How to get started with virtual reality
The world of virtual reality is about to become real, finds Blayne Slabbert.
If you really want a full Ready Player One-style experience, then you need to be prepared to spend a bit more money.
The tech world has been buzzing about virtual reality for several years but it still remains a farfetched concept for most people.
That is expected to change when Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, which is screening in theatres now, shows everyone the potential of VR.
VR developers and manufacturers are also hoping it will spur consumers to finally start buying headsets, games and apps. If you’re curious and want to experience it, then here’s how to get started.
Using your phone
If you recently bought a high-end smartphone, then you may be able to get a VR experience for less than $200.
The Samsung Gear VR ($159 including controllers) works by using a smartphone as a screen. Just clip in a Galaxy S6, S7 S8, S9 or Note8, download one of the 250 apps and you have a VR headset.
The Gear VR gets great reviews and it’s a good headset to get started. However, it’s only really worth it if you already own a compatible phone.
Paying $1000-plus for a new phone along with the headset will make it too expensive for newbies.
Google’s Daydream ($150) headset also requires a smartphone to work. It’s compatible with a wider range of Android phones and you can even use an iPhone, though you will have limited functionality.
Both these headsets come with a hand controller which is important as they translate your real-world gestures into whatever you’re doing in the virtual world.
Also, make sure you use headphones, as this helps create a more immersive experience.
There are other cheaper headsets that need a phone but they tend to be more of a gimmick than offering a true VR experience.
Full VR headsets
If you really want a full Ready Player One-style experience, then you need to be prepared to spend a bit more money.
The two best options for Kiwis are the HTC Vive ($969) and the PlayStation VR ($500).
The Vive (consumer edition) is considered the best because it offers real-world scale, which means every step you take in the real world is a step in the virtual world. This makes everything feel a lot more realistic.
It comes with two controllers and two boxes (base stations) which track your movements and help create your VR space.
However, you need a powerful Windows computer to make it work. Make sure your PC is suitable before buying.
HTC also offers the Vive Pro ($1379), which has just been released and offers extra features such as higher resolution and a better-quality headset.
The other option is the PlayStation VR which needs to be paired with a PS4 or PS4 Pro. It’s the most affordable high-end model and it has the advantage of tapping into Sony’s gaming expertise.
While you can use your gamepad as a controller, you’ll need to buy a VR camera ($100) for it to work.
Another thing to note is that both the Vive and PlayStation headsets need to be connected via cable to a PC or console so you’ll always be restricted by the length of the cord.
Unfortunately for Kiwis, one of the most well-known headsets, the Oculus Rift (US$449 or NZ$620), is not on sale in New Zealand. It gets great reviews but you’d need to buy it from an overseas shop and be prepared to pay GST and Customs fees if you import it.
Games and apps
There is no ‘‘killer app’’ for VR – a game or experience that is so popular that people flock to the new tech.
All brands of headsets have a good variety of apps and games and each has a few hundred to choose from with more being released each year. Unless you want a specific app, then this shouldn’t affect your decision.
What’s coming next
The next big leap in VR will involve wireless headsets and lower prices.
The best example of that is the Oculus Go, due to be released in the next few months, though it’s unclear if it will be on sale in New Zealand.
It will cost US$199 and it’s intended to be a starter device so it won’t feel as immersive as the high-end devices but should offer a better experience than the headsets that use smartphones.
HTC’s answer to that is the wireless Vive Focus but that doesn’t have a release date yet.
Other tech companies, such as Intel, Acer, Lenovo, Microsoft and Dell, are also expected to release headsets, so hopefully prices will drop as more competition arrives.
Best option
In terms of making a decision on what to buy for your first VR experience, it all comes down to how much you want to spend.
If you just want to give it a go, then Google’s Daydream or Samsung Gear VR is your best option. If you want the best experience possible, then the HTC Vive is the best available right now for Kiwis.