How Do VR Headsets Actually Work?

Do you already know how VR headsets work or are you still clueless about this latest technological advancement? Well, look no further than our write-up here at Rebuff Reality where we share with you about these highly-rated entertainment devices.

Basic Setup of VR Headsets

VR headsets will basically need some kind of input before they can function or at least for you to interact apart from just viewing in the digital realm. This can range from simple head tracking to controls or even voice commands and controls. The different types of headsets will make use of different modes of control. Some devices have head-mounted displays or HMDs and no hand tracking or audio recognition capabilities locally built into the headset. Additional accessories for more immersion can be connected to the headset with Data Transfer cable like the 16 FT USB 3.0 Type C Data Transfer & Charging Cable.

The Goal of VR Headsets

The main objective of VR headsets is to create a life-like digital environment in 3D that will trick our brains into masking out the line between virtual and reality. Video for headsets is fed from a source either through an HDMI cable connected to a computer, through the smartphone screen, or locally displayed through the headset’s processor and screen. The image or video that is displayed on the VR screens is split into two with a separate view for each eye to help build a 3D presentation. All VR screens also make use of lenses found between the eyes and screen which distort the image presented by the screen to transform something more lifelike.

VR Headset Sensors

For VR headsets that come with embedded sensors for head tracking, there is something called 6DOF which is the concept of six degrees of freedom that makes head tracking work. This system is the one to plot your head in an XYZ plane and measure head movements by backward, forward, side to side, and yaw and roll. The 6DOF can basically work thanks to the sensors called gyroscopes, magnetometers, and accelerometers. There are also headsets that use LEDs found externally that have an external camera tracked to develop an accurate positioning of the head. Headsets work in such a way that they strive to be as realistic as possible to trick our brains into thinking that we are indeed transported into the virtual realm. Hence, the lag and response rate must be flawless. Head tracking movements must be lower than 50 milliseconds to prevent our brains from thinking that something is amiss which can cause us to become sick. This response rate is paired with the screen’s high refresh rate which is higher than 60 to 120 fps. Without this, VR headsets can easily induce nausea.

VR Environments

In order to fulfill the sense of realism, most VR environments make use of Binaural or even 3D audio to produce a full audio-visual landscape of the digital realm. This can be completed by wearing headphones like the VR Ears. However, the sound needs to be adjusted through the software from feedback coming through the position sensors. High-end VR headsets are able to motion track, whereas the cheaper ones only offer motion-activated or static viewpoint and may need other manual inputs like a controller. However, wearing a VR headsets for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable. Therefore, a counter-balance head cushion like the VR Balance can be used to reduce head pressure and make the VR experience more immersive.