The principle of operation of virtual reality glasses, an overview of popular models

What is it - modern virtual glasses, and how did they manage to conquer the mass market and gain fans around the world so quickly? These are modern devices that allow the user to plunge into the world of virtual reality and experience the whole spectrum of emotions. After all, with the help of glasses, a person gets into conditions in which, theoretically, he could not be in real life.

Principle of operation

Virtual glasses are made of high quality cardboard or plastic. They can connect to a personal computer, smartphone or game console. On sale there are independent headsets that work autonomously. All virtual reality gadgets are similar and consist of a housing, lenses, a display (one with a partition or two separate), a gyroscope, and controllers.

How do modern virtual glasses work? By transmitting the signal from spatial sensors and displaying the image on the screen, the user can interact with and / or manage virtual reality objects. In this case, all gestures and movements of a person are read in real time. For example, a gyroscope is needed for better user orientation in the virtual world and for accurately tracking all head turns. Each eye of the user sees a separate picture, due to which the effect of a three-dimensional image is achieved. The housing has special anti-fogging holes, as well as a USB cable or Bluetooth for connecting to a phone or computer. Sound is transmitted to speakers or headphones.

Glasses for smartphone You can synchronize with your computer using a special application. For example, Trinus VR. To do this:

1. Download the Trinus VR application from the Play Market and install it on your phone;
2. Install Trinus VR Server on a personal computer;
3. After starting the applications, turn on the Fake Roll function on the computer to display the picture on the phonep;
4. Change the screen resolution to 980 x 1020 pixels;
5. Select the screen display "in the window";
6. Connect the phone to the computer (preferably through a standard USB cable). For the game it is more convenient to use a mouse or keyboard.

You can use virtual reality glasses to view 3D-images and games, games and applications marked VR (virtual reality). On Youtube, for example, they created a section for viewing panoramic videos. You can watch movies and TV shows, concerts, chat with friends. Access to virtual content is provided by the Oculus or Samsung VR applications. A qualitatively new level of immersion in all kinds of games for everyone is provided with their help. A username or email (if logged in with Facebook) is constantly requested to log into Oculus account.

You can check whether the phone is compatible with VR applications as follows: after installing the application, the user should turn the smartphone around him and make tilts up and down. If the picture on the display unfolds after the smartphone vertically and horizontally - the phone is compatible.

Virtual reality glasses become educational, because interactive reality makes it possible to simulate a training environment. For example, the Volkswagen Group has already announced its intention to train employees with various virtual skills using virtual reality. In the United States, virtual reality technology is planned to be used in teaching. With the help of VR, they are even going to teach doctors how to perform operations!

Tips Before Buying A VR Headset

Virtual reality glasses that will be used in tandem with a smartphone should be selected based on 4 important parameters:

• Display size.
• Weight.
• Characteristics of the smartphone.
• The design of the glasses.
• Viewing angle.

Standard glasses work with phones of different sizes and operating systems. But it is desirable that the diagonal of the smartphone was at least 4.5 inches, with Q HD FullHD-resolution. Support for the Android operating system - from 4.1, Windows from - 7.0, iOS - from 6.0.

The use of virtual reality glasses should not cause discomfort. Therefore, the lighter the virtual helmet, the more convenient it is. Smartphones are also welcomed more than 200 grams. A viewing angle of 75 to 110 degrees will be optimal.

An important parameter is the interpupillary distance. In some models, it is configured for the owner, and somewhere - they choose on their own. You should also check the availability of interchangeable lenses in the kit, the quality of mounting the phone and adjust the straps.

If a gamer who has a gaming computer with a powerful processor is puzzled by buying a VR headset, it makes sense to opt for an Oculus or HTS helmet. Moreover, users note that the optics in Oculus are better, and the controllers are more convenient than in HTS. In addition, Oculus is cheaper and offers users a number of its own exclusive games.

For Sony PlayStation 4 and Sony PlayStation 4 Pro consoles, PlayStation VR with a catalog of exclusive games in addition is suitable.

“Buying Oculus or HTS helmets for outdoor games is justified if the user has a large apartment and is spacious enough in the game room. After all, devices track the player’s movements up to 20 square meters.

TOP 5 VR Points

The price range of devices for immersion in virtual reality on the market is quite wide: from several hundred to tens of thousands of Russian rubles.

HTC Vive

A review of virtual reality glasses needs to start with this particular model. Because this is perhaps the most advanced device among other VR headsets. Large viewing angle (110 degrees), incredible picture quality (resolution 2160X1200 pixels), additional controllers and tracking sensors allow you to achieve maximum immersion in the virtual world. After meeting them, you can understand what truly high-quality virtual glasses are. For pleasure you have to pay dearly. The average price of a gadget varies within 60 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• Equipment;
• an abundance of games;
• tracking system;
• compatibility with all OS.

Minuses:

• Price;
• weight;
• requires a powerful computer;
• uncomfortable wires.

Samsung Gear VR

Like HTC Vive, it is more a helmet than glasses in their usual sense. But the demand for Samsung Gear VR is great. The helmet is connected to the phone via USB and is completely autonomous: the user can move around the room at his discretion. The batteries, judging by the reviews, last for a long time, but if necessary, the phone can be recharged right in the helmet.

Pros:

• Focus adjustment;
• touch control;
• soft lining reliably protects from external lighting;
• Interactive joystick for managing virtual reality;
• high quality pictures (viewing angle - 101 degrees);
• built-in gyroscope and accelerometer.

Minuses:

• There is no Russian-language content in the Samsung application;
• expensive (about 7 thousand rubles);
• compatible only with smartphones of this company;
• discomfort may occur after a couple of hours of wearing.

VRBox VR 2.0

The budget version of the Chinese virtual reality glasses with a nice design. The device can not boast of high quality, but it is quite suitable for exploring the virtual world. The glasses became more comfortable due to the sliding cover, which opens the smartphone’s camera (it was not in the previous version of the glasses) and a soft foam pad lined with a mesh. They are also easy to fix, instead of clasps in glasses appeared Velcro. Aspherical lenses enhance image quality.

Pros:

• Compatible with iOS Android;
• high quality pictures;
• price (up to 1000 rubles);
• viewing angle 95 - 100 degrees;
• the lenses are adjustable in width, the sharpness is adjusted;
• joystick;
• high-quality housing.

Minuses:

• There is no gyroscope;
• no speakers;
• heavy for long use.

Google cardboard 2.0

One of the best models of virtual glasses for beginners, which can be purchased for only 500 rubles.Despite the primitive appearance (glasses resemble a cardboard box) Google Cardboard 2.0 copes with the task - to immerse the user in the virtual world. To do this, you should use any smartphone with the Android platform by installing the Cardboard application.

Pros:

• Magnetic button for control;
• automatic phone recognition;
• price;
• ease of use.

Minuses:

• Low wear resistance;
• discomfort when wearing;
• poor smartphone mount (may fall out);
• no lens adjustment.

Zeiss VR ONE Plus

German Zeiss VR ONE Plus virtual reality glasses are the best VR headset among high-quality devices at an affordable price. They are called the equivalent of Samsung Gear VR. Glasses interact only with phones with a built-in gyroscope and accelerometer (iOS or Android OS) and a display size of at least 4.7 inches (but not higher than 5.5). Aspheric lenses of glasses allow to do without adjusting the interpupillary distance. Large viewing angle (100 degrees) provides high quality augmented reality.

Pros:

• Removable pad;
• a large number of applications;
• vents against fogging and overheating;
• extendable tray for phone.

Minuses:

• Does not support phones with screens from 6 inches;
• fairly high price (5 thousand rubles);
• discomfort with prolonged wear;
• no helmet control tools;
• missing joystick included.

Use a VR headset with caution in people with intellectual disabilities. Points are not recommended for those who are depressed or suffer from anxiety disorders.

When choosing virtual reality glasses, the most important thing is to follow a reasonable approach. To get acquainted with the three-dimensional world at the initial stage, simple inexpensive models are suitable. They will enable the user to get acquainted with virtual reality technologies and understand if it makes sense to replace a simple device with a more expensive one.