PSVR for PC

[Old Duck]

Now that I'm joining the PC ranks, I'm entertaining the idea of someday playing around with VR. I once owned a PSVR headset, and I actually liked it, but I ended up returning it due to dead pixels. I didn't replace it because the PS4 just isn't powerful enough to do VR correctly IMO. However, a decent PC....

Here is what I am thinking. First, PSVR is cheap, especially during things like Black Friday sales. Second, it uses hardware framerate upscaling, meaning that you only need to send it a 60 fps video stream which it upsamples to 120 fps. This means it should work on more modest PC hardware. As I understand it, PSVR works with PC using special software, but I have questions:

1) Where does the camera plug in? IIRC, the PS4 camera uses a proprietary connector. Or does Trinus use my laptop's webcam?

2) How much CPU does spacial tracking require?

3) How does PSVR on PC compare to PS4? I'm talking more about head tracking and general gameplay integration rather than graphics. I get the sense connecting it to a PC is more of a hack rather than being supported by Sony. Does the PC support the wand controllers as well? Also, does it work with SteamVR?

4) Are there any PC-specific alternatives to PSVR both in price and the ability to work with lower-spec PC hardware?

5) The most important question - anyone using PSVR for Elite Dangerous, and if so, what are your thoughts?

 

[jnTracks]

Yikes. Does this work? What I've heard about PSVR is rough. Very low end headset (which could still barely be driven by it's hardware) and doesn't it only have 3 degrees of freedom?

If you're wanting an inexpensive VR headset for PC I would say look no further than Rift S. That's what I play on and it's great. Detail is very good, and it's all self contained. More details can be found, but at only $400 it's not breaking the bank and you're taking a big step in quality from something like PSVR.
Don't need any cameras for that guy so.... about the CPU question. VR roasts hardware. You want a big CPU. I had a computer that played ED at 1080p all settings maxed and never ran lower than 60fps. Usually over 140fps. This was i5-6400 and GTX 970.
In VR this computer couldn't keep up at all, even at low settings, because the CPU can't feed the GPU fast enough and it all snowballs on itself.

So they got upgraded to i7-7700k and GTX 1660 ti. This let's be do Rift S with med-ish settings and have no real problem. I don't mind some ASW, which I do get in stations.

 

[Arioch]

I second the Rift S suggestion - I was running an original flavour Rift on an i5 4670k & GTX 1060 6Gb at medium settings, but eventually upgraded to an i7 8700 & GTX 1080 and faster RAM - VR loves multi threading and speedy RAM.

I got a Rift S when they came out and I think the picture is fantastic; I’ve played on a PSVR and the difference is substantial. As mentioned above, the Rift S is self contained so no faffing around with sensors.

 

[Old Duck]

My system has GTX 1660 Ti and i7-9750H CPU, fast RAM and SSD. About this Rift S - how does it track your position in 3D space without sensors? Is it using LIDAR or something built into the headset itself? Can I use it for a game like Skyrim VR and actually "walk around"?

 

[Agony_Aunt]

How to connect PlayStation VR to your PC

Thanks to Trinus PSVR, you can now enjoy your VR and non-VR Steam games in PlayStation VR. If this is something you've always wanted to do, I'm here to show you how to get it all set up.

www.windowscentral.com

Whether its worth it is open to question.

But you can try it all out for free and see how it works out.

 

[Old Duck]

Whether its worth it is open to question.

When it comes to spending money, I prefer being proved wrong before opening my wallet. Debate away

 

[Arioch]

My system has GTX 1660 Ti and i7-9750H CPU, fast RAM and SSD. About this Rift S - how does it track your position in 3D space without sensors? Is it using LIDAR or something built into the headset itself? Can I use it for a game like Skyrim VR and actually "walk around"?

It has a constellation of cameras on the headset which combined with accelerometers and, I think, magic, tracks you in 3d space. You need a minimum lighting level (which isn’t much in my experience).

Skyrim VR is magnificent and yes, walking around is a thing. You set up boundaries when using your headset so a virtual neon cage appears in-game if you’re about to smack into a wall or kick your settee or something.

 

[Old Duck]

It has a constellation of cameras on the headset which combined with accelerometers and, I think, magic, tracks you in 3d space. You need a minimum lighting level (which isn’t much in my experience).

Skyrim VR is magnificent and yes, walking around is a thing. You set up boundaries when using your headset so a virtual neon cage appears in-game if you’re about to smack into a wall or kick your settee or something.

I did some quick research on this Rift S, and indeed it seems the better deal for me over PSVR. It even sounds like it has frame interpolation like PSVR has! I also wonder if the internal sensors means the Rift does its own internal spacial processing. That would reduce the burden on the PC.

Hmmmm...... I dunno, getting the wifey to let me buy this gaming pc was one thing, so I'm not sure how much more $$$ I can burn this year! Maybe this Rift will be on an extra good sale come Black Friday! If you really want to sell me on it, I'd like to see some screenshots from ED (assuming you can do still take the shots while in VR) so I can see how it looks at the Rift's resolution and quality settings.

ps - the things it gets negative reviews for, DisplayPort and cable tethering, don't bother me any.

 

[Morbad]

I have an Acer WMR headset that I use with SteamVR (which doesn't require any Steam games or purchases) on my HTPC, that was pretty cheap (I got mine for $200 when it was on sale almost a year ago) and works pretty well. Inside-out tracking (cameras on the headset track the headset's position), just like the Rift S. It's also higher resolution and refresh rate than the Rift S, but inferior FOV and lenses.

Microsoft has been steadily improving WMR and the experience is pretty solid. However, I still don't use it much personally (it was technically a gift for my wife) as I don't like wearing stuff on my face, or using the HTPC (which needs Windows 10 on it) it's connected to. Most of the time I'm perfectly content to sit in front of my 2D displays.

My system has GTX 1660 Ti and i7-9750H CPU

CPU is more than plenty. You'll be thoroughly GPU limited in ED, VR or otherwise.

My two fastest desktops have very comparable specs and their CPUs (a 4.2GHz 5820K and a 4.1GHz 6800K) are roughly 30% slower than the one in your laptop while their GPUs are 50-100% faster (both OCed 1080 Tis)...they are still GPU limited in ED, even in VR.

 

[Arioch]

I did some quick research on this Rift S, and indeed it seems the better deal for me over PSVR. It even sounds like it has frame interpolation like PSVR has! I also wonder if the internal sensors means the Rift does its own internal spacial processing. That would reduce the burden on the PC.

Hmmmm...... I dunno, getting the wifey to let me buy this gaming pc was one thing, so I'm not sure how much more $$$ I can burn this year! Maybe this Rift will be on an extra good sale come Black Friday! If you really want to sell me on it, I'd like to see some screenshots from ED (assuming you can do still take the shots while in VR) so I can see how it looks at the Rift's resolution and quality settings.

ps - the things it gets negative reviews for, DisplayPort and cable tethering, don't bother me any.

That frame interpolation on Rift is called ASW and v2 is pretty much the best version of it going for all the different headsets, when active the game’s frame rate is halved and the “missing” frames are guessed at. In practice this means I get the occasional wobbly line on the HUD when in a Station.

I’m afraid I can’t take relevant screenies as the game takes them from the secondary window on the desktop monitor. There are some comparison videos that feature through-lens shots, but it’s awkward to get the angles just right.

If I had to give a comparison, I’d say PSVR was like 640x480 on a CRT TV, Rift S is like sitting just a bit too close to a 720p monitor

 

[jnTracks]

The ASW (or reproduction, as it’s called for some other headsets) is something they all do and it’s cool. Saves you. But it’s more load on CPU.

 

[Kemo]

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Rift S, especially as I was on a tight budget. I currently run an i5 3570k and a 1080 and with most settings in ED set to med/high, its excellent.

You've probably heard/read this all before, but ED in VR is just another gaming level, if you were anywhere near me i'd suggest swinging by for a demo, but you're not, so would suggest seeing if you can get a demo of the Rift S, even the Oculus demos are excellent.

For seated games, the cable is a non-issue, bouncing about in beat sabre it's a pain, but I didn't get it for that.

The graphical fidelity does take a hit, and is noticeable in ED:VR (there may be appearances of butt leather issues ) but it's forgivable once you realise you are sitting in your ship.

...and, you gotta try canyon skimming in an SLF!

 

[MickyG1982]

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-play-steam-games-playstation-vr

 

[Old Duck]

The graphical fidelity does take a hit, and is noticeable in ED:VR (there may be appearances of butt leather issues ) but it's forgivable once you realise you are sitting in your ship.

IF I go down this road someday, maybe Morbad could write me a VR-friendly shadow file to deal with the EBL and DDS while still maintaining acceptable framerates. I can't imagine ED in VR being much worse that PS4 Slim, and it's really only the shadows that break the game for me on console.

 

[Kemo]

IF I go down this road someday, maybe Morbad could write me a VR-friendly shadow file to deal with the EBL and DDS while still maintaining acceptable framerates. I can't imagine ED in VR being much worse that PS4 Slim, and it's really only the shadows that break the game for me on console.

I hope your EBL woes are done with once moving over to PC, especially in flat, non VR mode.

Looking forward to your reports back.

If you don't go VR, i'd suggest a headtracker, that does offer some great additional depth to seated/cockpit games.

See https://edtrackerpro.mybigcommerce.com/ which I've not used but are supposed to be really good.

I have used TrackIR - but that's a bit pricey for what it is.

 

[jnTracks]

Yeah VR is... unexplainable. When you see a video of someone playing it, it's still flat. You just can't explain it to somebody without them trying it.


I can't play flat games anymore. Full stop. It's like staring at a picture of the game through a small window. And I used to play on a 32 inch monitor. Seems like a postage stamp now.

 

[VR Morgan Grimes]

IF I go down this road someday, maybe Morbad could write me a VR-friendly shadow file to deal with the EBL and DDS while still maintaining acceptable framerates. I can't imagine ED in VR being much worse that PS4 Slim, and it's really only the shadows that break the game for me on console.

Even on lower settings it's better than the PS4 version, you really need to try it in VR though and you'd be more than welcome to come have a go on my system if you're anywhere near hampshire. Also well worth keeping an eye out for a 2nd hand CV1.

 

[sgurr]

Hey Old Duck,
I've got 2 WMR headsets, a Lenovo Explore and a Samsung Odyssey+ and I can highly recommend either and the Microsoft WMR experience in general, it's solid and well implemented, although still requires text file editing to get motion reprojection to work. (ie. 45fps looking like 90fps)
The explorer in particular was an absolute bargain at ~£120, only available second hand now sadly.

You're in the UK right? I could send/lend you one of them if you like, let you experiment on something with a good resolution. I'm in Sheffield.

I have an Acer WMR headset that I use with SteamVR (which doesn't require any Steam games or purchases) on my HTPC, that was pretty cheap (I got mine for $200 when it was on sale almost a year ago) and works pretty well. Inside-out tracking (cameras on the headset track the headset's position), just like the Rift S. It's also higher resolution and refresh rate than the Rift S, but inferior FOV and lenses.

Microsoft has been steadily improving WMR and the experience is pretty solid. However, I still don't use it much personally (it was technically a gift for my wife) as I don't like wearing stuff on my face, or using the HTPC (which needs Windows 10 on it) it's connected to. Most of the time I'm perfectly content to sit in front of my 2D displays.



CPU is more than plenty. You'll be thoroughly GPU limited in ED, VR or otherwise.

My two fastest desktops have very comparable specs and their CPUs (a 4.2GHz 5820K and a 4.1GHz 6800K) are roughly 30% slower than the one in your laptop while their GPUs are 50-100% faster (both OCed 1080 Tis)...they are still GPU limited in ED, even in VR.

Morbad's WMR and Rift comparisons are my experience too, and your laptop will mean settings will have to be lower. You'll only know whether that's acceptable for you by actually using a headset.