Virtual reality, once specific to cinema or simulators reserved for a few technophiles, is beginning to invade our daily lives, and becoming more popular. Today, many applications and video games allow total immersion in the heart of the action thanks to virtual reality headsets, which provide an exceptional feeling. Find out what virtual reality is and what equipment is necessary to choose a quality VR headset.
What is virtual reality?
It is a computer technology that simulates a user's physical presence in an environment artificially generated by software. The user can also interact with this fictional environment. Virtual reality artificially reproduces a sensory experience, which can include sight, touch, hearing and possibly smell.
It was originally developed to reproduce complex situations and offer simulations or training. We can think of flight simulators that allow airline pilots to practice in risky situations.
With the miniaturization of display technologies and the progress of computing, virtual reality has reached the private sphere. Where once it was necessary to build an entire room to simulate an environment (aeroplane cockpit, for example), today, everyone can put on a virtual reality headset and find themselves immersed in the heart of the Amazon jungle, in a spaceship, or at the edge of a ravine!
In just a few years, virtual reality headsets have developed prodigiously. Game and software publishers have followed suit and today provide many products that allow total user immersion. Most of the market is focused on VR gaming headsets, and more "serious" applications are still rare.
A virtual reality headset: How it works
The operation of a VR headset is quite simple, even if it implements complex technologies. In virtual reality, users do not look at a flat screen in front of them but through a headset encompassing the entire field of vision. This headset projects a small image for each eye, and the brain combines them to transform them into 3D vision.
As the headset's lenses amplify the image, players see images that fill their field of vision. These images move with the movements of the person's head since the helmet is fixed on it. The software then adapts the image according to the position of the head and the angle of view. Just as if the user were turning their head in the virtual world, allowing them to look towards the sky or behind them for example. This effect gives a deep feeling of immersion and ensures that you quickly forget the screen fixed in front of your eyes.
To give a feeling of reality and fluidity in the world we are immersed in, VR headsets must achieve technical feats regarding display. Unlike television, which has a display frequency of 30 frames per second, virtual reality displays moving images at 90 frames per second or even sometimes 120. The higher the display speed, the more immersed the player will feel in the real world.
How to choose a virtual reality headset?
Equipment Used:
There are still very few completely universal virtual reality headsets. Your choice will, therefore, depend on the type of hardware on which you wish to use it. You can find virtual reality headsets that can be used with PCs with game consoles (some are even associated only with one type of console) or smartphones. Some products can work on multiple platforms simultaneously, but they are rare. Today's most efficient VR headsets are those found in PC or console equipment.
Then, in each range, we can distinguish 4 essential criteria to consider when choosing a VR headset:
Display Quality:
Display quality is essential for a successful virtual reality experience. It will particularly depend on the type of screen panel that is used for the headset and, of course, also on its definition.
Today, the best products have 4K UHD or OLED screens. The latter are remarkable for their depth of black and nocturnal atmospheres. They also have the advantage of a very low retention time: the images persist little on the screen, thus increasing the sensation of real vision.
The Reactivity:
A virtual reality headset must detect all of the user's movements as quickly and faithfully as possible. This is important to display an image with minimal lag with movements. If this gap is too great, it creates a feeling of unreality and discomfort. For some players, this can go as far as feeling unwell. Today, many high-end headsets have a latency of less than 20 ms. It should be noted that the latency not to be exceeded is around 40 ms.
The display frequency is also important for the responsiveness of the headset. Today, the best products are at 90 or even 120 Hz. But there are decent ones at 60 Hz. Products below this value offer less immersion and should be avoided.
Comfort:
During a gaming session, the headset must be forgotten. If your VR headset is uncomfortable, you will want to take it off after a while. The first important parameter is weight. Most helmets today exceed 200 grams, and some exceed 400 grams. Beyond this limit, the weight will be too heavy over time.
You also need good support foam on the face so the helmet can adapt to different body shapes and visions (wearing glasses, adjusting the sharpness, etc.). Finally, make sure that the straps are adjustable to adapt your VR headset to the size of your face.
The Accessories:
Some helmets are sold "naked" but other models offer accessories to increase immersion. We find some delivered with motion controllers that allow more than a classic VR experience in a seated position. The device then allows immersion of the whole body, thanks to the possibility of moving over several meters (infrared sensors are installed in the room) and movement recognition.
Sound accessories are also important. Some models include audio integration with the VR headset; others do not let users equip themselves with their system (or do without a sound headset). We recommend the most integrated systems possible because these are the ones that allow ultimate and effective immersion.
Manha- M1 Virtual Reality Headset:
With its integrated headphones and microphones, wide viewing angle, and 90 frames per second, this virtual reality headset from Manha ensures complete immersion in the game. The headset's lens can be flipped up for a quick return to reality. Ergonomic, it has an adjustable headband, and the shape of its headphones is designed to fit that of the ears.