A lower resolution causes pixels to be larger and more visible, and therefore create a less smooth and more pixelated image. Because the displays are right in front of your eyes, a high resolution is important to reduce the size and therefore visibility of individual pixels. The PlayStation VR has a resolution of 1920 x 1080Īnother key metric for VR headsets is their resolution.
Sticking with the more commonly used horizontal field of view, the more expensive Valve Index is the current market leader at 130 degrees, followed by the HP Reverb G2 at 114 degrees and the HTC Vive Pro at 110 degrees.įor console gamers, the PlayStation VR has a viewing angle of 100 degrees.
For example, the hugely popular Oculus Quest 2 has a field of view of 89 degrees horizontally, 90 degrees vertically and 127 degrees diagonally. The field of view can be measured in three different ways horizontal, vertical and diagonal. A wider view means the VR content wraps further around your peripheral vision, creating a more immersive experience.
The Oculus Rift S sits in-between, as it is a tethered PC headset but doesn't use base stations.įield-of-view is one of the most important metrics when considering a VR headset. Wireless options like the Oculus Quest instead use cameras and sensors mounted to the headset itself to track its environment. High-end headsets like those from the HTC Vive range use base stations, and so too does the Valve Index. They also each need plugging into a wall outlet for power. This means putting them on a high shelf, using a tall tripod, or wall-mounting them in some other fashion. These are used to let the headset track your movement through the room, and usually need installing in the upper corners of the area you want to use your headset in. Some VR headsets attached to gaming PCs require devices called lighthouse boxes, or base stations. The HTC Vive Cosmos Elite uses lighthouse base stations for movement tracking HTC What are base stations and lighthouse boxes? Standalone headsets don't require a computer at all, and the PS VR works on any model of PlayStation 4.
However, these headsets (from the likes of HP, Valve and HTC) tend to be expensive, and so is the PC needed to get the best out of them.Īnother tethered option is the PS VR, which connects to the PlayStation 4 game console. Generally speaking, a VR headset tethered to a high-performance gaming computer is going to offer a better experience, with higher-quality graphics and more immersive gameplay. The Oculus Quest 2 is a wireless headset weighing just over 500 grams
To help you better understand VR headsets, and work out which is right for you, here are 11 questions you should ask before you buy: Prices also vary considerably, along with how the headsets are controlled and what performance and features they have. Some are wireless, while others need connecting to a computer or game console. There are a lot of variables between different types of VR headset.