{"id":9051,"date":"2020-01-16T14:12:27","date_gmt":"2020-01-16T13:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.laval-virtual.com\/les-casques-autonomes-de-realite-virtuelle-et-leurs-usages\/"},"modified":"2020-06-18T10:52:29","modified_gmt":"2020-06-18T08:52:29","slug":"standalone-virtual-reality-headsets-and-their-uses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.laval-virtual.com\/en\/standalone-virtual-reality-headsets-and-their-uses\/","title":{"rendered":"Standalone Virtual Reality headsets and their uses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Virtual reality<\/a> is being democratized. The development of location-based entertainment is a first clue. The general public is also becoming more and more interested in immersive techniques and attending technology exhibitions, such as Laval Virtual with its 10,000 visitors during the General Public weekend. Technologically less complex and economically more accessible, they even compete with PC headsets. What are the stand-alone headsets on the virtual reality market today and what uses can be made of them?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standalone, connected, mobile: what are the differences between all the VR headsets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The current market of virtual reality hardware offers a wide variety of materials. As for VR headsets, there are three types for different needs and uses: standalone, connected and mobile. Each headset has a different target, in terms of the uses the user can make of it, which depend on the technical performance of the device. A mobile headset<\/a> will not be used in the same way as a connected headset. But then, which VR headset to choose?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile headsets: the most accessible of the market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you’re a novice, the first thing you look for is a headset that’s easy to use and the price won’t scare you off. Mobile headsets are therefore an appropriate choice. At first impression, they look like a classic VR headset, taking the shape of a box that you put on your head. Except it needs a smartphone to work. Indeed, the user must place his mobile phone which will then serve as a screen and device to launch applications. The mobile headset is equipped with glass lenses that allow the image to be split and distributed to each eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the mid-2010’s, with the release of the first VR headsets as we know them today, several mobile headsets entered the market, such as the Samsung Gear VR<\/a> in 2015 and the Google Daydream View<\/a> in 2016<\/strong>. Google has even designed a low-cost device to allow everyone to experience virtual reality. The Google Cardboard<\/a> is a mobile headset made of cardboard that you can assemble yourself and that costs only €15 Moreover, the price remains the main argument for these mobile headsets which vary around €100. However, their use is limited due to the fact that performance depends entirely on the smartphone used. Soon they were replaced by the first standalone headsets that emerged in 2017. Today, mobile headsets are at the end of their useful life, so the Google Daydream VR is becoming obsolete<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Google Cardboard, a cardboard VR headset – Photo credits: L’Ère Numérique<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standalone headsets catch up with connected headsets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, connected headsets offer optimal performance and a much more complete use. These virtual reality headset work through a computer to which they are connected by a wire. The first headsets in the history of VR are connected headsets, e.g. the Oculus Rift in 2012 and the HTC Vive in 2015. These headsets enable complex immersive experiences. They offer a complete follow-up of the user, i.e. his head and body. The image is also much more faithful thanks to a significantly improved resolution. But their high price does not allow private use. That’s why they’re usually headsets for professionals and developers, like the HTC Vive Pro<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the line between connected and standalone headset<\/a> is gradually narrowing. Today, standalone headsets -that is, without a wired connection- are multiplying and becoming more complex<\/strong>, sometimes offering full motion tracking or hand tracking. Recently, at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, the Chinese company Pico unveiled the Neo 2<\/a>, the first standalone headset with integrated eye-tracking<\/a>. Now, standalone headset systems have no reason to be ashamed of their technical performance, competing increasingly with the most sophisticated devices on the virtual reality market. This eliminates the need for a high quality computer at a high cost since the entire operating system is integrated into the headset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n