(2015/4/28 13:39)
High-performance VR head-mounted display (VRHMD) "Gear VR Innovator Edition for S6" (hereinafter referred to as "Gear VR"), which will be released for the first time in Japan. It is a product jointly developed by Samsung and Oculus VR. Reservations have started from April 23rd.
This Gear VR is that you can experience VR by attaching Samsung's smartphone Galaxy S6 / S6 edge. It will be on sale sooner than the commercial version of Oculus Rift for PC developed by Oculus VR. Until now, Oculus VR's VR HMD could only be purchased with the Oculus Rift DK2 for developers, but the product version to get serious about the spread of VR is Gear VR, so I'm enthusiastic anyway.
Gear VR.The appearance is also quite sophisticatedIn addition to the performance, the experience after mounting is significantly different from the Oculus Rift, so this time I will introduce the points step by step about that experience.
The Gear VR I used to write this article is not the "Gear VR Innovator Edition for S6", which was released for pre-order on April 23rd. It is a model one generation ago released overseas from December last year (a model exclusively for the smartphone Galaxy Note 4 that has not been released in Japan). As of the time of writing, "for S6" to be released in Japan can only be experienced at home electronics mass retailers. Although there are some differences in size, hardware appearance, terminal part, etc., the VR experience itself does not change, and I added that the features introduced this time were also judged to be common after experiencing both models. I want to keep it.
First of all, I would like to explain from the preparation stage before experiencing. There are two things to do to experience Gear VR. Just attach your smartphone to the Gear VR and wear it (initial settings are required for the first time). In the case of Oculus Rift, detailed steps such as wiring to a PC or camera and starting an application are required, but Gear VR is fast anyway. It's very easy to get ready.
After inserting the smartphone into the micro USB terminal, just insert it until you hear a click.Then, when you put it on your head while wearing the smartphone, the smartphone turns on with a beeping sound, and the Gear VR logo is displayed in front of you. Many sensors are embedded in Gear VR to complement the sensor of the smartphone, one of which is the sensor that judges whether or not it is attached. It is quite convenient to actually experience that the power is turned on and off automatically.
Below the right eye lens is a sensor that detects wearing
And when you put it on and start it, let's adjust the focus at the end. You can adjust the focus by turning the dial on the top of the Gear VR. Even people with myopia can adjust to the point where they can see clearly without glasses, so no glasses are needed.
Dial mounted on the top of Gear VR. Focus adjustment is quite wide.I have a visual acuity of about 0.01, but I could experience it without glasses.By the way, the home screen is displayed first when Gear VR is attached. Oculus Rift had to be operated on the PC side, such as launching the VR content that you wanted to experience and then wearing Oculus Rift in a hurry. But Gear VR is different.
This is the Gear VR home screen "Oculus Home"Not only can the app be launched from the home screen "Oculus Home", but when you access the store, you will be able to read the explanation of the software and download it. At the moment, free stores are lined up in stores accessed from within Japan, but you can purchase them on this home screen when paid content is distributed in the future.
Recently used apps are displayed on the “HOME” screen. You can see the list of other apps with "LIBRARY".By the way, many people may have wondered what to do with this home screen. The Gear VR has a touchpad, one physical button, and a volume control button on the right side of the side. You can operate it by tapping or swiping this touchpad. The physical button is basically a "back" button. With this operation method, you can operate the menu without the need for a controller. Except for some games, the VR experience will be completed as it is.
Touchpad and "back" button. There is also a volume control button.The sensitivity is good, so don't inadvertently touch it when you don't need to use it during the VR experience.Now that we've talked a lot about the features of hardware, I'd like to introduce some of the actual VR experiences. The resolution of the Galaxy S6 is 2,560 x 1,440, which is much higher than the Oculus Rift DK2's 1,920 x 1,080. The quality of the image is so high that the mesh of dots is less noticeable.
Anyway, the screen is beautiful. It is not inferior to live action.This resolution spreads to fill the field of view as it isAlso, the frame rate that represents the drawing speed is 60fps, which is inferior to the 75fps of the Oculus Rift DK2, but the head tracking that the field of view reacts to the movement of the head is extremely smooth and comfortable. It can be seen that the optimization is achieved more than Oculus Rift.
The content varies from live-action content to full CG and games that use a game controller.
"VR Introduction". Let's start from now on. There is no doubt that you can see the movie trailer in the virtual movie theater "Oculus Cinema". Select the movie you want to watch in the lobby You can choose the place to watch, but this time select the movie theater. The big screen spreads out as if you were in a real movie theater. Since the resolution is high, you can watch the movie without any problems (the screenshot shows a bar showing the playback time etc., but all disappears while watching and only the video is displayed) You can experience 360 degree video "Oculus 360 Video". Among them, the full CG content "Pacific Rim: Jaeger Pilot" of the movie "Pacific Rim" is recommended. STG "Vanguard V" from the third person perspective that I could experience even with Oculus Rift, which is about 2 minutes but has a great sense of presence.You can shake your head to lock on the targetIn addition to overseas-made content, Gear VR versions of domestic content such as COLOPL's "White Cat VR Project", Unity's "Unity-chan Candy Rock Star VR Live!", And kayak's "Little Witch Pie Delivery" are now available. do. It is certain that the content will increase after the release, so I would like to expect it.
In addition to what I have introduced so far, I have the impression that it has been carefully devised. For example, a sponge that touches the face directly. The Gear VR sponge is velcro, so it's easy to remove and wash, and it even comes with a spare sponge. In addition, a carrying pouch designed for carrying around is also included. If the controller is also small in size, it can fit in and is perfect.
It's easy to put on and take off the sponge like this.Replacement and cleaning are important because you may sweat when you are experiencing it.Finally, although there are not many uses yet, I would like to introduce a function "pass-through camera" that allows you to see the outside while wearing Gear VR. You can use the camera of your smartphone to see what is going on in front of you. The perspective will change, so be careful not to walk.
The menu screen that appears when you press and hold the "Back" button. You can also check the remaining battery level. The second icon from the bottom left is a pass-through camera. Even though I have a head-mounted display, I can see in front of me!So far, I have told you about the goodness of Gear VR. However, even though this Gear VR is a commercial version, there is no doubt that it will continue to evolve. When you actually experience it, some people may still be worried about the mesh of dots, and others may be dissatisfied with the fact that there is no tracking camera and only the movement of the head is recognized. You can experience the actual machine at the Galaxy Shop in some home electronics mass retailers. Seeing is believing. Please try it once.
(Mole Games: Sunkubo)
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