Though Virtual Reality or VR is a buzzword since last many years but now it is gaining popularity like Smartphone and game consoles. The market of consumer devices has got the idea of VR from a sci-fi movie released a few years back. With the increasing popularity of VR technology, people might be curious to know more about this unique technology. Brief information provided in this write-up can help you to know this concept a bit more closely.
The Basic idea behind VR technology
The technology of Virtual Reality is used to create a three-dimensional realistic environment or images which can be recognized by a human as real as if he can really interact with them. Though we do not know much about the level of realism of computer- generated hollow still many people are using headsets and controllers of VR.
The devices like headsets are used to create a VR environment just by mixing software and hardware. This combination of hardware and software in VR makes it different from Augmented Reality or AR in which a superimposed real world is used to add some objects to it to create a new world. The outlook of VR can be more difficult to imagine as compared to AR. In AR you can have fixed reference points which can be used by your eyes to navigate and track objects. On the other hand, in VR, realism is hard to obtain as it stimulates the entire environment.
Certain tangible sensations and even fragrances are used for working on certain advanced projects of VR. However, it is limited to hearing, vision, and physically handling a few simple objects in the consumer market. But if you know what you can do with these wonderful senses then it will be really surprising for you.
The headset of VR
The VR headset is one of the most important components used in virtual reality. These VR headsets have been developed by many popular brands including Sony and Google etc. with a new approach every time.
Types of VR headsets
These VR headsets can be divided easily into various categories on the basis of the design of their hardware they can be used with. In order to work with PCs, high class and larger in size headsets have been designed so that VR software can be used effectively. But for using with game consoles like PlayStation, the VR headsets of the second category will be used. Recently, stand-alone VR headsets have been introduced that include all the hardware options necessarily required to work with them.
The third category of VR headsets includes cheap quality headsets that are used to work with smartphones. This headset has a slot to put the Smartphone at a certain distance from the human eyes so that they can see what is happening on the screen of a Smartphone. These headsets offer a unique experience when used with VR apps. Similar to the variation in the designs of the VR headsets their prices also range from $15 that can be used with Google Cardboard to high-end headsets for a few hundreds of dollars.
Components of Virtual Reality headsets
In order to understand the functions of VR headsets, you will have to know about its components which work together to help in the working of these devices.
Controls: There are a few buttons on the headset that allow the users to explore basic things and interact with them. You can use handheld controls if you are using an advanced version of VR headsets. The controllers used in the most advanced headsets look like the real devices like sword and guns etc. the hardware that sends the feed can be used to interact with directly.
Content feeds: The hardware of VR headset provides the content feeds. It is a typical hardware, normally used in console, phones or computers. It is a data-based hardware that has to come from somewhere to make up the digital world. Today you can experience VR through some video game or single app.
Lenses: Lenses are used in many VR headsets to help your eyes to focus on the screen so that you can easily see the real virtual environment in the headset. In this way, the single screen VR headsets can work effectively. The adjustable lenses are also used in many extremely advanced versions of VR headsets so that realism can be enhanced and strain on eyes can be avoided.
Display: Where your eyes will see VR images is known as the display of the VR headset. Earlier in the goggles of VR headset two separate displays were used, one for each eye, and continued to be used for several years. But due to the additional cost of making two displays, it could not get enough popularity. Today many simple and cost-effective headsets are used on which the screen of a Smartphone is used as a display.
Frame rate: The impression of the images seen inside the VR headset will be better if the rate of the frame is higher. So it is preferable to choose a headset with 60 to 120 FPS and powerful hardware to support it. If you are not much ambitious about the quality of the images then you need not worry about the frame rate of the headset but it can cause a headache if the frame rate slows down and captivation of images is lost.
Field of view: Normally 360 degree is the perfect field of view for an open eye but for a VR headset it is not possible. Most of the VR headsets have a field of view ranging from 100 degrees to 120 degrees so that immersion can be improved.
Audio: Some of the headsets supply audio either from within as part of the content feed or feed it separately by using an additional speaker for which you will have to wear an additional headset.
Tracking sensors: The users of advanced headsets should know that they can move the content feed similarly when they move any part of their body including hands and head. These headsets either have movement sensors or use an additional hardware to map your movements.
Thus, Virtual Reality is a unique technology that allows you to view the realism of a virtual world.