Revised PlayStation VR Model Arrives at International Retailers

The new PlayStation VR model has slowly been arriving throughout North America and Europe, available in bundles prior to the holiday season. Now however, the second edition of the PlayStation VR head-mounted display (HMD), known as CUH-ZVR2, is available as a standalone purchase in North America and a ‘Starter Pack’ bundle in Europe.

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The PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 model offers a few upgrades over the original HMD. A new signal box allows for high-dynamic range (HDR) passthrough, which will considered important for owners of HDR compatible televisions as they will no longer need to remove the PlayStation VR in order to play standard format PlayStation 4 titles with HDR on the PlayStation 4 Pro console. Revised audio device configuration is also included in the CUH-ZVR2 model.

Upon its launch in Japan the PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 saw a significant boost in sales for the HMD. Whether or not the new model will have the same effect in North America or Europe remains to be seen, however with the news that the PlayStation VR has now surpassed two million unit sales worldwide it’s unlikely that this will be much of a concern for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE).

The PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 Starter Pack is available via Amazon, and both a bundle with the necessary PlayStation Camera and the solo package from Play Asia, varying wildly in price. The later offers international shipping, though the cost of this – as well as any potential import taxes – will vary drastically depending on your location. VRFocus thoroughly recommends researching this before purchase.

SIE are yet to offer official comment on the North American and European retail release of the PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 model, as they also are on the discontinuation of the original PlayStation VR model. Those unsure whether or not their purchase is the original model or the CUH-ZVR2 HMD should check the packaging, as SIE has stated this will be clearly labelled on the product’s box.

PlayStation VR headset

PlayStation VR early adopters and newcomers have been enquiring about the international rollout for the CUH-ZVR2 model for some time, so the arrival of the revised HMD at international retailers will surely be appreciated. Those looking to purchase the CUH-ZVR2 model should check out this guide to setting up your PlayStation VR. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on all models of the PlayStation VR, and any forthcoming videogames for the HMD.

Sony Reveal CES 2018 Press Conference

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) doesn’t normally have a presence at CES. While it was considered an important part of the annual videogame exhibition circuit in the early days of the PlayStation brand, CES has since given way to emerging technologies opposed to videogame consoles and content therein. However, this year it appears that PlayStation VR will feature in SIE’s CES 2018 plans, as parent company SONY has announced a press conference for the event.

PlayStation VR 2 headsetLittle is currently known about what is planned for the press conference. The SONY brand as a whole will take part in the event, with everything from cameras and headphones to external hard-disk drives featuring. However, important to gamers is the fact that the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR also appear to be included in the event.

No official briefing has been issued, simply the image below (edited to remove location details). The press conference will take place on 8th January 2018, the day before CES 2018 officially opens. Furthermore, this same date will host many press conferences from companies involved in VR hardware, such as Qualcomm.

It’s unlikely that SIE will have any new hardware or software to reveal at the event, despite the VR community’s wishes to the contrary. However it could be that an official statement on the North American launch of the second iteration of the PlayStation VR head-mounted display (HMD), known as CUH-ZVR2, could be planned. This is just conjecture at this point, however.

This revised HMD lead to a boost in PlayStation VR sales upon its launch in Japan, and it’s already been revealed that the original PlayStation VR HMD has been discontinued in North America. While there have been reports of the CUH-ZVR2 shipping in select bundles in the US, no official comment has yet been offered.

 

Sony CES 2018 Press Conference InvitationCES 2018 takes place in Las Vegas, 9th – 12th January 2018. VRFocus will be present on the show floor throughout the event, and also attending every major press conference related to VR development and consumer products. Stay right here for all the latest announcements and hands-on reports for every VR HMD and software company present at the event.

Sony’s PSVR Video Quick Start Guide Makes Way for Arrival of New Model (CUH-ZVR2)

Now that Sony’s hardware refresh of PlayStation VR is nearly here with Christmas around the bend, the company has published an updated version of it 3-part guide on how to set up PSVR including instructions for both models, CUH-ZVR1 and CUH-ZVR2. While the updated model is slated to arrive via a Skyrim VR + PSVR bundle, the video is clearly making way for the anticipated fun dealing with wires, adaptors, so on and so forth.

You should find a much more comprehensive written guide in the box. You can also download the manual here.

Part 1 – Unboxing

This section covers everything that comes in the box, including printed manual, Processor unit, USB cable, AC adaptor, stereo headphones, AC power cord and HDMI cable. Users with the previous model (CUH-ZVR1) should also find a VR headset connection cable in the box, something the newer model has integrated.

Part 2 – Plugging it in

The second part gets a little more complicated. We’ve included a quick recap below the video if you have trouble following along.

  1. Plug in headphones.
  2. Connect the PS Camera to PS4.
  3. Disconnect HDMI from the back of the PS4 and plug it into the processor unit, leaving the other end still plugged into the TV.
  4. Take the number 1 HDMI cable and connect the PS4 and Processor unit.
  5. Plug USB cable number 2 to the back of the PS4 and back of the Processor unit.
  6. Connect the power cord to the AC adaptor and plug the AC adaptor cable (labeled number 3) to the back of the Processor unit. Make sure it’s plugged into a wall socket.

CUH-ZVR2: Since the Processor unit is slightly different (allowing for HDR pass-through), you don’t have a ‘VR headset connection cable’, but rather a ‘VR headset cable’. Connect the PSVR to the front of the Processor unit using this cable, making sure to line up the symbols.

CUH-ZVR1: The older unit has a cable-locking function on the Processor unit that slides back in order to connect the ‘VR headset connection cable’. Take that cable and attach it to the PSVR’s number 5 cord.

Once everything is hooked up, you can then turn on the TV first, then the PS4, then the PSVR last. The blue tracking lights should be glowing

Part 3 – Getting the Perfect Play Area and Right Fit

This last section covers Camera Placement, since the headset requires unobstructed view with the camera to maintain adequate tracking. Sony suggests either directly on top of your TV, or directly under. You can then setup your play area, which Sony suggests at 6 x 10 feet. Remember to clear out your play area so you don’t punch your mom or kick your collection of Fabergé eggs.

Sony asks you to stay seated for your PSVR experience, although there are clearly games designed for a standing experience (Skyrim VR sounds like a great candidate). Just keep in mind that the closer you are to the PS Camera, the less of a ‘tracking cone’ you’ll have, so you need to stay well aware of your area not only for safety, but for optimal function of the headset.

From here, it’s all about finding your right fit. First, adjust the ‘scope’, or how close the display fits to your face, all the way out. Make the headband bigger with the ‘headband release button’. Placing it correctly on your head, you can then crank the headstrap down nice and snug with the little adjustment dial in the back. Now, move the display closer or farther away using the ‘scope button’.

And there you have it! That was only slightly less complicated than setting up an HTC Vive or Oculus Rift!

The post Sony’s PSVR Video Quick Start Guide Makes Way for Arrival of New Model (CUH-ZVR2) appeared first on Road to VR.

New PlayStation VR Model Arrives in North America and Europe

The PlayStation VR is preparing for a busy holiday season, with numerous big name titles heading to the format in the coming months. Along with those new videogames and experiences however, will be the newly revised edition of the PlayStation VR head-mounted display (HMD) itself.

PlayStation VR 2 headsetLaunched in Japan last month – and leading to something of a boost in sales for the PlayStation VR – the new model, known as CUH-ZVR2, adds a number of new features to the HMD: specifically a high-dynamic range (HDR) passthrough for those playing with a PlayStation 4 Pro console on a compatible 4K TV, and a new embedded headphone option.

The PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 is not a significant overhaul of the original model. Instead, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is positioning the new edition as a revision. The HMD will replace all existing editions – which have now been discontinued – and will retail for the same price (with the exception of new bundle deals, of course). Consumers will be able to recognise the new edition of the PlayStation VR by way of having ‘CUH-ZVR2’ noted on the packaging and, in the case here, the headphone cabling being embedded within the HMD on the image leading the box front.

As can be seen in the image below, the PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 model will arrive by way of the new Gran Turismo Sport bundle previously reported by VRFocus. After a slight delay, SIE has begun international rollout of this package which in North America will include the PlayStation VR, a PlayStation Camera, a physical copy of Gran Turismo Sport, and an updated version of the PlayStation VR Demo Disc featuring 13 PlayStation VR demo experiences. This edition bundle will be priced at for $399.99 USD in the US and for $499.99 in Canada.

PlayStation VR GT Sport Bundle The European edition of the bundle will include the PlayStation VR, a PlayStation Camera, Gran Turismo Sport and PlayStation VR Worlds. This bundle is priced at £349.99 GBP in the UK.

Whether or not the PlayStation VR will benefit from the same boost in sales seen in Japan with the launch of the revised HMD remains to be seen. However, the recent parade of new titles for the PlayStation VR seen during SIE’s Paris Games Week press conference is more than likely to have convinced some new adopters to make that purchase.

The new edition of the PlayStation VR, as part of this new bundle, is now arriving at retail throughout North America and Europe. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on the PlayStation VR HMD.

Original PlayStation VR Headset Now Discontinued

One year after the launch of the PlayStation VR a new model of the head-mounted display (HMD) is now going on sale. Already launched in Japan, it appears that the new HMD, known as CUH-ZVR2, will be launching across North America and Europe in the very near future.

The news comes as Amazon.com has updated their listing for the original PlayStation VR, specifically noting that the current model has been discontinued. A price reduction is also in effect; down from $349.99 USD to $297.86, however this could be in light of the new bundle deals available for the HMD opposed to the desire to quickly remove stock in favour of the new model.

The new PlayStation VR model, CUH-ZVR2, adds a few requested features as well as new audio options. The CUH-ZVR2 version of the PlayStation VR enables the stereo headphone cables to be integrated with the HMD and a slimmer, streamlined connection cable. There’s also an updated Processor Unit that supports HDR pass through, enabling users to experience HDR-compatible PlayStation 4 content on a TV without having to disconnect the Processor Unit in between the TV and the PlayStation 4 system.

Due to the updated cable systems in CUH-ZVR2, users will not be able to use the new Processor Unit with the original HMD. However, all PlayStation VR software currently available and set for release will support both models of the PlayStation VR HMD.

PlayStation VR 2 headsetIn order to distinguish between the original model (CUH-ZVR1) and CUH-ZVR2 model, the packaging will be updated to include the model number printed on the box.

While there remains no official release date for the CUH-ZVR2 model in North America or Europe, we’re likely to see a rollout within the coming weeks. It will most likely be muted – no official statement regarding the replacement beyond the original announcement – as Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) will want to minimise risk of confusion for new adopters.

As stated above, SIE recently launched a new PlayStation VR bundle including Gran Tursimo Sport, PlayStation VR Worlds and the PlayStation Camera; everything needed to get you started with the PlayStation VR. VRFocus has also prepared a guide to the best PlayStation VR accessories for your convenience.

New PlayStation VR Model to Debut this Month

Earlier today Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) revealed that a new PlayStation VR model, known as CUH-ZVR2, had been designed and was ready for consumer adoption. However, the company didn’t reveal a release date for the product, simply stating that they ‘will share details on the launch timing at a later date’. This date has subsequently been revealed for an initial launch in Japan.

PlayStation VR Header 7The PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 features a few minor improvements, most noticeable are the changes relating to the audio connectivity and a revised Processing Unit. You can find the full story on the new model in VRFocusearlier coverage, as well as a breakdown of the important aspects from our own Nina Salomons in a PlayStation VR CUH-ZVR2 reaction video.

The important update this evening comes from the official Japanese PlayStation website, where a launch date of 14th October 2017, has been revealed. Just as in western territories, the price of the hardware will not change with the new model and the software compatibility is not affected with either existing or future releases.

There’s still no official confirmation of a release date for the new model in either North America or Europe, but VRFocus will continue to follow this story and keep you updated with the latest details.

A New PlayStation VR? What it Means to Gamers

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) made the surprise announcement that a new model of the PlayStation VR head-mounted display (HMD) is on the way. Featuring two of the most requested additions – HDR passthrough support and on-board headphones – the new model will be welcomed by newcomers, but what about those who already own the PlayStation VR?

PlayStationVR_Header11Sadly, for those hoping to upgrade their PlayStation VR Processing Unit to allow for HDR passthrough, this won’t be possible due to different cabling on each of the HMDs. However, thankfully the new HMD, known as CUH-ZVR2, will not make use of any differing feature set for virtual reality (VR) software, meaning all existing videogames and 360 degree video content will be compatible with both HMDs.

In the video below, Nina Salomons details the changes the PlayStation VR will undergo with the arrival of the CUH-ZVR2 model. No official release date for the CUH-ZVR2 model has yet been announced, but VRFocus will continue to follow the device and keep you updated with all the latest details.