Virtual reality is a clear contender for the type of media that we will be expecting in the future. That is why you need to know everything about the Oculus Quest 2 and HTC Vive.
These VR headsets have the same amazing features as most headsets but they do have their unique features. They are perfect for virtual reality and a good introduction to it as well.
The Vive is an earlier model of VR headset that is released by the company HTC. This company is known for making devices like smartphones and tablets but now, they have evolved.
The HTC Vive is a very impressive VR headset considering the fact that it was one of the first models that the virtual reality world had seen. A perfect guide for the future of VR headsets.
Oculus is also a well-known company that makes VR headsets. It is owned by Facebook and has been developing its systems for quite a while so they have high standards.
The Oculus Quest 2 is the latest release from Facebook. It is the new version of the original Quest and it has some better specifications and features that put it at the top of the list.
There are also a lot of options when it comes to VR headset. So we do not blame you if you are confused with which one you are going to buy as they are all almost the same.
However, with this post, we seek to show you the differences between these two amazing VR headsets so you can have a clearer mind in deciding which one to purchase.
We will be comparing the features of these VR headsets and see which one is better in the end. Stick around and get ready for the comparison of these two amazing VR headsets.
Table of Contents
Type Of Headset
When you are planning to buy a new VR headset, you need to know what type you should get. This way, you can adjust it with what you already have such as a PC setup.
There are headsets that require a PC setup in order for them to run. These are called tethered headsets and the HTC Vive falls under this classification.
Your PC setup needs to have at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 processor to work. You also need an Intel i5 chip to run this VR headset properly to achieve a smooth display.
The Oculus Quest 2 is a standalone VR headset which means that it does not need a PC setup for it to work. It has its own processors and gaming cards inside to work without a PC.
However, Oculus also gave us the option to connect the Quest 2 with a PC setup. See, it is a hybrid between standalone and tethered headset so you can choose what you want to use.
The thing is, you do not have to own a powerful PC setup for this VR headset to work. That way, you are going to spend less money and you can just purchase the headset itself.
It also does not hurt if you already own a PC setup. If it reaches the minimum requirements of the Oculus Quest 2, then the headset will run smoother with more power.
Screen Display
When you try to look for a good VR headset, you should know all about the hardware. This first feature is all about the display of the headsets and how they actually look when used.
The HTC Vive uses OLED on each eye which is not that unique but it is also not too common with VR headsets. It was great, but it has some flaws when it comes to putting up images.
The powerful OLED from the Vive was able to portray 3D images but it was not too convincing. What I mean by that is it can put up great colors but you could still see some ridges.
When it comes to putting up moving objects, the OLED did not have a hard time putting up the display. It might have some glitches but not enough to make you nauseous.
As for Quest 2, Oculus used a high-technology LCD with a single-panel feature. It also involves RGB-stips that create so much density and radiance to the colors that it displays.
This, I can say, is a little bit better in terms of producing images. The colors are vibrant and there are fewer glitches compared to the HTC Vive and it also does well with movements.
The LCD of the Oculus Quest 2 also has a fast-switching feature that allows the display to put up images in a split of a second. It is perfect for video games that have many details.
Creating images on the Oculus Quest 2 is also great. So for example, when I painted in virtual reality, Oculus Quest 2 was able to put up images accurately and quickly.
So for me, the screen display of the Oculus Quest 2 wins. The HTC Vive display is an average display but it is also amazing as it can blend colors really well.
Resolution
Along with the display, you should know what the resolution of the headset is. This will explain further why a certain type of display is clearer when you compare it with others.
See, it is not only the hardware used in making the display that makes a headset good. It is also about how detailed that hardware was built and how well it can portray images with great detail.
The Oculus Quest 2, being the newer headset, has its advantages in the resolution area. It has 1900 by 1832 pixels per eye resolution which is really great when worn.
The images that it displays are not only vibrant but they are also crisp and smooth. There is less screen door effect on the display and so it does not create any nauseous vibe.
See, when you wear a bad VR headset, you will see that they cannot display perfect images especially when that particular image contains so many curves.
The Oculus Quest 2 does not have this effect as the display and resolution has so much detail in them that curves do not break into pixels and are guided accordingly to their proper shape.
The HTC Vive has a lower 1080 by 1200 pixel per-eye resolution. This is a low resolution so when I tried it, there are still visible pixels that come out when displaying images.
However, it does well in displaying movements. This is maybe because of the low resolution, the processor does not have to spend too much energy on the resolution.
Refresh Rate
When it comes to the speed of the display, you need to measure it by the refresh rate. This is where the display is able to refresh itself in a second to make the movements smoother.
With a refresh rate of 90Hz, the HTC Vive is within the average of most VR headsets. It is able to put up a display that is smooth and movements that makes it perfect for gaming.
As you have already known, the resolution of the Vive is not very strong. However, this gives the engine of the PC more power to dedicate to other features to improve the display.
The power left for the resolution to run is then dedicated to the refresh rate. Therefore, the speed of the HTC Vive becomes better even if the display itself is not that impressive.
Oculus Quest 2, on the other hand, has a lower 72Hz refresh rate. This is pretty slow considering this VR headset is a newer model but it does well in games too.
It can certainly be improved but it does the job. High-definition videos are also not a problem as the Quest 2 is able to put up nice colors along with just enough speed.
Not to worry, Oculus told us that the Oculus Quest 2 is still under development. The next version of this VR headset will contain more power that will be able to put up a 90Hz refresh rate.
Hardware
Hardware is not really a feature that needs to be talked about with tethered headsets. This is because they rely on the hardware of the PC setup to power them.
But with the Oculus Quest, you are going to need some sort of hardware to power it when you put it in the standalone mode. Oculus made sure to put enough power into this headset.
The processor of the Oculus Quest 2 is an improved Snapdragon XR2 which is not the most impressive processor but it is far better than most headsets at the same price.
It also has an improved memory for storing more files. It has a standard 64GB memory that can be expanded up to 256GB compared to the original Quest’s 128GB limit.
Oculus Quest 2 is also able to run more applications at the same time with its 6GB RAM. This is not much but it can certainly get to what you want when we talk about performance.
Comfort
Buying a VR headset will also involve knowing how it feels after using it for long hours. This is important especially if you play long games or when you move around when playing.
The Oculus Quest 2 is a pretty standard headset. It has a halo and an over-the-head strap that can be adjusted with a velcro strap and clips respectively.
One advantage of the Oculus Quest 2 is it has a lighter head-mounted display. So you can wear it for long periods of time without having to remove it every now and then.
The HTC Vive headset is a bit heavy and not well-balanced. Yes, you can lock it in place with the same halo and over-the-head straps but it does have a noticeable weight.
See, the design of the Vive is that it has suction-like padding for the eyes and the display itself goes even further forward. Making it feel heavy when you wear it.
Setting Up The Headsets
In order for you to start playing with the headsets, you need a proper space for the setup. Both of these headsets require mounted trackers for the controllers and the user’s orientation.
The HTC Vive has a common Lighthouse tracking system from HTC which involves two mounted trackers that shoot out lasers to track the user and the controllers.
The Oculus Quest 2 has a more complicated tracking system. But do not worry as it does not involve too much work, in fact, you only need to set up the trackers like in the HTC Vive.
What makes it complicated is that it involves other tracking systems for different purposes. The mounted trackers are meant for tracking your position within the game.
There are also mounted cameras on the display itself. The cameras have 6 Degrees of Freedom and are responsible for tracking the controllers that you are holding.
The last one is the internal sensors of the Oculus Quest 2. These are for keeping track of your orientation so that the display follows how you move and in which direction you move.
Conclusion
The controllers of these headsets did not change that much compared to their predecessors. They use the same controllers that are great for gaming and with creating images.
The Oculus Quest will be released and shipped this October 2020 so while you still can, order yours now. HTC Vive is available in most online shops as well as physical stores.
The Oculus Quest is a very impressive headset as it can put up a display with and without the help of a PC setup. This gives you more freedom to move around when needed.
It is also lighter and has more impressive features than the original Quest and surprisingly, it is cheaper so you will be buying something that is really worth your money.
The HTC Vive is a proven VR headset. It is able to put up displays with impressive speed and can access a lot of games and websites for you to play or watch videos.
These headsets are the perfect introduction to virtual reality for you. So do not wait any longer and order yours right away!
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