Hands-On with PSVR’s Virtual Cinema: Playing Horizon: Zero Dawn on an 18 Foot Screen - VRFocus

The PlayStation VR's cinematic mode gets detailed in a new VRFocus hands-on report.

[ApocalypseShadow]

One of the great reasons why I'm getting PSVR. Having a large virtual screen without the need to buy a large television. Which also allows you to play when someone is using the main television.

Only negative is the lower resolution. But I have no problems with that as I still watch and play things all the way back to 480p. even 360p on a phone. But 1080p split suited me fine.

[Neonridr]

I have a Rift and Virtual Desktop is a hoot to use. Playing PC games projected on a 100' screen inside the headset is something to see.

Some people will get a real kick out of this app with the PSVR.

[freshslicepizza]

the larger the screen the more noticeable those lower resolutions are.

[IRetrouk]

The resolutions fine though, looking to hate as always.. all u do is spread false info and negativity, must be a real fun fella.

[uptownsoul]

Well then thank goodness Sony will still provide the option to play regular PS4 games on a regular screen. And for those who want to get a PSVR, they can play the regular games on the new device.

[Thatguy-310]

yup on a phone you don't notice it as much since screen is smaller. Anyone remember how forza looked when MS showed it on the theater mode for rift??? I will mainly be using the theater mode for movies. Would rather enjoy the best resolution on my regular tv.

[GameNameFame]

@moldybread.

Except PSVR resolution stays same. Whetever is basically visualized in VR, resolution displayed on PSVR is same.

MS fanboys motto this gen is misformation it seems. Believe in false secret sauce for Xbox. Believe in false info on PS with double standard.

@Thatguy-310

Except it is much closer which makes up for it.

[Angeljuice]

What is Microsofts VR resolution? Oh yeah, 0x0 pixels. Enjoy!

[spicelicka]

How is it on the eyes though? Can you play for over an hour without feeling strain on your eyes?

[boing1]

It's way easier on the eyes than other headsets. Screen matrix is almost invisible so it doesn't strain the eyes as much. On pentile screens you cannot unsee it. And screen has higher density even though it's 'just' full hd. Difference between PSVR and other headsets is negligible.

[maybelovehate]

Yeah, it might be cool to try it out but the resolution is a deal breaker. No one will wan to be looking at pixels when they don't have to.

[King_Lothric]

This is going to be awesome. I hope I can watch Netflix on PSVR

[KiwiViper85]

Netflix and chill... alone?

[UltraNova]

Alone time is precious...trust me. (Fortunatly my girlfriend wont read this comment...:-p)

[hells_supernova]

@ultranova it is hard for make believe characters to read in real life ;)

[ibrake4naps]

for sure! Pornhub has said it will support it for VR porn!

[kraenk12]

Sadly there is no information on how the comparably low resolution affects the impression of the games/movies.

The fact the absolute resolution per eye is just 960 by 1080 obviously results in a less defined picture compared to a normal 1080p picture.

[Neonridr]

yep. Even with the Rift you can see individual pixels and that has a better overall pixel resolution. Sony has tried to combat that by utilizing a 3-subpixel setup to the Rift and Vive's 2 which will help smooth the edges out a little more, but we are still talking about a screen inches from your face. Only a 4K screen is going to really help eliminate the screen door effect. PS4 users will find out soon enough when what they see in the headset isn't exactly what they saw on their PC via trailers and screenshots. Nature of the beast when it comes to VR. That being said, it still doesn't mean it won't be fun and believe me when I say that you start to not notice about the lower resolution after a while because you get so engrossed in the game.

[kraenk12]

Yeah pretty much...

[Neonridr]

@bruce755 - glad to hear. I notice it on the Rift if I am looking for it, but it quickly goes away when you are immersed in the content.

Just something for people to be aware of, that it doesn't look as good as what you see in the trailers. And that's not a knock on it, it goes the same with the Rift and Vive.

Screen Door Effect may not be pronouced, but pixels will still be noticeable.

[DigitalRaptor]

@ kraenk12

Even on my Samsung Gear VR, a 1080p video file looks convincing enough in theater mode. You can see the pixels on the phone's screen, but for what is pretty much entry level VR, that is impressive in itself. PSVR is already a step up from that. As much as Neonridr wants to pretend otherwise, PSVR has a lesser screen-door effect than Oculus/Vive's screen.

[kraenk12]

That I know, I'm just wondering about how much the lowered resolution will affect me when playing or watching.

[Neonridr]

believe what you want. Still has less overall pixels which means the image will look more pixelated. Regardless if it has 3 sub-pixels. Yes the "edges" of each pixel might look smoother but you're still sticking a 1080p screen inches from your face.

You guys are in for a rude awakening.

[attilayavuzer]

I remember being really apprehensive about theater mode when I got my Gear because of all the resolution hate I was reading, but once I was in it the wow factor lasted long enough for me to readjust.

[akurtz]

who goes to a movie theatre asking for the resolution?

[MatrixxGT]

If I can't tell the resolution between X1 and ps4 I don't think playing in cinematic mode would bother me lol.

I still will wait and see more hands on of the PSVR when it launches before I buy one. Having a headset on playing isolated from my surroundings is just something I won't have much luxury even though I wish I did.

[mixelon]

Having done this sort of thing on the oculus, it's neat, but it doesn't really hold any advantages over just sitting close to your tv/monitor.. the loss of resolution isn't much fun, and even if it's a simulated giant screen, at the end of the day it isn't really a giant screen, and having your entire field of vision obstructed by a headset for no reason means it's nowhere near as nice as just not doing it in the first place... unless you have a terrible TV.. in which case I recommend upgrading that before you buy into VR as it's a lot more versatile. ;)

I've watched movies in VR on virtual cinema setups and it's interesting but not an improvement.. once the displays have high enough resolution to not be able to see the big ol' pixels it'll be nice though!

[DeeBeers]

Hmmm interesting to hear someone's 1st hand perspective. Was kind of hoping it would be like sitting in a theater playing.

Will definitely give it a try on my Xbox when I get around to picking up a Rift. Hopefully by then the tech will be in its second or third gen and the clarity won't be an issue.

[Scatpants]

It is kind of like that. I think it's cool. I'll usually watch like half a movie on it and then watch the rest on my TV. You can make it look like an Imax theater if you want.

[uptownsoul]

@DeeBeers -- "Will definitely give it a try on my Xbox when I get around to picking up a Rift."

Can you please link the conformation that Xbox will be using Rift. I'd love to read all about it

[DeeBeers]

https://www.cnet.com/how-to...

Your fanboy hate has blinded you to plainly demod features. Nice job being Snarky tho, seems to suit you! =P

ah, the denial is strong with N4G. Dont worry lads, its but a step towards acceptance.

[DeeBeers]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeep. thats what the article is about, remember??

[Angeljuice]

You won't be playing it on your Xbox (unless you upgrade to Scorpio).

Enjoy your long wait before you lose your wallet on a Scorpio and a Rift (maybe it won't even be too late to be relevant).

[DeeBeers]

https://www.cnet.com/how-to...

see? works on Xbox One. ta daaaa!

[Neonridr]

yep, agree mixelon. It's a fun novelty to try. Especially since you can view 3D movies using Virtual Desktop on the Rift. But the resolution does leave much to be desired. Sadly I think only a model with 4k screens is going to help resolve the SDE and lower overall resolution.

[Wallstreet37]

Psvr awesomeness got the other console companies running to invest and do their own VR. Show them how to do it Sony! Can't wait till next month. I have a 140 inch favi screen with 1080p projector but I'm still looking forward to this cinema mode.

[cd1]

That's cleared one thing up, in cinematic mode the screen is centered in front no matter which way you face. I was hoping this was the case for ultimate lazy horizontal viewing...mmm horizontal...

[FamilyGuy]

Wow, that's actually a huge plus that I hadn't even thought about.

[DigitalRaptor]

AMAZING!

Abso-friggin-ltutely amazing!

I'm gonna test run this mode on October 13th with a few of the games in my PS4 library. That's the beauty.

I know it's already going to be mind-blowing, but knowing that I will be able to play future incredible looking games on a virtual 18-foot screen is just going to have me anticipating them tenfold.

[Majin-vegeta]

Gonna try this on BF1 ^_^

[S2Killinit]

Is this something that is exclusive to PSVR?

Either way i think its a pretty cool feature. Also i didnt know it applied to games as well.

[MasterCornholio]

I'm pretty sure the PC devices have something similar.

Virtual Theatre is a more that will be available for all games on the PS4 Standard and PS4 Pro*.

[Baldybill75]

One question I keep asking but never get an answer is this. Psvr does 3d so will 3d bluray movies be Watchable in virtual cinema mode in 3d? Would be awesome if it does.

[bunt-custardly]

Another VR article which sounds like PR spiel. They are either gagged or not wanting to step on Sony's toes. Why can't they talk about the visual quality. They must have played with Virtual Desktop/Bigscreen Beta on the Rift & Vive to make the comparison.

[yeahokwhatever]

theres so many bitter PC and xbox losers on this thread its incredible.