Types of VR headset
To deliver any type of VR experience you will need; a headset, an application and the 360° content. Flix currently use the VeeR app to deliver our content as they deliver the most versatile and efficient service. VeeR is currently only compatible with certain premium headsets, but we will advise you on this, providing solutions, as we go along.
Accessible and affordable smart VR for everyone
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As the name would suggest, smartphone VR headsets make the use of your smartphone to provide a low-cost virtual reality experience. To do so, you simply pop your phone into a compatible VR headset housing and away you go. There are a number of high quality apps now available that make use of this ability, with many more in development, and they are now even able to make use of your camera to provide augmented reality VR experiences.
What smartphone VR lacks in power (and keep in mind as phones become more powerful, so will the VR experience) it more than makes up for with accessibility. Some headsets are even made from foldable cardboard, meaning you can carry your VR solution with you at all times with the minimum of fuss.
Pros & Cons
+ Entry level VR at low cost
+ Instantly accessible wherever you are
+ Can utilise phone’s camera
– Not as powerful as dedicated VR units
– Can really drain your phone’s battery
– Doesn’t have the sense of depth of typical VR
Suggested Headsets
The future is wireless
Wireless virtual reality is insanely immersive in that it detaches you from the real world entirely. This means you aren’t tied to a fixed area and you’ll never need to be concerned about stepping over, untangling, or even tripping on the cable. But it does have its limitations.
Look mum, no wires!
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Wireless headsets will undoubtedly be the future of the industry. At present there are many wireless VR offerings, but the majority come with integrated graphics processing units, meaning you are not utilising the graphics processing power of the PC or console you are connected to. This is because you are limited to the data transfer speeds of current wireless protocols.
However, as these wireless protocols evolve, so will the headsets that utilise it and in the not so distant future it should be possible to wirelessly transfer video at 4K without a problem. Currently, even 1080p wireless transmissions can be hit and miss, meaning wireless is still lagging behind its wired VR brother.
Pros & Cons
+ No physical limitations with regards to space
+ Greater immersion than typical wired headsets
– Power limited to wireless data transfer protocols
– Battery adds weight and a need to recharge
– Typically more expensive than wired headsets
Suggested Headsets
Why wired is still king.. for now
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As the technology of computers and headsets evolves and becomes more powerful, the only real limitations of a wired headset are the tethering itself (including the quality of the data transfer cable) and the visual quality of your headset’s display.
The latest headsets offer exceptional viewing quality and can display at 1440p at 120Hz, with 4K displays promised in the near future and currently in development. To put that in to context, that’s better than most people’s home computer monitors or TVs.
And it’s not like you can’t enhance your wired VR experience either. More powerful PCs and graphics cards, along with longer, active HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB 3.0 cables make it easier than ever to upgrade your virtual reality setup.
Pros & Cons
+ Power only limited to your processing unit
+ No heavy battery or need to recharge the headset
– Tethered wire can sometimes interrupt experience
– Distance from processor and turning circle limited