Berlin.
Sony’s new VR glasses for the Playstation 5 are intended to captivate gamers in particular. But there are good alternatives for beginners.
If playing games on the small cell phone screen isn’t enough for you, you still mostly sit in front of the monitor or television. The graphically magnificent ones are served video and computer games either with keyboard and mouse on the PC and laptop or via gamepad on the console. Although the characters in most games today run and jump around in 3D worlds, the player still looks at the screen. From the point of view of many manufacturers, this should change.
High-tech glasses for gaming, watching videos and working in the virtual reality should finally reach the masses. February 22nd is particularly exciting for observers: Because Sony is bringing the PlayStation VR2 the long-awaited successor to its 2016-released VR glasses for the Playstation console.
During these months, a number of new models based on so-called virtual reality (VR) or mixed reality (MR) came and are coming onto the market. With VR, users see content isolated from the environment on screens built into the glasses. With mixed reality models, cameras in the headset also provide images of the environment, which makes orientation in the room easier and can project games into the real environment.
We explain what strengths and weaknesses the new VR glasses for the Sony Playstation 5 and what alternatives there are for getting started with virtual reality.
Sony Playstation VR2: This is what the VR glasses for gamers can do
The PSVR2 It doesn’t work on its own, but only in combination with Sony’s current Playstation 5 games console (from 450 euros). The VR glasses, which are relatively light at 560 grams, must be continuously connected to the console via the 4.5 meter long USB-C cable supplied. The headset is thus supplied with power and an Internet connection without any further cable clutter and benefits from the strong graphics performance of the console released in 2020.
Sony’s glasses are primarily designed for gaming. With 2000 by 2040 pixels per eye is the resolution four times higher than its predecessor and slightly higher than most non-console-connected glasses.
A trump card: The PSVR2 recognizes by means of infrared pupil movements and only shows image areas in full sharpness where you are looking, the edges are coarser. This saves computing power. The field of view is 110 degrees.
Wearers of glasses do not have to take them off when playing. Four cameras provide for the detection of their own movements in space. The manufacturer specifies two by two meters as the required minimum free space. It is also possible to display a camera image of the surroundings at the push of a button. This is useful if you just want to take a look at your smartphone or if another person enters the room. The headset then does not have to be removed every time.
The service works via motion controllers in both hands. These each have similar buttons and control sticks as the controllers of the Playstation 5. Owners hardly have to get used to it.
Playstation VR from 600 euros: strengths and weaknesses
Speakers are not built into the PSVR2. Sony includes simple plugs, but recommends the PS5’s Pulse 3D wireless headphones, which are available separately (around 100 euros). In addition, the selection with around 30 games at the start can still be expanded and the scope of the VR gamesas far as game world sizes and tasks are concerned, is sometimes significantly lower than with PS5 titles.
The PSVR2 costs just under 600 euros and will be available in stores from February 22nd. According to Sony, the headset is not suitable for children under the age of 12.
Strengthen:
- benefits from the graphics performance of the current PS5 console
- detects pupil movement for better graphics
- vibrating feedback in controllers and headset
Weaknesses:
- The range and scope of games is still quite clear
- no speakers integrated
- quite expensive at 600 euros (plus the price of the console).
In addition to the Playstation VR2, there are other alternatives for virtual entry:
Standalone VR glasses
Autonomous headsets work without additional devices and offer the best overall price-performance ratio for getting started with virtual reality.
Good “free-standing” models are around 500 euros. According to the portal idealo.de, the most popular representatives include the Meta Quest 2 (formerly Oculus, now Facebook/WhatsApp parent company Meta), which was released in Germany in December, and the Pico 4 from TikTok developer Bytedance from China (each from around 450 euros) .
The recently released Meta Quest Pro (1800 euros) and the HTC Vive XR Elite (from March; 1400 euros) are aimed at more professional users. Both were primarily developed for professional use, but are also capable of games and video players.
Lag graphically standalone VR glasses still behind depending on the price range. All allow free movement on a previously defined area in the room, but have to be recharged after around two hours of use.
Strengthen:
- work independently of console or PC
- no annoying cables
- Depending on the platform and provider, a large selection of content
Weaknesses:
- Graphic quality still room for improvement in comparison
- regular charging required
- Weight can trigger headaches and neck pain
Glasses with PC connection
Anyone who places the highest demands on speed and graphics display still has to rely on high-end VR glasses, which only develop their capabilities in combination with a well-equipped gaming PC. There, however, the acquisition costs for the headset and computer are sometimes well into the four-digit range.
That’s what the graphics quality here at the currently highest possible level and even better than with a PSVR2. The HP Reverb G2 (from 650 euros), the Valve Index or the HTC Vive Pro 2 (each around 800 euros) are suitable for beginners with the appropriate PC.
Strengthen:
- outstanding graphics possible with the appropriate PC
- wide range of VR games and other applications
- also for ambitious players and professional users
Weaknesses:
- high price
- expensive high-end computer with graphics card necessary
- Cable restricts freedom of movement
Nausea from VR glasses: risk of motion sickness
In most VR games, you move through the game world with a controller in your hand while you are standing or sitting. The eyes report to the brain that one is walking around, but the sense of balance registers no movement. This irritation of the senses leads to nausea in some players, Motion sickness called.
In this case, the manufacturers and also affected players recommend taking breaks as soon as stomach or head problems begin. If you play regularly, you should get used to it after a few days or weeks.
According to reports, however, the susceptibility to motion sickness is very individual and depends on both the user and the game in question. Some game manufacturers therefore allow the game character to change location using a portal function, so that long distances through the game world can be skipped if desired.
Ultimately, interested parties can only try out VR glasses themselves in practice – preferably over a period of several days.
More articles from this category can be found here: Life
