VR Not Ready for Prime Time

[Xintar]

After having read all the hype about VR over the past year, I had intended to purchase a VR system this December or January. But I tend to be a bit cautious about initial tech revolutions, so I decided to research the three devices I'd been considering. Lord knows, there are numerous print and YTube reviews and comparisons to draw from.

And of course, I tried both the OR and the VIVE personally, both from friends and in-store demos, and while the effect is truly impressive, it's just not impressive enough to justify the cost for a technology that will doubtless improve in both price and quality in the near future.

I am fortunate enough to afford the latest 1080i graphics cards, motherboard, cooler, and HD wide-screen curved monitor for a high-end gaming machine that I had professionally built specifically for ED and, hopefully, as a prelude to purchasing a VR headset this xmas.

While I haven't personally tried it, the latest Pimax 8K-X was also in the running from the impressive kickstart promotion, and I must say that its screen resolution appears to be significantly better than either the OR and VIVE, but the extreme FOV distortion around the edges is a non-starter for me. This from the latest TECH review.

Until the issues of pixelation, window screening, distortion around the edges, tunnel vision, god rays, close-up drop off, artifacts (worse in some games than in others), and overall resolution are resolved, and software issues, such as in the OR which required my friend to run through set-up repeatedly are ironed out, I'm on the sidelines.

Until then, I'm content to wait for the next-gen of these devices which will inevitably be lighter, sharper, faster, and perhaps cheaper, to arrive. It is the way of all tech. I do expect the next generation of games made expressly to take advantage of these improvements in VR capability to multiply as well.

I fully understand and appreciate the excitement the immersive experience VR creates, and if one is willing to accept the drop off of visual quality from a high-end screen and graphics processor, and if one has the kopecs to spend, go for it-- game on.

I don't intend to rain on anybody's bandwagon, but as of now, I'm simply not quite ready to jump on.
Respectfully submitted.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

Well, that's just like your opinion man.

 

[Alec Turner]

I think that's a very reasonably considered and written conclusion. I've been enjoying my Rift for over a year now but I also acknowledge most if not all of your reservations about it. I really hope you get the VR experience you're looking for man ... it's awesome once you're happy with it!

 

[CylonSurfer]

After having read all the hype about VR over the past year, I had intended to purchase a VR system this December or January. But I tend to be a bit cautious about initial tech revolutions, so I decided to research the three devices I'd been considering. Lord knows, there are numerous print and YTube reviews and comparisons to draw from.

And of course, I tried both the OR and the VIVE personally, both from friends and in-store demos, and while the effect is truly impressive, it's just not impressive enough to justify the cost for a technology that will doubtless improve in both price and quality in the near future.

I am fortunate enough to afford the latest 1080i graphics cards, motherboard, cooler, and HD wide-screen curved monitor for a high-end gaming machine that I had professionally built specifically for ED and, hopefully, as a prelude to purchasing a VR headset this xmas.

While I haven't personally tried it, the latest Pimax 8K-X was also in the running from the impressive kickstart promotion, and I must say that its screen resolution appears to be significantly better than either the OR and VIVE, but the extreme FOV distortion around the edges is a non-starter for me. This from the latest TECH review.

Until the issues of pixelation, window screening, distortion around the edges, tunnel vision, god rays, close-up drop off, artifacts (worse in some games than in others), and overall resolution are resolved, and software issues, such as in the OR which required my friend to run through set-up repeatedly are ironed out, I'm on the sidelines.

Until then, I'm content to wait for the next-gen of these devices which will inevitably be lighter, sharper, faster, and perhaps cheaper, to arrive. It is the way of all tech. I do expect the next generation of games made expressly to take advantage of these improvements in VR capability to multiply as well.

I fully understand and appreciate the excitement the immersive experience VR creates, and if one is willing to accept the drop off of visual quality from a high-end screen and graphics processor, and if one has the kopecs to spend, go for it-- game on.

I don't intend to rain on anybody's bandwagon, but as of now, I'm simply not quite ready to jump on.
Respectfully submitted.

Maybe you should rethink your thread title. It is, after all just your opinion and not fact as your title suggests.

 

[Kerrash]

...Until then, I'm content to wait for the next-gen ...

The biggest problem with all tech, something new is always coming

 

[loribee]

out of curiosity, which review did you read that told you about the screen distortion? I had a hands on with the unit recently in San Francisco, and I never experienced that?

why do you think VR is not ready for Prime time? That's a pretty broad statement.

I'm using a pretty sweet setup for Non VR (in fact, less than your specs) but I still love putting on my headset and cruising about in VR - I am using the current Pimax 4k B headset, and I don't have any issues with most of the things you mentioned, and the Pimax 8k will correct the ones that are not quite there on my current headset. (the main one being the wider FOV)

 

[Alec Turner]

Maybe you should rethink your thread title. It is, after all just your opinion and not fact as you title suggests.

Good point, I forgot about the title ... totally agree with this. For me, VR has very definitely landed. It's here, it's real and it's consumer ready.

 

[Frank]

The Piman 8K does look good. There were people posting on another part of the forum that they'd sorted the distortion problems. But I'd like to see for myself before I part with any of my hard-earned cash. I'm in no rush to upgrade my headset so I can wait to see the other VR makers' response to this new competitor. The CV1 does me fine for now.

 

[Zeeman]

... tunnel vision...

OK, so, with your nice curved monitor, sit down and tell me how much of your vision (field of view) it takes up.I guarantee it is LESS than what you get using a VR headset.

The problem is, in a VR headset, the unused areas are black, and people see it as wasted space. In the real world, we have books, shelves, desks, walls, paintings, half eaten pizzas and empty beer bottles lying around... They distract you from seeing how small the field of view is on a monitor or TV. I have a 55" TV I use for ED, that I sit about 1.5m away from, and the field if view is less than my rift.

Z...

 

[Micha]

I mostly agree with you, OP, but nevertheless I ended up buying an OR when the price dropped this summer.

I used it a bit but not much - the quality just wasn't there compared to my nice 1440p 140MHz screen (and dual-monitoring for all those essential add-on apps). Every time I tried it it was "WOW, immersion", but shortly after followed by "meh, quality". So mostly it's been gathering dust.

However, during the last week I used my OR more again, partially because I was just doing some combat missions so not really using third-party apps much. The quality is still meh, but the immersion gets better the more you play it and is seriously good for combat. The graphical quality starts seeming not quite so important.

As others have said, it's tech, it will ALWAYS get better and cheaper. But in the meantime, you're missing out. And that's just up to you whether you want to wait for the tech to reach a level that's "perfect" for you, or whether to take something "acceptable" and enjoy it for what it is until the tech improves.

 

[dogbite]

Your not alone. "1 or 2" others have started a similar thread in the last year and a half. So even though you are entitled to this opinion you are in a very very small minority. Your title should have read "not ready for me". Like going into a church and claiming there is no god, I fail see your reason for wanting to post such a provocative statement in a VR support thread. You suggest you have tried enough current tech to satisfy yourself that it isn't up to what YOU are willing to invested in right now and that is exactly what is recommended here by so many and so often. VR is something that has to be experienced to be understood. I have put many people into my Rift to demo Elite Dangerous, Lone Echo, Dirt Rally, DCS World, Robo Recall, The Climb and OH how I could go on and to a person all have wanted VR because of it and some have it. It isn't that some of your issues there, it is just that after a few days playing inside, the brain (wonderful piece of kit that IT is) adapts and things like lower res, sde godrays, etc fade to a hardly noticed, if at all, state. Anyone who floats around the station with Liv in Lone Echo that has a decent enough rig to run it properly and claims this tech isn't good enough is just crazy, IMO.

 

[Frank]

However, during the last week I used my OR more again, partially because I was just doing some combat missions so not really using third-party apps much. The quality is still meh, but the immersion gets better the more you play it and is seriously good for combat. The graphical quality starts seeming not quite so important.

This is a good point. People are coming on to this part of the forum just to express their opinion that VR isn't good enough yet. It might be a idea to tell these people that they are absolutely right, and that they are much better facing us in combat with their flat little rectangular windows, because their displays have a much higher resolution.

 

[Strangepork]

After having read all the hype about VR over the past year, I had intended to purchase a VR system this December or January. But I tend to be a bit cautious about initial tech revolutions, so I decided to research the three devices I'd been considering. Lord knows, there are numerous print and YTube reviews and comparisons to draw from.

And of course, I tried both the OR and the VIVE personally, both from friends and in-store demos, and while the effect is truly impressive, it's just not impressive enough to justify the cost for a technology that will doubtless improve in both price and quality in the near future.

I am fortunate enough to afford the latest 1080i graphics cards, motherboard, cooler, and HD wide-screen curved monitor for a high-end gaming machine that I had professionally built specifically for ED and, hopefully, as a prelude to purchasing a VR headset this xmas.

While I haven't personally tried it, the latest Pimax 8K-X was also in the running from the impressive kickstart promotion, and I must say that its screen resolution appears to be significantly better than either the OR and VIVE, but the extreme FOV distortion around the edges is a non-starter for me. This from the latest TECH review.

Until the issues of pixelation, window screening, distortion around the edges, tunnel vision, god rays, close-up drop off, artifacts (worse in some games than in others), and overall resolution are resolved, and software issues, such as in the OR which required my friend to run through set-up repeatedly are ironed out, I'm on the sidelines.

Until then, I'm content to wait for the next-gen of these devices which will inevitably be lighter, sharper, faster, and perhaps cheaper, to arrive. It is the way of all tech. I do expect the next generation of games made expressly to take advantage of these improvements in VR capability to multiply as well.

I fully understand and appreciate the excitement the immersive experience VR creates, and if one is willing to accept the drop off of visual quality from a high-end screen and graphics processor, and if one has the kopecs to spend, go for it-- game on.

I don't intend to rain on anybody's bandwagon, but as of now, I'm simply not quite ready to jump on.
Respectfully submitted.

I went for a second hand dk2 170 quid which runs OK on my 980m laptop. Not looked back since. It's the dogs...

 

[PIXEL]

Your post is respectfully received but my advice to you is take a risk (big in your case) and plunge deeply into VR - it's been a while 'out there' as it were, so best to judge by experience if you expect anyone to respect your opinion. We've done it and for the most part are happy to enjoy the journey.

Good luck

 

[loribee]

I mostly agree with you, OP, but nevertheless I ended up buying an OR when the price dropped this summer.

I used it a bit but not much - the quality just wasn't there compared to my nice 1440p 140MHz screen (and dual-monitoring for all those essential add-on apps). Every time I tried it it was "WOW, immersion", but shortly after followed by "meh, quality". So mostly it's been gathering dust.

However, during the last week I used my OR more again, partially because I was just doing some combat missions so not really using third-party apps much. The quality is still meh, but the immersion gets better the more you play it and is seriously good for combat. The graphical quality starts seeming not quite so important.

As others have said, it's tech, it will ALWAYS get better and cheaper. But in the meantime, you're missing out. And that's just up to you whether you want to wait for the tech to reach a level that's "perfect" for you, or whether to take something "acceptable" and enjoy it for what it is until the tech improves.

Yeah, I'm probably spoiled because I use a Pimax 4k BE headset, it's really not that different in clarity to my 21:9 widescreen (especially with the super-sample dialed up) - but you're right, in VR it's all about the immersion. if you're getting hung up on the resolution when compared to the traditional flat panels. then you're missing the point somewhat

just being able to look around as you're flying around is wonderful, and I still find my jaw dropping at something I've just experienced in the game .. it never does that when I play on my panel ... go figure

 

[Zeeman]

...

However, during the last week I used my OR more again, partially because I was just doing some combat missions so not really using third-party apps much. The quality is still meh, but the immersion gets better the more you play it and is seriously good for combat. The graphical quality starts seeming not quite so important.

Yup - VR is epic for combat. In CQC (when I could find games) the difference between VR and no VR was a kill/death ration of 1:1 vs 2:1. being able to visually track targets, having depth perception, and thus being able to naturally follow your target is a huge advantage. Kind of like looking where you want to go when driving, naturally results in a smoother, faster and safer line.

Z...

 

[dogbite]

Yup - VR is epic for combat. In CQC (when I could find games) the difference between VR and no VR was a kill/death ration of 1:1 vs 2:1. being able to visually track targets, having depth perception, and thus being able to naturally follow your target is a huge advantage. Kind of like looking where you want to go when driving, naturally results in a smoother, faster and safer line.

Z...

Exactly. It is not that higher res monitors don't look better and have an advantage in some ways in gaming situations. Many pilots on the flight sim forums complain of things like target acquisition being more difficult while extolling the virtues of depth perception that allow for that perfect landing of a Huey on a rooftop. Something that is a lot harder to do without VR. As one who owned a 1974 Celica GT for 10 years I complained that Dirt Rally's physics were lame. When VR was added my opinions changed 180 degrees. Being able to see the depth and use the undulations of the road made all the difference. It is a dam near perfect representation of RL but you need VR to drive it at it's best.
As far as waiting for better (I personally would not have missed the last year and a half playing in the Rift), I think Game God John did a great job detailing what was, is and is likely in VR at Connect 4. For those who didn't catch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlYL16-NaOw
Fascinating stuff.

 

[Xintar]

Yes, the title was a bit of clickbait, I plead mea culpa.
I said I was impressed with VR, and I meant it. It's the difference to listening to a Beethoven symphony in mp3 or analogue hi-fidelity in 6.1, speaking strictly as a nerdy audiophile.

When it comes to Ludwig von, well, get out the old turntable...

 

[Birdseed007]

In my view VR now is where VHS was in the 1980's for film lovers. If you're a film buff sure you could do without VHS because you want to wait for bluray but just think of all those years you will miss of loving and appreciating movies even on the limited resolution of VHS. I think with the Pimax 8k we might be about to get DVD and 2-3 years or so from now we might finally see bluray when Oculus finally release a Rift mk2.

In fact I think Elite is the game changer for me. It is so mesmerising in VR that it alone justifies the £400 investment for me.

Birdseed

 

[dogbite]

Yes, the title was a bit of clickbait, I plead mea culpa.
I said I was impressed with VR, and I meant it. It's the difference to listening to a Beethoven symphony in mp3 or analogue hi-fidelity in 6.1, speaking strictly as a nerdy audiophile.

When it comes to Ludwig von, well, get out the old turntable...

As a musician and baby boomer with an extensive vinyl collection, I Grok that, but if you apply that standard then you would have to say digital music isn't "ready" either. In both cases one being better than the other doesn't mean they aren't both good on their own merits. I will listen to digital music if it's based on electric instruments and especially if I have recorded it from my vinyl, but I have no interest in playing in non-VR anymore. In that respect analogue music has a lot in common with VR. There is so much immersive detail in both that is missing in their alternatives. For me, the audio information lost in digitizing music (criminal in classical orchestration)) is almost as bad as the loss of depth information and immersion that occurs in flat screen gaming. How severe that loss is, in both cases, depends on the subject material. Not to say there isn't some loss in VR in visual information over a good monitor, it's just less important than the alternative for the vast majority.