PSVR vs. PSVR 2 – Specs Comparison & New Features

PlayStation VR 2 isn’t right here fairly but, however Sony has revealed detailed specs and a few options of the headset. Evaluating PSVR vs. PSVR 2 specs side-by-side exhibits us how a lot has modified since Sony’s first client headset launched in 2016.

Replace (August fifteenth, 2022): We’ve up to date this text and the PSVR 2 spec sheet with the newest information revealed to this point.

Among the many main gamers within the VR house, Sony has bided its time on a follow-up to the unique headset. Assuming the corporate’s next-gen VR headset is launched this 12 months, across the similar time of 12 months as the unique, it is going to be six years between PSVR and PSVR 2.

The unique PSVR was launched about six months after the primary main client VR headsets—HTC Vive and Oculus Rift—hit the market again in 2016. Nevertheless HTC, Oculus, and others have launched many new headsets within the interim. To its credit score, PSVR managed to really feel aggressive for a few years after its launch, however finally started to really feel dated as the remainder of the pack charged forward into VR’s ‘gen-2’ epoch.

Now right here we’re in 2022 with PSVR 2 on PS5 set to convey new life to Sony’s VR ambitions. Let’s check out how PSVR and PSVR 2 specs evaluate:

PSVR 2 Specs & Options – Past the Numbers

It’s straightforward to get misplaced within the numbers so let’s actually break down the key modifications between the headsets.

Decision, Subject-of-view, & HDR

For one, PSVR 2 has about 4 instances the pixel rely of PSVR. All issues being equal, which means photos contained in the headset would look about 4 instances sharper, which is a considerable enchancment.

Nevertheless, we all know that all issues gained’t be equal. Sony quotes the field-of-view of PSVR 2 at 110° in comparison with 100° for PSVR 1. That implies that whereas PSVR 2 has many extra pixels, they’ll be stretched over a barely wider space. General the sharpness of the headset ought to nonetheless be considerably higher, however not fairly as a lot because the sheer enhance in pixels would recommend.

As for the field-of-view itself, 100° to 110° isn’t an enormous leap, however you’d certainly discover it when you in contrast the headsets side-by-side.

Until a shock headset beats it to the punch, PSVR 2 would be the first commercially obtainable VR headset to launch with an HDR (high-dynamic vary) show. Meaning it’s able to a a lot wider vary of brightness than a typical headset. Functionally this implies the headset will be capable to produce scenes with extra life-like brightness which might enhance immersive significantly.

Personally I’ve by no means seen an HDR show in a headset; and I’ve seen loads of HDR TVs and telephones, due to the distinctive means that VR shows usually work (with issues like low-persistence), it’s robust to know if HDR on PSVR 2 might be instantly comparable. So at this level it’s unclear if HDR might be a ‘good to have’ function, or one thing that defines the headset in comparison with its contemporaries.

Lenses & IPD

The unique PSVR is famously the one headsets in the marketplace in its class that doesn’t use Fresnel lenses, that are identified to trigger glare (in change for different advantages). PSVR 2, alternatively, might be following the remainder of the business because it strikes to Fresnel lenses.

The lenses within the authentic PSVR had a big sufficient eye-box that Sony didn’t really feel the necessity to embrace an IPD adjustment (which adjusts the lenses to match the space between your eyes). Nevertheless, PSVR 2 does have an IPD adjustment which is a good suggestion for a lot of causes, so we’re glad to see this addition. In the meantime, PSVR 2 retains the eye-relief function discovered on the unique PSVR, which is beneficial for dialing in essentially the most comfy view and to make room for these with glasses.

Ease-of-use & Monitoring

Despite the fact that this reads minimally on a spec sheet, it is a enormous deal for PSVR 2—no extra breakout field and no extra exterior digicam.

PSVR 1 ships with a big breakout field that accepts two plugs from the headset that run alongside a thick cable. The breakout field must be related to the host console by a USB cable and an HDMI cable (and in addition must be plugged into the TV). And don’t neglect that it wants its personal energy provide. That’s six… sure, six, particular person plugs working into and out of the field.

Evidently, the breakout field was a little bit of a ache. Not solely did it complicate the person’s A/V arrange, in some circumstances it even created decision and HDR points for sure TVs; this was partly mounted with a later revision to the PSVR {hardware}, besides the breakout field was a hindrance to the general expertise.

Oh and don’t neglect concerning the digicam. PSVR 1 required the PS4 digicam for monitoring, which meant having one other peripheral plugged into your console. Not solely that, however the digicam was by no means made for VR within the first place and it suffered from poor monitoring accuracy and restricted protection.

Sony has recognized and eradicated these points for PSVR 2. The breakout field is totally gone; the corporate says the headset will plug into the PS5 with a single USB-C cable via the USB-C port conveniently positioned proper on the entrance of the PS5. That’s nice information however I certainly hope that little connector can maintain the cable in tightly sufficient to not get yanked out if the wire will get tugged throughout intense VR periods.

And the PS4 digicam is gone too. As an alternative of utilizing ‘outside-in’ monitoring with a digicam that sits in your TV, PSVR 2 has on-board cameras for ‘inside-out’ monitoring. Meaning the cameras on the headset itself are used to trace the participant’s head actions. This eliminates one other additional peripheral in comparison with PSVR 1.

However there’s a threat in Sony’s transfer to inside-out monitoring. The standard of inside-out monitoring varies significantly between headset makers. Whereas the inside-out monitoring on Quest 2, as an example, is excellent, the inside-out monitoring on Home windows VR headsets leaves a lot to be desired. Solely a handful of firms on the planet have proven that they’ll ship top-tier inside-out monitoring for VR.

Granted, the bar is fairly low on this case. Monitoring on PSVR 1 was arguably the worst amongst main headsets in the marketplace, nevertheless it nonetheless bought very effectively regardless. Even when PSVR 2 has simply ‘okay’ inside-out monitoring, it might nonetheless be an enchancment over the poor monitoring of the unique.

All that mentioned, Sony tends to be fairly severe about VR, and I anticipate they’ll have an honest resolution for inside-out monitoring, if not an excellent one.

Proceed on Web page 2: Eye-tracking, Controllers, Audio, & Headset Haptics »