What is PlayStation VR all about? PlayStation VR is a Virtual Reality headset which works with PS4. This headset, when worn, takes you to a Virtual world where you feel like being inside the game and playing it as the protagonist of the game.
PlayStation VR is a late comer in the VR market after the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive hit the shelves a few months back. Although it was a little late to the party, looks like it is going to stay longer than expected. This VR headset is relatively cheaper than the rest of the PC VR headsets and does not require beefy laptop specifications to work. All you need is your PS4 and the PS4’s GPU is good enough to get this VR headset working.
How does it work?
This VR headset works like any other, it produces two different images which when viewed from the VR headset gives rise to the illusion that you are in the game which is nothing but a computer simulated environment. The PlayStation VR headset has in total 9 LED lights, 7 in the front of the headset and 2 at the back. These are tracked by the PlayStation Camera which then makes the head-tracking by the VR headset possible.
The PlayStation Camera pretty much restricts the motion of the person wearing the headset so you want to keep that in mind while playing a game. The PlayStation Camera has been working fine with headset although the Move Controllers which are used during the gameplay might get a little annoying because of the jerks that can possibly get because of inaccurate tracking by the camera.
It is still not a deal- breaker but that can be a little annoying if it happens more than once in the same game. The overall working and the comfort level that this VR headset has to offer is pretty good when compared to the other fellas in the VR competition.
Design of the PlayStation VR
The VR headset has a really classy design and with the silver and blue color combination going on. The headset is lighter and the weight distribution on this headset is efficient. This allows you to game for really long hours even with the headset on. This headset is up to its game when it comes to comfort level.
Although the headset does have a great design and comfort, the gap for the nose is wider than it should be which allows light to seep in. In the case, you have glasses the problem is going to just worsen. This is the only setback which one could face when it comes to using the headset.The headset has provisions to adjust the eyepiece which makes the headset much more comfortable to use.
Will I still buy the VR headset? Oh, yes. I definitely would!
With all the games and Virtual reality promised together, there is no way I’m going to give up on this VR headset. It is coming from one of the best gaming brands and added to that, the content for this headset is only going to grow with time. Added to that, you are getting the VR headset at a lower price in comparison to the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. So, if someone is getting started with Virtual Reality then the first option they should look for is this VR headset (provided you have a PS4).
Specifications and all the Technology involved!
Display Method: OLED.
Panel Size: 5.7 inches.
Panel Resolution: 1920×RGB×1080.
Refresh Rate: 120Hz, 90Hz.
Field of View: Approximately 100 degrees.
Sensors: Six-axis motion sensing system.
Connection Interface: VR headset: HDMI, AUX, Stereo Headphone Jack.
The VR headset has a lower field of view than the Oculus Rift, but the overall experience with this VR headset is pretty amazing. Shifting your gameplay from the Rift to the PlayStation VR might make you understand the whole lot of differences between the display qualities that they have.
The setup of the PlayStation VR is relatively easy however it is a wired headset and not as easy to use as the wireless ones (Samsung Gear VR). But with all the PC VR headsets wired, it is a little too early to expect this one to be wireless. The headset is pretty easy to use and with the list of games that have been launched alongside the PlayStation VR, things only get better.
The OLED screen with the resolution of 1080 pixels is good but if you go for a comparison with the Rift, then you may probably not find it that appealing. The Oculus is better in overall quality but there is one thing to admit here that the PlayStation VR headset looks way more promising and is a cheaper alternative to the Rift and Vive.
The other PC VR headsets require laptops with beefy specifications but the only thing that is required by the PlayStation VR headset is the PS4 which indirectly is a money saver because a VR ready laptop can cost you a fortune.
What do you get inside the box?
- PlayStation VR headset
- Processor unit
- PlayStation VR headset connection cable
- HDMI cable
- USB cable
- Stereo headphones
- AC power cord
- AC adaptor
- PlayStation VR Demo Disc
The PlayStation Demo disc has the demo versions of a few games which you can try when you first get the VR headset. Later on, you can go ahead to purchase and download the game once you have been convinced by the demo. Without any further ado, let’s look at the games that come with the demo disc.
- Allumette
- Battlezone
- DriveClub VR
- Eve: Valkyrie
- Gnog
- Harmonix Music VR
- Headmaster
- Here They Lie
- Job Simulator
- PlayStation VR Worlds
- Resident Evil 7 biohazard — Kitchen Teaser
- Rez Infinite
- Rigs Mechanized Combat League
- Thumper
- Tumble VR
- Until Dawn: Rush of Blood
- Wayward Sky
- Within
Motion Sickness with the PlayStation VR
Motion Sickness was seen in a few games, however, it is advised that you need to take a break in regular intervals in order to overcome this problem. Although it might seem something serious, but it isn’t that bad as it sounds. Once you start feeling anything unusual you need to remove the headset right away and get some fresh air.
Not all games will give you this feeling but there are a few titles which can cause you motion sickness. Resident Evil was the only one title which was famous for the motion sickness induced than the game itself. However, with the few developments, even this game has become way better than the demo which was seen at the E3 event.
The main reason that causes it is the change in frame rate and the fact that you are in a virtual world yet you aren’t interacting with it. There are many reasons but nothing which is a deal breaker. All in all, the fear of motion sickness should not stop you from buying this because it is really worth the experience and the gameplay.
Buying PlayStation VR Online
Buying the PlayStation VR online is as simple as it can get. The VR headset costs $399.99 but that is just for the VR headset. You would need the PlayStation camera and the controllers which is included in a launch bundle which will cost you around $550 which is still cheaper than the Oculus Rift and way cheaper than the Vive.
Is PlayStation VR a cheaper alternative to the other VR headsets?
Absolutely not. I think PlaySation VR has its quality and comfort level which is great. I think it really is a nice VR headset for all the PS4 owners since it saves a lot of trouble of having a Desktop which is VR ready(meeting the requirements of the Rift and the Vive). This VR headset has grabbed a lot of attention already and its sales and functioning are going way smoother than the time when the other VR headsets were launched.
=> PlayStation VR Starter Bundle Reviews
I will consider PlayStation VR worth an investment, what about you?
Leave your experiences, doubts and anything related to VR in the comment section below. If you liked the post then don’t forget to share it !
I was a big gamer when I was younger, I don’t really game much anymore but I’ve been thinking about getting a ps4 lately but the number of “good games” has kept me from completing the purchase. This article however has made things a bit more exciting, and might just tempt me to buy both the ps4 and the vr headset. I be interested in learning about the games available for this vr set.
Hi Josh
Sorry for the late reply but I was actually waiting to reply to this post once I have the post on Games on the PS VR ready. SO don’t forget to check that out.
And yes, the PlayStation VR is bringing all the gamers alive. I too was bored of gaming for a bit but with the VR headsets the whole experience seems to be different and not to forget the games are addictive!
I see, nice information. PlayStation’s VR been in my wishlist for a while and I think I should add it to the cart soon. And it’s actually cheap for a new technology I believe.
Thanks for warning about that Motion Sickness thing, it’s very important to know about it.
I’ve heard that PS VR has around 30 games for it, which is a good amount for this new product!
Yes, they have launched around 50, a few will be launched later this year. But it has an advantage in comparison to the rift and the VIve.
I have a computer since i have 5 years old, I have 38 now.
I have seen all the evolution since the tape cartridge computers, tape computers, diskettes, cds, dvd… and now this ! Virtual Reality pretty awesome stuff! Looks like i have something to spend money for Xmas ,)
Great review you made on what is playstation vr!
Cheers
Pedro
Glad you liked it Pedro 🙂
Thank you for a great review! I have been looking into buying a VR gear for my PlayStation 4 some time now, but was doubting if it was really worth the money. After reading your thoughts, I think I will treat our family for couple of sets this Christmas. I have seen the warnings about motion sickness, but maybe this is only relevant for people who suffer from it in the real life?
Motion Sickness depends a lot on the games that you are playing on your VR headset. I think it is important to analyse when you feel motion sick and take off your headset as soon as that happens.
Most of the people are okay with it and it is the computer simulated environment that sometimes can get you sick. So, it really depends on how your body reacts and apart from that it is a great VR headset.
21st century technology is seriously blowing my mind! This product takes gaming to a whole new level. If I had a PS4 I’ve to demo this products for sure. Hopefully t doesn’t brainwash any body and they forget actual reality! Only kidding there, but I really enjoyed your article but would maybe recommend making your links open in a new tab as I clicked your link and was directed off the article.
Anyways, thanks for a good read and Cheers!
Hi, there is some error maybe, because I design them to open up in newer tabs but apparently that is not happening. Would look into that.
Glad you liked the article 🙂
Nice, this is definitely on my christmas wish list. The way they use to different videos to create a in depth look is out of this world. I’ve been doing research on the VR fad that has been hitting the internet this last year. Thank you for this review, I’m going to take it and use it when I decide to get a virtual reality headset.
Thanks for stopping by Nathan 🙂
If you don’t use the headphones does the sound come through the standard HDMI cable so you can use speakers? If not, that would be a deal breaker for me and my company. We have a 4.0/4.1 3-D audio system that blows away 11.1/11.2 system and tracks perfectly. So the sound will be exactly where the images are but headphones won’t do that.
No, the PS VR’s audio will work only with wired headphones.