How to use VR headset?

Today may be a better time than ever before, to enter the world of VR. With the rapid development of VR technologies, a large number of VR headsets and devices are already available on the market today. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in a sea of information and it’s hard to make out which of it is something that would be useful to your needs. In this article we will briefly explain some basic concepts concerning VR headsets and their use.

What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

If you are someone who regularly follows our website or the latest trends in the world of technology, you already know for sure what virtual reality is. But for those who are experiencing this term for the first time or are not quite sure what exactly virtual reality represents, here we will briefly explain.

Virtual reality (VR) almost completely replaces the real world by creating unique, interactive virtual worlds. Unlike AR, special devices, sensors and controllers are required to access VR to interact with virtual space.

If you want to know something more, you can take a look at our article that deals exclusively with virtual reality.

VR headsets

As we have already mentioned above, in order to be able to access virtual reality, you need special devices for this. These devices are called VR headsets.

Looking for VR headsets can be quite complicated, all the more so for those who do not understand much about VR, because there are dozens of VR headsets on the market today, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

People who don’t know much about this kind of technology often think that VR headsets are just small screens that are put on the main one, but they are more than that. They provide you with a 3D stereoscopic image that creates a sense of depth and presence in a virtual world that is simply impossible to achieve with a monitor or TV. VR glasses actually trick your brain and convince it that what you’re looking at is “real.”

Currently, there are 3 (or 4, depending on how you count) type of VR glasses on the market: Mobile, standalone and connected (which are additionally divided into VR glasses for consoles and PC).

Now let’s make a quick review of each of these three types.

Mobile VR Headsets / VR headsets with phone

Mobile VR headsets are the cheapest, easiest and most affordable way to experience VR. This type of VR glasses can only give you a basic VR experience.

They work by inserting your cell phone into them. You will need a mobile phone with Android or iOS. You simply insert the cell phone into the slot that is provided for this. It will serve as a screen for you. VR headsets like these usually provide 3 degrees of freedom when tracking. In doing so, the VR application you use, be it a game or video, uses a gyroscope built into your mobile phone to track your movements.

With it, you can access a specific type of VR content. It’s mostly about various videos, possibly a few games, but that’s pretty much what this type of VR glasses can provide you with. This type of VR device is quite rudimentary and not something we would recommend to someone who is seriously passionate about VR.

Examples of VR devices with phone are Terratec VR-1 and Google Cardboard.

These devices are generally not considered serious and are not something that will give you a real VR experience. There are two categories for this, each with its own advantages.

Standalone VR headsets

Standalone VR headsets are the most popular and probably the best option for someone who wants to enter the world of VR. You can think of them as a “VR console” they come equipped with everything they need to function. You just need to recharge them and you are ready to enter the virtual world.

There are a number of reasons why someone might choose standalone VR glasses over connected ones. One of the main reasons is practicality. Unlike connected VR glasses, these work alone, without the need for any external accessories. You’ll only need controllers to interact with the virtual world, but that’s not a problem – controllers usually come along with glasses when you get them. Most glasses like this come with their operating system and, more importantly, the App Store where you can access content intended for them. Another advantage of vr devices like this is that they are usually cheaper and connected.

Today, the most popular VR headset – Meta Quest 2, are of this type.

This is the type of VR glasses that most will opt for. Their affordable price and good quality make them a solid choice for anyone interested in VR but not willing to give too much money.

Connected VR headsets

Unlike standalone, connected VR headsets, as the name suggests, they have to be connected to some device to be able to function. You can connect them to your computer or game console. You can think of them as “extremely advanced monitors.”

Connected VR headsets are generally superior in every way to standalone VR headsets. “Then why are standalone VR glasses more popular,” you ask? The reason is very simple. Although connected VR glasses provide a better QUALITY VR experience, there is one very important detail that we must not forget – the need for a PC or console to drive them.

In other words, you not only have to get glasses (which, due to their better performance, are generally more expensive than standalone ones, but, in addition, you also need to get a COMPUTER or console. If you opt for PlayStation VR , you’ll get a little cheaper. However, if you opt for glasses like Valve Index (one of the strongest currently on the market), you will have to allocate at least another 8000 – 10 000 thousand kuna just for a computer that will power such glasses.

But we certainly shouldn’t ignore the positives of connected VR glasses. Above all, they offer an almost unbeatable experience in terms of image quality, tracking, sound, and the overall quality of the experience they provide. In addition, it should be noted that this type of glasses has access to a little more content than standalone since a lot of games available on a computer or consoles today have been reworked to support VR.

If the price is not crucial to you and you only want the best VR experience that can be obtained, connected VR headsets are definitely the perfect product for you.

Summary

If you just want to try VR, but you’re not sure if it’s really something you’re interested in, you can do it relatively cheaply using mobile VR headsets. They don’t provide too much quality, but they’re a good first-hand option until you’ve decided exactly what you want.

Standalone VR glasses are the golden mean when it comes to VR. Their affordable price combined with the good quality experiences they can provide, makes them the choice of most VR enthusiasts. If you’ve decided you want something more than mobile VR headsets but don’t want to pay too much, these are the glasses you need to think about.

Connected VR headsets are the top of the peaks when it comes to the quality of the VR experience. They can give you maximum immersion, the smoothest tracking and unrivalled image quality. If you’re only interested in what kind of experience you’ll get and are willing to pay for it as long as it takes, connected VR glasses are the best choice for you.