Watching ED Oculus Rift youtube videos in 3D .. on a standard monitor

[Caspar]

Eager to get a glimpse what the 3D experience is like - I wondered if there is a way to trick the eyes in to looking at those two screen youtube videos and converging the images in to a single stereo pic.

I used this as my test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-zDi0KAsoU

I'm not sure this is good for your eyes (warning etc) but I managed to do it. It feels like a magic eye trick.

Steps:

1 - Full screen top res.
2 - Move back from the screen - around 3-4 ft for me.

This is the bit that's hard to explain -

3 - You start with two visible images and then cross your eyes slowly until you see a third image appear in the middle.
4 - Keep crossing your eyes until that third image appears roughly the same size / shape as the other two.
5 - Slowly move your focus to that new third image and if you're lucky, it should come together as 3D.

I imagine this is like looking at Oculus Rift through a pair of binoculars from half way down the street - and nothing compared to the real deal - but still fun.

As mentioned - I'm not a scientist or a doctor - cross your eyes like this at your own risk etc etc.

----

It may be that this is already a "thing" and there are far better ways to do this - feel free to share etc.

 

[JMC002]

Watching VR on a monitor is not going to convey the experience. For starters, it isn't about the stereoscopic 3D. Yes, that's part of what VR gives most people but the experience is mainly down to being able to look around in a virtual environment. That's what convinces your subconscious that you're really there. I wish there was a way I could show far away friends what it's like to play Elite Dangerous or Alien Isolation on a Rift but there really isn't one.

 

[Ref Minor]

P

Watching VR on a monitor is not going to convey the experience. For starters, it isn't about the stereoscopic 3D. Yes, that's part of what VR gives most people but the experience is mainly down to being able to look around in a virtual environment. That's what convinces your subconscious that you're really there. I wish there was a way I could show far away friends what it's like to play Elite Dangerous or Alien Isolation on a Rift but there really isn't one.

I agree it's not the depth but the fact you have a 360degree monitor wrapped around your head and 1 to 1 head tracking that creates the immersion.

 

[777Driver]

P

I agree it's not the depth but the fact you have a 360degree monitor wrapped around your head and 1 to 1 head tracking that creates the immersion.

And the fact that everything is actual size, as opposed to looking at huge things on a screen.

 

[JMC002]

Yes, the "monitor" version looks like a toy after experiencing it in VR. I try to explain this to friends but you really can't; they have to try it, then they'll (literally) see.

 

[Caspar]

Watching VR on a monitor is not going to convey the experience. For starters, it isn't about the stereoscopic 3D. Yes, that's part of what VR gives most people but the experience is mainly down to being able to look around in a virtual environment. That's what convinces your subconscious that you're really there. I wish there was a way I could show far away friends what it's like to play Elite Dangerous or Alien Isolation on a Rift but there really isn't one.

In fairness, if you read the title of my post, it's quite clear that I'm just saying that there appears to be a trick to view the footage in 3D and I'm not claiming that squinting at a monitor can recreate the rift experience. I also caveat that whole piece again later in the post.

For someone without a DK1 or 2, it may be an interesting exercise but it goes without saying that it's like smelling the food and not eating it.

 

[Ref Minor]

In fairness, if you read the title of my post, it's quite clear that I'm just saying that there appears to be a trick to view the footage in 3D and I'm not claiming that squinting at a monitor can recreate the rift experience. I also caveat that whole piece again later in the post.

For someone without a DK1 or 2, it may be an interesting exercise but it goes without saying that it's like smelling the food and not eating it.

or looking at a picture of the meal

Seriously though, the best way to get "the feel" of the rift is to turn your head and look at stuff in real life wearing a diving mask, then imagine everything you see is a slightly pixellated cartoon.

 

[JMC002]

I'lll stick to my original viepoint: you can't show someone VR; you have to experience VR for yourself. I wish I could convince my friends about it but I've learned that describing it - whether by words or video or wharever - just doesn't do it justice. It's a new thing; there's no frame of reference.

 

[saviornt]

The best frame of reference is tell them to look outside through the door. That is gaming on a monitor. When you walk through the door and your outside.. that is gaming inside of VR.

 

[Caspar]

I just thought it was a neat little trick. It's left my eyes a bit wonky though.

 

[Jonathan E]

I'lll stick to my original viepoint: you can't show someone VR; you have to experience VR for yourself. I wish I could convince my friends about it but I've learned that describing it - whether by words or video or wharever - just doesn't do it justice. It's a new thing; there's no frame of reference.

Tell them to hold a couple of tea strainers over their eyes and look around... that's pretty close

 

[Oheck]

If you want to see those youtube vids in 3d, best to view it on a phone. Majority of vids are side by side views, not cross eye. Phones are the perfect size to easily view them side by side. Or you can do like I do and buy a colorcross or other cheap 3d viewing device.

Yeah, it aint much, but its something. Certainly not the 110 degree view wrapped around your full vision. Thats gotta be fantastic.