already have a computer equipped with a high-end graphics card, Oculus is also a good choice, and the demand for space is not too high. The main advantage of PSVR in addition to the price is that we have long been looking forward to game resources, I hope Sony will not live up to everyone's expectations, as soon as possible on the PSVR platform to add rich game resources.