Windows Mixed-Reality-Brille „Visor“ von Dell vorbestellbar [Update]

[Update] Die Windows-Mixed-Reality-Brille Visor lässt sich inzwischen bei Dell in den USA und Großbritannien vorbestellen. In Amerika kostet die Brille ohne MwSt. 350 US-Dollar, die Controller 100 Dollar. Das Bundle bietet keine Preisersparnis und liegt bei 450 Dollar. In Großbritannien ruft Dell für das Headset mit MwSt. knapp 360 Pfund Sterling auf, die Controller liegen bei rund 109 Pfund. Ein Bundle ist noch nicht freigeschaltet. Da die Preise im britischen Store sehr krumm sind, könnten sie sich allerdings noch bewegen. Als Veröffentlichungsdatum gibt der Hersteller zumindest auf der US-Seite den 17. Oktober an.

Originalmeldung:

Die neuen Microsoft Mixed-Reality-Brillen von Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo und Dell ziehen derzeit viel Aufmerksamkeit auf sich: Im Rahmen der IFA stehen die Windows-Brillen voll im Fokus. Nun verrät Dell bereits im Vorfeld einige Details zu seinem Modell. Die VR-Brille bringt der große PC-Hersteller unter dem Namen Visor heraus und soll ab dem 17. Oktober 2017 käuflich zu erwerben sein.

Mixed-Reality-Brille Visor von Dell

Auf der IFA in Berlin werden diverse Hersteller ihre neuen Windows-VR-Brillen vorstellen. Wir erwarten dann genauere Informationen über Preise, Erscheinungstermine und die Namen der Modelle. Dell prescht voran und veröffentlich im Vorfeld genau diese Details. Die Mixed-Reality-Brille nennt der Hersteller Visor, das Headset soll ab dem 17. Oktober 2017 erhältlich sein. Den Preis der Visor beziffert Dell mit 350 US-Dollar. Das ist etwas teurer als die Konkurrenz, die Brille von Acer kostet 299 Dollar, das VR-Headset von HP liegt bei 329 Dollar. Bei allen Entwicklerversionen muss man bedenken, dass es sich noch um keine Bundles mit Touch-Controllern handelt. Diese schlagen dann noch extra zu Buche, sobald sie verfügbar sind.

Bedenkt man den kürzlichen Preissturz der Oculus Rift sowie der HTC Vive, dann wirkt der Preis der Windows-Lösung nicht mehr so günstig, der Abstand zu der etablierten Konkurrenz hat sich deutlich verringert. Zumindest auf der Software-Seite sollte es aber wenig Unterschiede geben: Microsoft hat diese Woche seine Kooperation mit Valve bekanntgegeben, wodurch Nutzer einer Windows-Brille auf SteamVR zugreifen können. Über Revive lassen sich dann auch Titel für die Rift aus dem Oculus Store spielen. Sogar einen potentiellen Systemseller konnte Microsoft vorstellen: Als Exklusiv-Titel kündigte der Konzern eine VR-Umsetzung des First-Person-Shooters Halo an.

Die neue Mixed-Reality-Brille Visor von Dell funktioniert im Gegensatz zu den Konkurrenzmodellen von Oculus und HTC mit Inside-Out-Tracking. Dadurch benötigt man keine externen Sensoren, da die Windows-Brille das Tracking autark beherrscht. Dies geschieht mit zwei Weitwinkelkameras, die sich in der Vorderseite des Headsets befinden.

Die erste Visor wird wahrscheinlich ebenso wie die beiden Modelle von HP und Acer vorerst als Entwicklerversion erhältlich sein. Ab dem 17. Oktober 2017 steht die Mixed-Reality-Brille für 350 Dollar im Microsoft Store zur Verfügung.

(Quellen: The Verge | Videos: Windows Central Youtube)

Der Beitrag Windows Mixed-Reality-Brille „Visor“ von Dell vorbestellbar [Update] zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

Microsoft: Windows-Mixed-Reality-Brillen unterstützen SteamVR

Microsoft gibt die Zusammenarbeit mit Valve bekannt: Die Windows-Mixed-Reality-Brillen von beispielsweise Acer, Asus, Dell, HP und Lenovo werden Software über SteamVR beziehen können. Valve sieht den Markteintritt der Windows-Brillen als einen großen Schritt voran für VR. Die Headsets benötigen zwar einen leistungsfähigen PC, das Tracking der Mixed-Reality-Brillen kommt aber ohne externe Hardware aus.

SteamVR für Windows Mixed Reality Headsets

Zwischen der Gamescom in Köln und der IFA in Berlin gibt Microsoft einige Neuigkeiten zur Windows-Mixed-Reality-Plattform bekannt. Bisher war nicht klar, ob der Software-Gigant vielleicht ausschließlich auf den eigenen Store setzt und sich damit von der aktuellen VR-Szene abgrenzt. Nun verkündet Microsoft, mit Valve zusammenzuarbeiten und SteamVR zu unterstützen. Allerdings nennt das Unternehmen noch keine Details, wie die Kompatibilität funktioniert: Entweder müssen Entwickler ihre Apps an die Mixed Reality Headsets anpassen oder man setzt wie die HTC Vive und Oculus Rift auf Valves OpenVR-Treiber.

Joe Ludwig von Valve bezeichnet die Einführung der Windows-VR-Headsets als großen Schritt vorwärts für VR. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Microsoft, um die Mixed Reality Brillen kompatibel mit SteamVR zu machen, sei ebenfalls ein großer Schritt. Die Steam-Gemeinschaft habe nun eine eine große Hardware-Auswahl und damit noch mehr Möglichkeiten, das wunderbare Potenzial von VR zu erleben.

Windows Mixed Reality mit SteamVR

Erste Entwicklerversionen von Mixed Reality Brillen sind von Acer und HP bereits erhältlich. Asus, Dell und Lenovo haben VR-Headsets angekündigt, die bis Ende des Jahres erscheinen sollen. Eine Besonderheit der Windows-Brillen ist das Inside-Out-Tracking, wodurch man keine externen Kameras oder Sensoren installieren muss. Das Tracking übernimmt die Hardware im Headset.

In unserem Test der Brille von Acer funktionierte dieses gut. Auch die Bildqualität konnte überzeugen, durch die etwas höhere Auflösung von 1440 x 1440 Pixeln pro Bildschirm liegt sie leicht über der von Oculus Rift und HTC Vive. Die Preise für die Entwicklerversionen von Acer und HP liegen zwischen 299 und 329 US-Dollar. Ein passender Controller ist noch nicht erhältlich, was den auf den ersten Blick günstigen Preis relativiert.

Der Beitrag Microsoft: Windows-Mixed-Reality-Brillen unterstützen SteamVR zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

Dell’s Windows VR Headset Releases This October For Under $400

Dell’s Windows VR Headset Releases This October For Under $400

Update: Dell has reached out to UploadVR to clarify that both its headset and bundle will actually be $10 cheaper than originally planned. This story has been changed to reflect the new pricing.

The Windows VR headset landscape is starting to get pretty crowded and it hasn’t even really begun yet. Both the HP and Acer are available in dev kit form with another on the way from ASUS, but now we know the Dell VR headset (known as the Dell Visor) is just around the corner.

Today, Dell is announcing that their immersive Windows VR headset will go on sale starting October 17th, 2017, for $349, along with the Windows VR motion controllers for $99. Bundles will also be available for $449.

Hands-On Impressions

In terms of comfort and build quality the Windows VR Dell Visor is very similar to the HP Windows VR headset. It has the same padding on the front and back of the headband making it very light and comfy while resting around your head. There is a knob in the back as well for easy tightening and loosening similar to the HP and PSVR as well. Also, just like the HP and Acer, the front of the visor can flip upwards to allow you to easily see the real world which is helpful for talking to people or typing on your keyboard.

In fact, the only difference really between the Dell and HP is that the HP has a breakaway attachment where the cable plugs in (so you can detach and roll it up for traveling) and the Dell has a clip on the back to run the wire to the rear of the headband instead of on the side, which is often annoying.

Visually the exterior design is attractive and the pure white finish actually looks really nice. It’s a good contrast in comparison to the black Rift, Vive, and HP headsets. The PSVR has a nice balance of black and white colors. The camera placement looks less like a toaster in comparison to the Acer and less like Robocop in comparison to the HP, but evokes a sort of bug-eyed appearance in my opinion. Not any worse or off-putting, just different.

During my demo I was relegated to only seeing the Windows VR home interface, not any actual games or apps, but everything looked crisp and worked great. That’s likely due to the fact that it has the same 1440 x 1440 display that the HP and Acer have as well.

Content and Controllers

During the demo we also got the chance to check out the upcoming Windows VR motion controllers, which are expected to arrive at the same time as the Dell headset for $99. For in-depth thoughts on how they felt and performed you can read those hands-on impressions here.

In addition to the news about the headset today we’ve also learned that not only will there be a whole suite of apps and games, such as a new Halo experience, launching on the Windows Store for Windows VR headsets like the Dell (as well as Acer, HP, and ASUS) but we also found out the devices will work with SteamVR too. That opens up a ton of doors for content.


What do you think of the Windows VR Dell Visor? Other than visual design and some cord placement differences it’s virtually identical to the $329 HP headset and slightly better than the $299 Acer headset. You’ll reportedly be able to get one in just a few months (October 17th) for $359 reportedly at the Dell website, Best Buy website, and select Microsoft and Best Buy retail locations. Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below!

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“Future Halo experiences” Coming to Windows VR Headsets, Microsoft Says

Microsoft today announced that 343 Industries, the studio tasked with overseeing the Halo franchise, will be creating Halo-themed experiences for the company’s lineup of VR headsets.

The information, revealed by HoloLens’ chief inventor and ‘Mixed Reality’ project lead Alex Kipman, comes alongside the news that Microsoft’s VR headsets and controller bundles will be launching this holiday season for $399.

“…it’s my pleasure to let you know that we are working with 343 Industries to bring future Halo experiences into mixed reality. We are not providing specifics right now, but it is going to be a lot of fun to work with them,” said Kipman.

Alex Kipman, image courtesy Microsoft

It’s uncertain at this time whether the Halo-themed VR experiences will be necessarily tied to the Windows Store, making them defacto exclusive to the Windows Mixed Reality platform. The company’s VR headsets will however have access to content published on Steam, allowing owners to download all supported VR titles, which thanks to the fairly standard button layout of the Windows VR motion controller may mean the full catalog of Vive/Rift games and experiences.

The post “Future Halo experiences” Coming to Windows VR Headsets, Microsoft Says appeared first on Road to VR.

Hands-On With the Windows ‘Mixed Reality’ VR Motion Controllers

Hands-On With the Windows ‘Mixed Reality’ VR Motion Controllers

When it comes to input mechanisms for virtual reality it’s really a two horse race at the moment. The HTC Vive nailed roomscale tracking first with its lighthouse base station system and wand-like motion controllers while the Oculus Rift released its Oculus Touch controllers less than a year ago. We prefer the Touch controllers from a pure comfort, ergonomics, and usability perspective, but the lighthouse tracking system is more versatile and scalable.

Meanwhile Sony’s PlayStation VR platform is chugging away with mostly gamepad experiences and a smattering of PS Move controller apps, but those controllers are by far the least advanced part of that setup. As a result Microsoft is hoping to shake up the marketplace with the launch of their Windows “Mixed Reality” VR motion controllers. You can see the reveal video below:

I put “Mixed Reality” in quotes previously because that’s what the company is labeling the entire market consisting of VR, AR, and other technologies. Practically speaking though these are just VR motion controllers to use with either the HP, Acer, or Dell headsets (as well as the upcoming ASUS device.)

Hands-On Impressions

At a private Dell-focused press event in San Francisco earlier this month I got the chance to go hands-on with the Windows VR motion controllers for myself in conjunction with the Dell VR Visor. You can read more about my thoughts on the Dell VR headset here (as well as HP vs Acer) to get the full picture, but for this article we’ll focus strictly on the controllers. Here’s a very unflattering shot of me looking like a fool:

Regardless of which Windows VR headset you get these controllers are expected to work seamlessly. The great thing about the Windows VR platform is the ease-of-use and setup from the consumer angle. You’ll be able to plug directly into your PC or laptop using the one cable from the headset itself that branches into a USB and HDMI plug. That’s it. No base stations or tracking cameras required.

From there the Windows VR controllers communicate with the headset wirelessly and you’re good to go. At my demo I didn’t get the chance to try any games or apps with the controllers, but instead just walked around the Windows VR home space. This let me see how it felt to move around using the motion controllers and I was able to see how well the tracking worked. They were represented digitally in the world much like Vive wands are during the SteamVR home interface as well.

When these Windows VR headsets launch they’re expected to have a suite of apps available from the Windows Store, such as Superhot and Arizona Sunshine. There is even a Halo experience being worked on and they’ll work with Steam’s VR interface too, greatly expanding the number of compatible apps.

Visually they look like a combination of the current Vive wands and the Oculus Touch controllers. Microsoft was able to cram both a tiny little touch pad and a thumbstick onto a single device, as well as side grip buttons and a trigger, plus a menu and Windows button. Theoretically these should work great for pretty much any type of VR app you’d ever want to run.

They were comfortable to hold and felt very sturdy; luckily they weren’t as top-heavy as they appear. Since I didn’t get to try any actual content my demo was quite limited, but I did put the controllers through their paces in the home interface. One of the biggest questions facing these controllers coming into my demo was whether or not the tracking would hold up if the headset’s tracking cameras could not see them. As you know the Vive and Rift both have external cameras to track their controllers, but that isn’t the case here.

Based on my hands-on experience the answer is yes, the Windows VR motion controllers work just fine even when the headset’s cameras cannot see them.

Testing this was very easy in my demo. The controllers were modeled digitally inside VR and they had laser pointers extending from the tips. To answer my question I held each controller out in my hands, extending my hands to the sides, and then curled my hands up to point them inward. The laser pointer followed and I could easily move them around accurately. I did the same test by putting the controllers behind my back, clearly out of the headset camera’s sight, with the same result. I did notice if I was overly erratic there was some hiccuping, but as far as I know these are still dev kit devices so that could be fixed with software and firmware updates over time.

This was an important threshold to meet because tons of VR apps and games have users swinging controllers around and pointing in various directions, so if the cameras needed to see the controllers at all times it’d have been a deal breaker. Luckily that was not the case, at least not with the Dell headset.

Release Info

According to Dell and Microsoft the Windows VR motion controllers are expected to be available for purchase later this year on or around October 17th, 2017, for $99. As stated, they should work perfectly regardless of whether or not you choose the Dell, HP, or Acer Windows VR headset.

What do you think of these controllers thus far? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below!

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Windows Mixed Reality Headsets von Acer und HP für alle sind da – und wieder weg

Nachdem bisher lediglich Entwickler die Windows Mixed Reality Headsets bestellen konnten, schaltete Microsoft nun das Angebot im US-Store für alle frei. Offensichtlich mit großem Erfolg, denn die Geräte sind bereits ausverkauft. Das Modell von HP ließ sich nur wenige Stunden ordern, inzwischen muss man auch auf die zweite Charge des VR-Headsets von Acer warten.

Windows Mixed Reality Headsets von Acer und HP im US-Store

Nach den Lösungen von Acer und HP sollen auch Brillen von 3Glasses, Asus, Dell und Lenovo auf den Markt kommen, erste Bilder der Headsets zeigen wir in diesem Artikel. Von den technischen Spezifikationen unterscheiden sich die VR-Lösungen für Windows 10 bisher kaum: Sowohl Acer wie auch HP verbauen zwei Bildschirme mit jeweils 1440 x 1440 Pixeln. Zwar ist die Auflösung damit höher als bei der Oculus Rift und HTC Vive, in unserem Test der Acer-Brille konnten wir aber nur eine minimale Verbesserung des Bildeindrucks feststellen. Das Sichtfeld fällt mit 95 Grad enger aus als bei Rift und Vive. Ein Highlight der Acer-Lösung ist allerdings das geringe Gewicht und die bequeme Handhabung. Die Windows-Headsets setzen auf Inside-Out-Tracking, benötigen also für Room-Scale-Erfahrungen keine Marker, Kameras oder sonstige Installationen.

Die beiden derzeit angebotenen Windows Mixed Reality Headsets sind zwar jetzt für alle bestellbar, bleiben aber weiterhin Entwicklerversionen. Für den Betrieb benötigt man zudem einen dicken PC: Microsoft hat die minimalen Anforderungen erhöht und empfiehlt Entwicklern einen Intel i7 mit sechs Kernen oder AMD Ryzen 7 1700 mit acht Kernen. Als Grafikkarte sollte es mindestens eine NVIDIA GTX 980 oder 1060 sein, bei AMD beginnt der Spaß mit einer Radeon RX 480 mit 8 GB VRAM. An Arbeitsspeicher reichen laut Microsoft 16 GB. Die Windows Mixed Reality Brille von Acer kostet 299 US-Dollar, das Headset von HP ist mit 329 Dollar etwas teurer.

Der Beitrag Windows Mixed Reality Headsets von Acer und HP für alle sind da – und wieder weg zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

Dell Team up With Sony to Create Spider-Man Homecoming VR World

The upcoming movie Spider-Man: Homecoming is one of the most anticipated of the year, seeing the masked superhero finally take his place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Marvel Studio struck a deal with Sony Pictures for use of the character. Sony are still getting something out of the deal, however, since the studio form a large part of not only the marketing but also the creation of The Spider-Man: Homecoming VR experience alongside Dell Computers.

The Spider-Man: Homecoming VR experience was developed by experience virtual reality (VR) content creators CreateVR and produced by Sony Pictures Virtual Reality and created on Dell Precision workstations. The VR experience offers players the chance to become Spider-Man and see the world from his viewpoint. Players will have the opportunity to hone their web-shooting, swing from virtual buildings and chase down the film’s villain, the Vulture.

Fans of Spider-Man in the US will be able to get a preview of the VR experience at some selected Cinemark theatres through America, where Dell will be powering the experience using their high-end VR-ready PC products. Dell workstations were also providing the power for the visual effects studio, Sony Pictures Imageworks, which used roughly 1000 Dell Precision workstations and more than 4000 Dell servers to create the visual effects used in the film.

“The computing power of Dell Precision workstations, coupled with thousands of PowerEdge servers, enables rapid creative iterations and allows us to put the best picture on screen,” said Erik Strauss, executive director, Software Development at Sony Pictures Imageworks.

“We are proud that Sony Pictures Imageworks looks to us, and solutions such as the Precision rack 7910 workstations, to deliver the reliable performance for incredible visual effects that make films like Spider-Man: Homecoming possible,” said Rahul Tikoo, vice president and general manager, Dell Precision workstations. “Our collaboration with Imageworks goes beyond this film; we’re making sure to not only equip them with what they need today but to deliver the transformative solutions they might need for the future of immersive storytelling.”

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on developments within the VR industry.

Hammerhead Teams With MLB, HTC & More For Cannes Lions Innovation Festival Presentation

A seminar is usually one of two things.  It is either very engaging or it is boring. There’s very little in the way of middle ground between the two, and if it turns out to be the latter boy is it goign to be difficult to listen to.  Fortunately this doesn’t appear to be the case at the Cannes Lions Innovation Festival where yesterday an unusual five-way partnership of Imagination, Hammerhead VR, Major League Baseball (MLB), HTC Vive, and Dell hosted what they are calling “the world’s first free movement mixed reality (MR) presentation.”

Discussions in the interactive seminar focused on two business areas: brand experience and consumer behaviour and how technology such as virtual reality (VR) could potentially utilise such information. However this was before volunteers were invited to take part in a series of tests involving playing ‘catch’ with a ball.  Being successful would then trigger changes in the world around them.

“The idea of catching a ball is simple.” Explained Steve Jelley, joint Managing Director of Hammerhead VR. “However, if you take this action into mixed reality, it can become a catalyst for creativity that can blend the physical and virtual worlds into a completely new experience. The possibilities of the Vive Tracker are powerful, and very exciting for us as immersive content creators”

The ball was not a regular sort you’d get at the store however. It was instead a 3D printed soft rubber ball that incased an HTC Vive Tracker.  No easy design task as the ball had to be light enough to throw around, soft enough to be safe to actually throw, be something you could physicaly catch, and be able to not just house the Tracker but be open enough for it to be still picked up by the Vive’s lighthouses whilst it’s being tossed around. If the ball suddenly disappeared mid throw you’re going to end up with confusion – and potentially a ball to the face.

The end result took, according to Hammerhead VR, four weeks to develop and 89 hours to 3D print and allowed the team the chance to experiment with people’s expectations as well as alter the environment around them – and even the ball itself.

“The Vive Tracker is an incredibly exciting tool for developers and marketers alike. The technology enables virtually any object to be tracked in the virtual space, from sports equipment to car steering wheels to furniture – there are endless possibilities.” Added Herve Fontaine, HTC Vive’s VP of Business Development. “With the Vive Tracker, it creates an innovative platform for key parts of your brand story to be tracked and represented within VR.”

You can see a short trailer for the session below which shows some of the development that took place. How these developments continue in the future remains to be seen. But should their be any further news we will be sure to cover it on VRFocus.