Oculus RIFT Head Mounted Display 90 Degree FOV

[Paul33993]

John Carmack's SMU talk was recently published (equivalent of what he's historically done at Quakecon):



Two things that stuck out to me:

1.) When talking about screen evolution, he was hopeful about curved OLED being the next path taken. I know people have said curved OLED would be out of the question because they created impossible warping issues, but Carmack seemed to be hoping for the opposite. He drew on the whiteboard and showed how the optics were curved. And how if you could curve the OLED to match the optics curve, it would make a MASSIVE difference in the quality of the screen.

2.) Was the uncomfortable body language when Valve was brought up. People can interpret things as they wish, but I got the feeling there was real frost coming their way from Valve. Carmack is too much of a gentlemen not to have reached out to Gabe after the hiring spree. So if they haven't talked since it happened, it's because Gabe refused to answer the phone/messages. Makes sense, I guess, since Facebook's goal is clearly to establish a Steam like store with exclusive content. It makes Facebook Valve's most formidable competitor yet.

I have both triple projection and DK2 and just like racing with my triple projector more for now. FOV really needs to increase and comfort needs to get better.

Still going to use it mainly for shooters.

Definitely with you on the comfort. It's not even remotely close to being a consumer product at the moment. Carmack was talking about how Facebook is hoping 1 billion people use VR in the future. This product is a dud if it ships with wires. I know the latest talk is that the prototypes weight almost nothing. And people thought they were empty shells when first handed them. But those better have some type of wireless scheme. Because a major part of the comfort issue is the wires.

I've seen people mention the wires before and how they shouldn't be there in a consumer product. I thought they were just filling their word count with stuff to say. But it's no joke. The wires are horrible. They can not be there in the final product if they're aiming for a wide audience. Cause only the truly dedicated are going to put up with this major nuisance.

 

[12thgear]

I don't know how OculusVR could release a wireless Rift any time soon. Just to deliver zero-compression low-lag wireless 1080p video is an expensive proposition. Factor in wireless motion sensitivity too. It may only add a few ms of lag to go wireless, but a lot of what OculusVR is desperately trying to solve is reducing the lag in display updates and motion sensing. As it stands now, there's only one cable going from the Oculus Rift to the breakout box or dongle. IMO what they really need to figure out is fitment issues. I'm not a fan of the current strap system. Sound delivery is another biggie. Speakers? Headphones in addition to the Oculus Rift? Perhaps partner with a few companies to make "Rift Ready" head or earphones that can integrate with it elegantly and comfortably?

Definitely with you on the comfort. It's not even remotely close to being a consumer product at the moment. Carmack was talking about how Facebook is hoping 1 billion people use VR in the future. This product is a dud if it ships with wires. I know the latest talk is that the prototypes weight almost nothing. And people thought they were empty shells when first handed them. But those better have some type of wireless scheme. Because a major part of the comfort issue is the wires.

I've seen people mention the wires before and how they shouldn't be there in a consumer product. I thought they were just filling their word count with stuff to say. But it's no joke. The wires are horrible. They can not be there in the final product if they're aiming for a wide audience. Cause only the truly dedicated are going to put up with this major nuisance.

 

[oqvist]

Yeah I want to use my nice 600$ headphones please. But realistically I would use iems.

 

[Paul33993]

I realize wireless is probably a technical impossibility, but I still dream this is one of their secret projects they're working on. Because it's definitely a real issue.

 

[Mayaman]

The wire doesn't bother me. I just wish these companies would get an ergonomic specialist. The headset should have a support that goes along the top of your head so that no weight sits on your face at all. And the wire should exit from the top of the device and travel along the top center support and exit at the rear.

I mean, how hard is it to get something like this right? I myself have modded an HMZ T1 into a VFX1 shell and its awesome. C'mon Oculus, use that facebook money to hire ergonomic specialists.

 

[bevo]

The wire doesn't bother me. I just wish these companies would get an ergonomic specialist. The headset should have a support that goes along the top of your head so that no weight sits on your face at all. And the wire should exit from the top of the device and travel along the top center support and exit at the rear.

I mean, how hard is it to get something like this right? I myself have modded an HMZ T1 into a VFX1 shell and its awesome. C'mon Oculus, use that facebook money to hire ergonomic specialists.

I feel this way too. I actually prefer wired with my stuff. A battery would just make it heavier. Comfort is my main concern. I don't notice the weight to much while playing games with it but when trying to watch a 3d movie in it, it feels like its enormous and really tight.

 

[Mayaman]

LOLOLOLOL

I love being right. I see a box on my stoop, I open it, ita the DK2. Alas, the cable and strap go over your head and out the back. Also detachable.

Well done Oculus.

 

[bevo]

Played a racing game in the dk2 a little tonight. Way better than the dk1. You can see much farther into the distance and seemed liken it can now be a viable replacement for triple screen setups. The 3D was way better than anything else I've tried on it so far and that includes elite dangerous.
It was better looking than I expected. I played iracing in the DK1 and this was world's better. I can't wait until iracing gets their support going for this.

 

[Paul33993]

LOLOLOLOL

I love being right. I see a box on my stoop, I open it, ita the DK2. Alas, the cable and strap go over your head and out the back. Also detachable.

Well done Oculus.

I'm right too. LOL

Can't be wrong about an opinion. That's the beauty of it. I'll still stand by my opinion that if people are going to cry about the non-issue of 3D Vision glasses, they're going to throw a fit over the comfort/cord issues of this.

Although to be fair, if you watch the video I posted at the top of this page, Carmack admits that Facebook doesn't really care at all about the CV1 that's going to be released for PC. They understand for casuals to ever accept this, it's going to have to be a all-in-one device that addresses all those issues. So it seems like CV1 is more like an iteration release.

I don't really get the point of the cables going out the back. I wish they went out the front. Because big deal if they go out the back. They then have to wrap back around (unless your computer is somehow behind you). And considering the cord is only 10 feet and you need to sit at least 5 feet away, it's not like you have a lot of slack. Poor decision in my book.

 

[bevo]

I'm right too. LOL

Can't be wrong about an opinion. That's the beauty of it. I'll still stand by my opinion that if people are going to cry about the non-issue of 3D Vision glasses, they're going to throw a fit over the comfort/cord issues of this.

Although to be fair, if you watch the video I posted at the top of this page, Carmack admits that Facebook doesn't really care at all about the CV1 that's going to be released for PC. They understand for casuals to ever accept this, it's going to have to be a all-in-one device that addresses all those issues. So it seems like CV1 is more like an iteration release.

I don't really get the point of the cables going out the back. I wish they went out the front. Because big deal if they go out the back. They then have to wrap back around (unless your computer is somehow behind you). And considering the cord is only 10 feet and you need to sit at least 5 feet away, it's not like you have a lot of slack. Poor decision in my book.

why would you want the cable coming out of the front? How would you route that where it wasn't touching you. It would hit your arms or chest. Or if you pulled it to the side somehow you would feel it pulling that direction. You would need tension somewhere to keep it off you. Out the back you don't even realize it's there. I haven't had one person try it and mention the cord even being there or noticing it. I would rather wrap them back around later then to have to try and keep them off of me immediately. You can also use extenders. I've got the USB and HDMI plugged into longer cords. It doesn't seem to add any latency at all. I've tried it both ways and can't tell a bit of difference. Different adapters might give different results though. I might have gotten lucky with mine.

 

[Mayaman]

Huh? Why would the cable come out of the front??? That would not only make it impossible to move in the Vituix Omni, but also make the headset front heavy.

The cord running out of the top of the headset balances the cord weight perfectly, goes over the top of your head, and then down the back. Its perfect.

 

[Paul33993]

Because it's still wrapping immediately back to the front again? But instead of just heading in that direction in the first place, it does a circular route around the head.

Hey, I'm just giving my opinion. I think the thing kind of sucks. Which is an unpopular opinion and people don't like to hear any opinion that doesn't jive with their own. It's why the gaming industry grades on the 7 - 10 scale.

I remember a RockPaperShotgun article a month or so ago (or maybe it was their E3 podcast). I was eagerly anticipating their impressions of DK2. And they were the one place that were completely meh. And I was pretty annoyed. They didn't get it, I thought. The one guy was like: The problem he had with the DK1 was he found himself wishing he could play all games in it. But when he actually wore it, he hated strapping himself into the goggles. And he just wasn't excited about VR unless they could find a way to do it without the goggles. I get it now. I unfortunately get why people could hate it. I've never hated 3D vision glasses, but I've quickly grown to hate these goggles.

Was holding out that sim racing could finally swing me around. Live for Speed released their patch. While it's pretty cool inside the car, in long straightways, it's definitely difficult to see the horizon. And worse for me, it was the first really extended go I gave with it. And I was literally having rolls of sweat streaming down my face (that I could feel). Nothing else on my body was sweating, but my face and head was a mess. My hair was even starting to get sweaty.

So that's it for my impressions. If people want to hate it, so be it. I've never been a person who blindly defends my purchases and I'm just providing my opinions (Which are definitely counter to the internet group thought that it's amazing). I think it's healthy for people to hear dissenting thoughts and consider whether those are issues that would bother them. I wish I'd read more people giving RPS type of criticism, because I really hate the goggle approach.

 

[Mayaman]

LOL I have no problem with your opinion my friend, I'm strictly speaking from an ergonomic standpoint. I'm no fanboy, I am my own thinker. The Oculus, ideally set up with have a gantry above the use which the wire would go up and move on a assembly on ball bearings. That way its never in the way.

Anyway, nobody is hating your opinion

In my opinion, I'll not use it much for racing. I have two three projector setups, and to me that is still better for my setups. I want the Oculus for Flight sims, first person shooters, and strategy games.

The headset will definitely get better, the consumer version must improve on FOV, FOV is the most important thing to me, I don't want any hint of a screen. Any hint of a screen and my immersion is broken.

 

[bevo]

Gave live for speed a try in the DK2 today. That's the first time I've tried that game in a long time. Worked great but didn't look all that good. It really needs a huge amount of AA and it didn't look like any was being used at all. All the shimmering made it almost impossible to drive. You couldn't see close to far enough down the track. Project cars looks much better with it. Pcars really shows what a racing game can look like in it.

Live for speed does do a great job with the UI though. They have the best UI of any game I've seen on it by far.

 

[Caz]

@Mayaman
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1259519125/cyberith-virtualizer-immersive-virtual-reality-gam

Posted more so because of "the arm" attachment.

 

[Mayaman]

@Mayaman
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1259519125/cyberith-virtualizer-immersive-virtual-reality-gam

Posted more so because of "the arm" attachment.

Hmmmm nice find man, I see a lot of stuff that the Virtuix Omni doesn't have. Seems to have promise for sure!

Yet again someone has picked my brain for an idea. Where are my royalty checks? LOL

 

[Caz]

I like this design alot.
Tactile feedback, the moving ring etc. VR is getting primed to make a huge impact.

 

[chromatic9]

Pretty bad aliasing

I hear what Paul33993 is saying. I outlined some issues like sweating before. Also I think there needs to be a elegant solution to switching from real world to virtual or having the option to having a small area perhaps at the bottom of the Rift to see your keyboard and surroundings, like a switch panel.

Palmer Lucky has stated on a few videos how he sees the future version of a Rift being wireless and even processing all in the unit and some version being more like glasses than goggles or ski mask but we're a long way off for mainstream.

 

[bevo]

Pretty bad aliasing

I hear what Paul33993 is saying. I outlined some issues like sweating before. Also I think there needs to be a elegant solution to switching from real world to virtual or having the option to having a small area perhaps at the bottom of the Rift to see your keyboard and surroundings, like a switch panel.

Palmer Lucky has stated on a few videos how he sees the future version of a Rift being wireless and even processing all in the unit and some version being more like glasses than goggles or ski mask but we're a long way off for mainstream.

The aliasing is much worse than in that video. The resolution seems like it would be ok but the aliasing is crazy. Everything shimmers really bad and it looks like everything is moving around. I don't known if AA isn't working on it or what but if you could get some massive AA going it would be very race able.

 

[Vimes]

Im in the same camp as the others who Think that 3 monitors still will be better performance wise when it comes to Sim Racing. The Oculus will be great for immersion but when you talk about competiveness i Think a 3 monitor setup will still be better.

 

[AussieStig]

Im in the same camp as the others who Think that 3 monitors still will be better performance wise when it comes to Sim Racing. The Oculus will be great for immersion but when you talk about competiveness i Think a 3 monitor setup will still be better.

This might help you decide otherwise mate, cheers AussieStig

 

[Mayaman]

I've had DK1 and now DK2 and can say with 100% assurance that the Rift even in consumer kit will not completely replace my triple projector setup. It will be mainly for games like Skyrim, horror games, and adventure games.

I will of course use it for racing as its awesome, but I still like seeing my cockpit and instruments.

 

[oqvist]

So even if the consumer version has no input lag perfectly sharp 8K OLED not LCD it won´t work for simracing?

Wonder how effective headband solutions would be to solve the head sweat.

 

[insert coin]

I think CV1 won't get an 8K screen: there's not a single graphics card that can handle that many pixels at 75 Hz. Even now with the DK2 you need a high end PC + graphics card to get a stutter free 75 Hz image projected on the Rift, and that's 'only' HD (1920 x 1080).
Edit: the 'canvas resolution' is higher than HD (= flat image), then the barrel distortion is being done and then it's displayed onto the Rift. See here. That's why the load is much higher on the PC + graphics card using a Rift, compared to a 2D monitor.

 

[12thgear]

I hear what you're saying. I've only experienced DK1 and it's great, but it can still be disconcerting when your hands don't sync up with the virtual you in the VR cockpit. If your conventional screen-based rig is set up well it's often more immersive to disable the virtual steering wheel and avatar in the sim since you've got the real physical objects right in front of you. In VR you want visual confirmation that the wheel you're touching is somehow really there in the virtual environment. I don't know what the solution is. Hand tracking perhaps?

I've had DK1 and now DK2 and can say with 100% assurance that the Rift even in consumer kit will not completely replace my triple projector setup. It will be mainly for games like Skyrim, horror games, and adventure games.

I will of course use it for racing as its awesome, but I still like seeing my cockpit and instruments.

 

[AussieStig]

I am very excited, just this minute I received my shipping notice, check it out: Yippeeee I have LFS and Patch ready to go, at least there is one decent sim to try out when it arrives. I know it's not perfect but its better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick!!!! Aussie vernacular for not too bad!!!!

Cheers AussieStig

 

[Paul33993]

It just dawned on me that using Voice Attack to launch applications (when in Extended Mode and the Rift is primary display) is the absolute way to go. If you have Voice Attack. Which you should, anyways, if you plan on racing a lot in VR.

 

[Mayaman]

Good recommendation Paul

 

[insert coin]

Too bad you need to have Windows 7 installed in English language to get speech recognition working. If you have Windows Home Premium you cannot switch to English (only possible on Windows 7 Ultimate). There are hacks to overcome this for Home Premium, but they are risky: you might lose activation. If someone has a solution, please let me know.

 

[Paul33993]

/\

Yeah. There's a lot of info in the Voice Attack thread here, but I'm assuming you've tried those recommendations and it's what you're referring to?

EDIT: Because I was talking about a macro I setup, which was completely unnecessary in hindsight.