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10 VR (Virtual Reality) Headsets 2016
What
is VR (Virtual Reality)?
Virtual reality (VR) typically refers to computer
technologies that use software to generate realistic images, sounds and other
sensations that replicate a real environment (or create an imaginary setting),
and simulate a user's physical presence in this environment, by enabling the
user to interact with this space and any objects depicted therein using
specialized display screens or projectors and other devices. VR has been
defined as "...a realistic and immersive simulation of a three-dimensional
environment, created using interactive software and hardware, and experienced
or controlled by movement of the body" or as an "immersive,
interactive experience generated by a computer".A person using virtual
reality equipment is typically able to "look around" the artificial
world, move about in it and interact with features or items that are depicted
on a screen or in goggles. Virtual realities artificially create sensory
experiences, which can include sight, touch, hearing, and, less commonly, smell.
Most 2016-era virtual realities are displayed either on a computer monitor, a
projector screen, or with a virtual reality headset (also called head-mounted
display or HMD). HMDs typically take the form of head-mounted goggles with a
screen in front of the eyes. Some simulations include additional sensory
information and provide sounds through speakers or headphones. Virtual Reality
actually brings the user into the digital world by cutting off outside stimuli.
In this way user is solely focusing on the digital content.
Virtual reality environment can be captured using 360°
stereoscopic spherical video and 360x360 surround sound from professional VR
video cameras. The users can emerge in the virtual reality environment using
head-mounted displays.
Here is the list of top 10 VR (Virtual Reality) Headsets in 2016:
1.
HTC Vive
Price:
$699.00(Amazon.com)
The HTC Vive is the most expensive and most advanced virtual
reality headset on the market right now. It's also the best. It grants you the
ability to get up and move about in a 15 x 15-foot space where you can jump,
duck, lean and walk to interact within virtual worlds. It's an incredibly
immersive and almost indescribable experience.
It has two wireless controllers that track your movement and
let you move your hands in virtual space and interact with objects. The
controllers not only can act as your hands but as a tennis racket, gun, shield,
bow and arrow – it really all depends on what game you are playing.
The headset weighs your face down and looks and feels like
an oversized diver's mask. It isn't the most comfortable VR headset available
and has three long cables that rest atop your head. Its resolution is
impressive: 1080 x 1200 pixels per eye, but the Vive needs a powerful gaming PC
to run. Setup for the Vive isn't extremely difficult, but it requires plenty of
space, about an hour of your time, three outlets, and maybe an extension cord
or two. Oh yeah, and a highly powered gaming PC.
There are around 50 games available for the HTC Vive. It
comes with three games: The Gallery - Episode 1: Call of the Starseed, Tilt
Brush and Zombie Training Simulator.
2.
Oculus Rift
Price:
$ 599.99
The Oculus Rift is probably the first product that comes to
mind when you think of virtual reality. Like the HTC Vive, it too requires a
gaming PC. However, the Rift's experience isn't as immersive as the Vive.
Rather than using two wireless controllers, the Oculus Rift includes an Xbox
One controller and only has one sensor compared to the Vive's two, meaning you
can't walk around. Facebook, which owns Oculus, says touch controllers for the
Rift will come out later this year, however. You can still move your head
around and lean back and forth in your chair, but movement definitely feels
limited with this headset.
The headset is much more comfortable than the Vive, weighing
17 ounces compared to the Vive's 20 ounces. It's quite adjustable, too, with
two Velcro straps on its side and lenses that can be calibrated so you get the
best view.
The Oculus Rift launched with 30 games available, and the
headset is expected to have more than 100 games out by the end of 2016. The
headset comes bundled with two games: Lucky's Tale and Eve: Valkyrie.
3.
PlayStation VR
Price:
$ 623.97
Both Microsoft and Sony are in the race to take over the
console VR market. Microsoft has announced Project Scorpio, an upgraded version
of the Xbox One, which plays 4K-resolution games and supports virtual reality.
Sony's upcoming 4K PlayStation 4, codenamed NEO, also is designed to help
customers experience virtual reality games.
Sony has been demoing its PlayStation VR headset at
tradeshows and in select retailers. The headset will be released in October of
this year. It isn't as powerful as the Vive or Rift and has a lower resolution
– 960 x 1080 pixels compared to 1080 x 1200. Its field of view is also slightly
lower at just 100 degrees instead of 110 degrees. But the headset comes in at a
much lower price of $400. That's half the price of the HTC Vive and $200 less
than the Oculus Rift.
PSVR doesn't support room-scale VR like the HTC Vive does,
similar to the Oculus Rift, and is designed to be a seated experience.
Fortunately, it supports Sony's PlayStation Move and PlayStation Aim
controllers. The Move controllers are a lot like the two wands that come
bundled with the HTC Vive since they track your hands, and the Aim controller
is designed for shooters.
4. Razer
OSVR
Price:$ 399.99
Razer's foray into virtual reality seems quite promising
after the company's introduction of the Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR)
headset. This virtual reality headset has dual OLED screens with a 1080 x 1200
resolution and a 110-degree field of view, bringing it to the same caliber as
more expensive headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The OSVR even has a
higher, 90Hz, refresh rate than these competitors.
The OSVR doesn't have as strong of tracking as the HTC Vive
since it only uses one camera, similar to the Oculus Rift, instead of dual
sensors like the Vive. Another downfall is it doesn't come with a controller.
When we tested the OSVR we just paired the headset with an Xbox One controller.
However, the OSVR headset is compatible with the Gloveone, which lets you use
both hands to sense and interact with objects in virtual reality.
On the other hand, there are much cheaper headsets made from
cardboard, plastic or aluminum. The most popular of these is Google Cardboard,
which sells for around $10 online. Cardboard and other headsets like the Homido
VR and Zeiss VR ONE have plastic magnifying lenses and rely on your Android or
iPhone's screen. The best mid-grade virtual reality headset is the Samsung Gear
VR, which is the result of a collaboration between Samsung and Oculus.
5. Gear
VR
Price:
$ 62.77
Since virtual reality is such a new technology, it's still
pretty inaccessible thanks to its expensive price. Beyond the headset itself,
the best virtual reality headsets need a gaming computer to operate. Enter
Samsung's Gear VR. Samsung partnered with Oculus to create the headset, which
only costs $99. It's compatible with the Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Note 5, Note 7, S6
and S6 edge smartphones.
The headset is comfortable, senses movement and has a
touchpad that can be used to control apps and navigate menus. It's the best way
to experience VR without investing in an expensive gaming PC or console.
The headset does suffer from overheating issues
occasionally, especially when using it for long VR sessions.
6. Google
Cardboard
Price:
$13.99
The most affordable VR headset is Google Cardboard, which
sells for around $10 online. These headsets flooded the market and can even be
acquired for free oftentimes at tech conferences or during email promotions.
The headset is literally made of cardboard and has plastic magnifying lenses.
It relies on your Android or iPhone's screen.
Google Cardboard is powered by your smartphone and apps on
the App Store or Google Play. Don't expect any serious games or experiences
with Cardboard though; it's an easy way to just get a little taste of virtual
reality. Besides poor image quality, its biggest downfall is its lack of
straps, so you have to actually hold up the device to your eyes with your
hands.
7. Homido
VR
Price:
$
145.00
Homido VR lets you dabble in virtual reality for less than
$100. However, this headset is just a glorified Google Cardboard headset and
relies on your smartphone display. It's made from plastic and has a strong
elastic strap and adjustable lenses.
It doesn't play nice with glasses and requires you to remove
your smartphone from the headset each time you want to play a new game or watch
a video. That is unless you have a Bluetooth controller, which will cost you
extra.
Homido VR is 3D compatible, so you can watch your favorite
3D movies in a new and exciting way.
8. Zeiss
VR ONE
Price:
$
195.99
Zeiss is known for making outstanding camera lenses, and the
German company has taken its expertise to enter the virtual reality market. Its
Zeiss VR ONE headset is a step up from the Homido VR headset, but the
experiences it provides still aren't the same caliber as the HTC Vive and
Oculus Rift.
Zeiss has developed two apps for its headset: a cinema app
for watching videos and an augmented reality app. We like that the headset has
some padding and has a solid construction, but its field of view isn't impressive
and the headset doesn't have any built-in navigation controls like the Gear VR
does.
9.
LG 360 VR
Price:
$
114.00
You need an LG G5
smartphone to use this headset. The LG 360 VR connects to the phone via the
USB-C cable. It is better than other headsets that require you to slip the
phone to the front. The headset looks like a pair of sunglasses. It is
wearable, meaning you don’t have to hold it in place with your hands. It has a
1.8-inch display with a resolution of 960 by 720 pixels. The resulting pixel
density is 639ppi. The headset comes with controls- a ‘back’ and ‘ok’ button
which aid navigation. It also has motion sensors that allow you to look around
the virtual world created. It has a 3.5mm headphone plug for audio.
10.
Google Daydream View
Price:
$
130.99
Google Daydream takes you on incredible adventures in
virtual reality. Made with lightweight fabric and inspired by wear, this headset
is paired with a controller designed to be easy and intuitive. This headset can
be used with day-dream ready phones built for virtual reality. Daydream-ready
phones are built for VR with high-resolution displays, ultra-smooth graphics
and high-fidelity sensors for precise head tracking and are powered by Android
7.0 Nougat. Pixel XL, Pixel, Moto Z, Moto Z Droid, Moto Z Force Droid – all
support Google Daydream.
These are the best virtual reality headsets in the market.
Creating a virtual world is wonderful. You can climb Mount Everest from the
comfort of your home. Gaming in a virtual world is also very real with some of
the VR headsets outlined above. So, which virtual reality headset do you want
this Christmas? Let me know in the comments section below and wishing my all readers
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
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