'Jittery'? Not here mate. You didn't have it set up properly I would say. But will you come back to VR when the resolution increases beyond a threshold where you like it?
Want to know what ED is like in DK2?
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'Jittery'? Not here mate. You didn't have it set up properly I would say. But will you come back to VR when the resolution increases beyond a threshold where you like it?
I love my DK2 and wouldn't play ED without it but would be surprised if anyone disagrees with this (including Oculus
). Crescent Bay only made me want CV1 now!
Absolutely.
That's exactly how I feel... I couldn't go back to a monitor now, it just looks... flat....
I must be one of the unlucky few.
E: D is totally AMAZING with the rift. Granted. No argument.
However I just feel the drop in resolution and the inablity to read text is killing my eyesight. FPS is also seemingly great with the rift active (when I move the joystick movement / fps is silky smooth). Again, "however", when I move my head the movement is a little jerky. Certianly not up to the quality of the Rift's demo table.......
Coupled with needing to drop to desktop quite frequently means I'm choosing to use the monitor over the Rift.
Luckily I'm testing the Rift for school, so can look forward to purchasing the full version when it's out !!!!
E: D is totally AMAZING with the rift. Granted. No argument.
However I just feel the drop in resolution and the inablity to read text is killing my eyesight. FPS is also seemingly great with the rift active (when I move the joystick movement / fps is silky smooth). Again, "however", when I move my head the movement is a little jerky. Certianly not up to the quality of the Rift's demo table.......
Coupled with needing to drop to desktop quite frequently means I'm choosing to use the monitor over the Rift.
Luckily I'm testing the Rift for school, so can look forward to purchasing the full version when it's out !!!!
Just my 2 cents:
Running ED with the rift without a good rig (recent and mid/high-end gpu) will detract massively from the experience. With a good setup, ED is smooth and the immersion is fantastic. Sure, the goggles do get hot but would I swap the DK2 for a monitor again? Never. When using the rift I am IN the ship IN space instead of just looking at a moving image of it.
VR is definitely not a gimmick, it is amazing even with the dk2 and will replace monitors fully within 10 years.
Running ED with the rift without a good rig (recent and mid/high-end gpu) will detract massively from the experience. With a good setup, ED is smooth and the immersion is fantastic. Sure, the goggles do get hot but would I swap the DK2 for a monitor again? Never. When using the rift I am IN the ship IN space instead of just looking at a moving image of it.
VR is definitely not a gimmick, it is amazing even with the dk2 and will replace monitors fully within 10 years.
Glad you guys liked the piece I wrote it because trying to put into words what you see through the Rift is just really, really hard—and screenshots and movies don't help. You really do just have to strap one on and try it out.
I think that the complaint about not being able to see what's around you in the real world with your peripheral vision is a little off—not that it's not a valid complaint, because how you feel is going to be how you feel, but rather that you might have misplaced expectations. That being said, I find that to make the Rift work with my face I have to crank the eye relief all the way out, and there's a pretty significant light gap around my nose—enough of a gap that I can hold my phone below my nose and look down and read e-mail with the Rift on. If I adjust the eye relief so the rift is closer, my eyelashes start brushing the lenses when I blink and that just feels too damn weird.
The DK2 is this weird mix of "holy crap this is amazing" and "holy crap this looks like crap." The fact that the optimizations aren't in place yet to make it work without stuttering even on high-end hardware is a bit of a downer, but the whole point of the development kits is to let devs work on that exact thing. The low resolution is a downer, too—it's really hard to tell what the hell kind of ship you've got targeted if it's more than maybe 100 meters away, unless it's an Anaconda or something equally enormous. And the FOV on the DK2's infrared camera is annoyingly narrow—feels like i'm always hitting the edge of the detection cone RIGHT when I'm about to see something really interesting behind or below me.
But still, it manages to make my jaw drop at least once per play session. Even though it cost $350, I'm happy I plunked down the money (Ars didn't pay for my DK2—it's mine, mine, mine). I justified it by telling myself that I've spent more than $350 for video cards that I've kept for less time than I'll keep the DK2, because I'm sick like that.
I wrote it because trying to put into words what you see through the Rift is just really, really hard—and screenshots and movies don't help. You really do just have to strap one on and try it out.You're taking heat, but you're also not wrong, either. It is blurry if you're not looking right through the lenses' sweet spot, and it's blurry around the edges no matter what. And it gets hot and sweaty after an uncomfortably short amount of time. When my coworker Kyle tried out the Crescent Bay prototype, he noted that CB was significantly more comfortable to wear than the DK2. I'd expect that to be even more true with the consumer version when it eventually lands.
I think that the complaint about not being able to see what's around you in the real world with your peripheral vision is a little off—not that it's not a valid complaint, because how you feel is going to be how you feel, but rather that you might have misplaced expectations. That being said, I find that to make the Rift work with my face I have to crank the eye relief all the way out, and there's a pretty significant light gap around my nose—enough of a gap that I can hold my phone below my nose and look down and read e-mail with the Rift on. If I adjust the eye relief so the rift is closer, my eyelashes start brushing the lenses when I blink and that just feels too damn weird.
The DK2 is this weird mix of "holy crap this is amazing" and "holy crap this looks like crap." The fact that the optimizations aren't in place yet to make it work without stuttering even on high-end hardware is a bit of a downer, but the whole point of the development kits is to let devs work on that exact thing. The low resolution is a downer, too—it's really hard to tell what the hell kind of ship you've got targeted if it's more than maybe 100 meters away, unless it's an Anaconda or something equally enormous. And the FOV on the DK2's infrared camera is annoyingly narrow—feels like i'm always hitting the edge of the detection cone RIGHT when I'm about to see something really interesting behind or below me.
But still, it manages to make my jaw drop at least once per play session. Even though it cost $350, I'm happy I plunked down the money (Ars didn't pay for my DK2—it's mine, mine, mine). I justified it by telling myself that I've spent more than $350 for video cards that I've kept for less time than I'll keep the DK2, because I'm sick like that.
I hear you with the video cards. There was appoint I swore I'd never get stuck in the video card buying cycle again, and now Elite and the DK2 have me with a whole new PC, and looking at a second GPU. What have I done?!!
I really enjoyed reading your article, it mirrored in so many ways the experience I have been having with my rift.
I really enjoyed reading your article, it mirrored in so many ways the experience I have been having with my rift.
Regarding stuttering and video cards needed, I can provide some info about my experience in case it helps someone:
We recently built a PC specifically for testing VR content and ED in the DK2 is actually 100% smooth on that rig. And by smooth I mean absolutely no perceived latency with head and positional tracking and solid frame rate. The only place where it is slightly laggy is in the galaxy map, but I have seen that in non-OR videos so I think that is likely mostly down to ED not being optimized in that area yet. Please note that this description excludes lag and hickups that are definitely caused by ED itself and not the GPU struggling (for example, stutters when loading in new areas in SC etc.).
We use a single GTX980 run by a Intel i7 4790K through a Z97 Deluxe board.
I am a bit concerned that the processor only has 4 cores (which is listed as minimum for ED) but we wanted a realistic benchmark machine.
Anyway, my point is that the only problems with the OR at this time in my opinion is resolution, comfort and to a lesser extent the narrow FOV of the head tracking camera. Neither of these are problems big enough to detract too much from the experience. ED is an mind-boggling experience in VR and hands down the best one out there at the moment IMHO. If you have a modern rig and the cash for a DK2 knowing that the consumer version might be released within a year, then go for it. It *is* worth it.
We recently built a PC specifically for testing VR content and ED in the DK2 is actually 100% smooth on that rig. And by smooth I mean absolutely no perceived latency with head and positional tracking and solid frame rate. The only place where it is slightly laggy is in the galaxy map, but I have seen that in non-OR videos so I think that is likely mostly down to ED not being optimized in that area yet. Please note that this description excludes lag and hickups that are definitely caused by ED itself and not the GPU struggling (for example, stutters when loading in new areas in SC etc.).
We use a single GTX980 run by a Intel i7 4790K through a Z97 Deluxe board.
I am a bit concerned that the processor only has 4 cores (which is listed as minimum for ED) but we wanted a realistic benchmark machine.
Anyway, my point is that the only problems with the OR at this time in my opinion is resolution, comfort and to a lesser extent the narrow FOV of the head tracking camera. Neither of these are problems big enough to detract too much from the experience. ED is an mind-boggling experience in VR and hands down the best one out there at the moment IMHO. If you have a modern rig and the cash for a DK2 knowing that the consumer version might be released within a year, then go for it. It *is* worth it.
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I love my Rift.
Yes, it's hot, sweaty, uncomfortable to wear for long periods... and it's perfect for Elite. Remember you are wearing a helmet in-game. These things simply add to my over-used 'immersion'.
It's also a faff to setup every time as I use VoiceAttack with a headset too - plus an x52 which needs a custom profile - and everything has to be loaded & in the correct order or it screws up, prior to actually launching the game.
Again, I simply see those as pre-flight checks.
The text is also blurry, I get occasional stutter, and all the other issues that people have had. It's not a perfect system... it's a development kit.
But it makes E: D ridiculously fun & immersive.
Yes, it's hot, sweaty, uncomfortable to wear for long periods... and it's perfect for Elite. Remember you are wearing a helmet in-game. These things simply add to my over-used 'immersion'.
It's also a faff to setup every time as I use VoiceAttack with a headset too - plus an x52 which needs a custom profile - and everything has to be loaded & in the correct order or it screws up, prior to actually launching the game.
Again, I simply see those as pre-flight checks.
The text is also blurry, I get occasional stutter, and all the other issues that people have had. It's not a perfect system... it's a development kit.
But it makes E: D ridiculously fun & immersive.
People are different, its as simple as that. Not everybody will be willing to accept worse graphics for better immersion. Personally I've started playing ED in the Rift and will never be able to switch to a monitor for it. It just doesn't feel right. It feels like playing a great space sim vs. flying an actual spaceship. Easy choice for me, despite the drawbacks!
The thing the pessimists here need to keep reminding themselves off is this: it is a developer kit running beta software on beta drivers. Playing with a DK2 is just for VR enthusiasts. Those who are willing to sacrifice visual fidelity for graphical prowess. This is not an objective choice, its something everybody needs to decide for himself.
Note: IMO it will not stay that way. One day in a few years we will be at a point where we regard those still playing ED on a monitor similarly as we regard those that today still insist on using an old Nokia candybar phone...
The thing the pessimists here need to keep reminding themselves off is this: it is a developer kit running beta software on beta drivers. Playing with a DK2 is just for VR enthusiasts. Those who are willing to sacrifice visual fidelity for graphical prowess. This is not an objective choice, its something everybody needs to decide for himself.
Note: IMO it will not stay that way. One day in a few years we will be at a point where we regard those still playing ED on a monitor similarly as we regard those that today still insist on using an old Nokia candybar phone...
Another additional comment:
While I understand that everyone is different I would like to underscore the importance of giving the Rift a proper chance.
Please do not discount it before you have personally tried it on a suitable system that is properly set up. No amount of reading articles, forums or watching youtube videos will properly convey how effectively the Rift can fool your brain into thinking that you are somewhere else entirely.
If, after testing, you still think that the experience is not worth the inconvenience of not being able to reach your coffee or being a bit hot in the face, then fair enough.
While I understand that everyone is different I would like to underscore the importance of giving the Rift a proper chance.
Please do not discount it before you have personally tried it on a suitable system that is properly set up. No amount of reading articles, forums or watching youtube videos will properly convey how effectively the Rift can fool your brain into thinking that you are somewhere else entirely.
If, after testing, you still think that the experience is not worth the inconvenience of not being able to reach your coffee or being a bit hot in the face, then fair enough.
Greetings all,
Some of the latest developments in the market show that OLED may be where the next version of the rift moves to. Having 120Hz capability, super fast colour swapping, and being able to bend the screen around the users eyes for a full field of view.
- The ability to drive these effects has changed also, some of the top end cards are about to arrive with quite a few more GPU's on board. (Nvidia has one with 8 GPU's linked, 12Gb per GPU, that's just crazy!)
- The gaming industry is driving this product forward, but there are also many industry and military application's that are contributing to it speed to 'get it working correctly'.
(I did watch a military application with see through devices that showed a maintainer what elements needed to be worked on, what tools were needed and where and how to use them. Totally changed how systems are used and how much faster tasks were completed.)
We are already seeing remote use of devices using systems similar to the rift, incorporating touch sensitive elements to the user for the remote operation of equipment and machines.
- Where the Rift may loose some 'reality' is in the persons ability to 'glance' outside the normal view area without turning your head. We use this method for perception of the environment around us on a normal basis, without even thinking about it.
I'm hoping for this type of device to be pushed forward and incorporate the latest cutting edge tech that is appearing 'outside' of labs and research areas.
9erRed
Some of the latest developments in the market show that OLED may be where the next version of the rift moves to. Having 120Hz capability, super fast colour swapping, and being able to bend the screen around the users eyes for a full field of view.
- The ability to drive these effects has changed also, some of the top end cards are about to arrive with quite a few more GPU's on board. (Nvidia has one with 8 GPU's linked, 12Gb per GPU, that's just crazy!)
- The gaming industry is driving this product forward, but there are also many industry and military application's that are contributing to it speed to 'get it working correctly'.
(I did watch a military application with see through devices that showed a maintainer what elements needed to be worked on, what tools were needed and where and how to use them. Totally changed how systems are used and how much faster tasks were completed.)
We are already seeing remote use of devices using systems similar to the rift, incorporating touch sensitive elements to the user for the remote operation of equipment and machines.
- Where the Rift may loose some 'reality' is in the persons ability to 'glance' outside the normal view area without turning your head. We use this method for perception of the environment around us on a normal basis, without even thinking about it.
I'm hoping for this type of device to be pushed forward and incorporate the latest cutting edge tech that is appearing 'outside' of labs and research areas.
9erRed
Since I'm brand new to my Rift I might share my experience.
I was pre-warned about the 'screen door' effect, everyone should be, as it does detract from the experience. If you're used to the crisp beautiful Elite on your high res screen, this isnt it. yet.
What it IS though is amazing. It's the true feeeling of being inside a freaking huge space ship. I'm still tweaking my settings, mainly to get the framerate up so I dont feel so queasy after a session, but even with the harder to read text (lean into it, it helps) and the not so crystal clear graphics the experience is still one that is out of this world. The ship really feels liek it is around you, like you are inside it. In a way that my big screen and TrackIR setup just doesnt achieve. In a away that is so different from any 3D movie you've ever watched that the comparison just isnt valid.
There's a demo I checked out, SightLine. It had me gripping the arm rests of my chair to look around the feeling was that real, it fooled my brain that well that I felt like I was at risk of falling. In Elite I dont need to grip my arm rests, I've got my hands on my Saitek stick and throttle, and they're the same ones as I see in game. I've read about experimental work being doen with VR and sense of limbs etc, and it's so true. Those limbs feel like mine. Even not lined up quite where mine are placed, after a short while i THINK my arms are in the same position.
I may be lucky in the experince I'm having. But it's not without a few hassles. I cant wear my glasses in teh headset. I tried, withthe shorter lenses, but the chromatic aberations made it unusable. So I have to consciously relax my eyes and not try and use my eyes to look so much as my head. I'm getting a bit Simsick, I've felt a bit 'off' afterwards and thats carried on through the next day. However this tech is going to move forward at leaps and bounds now, and a bit of simsickness isnt going to keep me away. That will go away. VR is not likely to this time around.
EDIT - and now I read the link from the first post. yes. yes to all he says. That's why he's a games journalist and I'm writing forums posts
Sums up my experience quite nicely
You are effectively looking into infinity.
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I tried looking close at a G Note 3 phone today up to about 6 inches away ok, but closer than that it got blurred.
I use the Rift no probs.
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I cannot see clearly until about 4 feet away without my cheaters. This sounds like it will not work unless I can wear my glasses at the same time or they have some diopter available to place over the screen.