With all this talk about virtual reality, are you curious how do VR headsets work? Before grabbing the latest VR headset to hit the market, it’s best to take a minute and find out just what VR technology is all about and how you can use it.
VR technology is the newest, and frankly, the biggest change in the tech industry in quite a while. While this is a relatively new arena, the opportunities that it presents are amazing in so many fields from business to gaming and many areas in between. VR headsets open up a variety of different opportunities for us in almost every field but a fair majority of people don’t know how to use VR glasses and VR headsets!
What Are They & How To Use VR Headsets
A VR headset is a head-mounted display (HMD) that shuts out the real world and displays a 3D world or a 360-degree video in which you can move your head around and experience the digital world as if you were actually there. In most cases, a user is normally placed at the center of the world or at a specific location so that the digital world moves along with their head.
The process of using a VR headset is simple. All you have to do is launch the application or video and put the headset on your head to get started! Once the user is wearing the VR headset, they can utilize the motion controls to control themselves or use their own body to move around. As the user glances around, motion controls in the headset will control the scene and move the digital world you see in the same way that you would see the world in everyday life. What makes VR headsets so successful is that their use isn’t limited to your home. Using a mobile based VR headset like a VR Box you can enjoy Virtual Reality even when you’re on the go!
Advancement in VR technology keeps on enhancing with immersion as well as making VR headsets far more accessible to everyone. New headsets, for example, the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR can be used by anyone and at any place whereas VR Box compatible phones have made it even more affordable to take part in the VR experience. With the prices of VR headsets decreasing, we truly are entering the age of virtual reality.
Things to Do with a VR Headset
The number of things to do with VR headset seemingly has no end, and its implementation is experiencing rapid growth. Virtual reality headsets work by tricking the brain into believing that you’re in a 3D world. The most common way this is done is by using a stereoscopic display (3D display capable of conveying depth perception).
By displaying two slightly different versions of the same video or scene to both eyes, the brain perceives it as depth. This method along with other methods like parallax which makes objects that are further away from you seem to move slower, along with shading techniques to create an almost life like experience. The way the stereoscopic screen looks depends on the resolution of the VR headset which varies platform to platform. This level of immersion is further strengthened by using Binaural or 3D sounds.
Headphones can be used to increase the immersion of the VR experience. Binaural or 3D sound can be utilized by developer and video producers to take advantage of VR headsets’ head-tracking technology to exploit this and give the wearer the feeling that the sound they are hearing is actually being generated in a similar way to the real world, further adding to the authenticity of the virtual reality experience.
Which Are the Best VR Headset Devices?
When it comes to the best VR headset, Sony’s PS VR and the HTC Vive are definitely the best choices for anyone looking for a complete VR experience. They are, without a doubt, at the top tier for those looking for an immersive virtual reality.
Other VR headsets that are worth considering if the Sony and HTC models are out of your budget are the Samsung Gear VR and the Google Daydream View headsets. While not to the level of the other two, they are definitely affordable and fun options to consider!
Whether you are wanting one for yourself and to give as a gift, we’ll cover all four models below based on our review:
PlayStation VR
Playstation VR is the first choice for anyone that wants to enjoy VR gaming and multimedia. If you’re looking for a VR headset for high-end gaming then the PS VR is your best choice. Since it’s a product by Sony you can expect to find a lot of great VR game titles.
It’s made with comfort of use in mind which shows in its design! It does have its fair share of imperfections but when all is said and done, this is simply one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to enjoy VR in all its glory. Clear, crisp visuals lets you connect to the virtual world through an expansive 5.7” OLED 1080p display that runs at up to 120 frames per second.
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Large variety of games and applications available
- Pricing includes a bundle of gear and VR Worlds to explore as well
Cons
HTC Vive
The HTC Vive headset is definitely the most expensive and luxurious VR headset currently on the market. This is the leading VR headset for PC and MAC and offers the most immersive VR experience. It has a 2160 x 1200 OLED display for a brilliant picture and since it’s made together with Valve the headset supports a large variety of Steam applications. For those that love their Steam games, this might be the best option if your budget can afford it.
The HTC Vive offers greater flexibility with its use and allows for all kinds of videos, images and games to be played in stunning VR.
Pros
- Currently the finest VR experience
- Easy to use controllers
- A great line-up of games
Cons
- The most expensive VR headset
Samsung Gear VR
Samsung Gear VR is the first choice for anyone that wants to enjoy VR gaming and multimedia at an affordable price. It offers one of the finest VR experiences at a very reasonable cost.
Since it’s a product by Samsung you can expect to find a lot of great VR game titles and the overall quality, both in the durability and video is reasonable especially when you consider the price! It does have its fair share of imperfections but when all is said and done, this is simply one of the easiest and most efficient ways to enjoy VR in all its glory. The best part is it works with most of the newer Samsung phones like the Note 7.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Large variety of games and applications
- Cost-effective
Cons
- The controller can break so be careful with it.
Google Daydream View – VR Headset
The Google Daydream VR Headset is by far the most affordable headset on the market that offers good quality at this price level.
This is the leading VR headset for mobile users and offers a very immersive VR experience. It has a large variety of apps and the resolution depends on the resolution of your phone screen. The Google Daydream VR Headset offers increased freedom of use and allows for all kinds of videos, images and games to be played in stunning VR.
Pros
- Currently the most affordable VR headset with solid quality
- Easy to use controllers
- A great line-up of apps
Cons
- No special padding for the strap
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While virtual reality is still in its early stages, there’s not doubt that its use and applications will be increasing with each year. So whether you are interested in VR for almost real life gaming experiences or any one of dozens of other uses, having the right VR headsets is going to be critical to your experience. By the way – Be on the lookout for our upcoming posts on how to use VR headsets for iPhone and how to use VR headset – Samsung model! We’ll be covering those topics as well in our comprehensive review of the world of Virtual Reality!