Multi monitor setup v Oculus Rift

[Entropy1024]

I have a two monitor setup on my PC, each monitor is a fairly large 1080P screen. I use the two screens for my general PC work, but never for games as the center of focus would be between each screen. Not very useful
So was thinking of getting a third screen. This would then also mean getting a second graphics card, a good one is not cheap, and there possibly may not be a spare slot for the card in my PC anyway.

Then I thought of the Oculus Rift. Not sure how much it will retail for but could possibly be a cheaper option and more fun.

For the people that have played with both setups, what do you think is best? I am worried about the resolution of the Oculus. I'm guessing that the best it will achieve is 1080 pixels vertically and 960 pixels horizontally (as it has to split the image in two, one for each eye). Also a bit concerned with the fatigue factor. I can't stand watching 3D TV, it's just like sandpaper to the eyeballs. If I have issues with 3D TV will I have the same issue with VR headsets?

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Would be very interested in your opinion.

Cheers
Tim

 

[prasak]

Oculus rift is very individual for everyone. I never had problems in 3D cinema or with 3D TVs so I am probably not the right one to advise you, but I can play with OR as long as I want (my longest extreme session was about 6 hours) with a bit of eye exhaustion but no sickness or similar issues I am experiencing in few other games and demos.

It is likely you will have some issues with OR, if you have issues with other 3D things. About the resolution, for splitting it to 1080 x 960, it is multiplied by the fact, that the picture is covering the whole your field of view so its somethingl like you would use 1080p on a 60 inch screen, yes, you can see each and every pixel, but still the game is amazing on OR.

 

[Llyander]

My thoughts on the matter.

I uhm'ed and ah'ed over a three monitor setup, or buying a Rift, as the costs were pretty much the same.

Now the first thing I will say is that you do not necessarily need to buy a new graphics card if you want to run three monitors at once. I've got a GTX 770 and I'm comfortably running three 24" monitors all at the same time off a single card without any problems at all. You need to tweak a couple of the graphic settings, turn the shadows down to "medium", for instance, but the game plays lovely and smooth and looks AMAZING on a triple monitor setup. Depends on the card you have and how beefy it is.

As regards the Rift, if you have trouble with 3D TV then I would STRONGLY advise you to steer clear of the Rift as you're just likely to end up regretting it. The Rift is an amazing bit of kit, but yeah, if you have trouble with that kind of viewing then this isn't for you. Also, if you wear glasses then the Rift is a right pain in the ass to fit on, though you can get around that with special lenses.

I tried the Rift myself and, while nice, in the end I went for three monitors and I haven't regretted it once.

 

[Lestenio]

Bear in mind too that the rift is currently a developer device and not a consumer device.

Rift support in ED is great but not without its issues. Clarity of text for example. The consumer version will be better

 

[Hap]

If your current card can't run 3 monitors then I suspect you would also need a new one to run the rift.
While a new card is a pain you should be able to get one that can run 3 monitors and replace the old card, so no need for another slot in the pc.

 

[deej]

I'm currently running three dell 30's and gave up on trying to set them up properly (the end two are in a portrait orientation).

So I just play ED on the centre display and crank up the FOV.

 

[Entropy1024]

If your current card can't run 3 monitors then I suspect you would also need a new one to run the rift.
While a new card is a pain you should be able to get one that can run 3 monitors and replace the old card, so no need for another slot in the pc.

I have a GTX770 GFX card but was unaware it could run more than two monitors, or rather more than two different things. Looking at the card I guess you can have 4 monitors, two via the PC DVI connectors and anther two via the HDMI?
I always thought the images sent to the DVI were the same as the HDMI.

Interesting. So all I need is a Another monitor then with HDMI input.

 

[SilverlightPony]

I have a two monitor setup on my PC, each monitor is a fairly large 1080P screen. I use the two screens for my general PC work, but never for games as the center of focus would be between each screen. Not very useful
So was thinking of getting a third screen. This would then also mean getting a second graphics card, a good one is not cheap, and there possibly may not be a spare slot for the card in my PC anyway.

Then I thought of the Oculus Rift. Not sure how much it will retail for but could possibly be a cheaper option and more fun.

For the people that have played with both setups, what do you think is best? I am worried about the resolution of the Oculus. I'm guessing that the best it will achieve is 1080 pixels vertically and 960 pixels horizontally (as it has to split the image in two, one for each eye). Also a bit concerned with the fatigue factor. I can't stand watching 3D TV, it's just like sandpaper to the eyeballs. If I have issues with 3D TV will I have the same issue with VR headsets?

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Would be very interested in your opinion.

Cheers
Tim

I've played other games in triple-monitor surround (5760x1080). I play E with an Oculus Rift DK2.

The 3D effect in the Rift is drastically different, at least in my experience, from other types of modern 3D technology. You may find it doesn't bother you as much.

The resolution is indeed 960x1080 per eye with the DK2, leaving a bit of "screen-door effect", but it's subtle enough that it can be ignored. I've seen reports of an internal Oculus VR stepping-stone model codenamed "Crescent Bay" that uses a new 1440p display that supposedly eliminates the screen-door effect entirely. Rumors indicate that Oculus VR wants the CV1 (Consumer Version 1, the first retail version of the Rift) to have at least a 1440p display, if not higher.

Here's a nifty website that gives you some idea of what things look like in the Rift. Switch modes with the control panel in the top-right. "DK1" with "Low Persistence" turned off is the first version of the Dev Kit (the more squarish one from 2013). All other current and future hardware versions have/will have low persistence, so turn it on for all of the following: "1080" is the Dev Kit 2; "CV1", as mentioned above, is what they're shooting for in the first retail consumer version; "4k" is theoretically what a CV2 could be.

The thing that makes the Rift so amazing isn't just the 3D; it's the combination of well-executed head-mounted 3D with extremely precise head-tracking (both rotation and translation). Aside from the screen-door effect (which should be resolved in future versions), it feels like you're wearing bulky ski goggles while actually sitting in your ship's cockpit. Want to check nav data, transactions, or contacts? Look over to your left. Want to check cargo, faction standings, module status, etc.? Look to your right. In a dogfight and need to keep track of your target while you bring the ship's nose around so you can shoot him? Roll to put him above you, and look out the top of your canopy to track him while you pitch up. There's really nothing else like it right now, and I refuse to play E without it.

 

[Dr Zachary Smith]

Just get another monitor, at least you can drink tea and answer your phone whilst still playing, research trade routes on the net and generally be in your own cockpit instead of a virtual one that denies the most basic functions such as typing easily and as a bonus you get to read text and actually see the graphics your new card is capable of giving rather than some odious pixelated approximation

 

[Zaptruder]

The rift is fantastic if you want to feel immersed in the game.

Unfortunately a lot of this game is repetitive... and you'll generally want to pair it with doing something else if you're doing a lot of travelling.

So... get a rift if you plan on doing bounty hunting. Just play on a single monitor and use the second monitor for web browsing/video watching if you're playing a trader.

 

[NoiseCrime]

Not played on a multi-monitor setup, but do have a rift and as others have said the experience is just so completely different, nothing else can compare to it, even though the resolution is not as high as you'd wish and you need a beefy gpu for it with Elite.

I'm not entirely convinced as to the point of multi-monitors as you only gain horizontal width. I guess its useful if you want to be able to see both left and right side panels by just moving your head, but beyond that i'm not sure? I can see it gives more horizontal peripheral vision, but when i'm playing its normally vertical vision that I find more important, e.g. for tracking enemy ships. Personally if you had only a single monitor I would advise going for a rift, but the fact you already have two and that there is some benefit to having multi-monitors makes it harder. I would maybe suggest playing a bit using both monitors and see if the additional width it provides, all be it with a nasty bevel split down the middle, makes the game feel any different to play.

As for the Rift, it is amazing, but one does need to temper expectations. My gut feeling from what you've written is that you may not be entirely happy with the dk2, so perhaps wait for the cv1 (commercial release). However be aware that in my opinion we wont see that till towards the end of 2015 and even if it comes out sooner the suspicion it will go to 2560x1440 and 90Hz means that I suspect not even a GTX970 or maybe even the 980 will be able to run Elite without lowering many more quality settings than we currently have. SLI 970 or 980 should be ok, but you'll probably have to drop supersampling too. Maybe nvidia VR Direct system will ensure that current gpu's in sli can drive a CV1 adequately, but no-one seems to know when that feature is going to arrive. Basically I suspect that the cv1 is going to need at least sli and maybe even sli of next years gpu to run games like Elite at a decent quality level, so you have to factor all that into the overall cost. Its a tricky situation, buy in now with dk2 and possibly under-powered gpu cards or wait a year for cv1 and possibly need to buy the top of the line gpu cards anyway.

Finally an alternative that may be worth investigating is the DIY head tracking product that is very cheap £10-£20 from what I remember ( you could get TrackIR but its fairly expensive ). I can't vouch for their effectiveness, but you should be able to find plenty of threads on the forums here that discuss them. I feel they give a half-way solution between more monitors and the Rift, as having independent head look is so useful and immersive in game.

Oh and lastly whatever system you go for have you tried VoiceAttack? Its cheap and adds a whole new level of immersion to the game.

Just get another monitor, at least you can drink tea and answer your phone whilst still playing, research trade routes on the net and generally be in your own cockpit instead of a virtual one that denies the most basic functions such as typing easily and as a bonus you get to read text and actually see the graphics your new card is capable of giving rather than some odious pixelated approximation

Text in the rift is fine and with the GUI Colour Matrix option to change it to green, it becomes very sharp, clean and easy to read. However text does need to be in the center of your view else its will get blurred and lack resolution.

I agree with the others though the big drawback at present with the Rift is a lack of being able to note take or use 3rd party tools and of course not being able to display such notes in game. For Elite to be one of the best games out there for supporting the Rift, some of Frontiers design decisions have really hampered its effectiveness, which is a real shame. None of these problems are unsolvable, they just need a bit of effort and relaxing of Frontiers 'vision'.

 

[SilverlightPony]

Finally an alternative that may be worth investigating is the DIY head tracking product that is very cheap £10-£20 from what I remember ( you could get TrackIR but its fairly expensive ). I can't vouch for their effectiveness, but you should be able to find plenty of threads on the forums here that discuss them. I feel they give a half-way solution between more monitors and the Rift, as having independent head look is so useful and immersive in game.

TrackIR and its DIY cousins don't really compare to the Rift. Turning your head one way to turn your view, but having to turn your eyes the other way to keep looking at the screen? Not even remotely as immersive or useful as the Rift.

 

[Dr Zachary Smith]

TrackIR and its DIY cousins don't really compare to the Rift. Turning your head one way to turn your view, but having to turn your eyes the other way to keep looking at the screen? Not even remotely as immersive or useful as the Rift.

with one monitor yes, 3 no it's great

 

[777Driver]

Not played on a multi-monitor setup, but do have a rift and as others have said the experience is just so completely different, nothing else can compare to it, even though the resolution is not as high as you'd wish and you need a beefy gpu for it with Elite.

I'm not entirely convinced as to the point of multi-monitors as you only gain horizontal width. I guess its useful if you want to be able to see both left and right side panels by just moving your head, but beyond that i'm not sure? I can see it gives more horizontal peripheral vision, but when i'm playing its normally vertical vision that I find more important, e.g. for tracking enemy ships. Personally if you had only a single monitor I would advise going for a rift, but the fact you already have two and that there is some benefit to having multi-monitors makes it harder. I would maybe suggest playing a bit using both monitors and see if the additional width it provides, all be it with a nasty bevel split down the middle, makes the game feel any different to play.

As for the Rift, it is amazing, but one does need to temper expectations. My gut feeling from what you've written is that you may not be entirely happy with the dk2, so perhaps wait for the cv1 (commercial release). However be aware that in my opinion we wont see that till towards the end of 2015 and even if it comes out sooner the suspicion it will go to 2560x1440 and 90Hz means that I suspect not even a GTX970 or maybe even the 980 will be able to run Elite without lowering many more quality settings than we currently have. SLI 970 or 980 should be ok, but you'll probably have to drop supersampling too. Maybe nvidia VR Direct system will ensure that current gpu's in sli can drive a CV1 adequately, but no-one seems to know when that feature is going to arrive. Basically I suspect that the cv1 is going to need at least sli and maybe even sli of next years gpu to run games like Elite at a decent quality level, so you have to factor all that into the overall cost. Its a tricky situation, buy in now with dk2 and possibly under-powered gpu cards or wait a year for cv1 and possibly need to buy the top of the line gpu cards anyway.

Finally an alternative that may be worth investigating is the DIY head tracking product that is very cheap £10-£20 from what I remember ( you could get TrackIR but its fairly expensive ). I can't vouch for their effectiveness, but you should be able to find plenty of threads on the forums here that discuss them. I feel they give a half-way solution between more monitors and the Rift, as having independent head look is so useful and immersive in game.

Oh and lastly whatever system you go for have you tried VoiceAttack? Its cheap and adds a whole new level of immersion to the game.



Text in the rift is fine and with the GUI Colour Matrix option to change it to green, it becomes very sharp, clean and easy to read. However text does need to be in the center of your view else its will get blurred and lack resolution.

I agree with the others though the big drawback at present with the Rift is a lack of being able to note take or use 3rd party tools and of course not being able to display such notes in game. For Elite to be one of the best games out there for supporting the Rift, some of Frontiers design decisions have really hampered its effectiveness, which is a real shame. None of these problems are unsolvable, they just need a bit of effort and relaxing of Frontiers 'vision'.

Ignore Zach, he hangs around the VR forum complaining about the rift, even though he has never owned one :/ It would be kinda funny if wasn't so creepy.

 

[SilverlightPony]

with one monitor yes, 3 no it's great

I doubt you'd say that if you'd played this game with a DK2.

 

[SlackR]

Ive been a "Rifter"since the first protoype launched what seems like a lifetime ago... Since Alpha 1 ED has been a joy to play for me in the Rift... As the game has progressed and the SDK been updated it has become more and more impressive. I didnt think things could get any better when I pimped my DK1 using the RiftUp screen, but the DK2 and its low persistance turned things on their head yet again. The Dk2 (if treated correctly) is hands down the best piece of tech ive ever owned. I got so into it that I created a monster rig, just to maximise the ED experience. I can honestly say than runnign the game on max settings at DSR x3 (75fps) is like owning a DK3... it has taken the experience to the next level.
Those who get sick with the Rift I would suggest are either very sensitive to such things or played on a rig that wasnt setup correctly or a game that wasnt configured properly.
ED has no such issues, but the DK2 is still very much a developer piece of tech... it does require some amount of trial and error getting it to a point that you can be truly happy with. Much of the guesswork has gone out of it these days as many people are posting helpful tips and advice on a multitude of forums, but it is still not a pkug and play experience.
To put things in context for me... I own a trackIr5 and a 4k 28" monitor and its not even connected to my PC!
Once you actually step into your ship and fly it, theres no going back to a flat screen... At least that has been my experience.

 

[Dr Zachary Smith]

Ignore Zach, he hangs around the VR forum complaining about the rift, even though he has never owned one :/ It would be kinda funny if wasn't so creepy.

I don't own one because I tried one first...
Oh and by the way ignore 777 he sometimes exhibits fanboy behaviour

 

[Dr Zachary Smith]

I doubt you'd say that if you'd played this game with a DK2.

No I just have higher visual standards than you, I demand crisp clear graphics. However that wasn't the point of the post, it was actually about track ir, and you missed the boat on one monitor use versus 3, see when you look left on one monitor sure you eyes have to keep straight, but 3 turning your head your eyes look where your head turns, it's not rocket science to understand that surely ?

 

[NoiseCrime]

TrackIR and its DIY cousins don't really compare to the Rift. Turning your head one way to turn your view, but having to turn your eyes the other way to keep looking at the screen? Not even remotely as immersive or useful as the Rift.

Never said it was, I said its a half-way thing. I know if I didn't have the Rift I'd certainly be using the DIY tracker. I tried the free faceTrack system and although it was appallingly bad in terms of accuracy, reliability and performance it definitely felt like an improvement over a static monitor.

 

[Dr Zachary Smith]

To summarise if you want nice graphics etc and generally no fuss 3 monitors, if you don't mind fuss and an inferior visual representation in order to feed your "immersion" then get a Rift, who knows you may be one of the lucky ones to not experience sickness and be able to read text